Valentine with the Big Boss

“Can you join us tomorrow? This came more of an instruction than a request from the President of our company who at 9:00PM Friday was hitting the roads of Lucban, Quezon on his way back to Manila. He, too, received an instruction from the Chairman of the Board to make rounds on some of the subdivision projects of the Fil-Estate Group – on Valentine’s Day!

Our meeting place was at the Renaissance Center. Completed in 1994, this condovision (coined by Fil-Estate from the words condominium and subdivision) became the headquarters of the Fil-Estate Group and housed its corporate services divisions and most of its marketing companies. Commonly called the “Renaissance” by commuters, it looked fresh and magnificent as I make my approach via Julia Vargas Avenue of the Ortigas Center. Thanks to the recent wash-over and re-painting program of the Condominium Corporation and the Building Admin Group headed by Mr. Chito Elnas.

SOUTHWOODS PEAK

Driving his panther black Ford Everest, Mr. Lito Fernandez darted through the South Luzon Expressway with Atty. Santos on the passenger front seat. I sat comfortably in the back seat with my camera and a bunch of documents for discussion and signature of the bosses. Two minutes past the hour of eleven, we reached our project destination – The Manila Southwoods Phase 5 or simply the “Southwoods Peak”.

Southwoods Peak is the latest addition to the Manila Southwoods elite membership. With around 30 hectares, this will bring the total residential area to two hundred (200) hectares while the championship golf course totaling to around two hundred fifty (250) hectares. This golfing haven and home to various international and national championships is also a certified Audubon site. The project is home to a number of birds that are at the verge of extinction. The lush flora and fauna serve as the birds sanctuary.

The lots here sell relatively high but people keep on coming and investing in Southwoods due to its strategic location. Being just beside the Carmona exit along the South Super Highway, it is very accessible both from Laguna or from the Metropolis. Its greens and the rolling terrains make up the feeling of not being so near to city dwelling.

Today, the last of the pavements and corners are being constructed. The entire subdivision will be all set for residential purposes in no time. For the investors, it is surely a good buy as this prime piece of property is experiencing accelerated growth like never been before.

PARCO BELLO

Ms. Baby Enriquez, together with her daughter Ashley welcomed our group and immediately showed Atty. Santos the almost finished house construction project of Parco Bello. This is going to be the third house completed inside the two hectare development personally supervised by Atty. Santos. The construction has a touch of mixed Mediterranean look. At the moment, three more houses are being built. Just beside the upscale development of the Villar Group, Parco Bello is the favorite choice of the picky buyer who wants a more secluded yet secured residential area. House and lot and lot only packages here start at P4M to P8M.

The entrance gate of Parco Bello greets its residents and visitors with refreshing and colorful greens and flowers, providing relief to a whole day’s work in the city. Its clubhouse sits in the middle and can accommodate small gatherings for the select few homeowners. There are only 40 lots available for sale as of the moment. If I were to transfer my residential location, it will be here in Parco Bello. You can’t help but fall in love with this miniscule yet complete sub-urban site.

CIUDAD VERDE

With Sta. Lucia at the helm of development, Ciudad Verde will soon become a landmark in the Fairview area. Sitting alongside the busy Regalado Avenue just after the FEU Medical School, this commercial-residential project boasts of high class amenities that would be the envy of nearby subdivisions. The commercial area is selling fast and only a few blocks were left as of this writing. Buyers are being offered options between lot only or house and lot package. While price is relatively high starting at P15,000 per square meter, the market is responsive due to the fact that it is within range of the fair market value in the area.

Why is it selling fast? Give a nice product to a hyper-aggressive marketing network and you’ll end up with fantastic sales. All four marketing companies of the FEGC are present during the open house which coincides with the Valentine’s Day Celebration. I wonder if the buyers made Ciudad Verde their dating place – even just for today.

On the picture above, Mr. Nestor Yap and Engr. Boots Aquino, Presidents of FERSA and FERC, respectively, gladly welcomed Atty. Santos and Mr. Lito Fernandez. I sat comfortably at the background, chatting with friends including Tonichi, the Sales Coordinator; Romy, Nini and the other members of the corporate services group.

