Vision Express’ Lito Domantay has an Everly Brothers tribute band

With Lito Domantay’s 17 Vision Express stores spread throughout the Philippines, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Guam, one would expect Lito to be extremely busy. Not so for he is a master of managing his time. He works from his home until 4 p.m., answering e-mails and making phone calls. Three times a week, he plays tennis.

About 2,000 prescriptive pairs are sold monthly throughout his eyewear stores. Our bachelor declares that the stores’ unique selling factor is that they can produce progressive lenses within an hour. In order to appeal to passersby, Lito posted notices of inexpensive eyeglasses, which succeeded in attracting many, many buyers. These days, much of his energy is devoted to designing and putting up new branches.

How do you resolve your conflicts?

Easy. Start with what we agree on and set the common objectives.

On what occasion do you lie?

When I am playing poker.

Which living person do you admire most?

Bill Gates. Steven Ballmer, the president of Microsoft, used to work for me in the ‘70s.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?

Every new store that I open gets me very excited.

What is your passion?

Singing. I love the harmony of the Everly Brothers so my group is called The Elderly Brothers. Come to our concert at Merk’s in Greenbelt.

What is your most fervent wish?

To see Vision Express become the leading one-hour optical store in South East Asia.

What sport do you do?

Tennis at Makati Sports. At 56 years old, I can still play singles for two hours, three times a week.

What film influenced your life?

Casablanca. I am intrigued by Humphrey Bogart’s style of pretending to be indifferent to Ingrid Bergman despite his being madly in love with her.

What book influenced your life?

Anatomy of an Illness, which was written by my neighbor, Norman Cousins. He was sick and decided to check out of the hospital and watch films that made him laugh. Laughter cured him.

What is your greatest fear?

To leave my two-year-old son, John, prematurely.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My impatience. I expect people to be super-efficient.

How do you start your day?

At 9 a.m., I tell the maid to make my breakfast. I go to my computer and work from my house all day till 4 p.m.

What is your motto?

Whatever you do in life, be the best at it (or don’t bother doing it at all).

What is your current state of mind?

Now that I have my own business, I feel at peace with the world and without worries.

Which historical character would you like to have been?

Napoleon or Julius Caesar. They are the epitomes of success and power.

Name a moment that brings back happy memories.

The good old days when I was still a young man, living in the States. I was so carefree.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Since I did not come from a wealthy family, I still managed to study my MBA at Columbia University and to establish my business.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being with a young girl on the beach of Amanpulo.

Which famous quotation would you have wanted to be the author of?

Non bastar di carbundo. "Don’t let the bastards get you down."

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Despair.

What does your mom often say to you?

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

* * *

E-mail babycamp2 @yahoo.co.uk.