Insights from An Extraordinary Man

The other day someone sent me an email containing this very inspiring speech of John Gokongwei he made in Ateneo a few years back. Actually, yung speech niyang yon ang nag-inspire naman sa akin para sulatin ang previous two posts ko.

Kapuri-puri ang buhay na pinagdaanan ni JG dahil nanggaling siya sa pagiging mahirap at ngayo'y one of the most successful businessmen in our country. Sabi ni J.G. nagumpisa lang daw siya sa pagtinda-tinda sa palengke.

I would load my bicycle with soap, thread, and candles, and then bike to neighboring towns to sell my goods. On market days, I would rent a stall, lay out the goods from the bike, and make about 20 pesos a day, enough for me to survive and to buy even more goods for next time. - JG

Hindi instant success ang business ni JG. Nagumpisa siya sa maliit at unti-unti niyang pinalaki ito. However, it was only after he got a break that his company really made it big time. His break was in the form of an UTANG, a loan. Kaya nga nasabi ko sa past post ko “borrowing money to generate more money” ang secret to success.

I needed capital. That was not easy. I was 30, had no big company success to back me up, and I didn't know any bankers.

Thankfully, Dr. Albino Sycip, then chairman of China Bank, and DK Chiong, then president, gave me a clean loan of P500,000 to start my business. He would be asked later why he did that and he said something about knowing a good man when he saw one. (Maybe he knew something I didn't.) Anyway, from there Universal Corn Products, the predecessor of Universal Robina Corporation, was born. - JG

Mr. Gokongwei is indeed a very remarkable man; whose life we can get lots of inspiration from. The way he tackled and emerged triumphant against mighty competition is truly inspiring.

Remember the story of David and Goliath? Every industry has its Goliath. But every David knows that all giants have their weaknesses. Every weakness is an opportunity.

… But I chose to live my life unafraid even during times when I WAS afraid. I discovered that opportunities don't find you;/ you find your opportunities. - JG

What really impressed me about JG was what he said in another speech on the importance of treasuring one's family.

And never forget your families! Your parents denied themselves many things to send you here. They could have traveled around the world a couple of times with the money they set aside for your education, and your social life, and your comforts. Remember them -- and thank them. When you have families of your own, you must be home with them for at least one meal everyday. I did that while I was building my company. Now, with all my six children married, I ask that we spend every Sunday lunch together, when everything under the sun is discussed. As it is with business, so it is with family. There are no short cuts for building either one. - JG

It’s funny because when I was growing up I did have a contempt against people in business. My image of them is that of vultures and crocs (buwaya) out there to take advantage of the masses in their quest for profits and more profits. Tumatanda na talaga ako, because my perspective on business has totally turned around. Like JG in his last words to his audience, I now advocate more Pinoys to go into entrepreneurship.

I hope that many of you in this room will some day choose to be entrepreneurs. Choose to be entrepreneur because then YOU create value. Choose to be an entrepreneur because the products, services, and jobs you create then become the lifeblood of our nation. But most of all, choose to be an entrepreneur because then you desire a life of adventure, endless challenge, and the opportunity to be your BEST SELF. - JG

Point of Clarification

I think I might have misled others in my previous post so it’s important that I set the record straight. I hope I have not influenced anyone the wrong way when I encouraged people to be in debt.

For me, I consider borrowing money into two types. There is irresponsible borrowing and responsible borrowing.

When you buy a 50” plasma TV on installment at 20% interest that’s irresponsible borrowing. When you borrow money to buy a $30,000 dollar car, when you can make do with a $6,000 Japanese import that is irresponsible borrowing. When you use your credit card to buy designer clothes and only pay the monthly minimum payment that is irresponsible borrowing. In other words if you borrow money to buy something that will not generate income and only puts you more into debt as a result of interest payments, that is being irresponsible.

If I loan money to buy a rundown house with the intention of renovating it and then either reselling it or having it rented, then that’s responsible borrowing. Because even though I’ll be paying interests on the mortgage, I am still in a position to make more money from the investment. If I borrow money to buy a van to start a “food on wheels” business, that’s responsible borrowing (provided of course you've made a feasibility study that it will make money). On a larger scale, if I borrow money to open a Jollibee franchise in my hometown in Pampanga, that's not a fantasy. It's a probability. And it's borrowed money that won't be wasted.