Well, what can I say? This is how you spend the valentine with the Boss. You start early in the morning and retire early in the evening. But the learning is invaluable. I hope to get more of these.

Valentine's Celebration at Fil-Estate

Welcome Back, Bar!

It's been months since my last blog. I've been too busy with so many things that I almost forgot I have a blog account. Anyway, today is a new day, a new beginning and I promise myself to do my blogs more regularly.

As I was making my way through the lobby of the Renaissance Center, I was greeted with that familiar phrase - "Happy Valentine's!" There's not much surprise with the greetings as it all seemed traditional with all those heart-shaped figures dangling and sitting in various corners of the office. But these really help a lot in setting up the ambiance within the workplace. With all the work pressure, I can smell that love is in the air!

What surpised me are the Valentine lady bunnies clad in striking blue green outfit courtesy of our Human Resources Division. They moved away from the usual red-colored motiff of Valentine's. But they really looked good, I must admit. I happened to get a snap shot with the bunnies all around me and Mhon. See the picture and Eat Your Heart Out!

I can still remember when the Human Resources Division is evenly composed of the big ones and the slim ones. Today, it's totally different. They are all slim (just like me) and they are all qualified to do catwalks in the ramp! Believe you me, sometimes.

Unexpected Departure

To many Fil-Estate family members, the demise of Dr. Romeo Vergara was so fast they couldn't believe he's gone. A few days ago, he was up and bouncing in the corridors of the Renaissance Tower. He was quite busy coordinating with a lot of department heads including the ISD, Finance, BDD, Marketing, etc. He was preparing for that big presentation in HongKong with our business counterparts. And then he's gone. He is one of those rare soldiers who died in action. For patriots like the Japanese, this is the best way to go.

For me, Doc Vergara died a happy man. Three weeks ago, we boarded the same PAL Express plane going to Boracay. He was with Ma'am Connie and their children. As it was on a weekend, I would say that it was a vacation by the whole family. But knowing the kind of culture we have in Fil-Estate, his travel is still "pleasure with business". Why, the Boss is there also in Boracay. They paid a visit to Atty. Santos in his recently opened Boracay Sands Hotel where our group is staying. I won't forget our exchange of pleasantries. We were all enjoying our old jokes and we were all blurting out in boisterous laughter. I can't believe that it will be our last casual moment together.

We have lost one good man but his contributions to the growth of Fil-Estate will always be remembered.

The Essence of Competition

Just recently, Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt crossed the finish line in the 100 meter run at the Reebok Grand Prix at Randall Island in New York clocking at 9.74 seconds. He set a World Record. It was an absolutely rare moment of jubilation. When he was interviewed, his comment really struck me. He said, "I wasn't looking for a world record, it was there for the taking."

I was thinking what would be better than a world record? I thought the man was a ballon-headed, too proud and too egoistic temporal athlete. But what Bolt said next explained everything to me. "You can have the world record, but to me, if you don't have a gold medal in the Olympics or world championships, it means nothing." This man sure knows what really matters.

In our company, we encourage the same spirit of competition so we give out the President's Cup. A marketing team can only get it after three consecutive months of being the topnotch performer in sales production. Last June 2008, Mt. Zion - Baliwag team lost their bid for their first ever President's Cup to Mt. Zion - Dagupan who stole their 3rd month run with a margin of 18 lots. It was a heartbreaking loss!

But that is what competition is all about - putting up a good fight and winning. To fight and to win, follow this great piece of advise from antiquity. In the olden times, when Mongols were attacking China, the General of the Army immediately reported to the emperor the impending defeat in the border. The emperor ordered, "Send all able-bodied male from all families." The General replied, "Your Highness, should we at least leave one male for each family so that he may continue raising up more children for the empire?"

"No! Send them all!" the emperor roared. "One man could be the difference between victory and defeat. Remember, a grain of rice can tip the scale."

