Proud of the Cleaner

Thirteen years ago, i met Bruce  Aitken or Brother Bruce to his radio followers and friends.That time, i was a contributor for the Sun Newspaper and since i just moved from Pinoy Abroad, i was thinking of writing something that will make my debut article something worth reading. 

I tried to get inspiration from the radio and was surprised to learn about a program hosted by an American-Irish that is dedicated to Filipinos, mostly OFWs and inmates. 

I tried to contact him and the rest they say is history.

I got to feature him in the Sun twice and we became very good friends. 

When i left HK, we occasionally communicate through email but in the past couple of years, we lost contact.

While browsing the net earlier this week,  I found out that he recently launched a book called

 The Cleaner, about a money launderer turned Mr Clean. 

Excerpt from the Book:

"You are looking at the Meyer Lansky of money laundering " All attending the court gasped out loud, and with malice aforethought, stared at me as if I had just landed from outer space.

From humble beginnings in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, Bruce Aitken was destined to be a baseball player until fate stepped in, in the form of a knee injury, and forever changed the course of his life.

What started innocently enough, answering an ad in the newspaper, turned into a globe-trotting lifestyle of moving money - huge sums of money - for some of the world's most notorious and somewhat shady characters. From the jungles of Viet Nam to the money capitals of the world, Bruce moved in circles that would unquestioningly hand over millions of dollars to him on a handshake, to be deposited into Swiss Bank accounts.

It all started to crash via an event in Reno Nevada, and nearly cost Bruce the rest of his life in prison.

So for those who are wondering why he has a soft spot for prisoners, that prison experience made him more compassionate towards those who are in jail and the program Hour of love slowly attracted OFWs as well. Some skeptics tried to put him down but after more than a decade of serving the church, he was able to prove that he is the real thing.

Brother Bruce's story is proof that no matter how bad a person is, He can change his ways as long as he is determined.

To You Brother,

I am very proud of what you have accomplished. I have seen how you sacrificed for the Hour of Love.

I will always pray for your success since you are touching people without you realizing how big the impact is and i am always grateful for the friendship and all the advices you have given me.

Always looking forward to seeing you.