The type of borrowing I’m advocating is only the responsible type. Borrowing for the sake of borrowing is folly. Paying interests for borrowed money that doesn’t generate income is not being clever. Kung gusto mo ng plasma TV, pag-ipunan mo, huwag mong utangin. Use your credit cards, but always pay the amount owed in full para walang interest. Lakasan niyo ang loob niyo na mangutang especially if it is for income generating ventures. It's a benefit/cost thing. If you think the benefits will outweigh the costs, go for it, mate!

The Secret to Getting Rich

Noon ang akala ko masama ang umutang. Kasi naman di ba nung bata tayo iniiwasan natin yung mga kaklaseng palautang? At kapag ika’y nautangan ng isang kaibigan, malamang simula yon ng inyong pagkakagalit. Dahil dito pumasok tuloy sa isip ko na hinding hindi ako mangungutang dahil ayokong magkaroon ng kaaway at ayokong ako’y iniiwasan. Ang akala ko rin noon ang mga mayayaman walang mga utang at ang mga may utang mahihirap lamang. Salungat pala ito sa katotohanan.

Lately ko na lang na-realize nung nasa 30s na ako na kabaligtaran pala ang palakad sa capitalist world. Dito pala, hindi masama ang umutang. Impak, mas may advantage pala kung ang tao’y may utang. Katulad na lang ng bangko ko. Noong wala pa akong utang andami kong binabayarang banking charges. Ngayon may home loan na ako sa kanila, ni-waive lahat ng transaction fees dahil isa na raw akong “preferred customer”. Ngayon kabi-kabila ang pre-approved credit cards na aking natatanggap. Noon ni isa walang gustong mag approve ng credit card sa akin.

Ngayon ko natanto na ang sikreto pala para yumaman ay ang umutang. Mas malaki utang, mas lalo kang yayaman. Ang kailangan nga lang alam mo kung saan gagamitin ang perang iyong inutang at kaya mo itong i-manage. Dapat tantiyado mo na sa bawat piso na iyong ibabayad sa nagpautang sa yo, kikita ka pa rin ng higit sa piso. Kung kikita ka ng sampung sentimo sa bawat piso, sampung sentimo pa rin yong ibubulsa mo tubo ng perang hindi naman galing sa yo.

Kaya pala ang mga mayayaman lalong yumayaman. Ang isang businessman real estate developer kayang umutang ng milyon-milyon sa bangko. Gagamitin ang perang inutang para bumili ng murang lupain, patatayuan ng mga bahay, pagkatapos ibebenta ang mga ito ng mahal. Malaki kita niya. May inilabas ba siyang pera? Malamang wala.

Kadalasan, mas mayaman, mas maraming utang. Yan pala ang katotohanan. Kaya nga masasabi kong isa na ako sa matatawag na mayaman, kasi malaki na utang ko. Pakita ko sa inyo ang online bank statement ko as of 22 Feb. 2006. Baka akala niyo nagbibiro ako. Yung may “OD” sa unahan, utang yon. May isa pa nga akong bangko, $250,000 naman utang ko don. Kayo na lang bahalang mag-total.

Dapat ba akong mabahala dahil sa laki ng aking utang (almost $800 thou)? Hindi naman, dahil tantiyado ko na, na in about 15 years bayad ko na lahat ito at may matatawag pa akong mga assets na ang halaga higit pa sa initial na utang ko.

So my friends, my challenge to all of you, (walang halong biro ito), is to have the courage to borrow money and put it in something that will make more money or will open the door for you to borrow more money. A good example of the latter is borrowing money to buy your own house. Because having your own house provides you the opportunity to borrow more money that you then can invest somewhere else. Don’t borrow money just to buy expensive cars, jewelries or clothes para lang may maiporma kayo. That’s just money down the drain. Use borrowed money to generate more money – that’s the secret!

Milyonaryo na ako!

Got these email from a certain British Lottery HQ.