To our competing teams out there, send all your recruits and your men so you may seal your victory!

The Inner Circle

Every organization, every enterprise has its own inner circle. Sometimes formed deliberately, but most often it evolves and develops through passage of time - happy and difficult times. It becomes what it is due to bestowed and earned trust and confidence for and by each one within the circle. The circle is as important as the leader or head of the organization because from within it, decisions and directions are formulated. While it is a must that the leaders check the ranks, of more significance if not equally important is that they also police the inner circle.

Let me share to you the story of one great dog trainer that makes up this whole point. There once lived a monk in a far flung temple whose fame in training dogs stretches through out the archipelago of Japan. He is so good he can even make the dogs howl the temple chants.

One day he was visited by the Prince of the Empire. The trained dogs immediately went to work by entertaining the royal visitors who were all greatly impressed by the dogs' tricks. After the show while walking in the garden outside the entertainment hall, the Prince saw five flea-ridden, saliva-dripping dogs. "So, these are your failures?" the Prince asked the monk. "No, Your Highness. They are my greatest successes. As soon as the sun sets, one dog goes to the east, the other to the west, the other to the north and the other to the south, guarding the temple from all four corners by repelling bandits and intruders," was the monk's reply.

"Were there not five dogs? Where guards the fifth?" the Prince asked again.

"The fifth dog is the most ferocious of all. He stands guard in the temple hall."

"Why inside the hall? Shouldn't he be out there helping the other four dogs repelling bandits!" exclaimed the Prince.

"No, Your Highness, he must stay inside. Remember, most houses collapse from within its walls."

I couldn't add more. History abounds with stories of great empires, kingdoms, organizations and governments falling from within its walls... within its inner circle.

A Balanced Life?

Nothing strikes me more than the word Balance. It is a word you will find in every philosophical, spiritual, professional, natural or scientific topic that man loves to discuss. Philosophers say, "Live your life in moderation." Chinese teachers discuss the Yin and Yang. Science says, "For every action, there is a counter reaction." Others put it bluntly and so sacredly, "The balance of nature." This has even become a profession. Yup, I know you've heard of people who so confusingly use the words Debit and Credit. You're right. They are called Accountants. And I am one of them. Good thing I am now retired. (I opted for an early retirement plan. I am now something else.)

There's that story of a mother telling her daughter to marry an accountant because he sure knows how to live a balanced life. "What made you so sure, Mum?" asked the daughter. Mum replied without blinking an eye, "My dear, accountants can't leave their work until they have balanced all the figures!"

But don't be surprised to marry an accountant who doesn't even know how to balance a checkbook. There's legions out there.

There's just something I would like you to know about accountants. They are the most flexible people on earth. Here's the comparison: If you ask a mathematician or a physicist the question, "Four plus four?", both will give you an "Eight" as the answer. But ask an accountant the same question and he will ask, "What would you like it to be?" No wonder accountants are the best tax consultants in the planet.

The Palace in the Island

It has always been the rule of my Boss to hold a Blessing Ceremony for any new structure before it is being officially used. Sometime last March 2008, the day when Boracay Sands Hotel was to be blessed, the priest asked the boatmen at Caticlan Port if they could ferry him to the new hotel located at Station 3 of Boracay Island. The boatmen replied, "Yes, of course, Father. That's the newly constructed palace in the island."

From a distance, Boracay Sands Hotel is truly magnificent. Its imposing traditional arches give the strolling tourist a glimpse of that early but beautiful Mediterranean architecture. It stands like a mighty sentinel guarding the stretch of white talcum-like beach that made the island the top vacation destination by toursits from all over the world. Boracay Sands Hotel complements that great tourist adventure of going to a naturally incredible beach paradise by offering the best of the modern comforts complete with style and exclusivity.

Edrich Santos, its EVP for Operations simply says that Boracay Sands Hotel is going to be the visitor's sanctuary on the sands. But for the boatmen and the other residents of this world-famous tourist spot, it will always be the palace in the island.

(For more information about the hotel, visit www.boracaysandshotel.com.)