WINNING NOTIFICATION

We happily announce to you the draw of the British Lottery
International programs on behalf of the South African 2010 world cup lottery program on the 14th FUBRUARY 2006 in London. ... blah blah ... which subsequently won you the lottery in the 2nd category.

You have therefore been approved to claim a total sum of £1,500.000.00 (One Million Five Hundred Thousand British Pounds)... more blah, blah.

Hanep, milyonaryo na ako! British pounds pa!

Eto naman reply ko.

Dear Sir,

I am very grateful for the prize award. I would like to donate all my prize winnings to charity. 50/50 equal split to the Philippine Red Cross and to Bahay Kalinga Orphanage Philippines. If you wish to discuss this with me, don’t hesitate to call me on 0900xxxxx (calls cost $2.95 per minute only).

The Driver and the Two Old Ladies

When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts. - anonymous

A few days ago may binili kaming queen size bed para sa sis ko. Me and my wife went to pick up the bed using our minivan. We decided to pick it up ourselves para makatipid sa delivery. Kasya na sana yung frame sa van, nadi-disassemble kasi. Pero yung mattress di kasya so we tied it on top of the roof of our minivan.

Hindi pa kami nakakalayo sa place na pinagbilhan namin nang medyo naramdaman naming bumibigay ang taling humahawak sa mattress dahil sa lakas ng hangin. Tumabi kami sa isang side street para ayusin ang pagka-tali. But still naisip namin hindi kakayanin at delikadong mag-travel sa highway.

Di na namin alam ang aming gagawin. Medyo sa may looban pa naman ang side street na napuntahan namin kaya wala halos dumadaan. All of a sudden, may dumaan na delivery van na may dineliver na parcel sa isang bahay malapit lang sa aming kinalalagyan. Nilapitan ni esmi ang driver at sinalaysay niya ang aming problema. And to make the story short, nagmagandang loob ang driver na ideliber ang mattress doon sa flat ng sis ko.

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Sanlaksang job interbyus na ang napuntahan ni Jack. At sanlaksang rejection letters din ang kanyang natanggap. Dalawang buwan na nga siyang naghahanap ng trabaho with no success. Na di-depress na nga siya. This time may job interbyu siya ulit at alas-tres ng hapon ang kanyang appointment.

Ang problema mukhang di siya aabot on time. Kagagaling lang kasi niya sa isa pang job interbyu sa isang recruiter. Medyo napahaba ng konti ang interbyu kung kaya’t naiwanan siya ng bus papunta sa kanyang 3PM interbyu. Kapag na-late siya garantisadong rejection letter na naman ang tatanggapin niya sa mail.

Habang hinihintay niya ang bus may dalawang matandang babae ang dumaan at nakipag-chitchatan sa kanya. Tinanong ng dalawang matanda kung saan ang punta ni Jack. Aba’t what a coincidence, pareho pa pala pupuntahan nila. Niyaya si Jack na sumabay na sa kanila para hindi siya ma-late. Sumabay naman siya.

Good news, hindi nga na-late is Jack sa kanyang interbyu. More good news, after the interview, Jack was offered the job.

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For the skeptics, the presence of the driver and the two old ladies, were mere coincidences. These people were just ordinary people who happen to be there at the time when someone needed their help. Others would go so far as calling them angels. Myself, I don’t think they were angels in the spiritual sense. But in these two incidents I definitely couldn’t help tell myself that they were “hulog ng langit”. Come to think of it, maybe angels do exist but in human form. Siguro totoo nga ang mga kasabihang “we are each others angels” and that “all God’s angels come to us disguised”.

My Balentaym’s Story: Ang Aking Perslab

Naka-asul siyang blouse na may kulay puti sa collar ang manggas. Terno sa suot niyang puting pantalon at beige na sapatos. Unang kita ko pa lang sa kanya, nasabi ko na sa aking sarili na siya na ang babaeng dadalhin ko sa altar. Siya ang nais kong makasama hanggang sa aking pagtanda. Wala nang iba.

Ang problema, di naman ako marunong manligaw. Kaya nung siya’y aking ligawan, hindi man ako naka-pers base. Basted kaagad. Di raw niya kasi ako type at sobrang tanda ko raw para sa kanya. Limang taon lang naman ang pagitan namin eh, pero tingin niya sa akin lolo na. Bakit kaya? Dahil kaya 4^th year college ako at 3^rd year high school lamang siya?

Dinamdam kong lubusan ang pag-basted niya sa akin. Siya pa lang kasi ang kauna-unahang babaeng aking niligawan. I was broken-hearted, because I knew I poured all my love for her. Huhuhu! Pag-uwi ko noon bumili ako ng kalahating case ng beer. Nagkulong sa kwarto at sinumulang ubusin mag-isa ang beer. Masakit ang masawi sa pag-ibig, pero masakit din ang sumuka at ang hangover ko kinabukasan.

After that pinilit ko siyang kalimutan. Nagsumikap na lang akong makatapos ng maaga sa college. Mabilis lumipas ang dalawang taon at ako’y grumadweyt na. Subalit iba pala talaga ang perslab. Mahirap kalimutan. Kaya’t nagpasya akong bumalik sa buhay ng aking perslab. Niligawan ko siyang muli. This time she was more mature. At least hindi na Lolo ang tingin niya sa akin. After a few months of relentless courting nakamit ko rin ang kanyang matamis na oo. Yheeey!

Alam ni kumander ang lahat tungkol sa aking perslab. Alam niya nung una akong mabasted ni perslab 26 years na ang nakaraan. Alam niya dahil 10 years later, perslab and I got married. And from then on perslab became my wan-en-onli lab.

More Kiwi Terms

Some everyday items are hard to find in NZ supermarkets and shops. Not that they don’t exist but simply because they are known here by different names. If you are new to New Zealand, it is worth your while to familiarize yourself with the terms below before going out shopping. Otherwise, you may get quizzical looks from the locals when you ask for these items. (E.g. If you ask where the nearest drug store is, they might suspect you to be a drug addict)

1. Chemist or Pharmacy – drug store
2. Chips (or sometimes pronounced as “cheps” or “chups”) - french fries.
3. Coffee whitener - coffee creamer. My friend J found this out on his first day at the grocer. BTW, this item may be hard to find in smaller grocery stores. This is because Kiwis prefer fresh milk instead.
4. Connection Pack – SIM card
5. Cotton buds - Q-tips.
6. Dairy – sari-sari store
7. Duvet – a thick blanket commonly called comforter in the States
8. Petrol - gasoline
9. Petrol station - gas station. Here we have Shell, Caltex, Mobil, BP, Gull, Challenge
10. Ice block – popsicle
11. Jersey – sweater
12. Jumper – also sweater.
13. Lemonade - Sprite or 7-Up.
14. Lolly – refers to all candies, not only the lollipop we know
15. Lucky Dip – quick pick in Lotto. A Lucky Dip costs $6 and consists of 10 lines.
16. Mobile – cell phone
17. Nappies – diapers
18. Rubbish – trash or garbage
19. Rubbish bin – where you throw rubbish
20. Sausages – hotdogs
21. Tissue or Serviette – table napkins
22. Togs – swimsuit
23. Tomato sauce - catsup. Note: you have to pronounce “Tomato” the way it is written “to-ma-to”, not “to-mey-tow”. That’s funny because, “potato” is pronounced as “po-tey-tow”.
24. Torch – flashlight
25. Tracksuit – sweatshirt

Finally, “Kiwi” either refers to a New Zealander, the kiwi bird, or the kiwi fruit. You have to determine which one from the context that it is used.

Kia Ora!

Si Lyn, ang aking first

Rated R18: Not suitable for audiences below 18 years old. Contains sexual references.

Nung mabasa ko sa archives ni Ella yung post niya tungkol sa kanyang naging unang customer biglang nanumbalik sa aking alaala ang sarili kong karanasan. Halos, katulad kasi ng istorya ni Bhoy, yung first ni Ella, ang istorya ng una kong sexperience.

18^th birthday ko noon. Wala pang experience pagdating sa opposite sex. Kung baga sa driving, puro theory lang alam ko, from watching xxx betamax and reading adult magazines. Pero sa actual, zero. Napagkasunduan ng mga barkada na dapat daw akong binyagan. So nagpunta kami sa isang sauna sa West Avenue, QC. Sa may likod ng Delta, Mabuhay Massage Parlor. Pasok kami sa loob ng parlor at umupo sa may waiting area. Ang natatandaan ko P35 ang bayad sa masahe. Perang naipon ko mula sa aking allowance.

Sa Mabuhay, pipili ka lang ng numero ng masahista. Di mo makikita ang mga itsura nila. Kung wala kang tip, tsambahan na lang. Pumili ako ng mataas na numero. Sa isip-isip ko (tama o mali, di ko alam) kapag mataas ang numero, malamang baguhan lang at bata pa. Pagkatapos pumili at magbayad pinapasok ako ng isang mama sa isang madilim na silid at sinabing maghubad at humiga sa kama at hintayin daw ang aking masahista.

Pagkaran ng limang minuto may pumasok na babaeng naka-white uniform. Simple lang ang ganda niya. Siguro nasa mid 20’s ang idad niya. Maamo ang mukha na hindi ma-make-up, mahaba ang kanyang buhok at chubby siya ng kaunti. Very friendly naman siyang kausap. Lyn daw ang pangalan niya.

Tinanong ni Lyn kung dati na akong nagpapamasahe. Sabi ko perstaym lang. Naniwala naman siguro siya dahil pagkaraan ng ilang sandali, habang ako’y kanyang minamasahe, tinanong niya kung virgin pa ako. Sabi ko naman oo, (na siya namang totoo). At this point, nag-ibayo ang kabog sa aking dibdib in anticipation sa maaaring maganap. Maka-score kaya ako? Tanong ko sa sarili ko. Nagkapag-asa ako sa sumunod na tanong niya.

“Gusto mo ba ng ‘all the way’?” tanong niya sa akin. Pagkarinig nung magic words “all the way”, I swear parang nag-jumping jack sa tuwa si manoy ko. Sabi ko sa boses na nagmamakaawa “gusto ko, pero wala akong pera dito eh, nasa barkada ko ang pera ko”. Sa totoo lang, wala naman akong pera sa barkada ko. Katunayan beinte pesos na lang laman ng wallet ko. Husto na lang na pan-taxi. Sinabi ko lang yon para siya ang unang magbigay ng presyo. At kung beinte lang, call ako, kahit maglakad na ako pauwi.

Hinihintay kong magbigay siya ng presyo pero imbes na sabihin niya kung magkano lalong nagiigkas si manoy ko sa aking narinig. Parang si Paquiao na nanggigigil bitiwan ang final blow kay Morales. “Pagbibigyan kita, cute ka naman. Pa-birthday ko na lang sa yo”. OMG! Di kaya't makakalibre pa ako! Hindi na ako nagsayang ng mga sandali at baka magbago pa isip niya. Nanginginig ang aking mga kamay na hinagilap ang mga butones ng kanyang uniform at nagmamadali ko siyang hinubaran.

To make the short story shorter, for it was indeed short, after no more than 10, no not 10 minutes, just 10 motions, it was all over. Naramdaman kong medyo na-disappoint yata siya kaya tinanong ko kung okay lang na isa pang round. Hindi na siya nakasagot. Nakuha na lamang niyang ngumiti dahil pagkaraan ng ilang sandali may kumatok nang malakas sa pintuan ng silid. Time’s up na raw. Langya, sa isip-isip ko, galing naman ng timing. Ba’t kaya nila alam na tapos na kami?

Bumalik na ako sa waiting room para hintayin ang ibang barkada. Ngiti sa aking mukha abot hanggang tainga. I felt invigorated. At that very instant, I felt my journey to becoming a man was complete. No more would I be ridiculed by my buddies because of my lack of experience. ‘Ika nga, “I’m the Man!”

Hindi ko pa ito na-ikwento kay esmi, because I don't know what her reaction would be. So my question to the ladies out there, curious lang ako. Please be honest. Mababawasan ba ang pagtingin ninyo sa inyong mga asawa o boypren kung malaman ninyong siya’y nagkaroon ng experience na tulad nito?

Being an Ideal Guest in a New Zealand Setting

So now, alam mo na kung ano ang Tea, Dinner at Supper. Ano naman ang mga common protocols na dapat sundin kung ikaw ay naimbitahan dumalo sa isang kainan sa ibang bahay? You would want to project yourself as an ideal guest, siempre. Dahil kung hindi maganda ang impression sa iyo ng iyong hosts, asahan mong hindi ka na mai-invite sa uulitin. Sundin ang mga sumusunod.

1. Huwag ma-late. Huwag pairalin ang Filipino time. Try to come 5 to 10 minutes early. And if you’re gonna be late for more than half an hour, give the host a ring.
   
   
2. Huwag mag-sama ng iba na hindi naman invited. Kadalasan, tamang tama lang ang food na naka-prepare para sa mga invited guests. It’s a very awkward situation for the host kung may kasama kang isang banda, tapos ang nakahandang sinaing e isang rice cooker lang.
   
   
3. Corollary to the previous rule, if you are not invited, don’t come. This is true in most children’s parties where only the children are invited. Malalaman mo ito kapag may naka-specify na drop off at pick up times for your child sa invitation. Kung walang naka-specify, ask. Huwag kang sumali sa children’s party, dahil usually wala naman nakahandang pagkain para sa adults. Sumali ka kung naka dress up ka na clown.
   
   
4. Magdala ng drinks or food. This is optional pero kung malakas kang uminom better bring your own, a six-pack or bottle of wine. If you don't drink, bringing something for dessert will give you pogi points.
   
   
5. Take your shoes off before entering the house. This is a common practice in NZ homes as a sign of respect and consideration for the house owner. Wala naman kasing maid dito na pwedeng maglinis ng sahig later. Pagkatapos mong hubarin ang iyong sapatos, ayusin mo sa isang tabi nang hindi ito maapakan o makatisod ng ibang guests.
   
   
6. Make an effort to introduce yourself to other guests. Medyo hirap ako dito kasi likas akong mahiyain. But lately, I try to approach other guests, introduce myself "hi, I'm Brad, Brad Pwit" and shake hands with them.
   
   
7. Offer to help in the kitchen. This will definitely give you more pogi points at tiyak na matutuwa ang iyong hosts. NZ households don’t have the luxury of domestic help, hence, they appreciate the slightest gesture to offer assistance especially in the kitchen.
   
   
8. Restrain your kids. There is nothing more annoying than out-of-control kids running inside the house, spilling food and drinks on the floor and carpet. The sight of carpet stains, a sure thing to make your hosts’ blood boil or give them a heart attack. TIP: If you are the host and want to avoid carpet stains, offer only water or Sprite or 7up for drinks. No coke or red wine.
   
   
9. When it’s time to eat, huwag makikiuna sa iba. Paunahin mo muna ang iba. Minsan nauna ako sa pagkuha ng pagkain; susubo na sana ako nang biglang nagsalita yung host: “Mag-pray muna tayong lahat. In the name of the Father and of the Son….”, pahiya ako, gusto kong maglaho nung oras na yon. ... Amen.
   
   
10. Be considerate of the neighbors. After 10pm lalo na kung may pasok the following day, most people will already be sleeping. Ibaba ang volume ng karaoke or close the doors and windows. Patulugin niyo naman ang mga kapit bahay. Otherwise baka ma-report kayo sa noise control.
    
    
11. Know when it’s time to leave. A party normally lasts around 2 to 3 hours. If you notice your host yawning or says something like “hay naku pasukan na naman bukas” o kaya nagpatay na ng TV at entertainment unit, it’s time to say goodbye. Kapalmuks ka na lang talaga kung hihintayin mo pa silang maglabas ng banig at kulambo.
    

Follow these simple rules and you’ll be assured for people to invite you again on the next occasion. Unless….if you never bother to invite them or reciprocate the favor, eventually makakahalata sila. Dahil bakit ganoon? Sila na lang parati ang naghahanda, ikaw, you don’t invite others to your home kahit, pa-skyflakes lang at pa-kape. Huwag madamot, paminsan minsan ikaw naman ang magpa-lunch or dinner.