Anton Naguiat swims against the tide
July 12, 2004 | 12:00am
Armed with a degree in business administration from Fordham University, as well as a master’s degree in public administration from New York University, Anton Naguiat dared to apply for the position of executive director of the Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce. Anton’s philosophy of "nothing ventured, nothing gained" helped him to secure the job.
With 247 member-companies in the ANZCHAM, our bachelor acts as an information agent, monitoring trade-related concerns. Through Anton’s office, the chamber issues statements designed to influence issues that affect Australian and New Zealand business concerns. Foreign investors’ views on topics such as how to develop the local mining industry were submitted to the Philippine government. The aid that 34-year-old Anton extends to the chamber’s members sometimes includes emergencies like his recent quest to find live donors for a rare blood type.
Anton’s goal is to get more Filipinos involved in ANZCHAM. He says a special membership category that would allow yuppies 30 years old and under to be part of the chamber’s exclusive business events might be a good way for those entering the job market for the first time.
Anton, who stands 5’8, is an avid freestyle swimmer.
What is your passion?
Music. I cannot imagine a world without music. While I do not possess a single drop of musical talent, my appreciation for music is an enduring love affair.
What sports do you like most?
Swimming is my favorite sport. I was never much of an athlete when I was younger, but I am proud to say that over the last couple of years, I have become a strong swimmer. I swim freestyle and exert every effort to swim one to two kilometers in less than an hour at least three times a week.
Where are you most comfortable?
Angeles City is my comfort zone because the majority of my family is based there.
What film influenced your life?
Marty (1955) and Summertime (1955). Two classic films that are timeless because of their depth, soulfulness and appeal.
What book influenced your life?
Simplify Your Life by Elaine St. James. The book was given to me by my mom when it first came out and when I finally got around to reading it, there is no doubt that it made a whole lot of sense then as it still does now.
What is your greatest fear?
Waking up and not having the strength and will to look fear straight in the eye.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My indifference, when it kicks in at full throttle.
How do you start your day?
Being a worrier and obsessed with organization, as soon as I wake up, I run through a mental checklist of the things I need to do for the day. After that is done, I put on some music to get me going.
What is your motto?
Borrowing from an unknown author: "If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you’ve never tried before." Seriously, though, my motto is quite simple, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
If you had the chance to change something in your life, what would that be?
When I was deciding where to go to college and what to major in, I wish I had been more confident and adventurous in my selections and opted for something off the beaten track.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Purchases made on impulse. I have definitely mastered the art of rationalizing.
What sounds do you love?
Familiar laughter, thunder and rain.
Which historical character would you like to have been?
Thomas A. Edison who said, "Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."
Name a moment that brings back happy memories.
I have an old photograph of myself with my dad and mom that was taken when I was about three or four years old. For some reason, to this day, when I look at that picture, I can’t help but think and feel that it must have been a perfect day!
In case of a fire, what would you bring out first?
My sister Andie, watches and CDs – in that order.
Which famous quotation would you have wanted to be the author of ?
"Be and not seem" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer, philosopher, poet and essayist.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Growing old alone with nothing to look back on except a life of regret.
What is your favorite journey?
As a child, my family went almost every other week to Sual, Pangasinan to spend the weekend on an island that had no electricity or running water. Hours were spent exploring the tiny island or swimming for hours on end. Collectively, these weekend outings resulted in a cornucopia of wonderful childhood memories and adventures.
What is your greatest regret?
While in college, I had every opportunity to learn another language. However, at that time, I did not have the patience or interest so I took classes that I don’t even remember anymore.
Name an embarrassing moment at work.
Recently, I accidentally mixed up the names of two ambassadors in a speech that made it seem that they were married to each other. It was embarrassing because I was actually acknowledging them.
What do you most do with your hands?
Write. Even if my penmanship is beyond repair and recognition, I tend to write and scribble a lot, mostly notes to myself – reminders, ideas and nonsensical things that even I don’t understand most of the time.
E-mail babycamp2@yahoo.co.uk.
With 247 member-companies in the ANZCHAM, our bachelor acts as an information agent, monitoring trade-related concerns. Through Anton’s office, the chamber issues statements designed to influence issues that affect Australian and New Zealand business concerns. Foreign investors’ views on topics such as how to develop the local mining industry were submitted to the Philippine government. The aid that 34-year-old Anton extends to the chamber’s members sometimes includes emergencies like his recent quest to find live donors for a rare blood type.
Anton’s goal is to get more Filipinos involved in ANZCHAM. He says a special membership category that would allow yuppies 30 years old and under to be part of the chamber’s exclusive business events might be a good way for those entering the job market for the first time.
Anton, who stands 5’8, is an avid freestyle swimmer.
What is your passion?
Music. I cannot imagine a world without music. While I do not possess a single drop of musical talent, my appreciation for music is an enduring love affair.
What sports do you like most?
Swimming is my favorite sport. I was never much of an athlete when I was younger, but I am proud to say that over the last couple of years, I have become a strong swimmer. I swim freestyle and exert every effort to swim one to two kilometers in less than an hour at least three times a week.
Where are you most comfortable?
Angeles City is my comfort zone because the majority of my family is based there.
What film influenced your life?
Marty (1955) and Summertime (1955). Two classic films that are timeless because of their depth, soulfulness and appeal.
What book influenced your life?
Simplify Your Life by Elaine St. James. The book was given to me by my mom when it first came out and when I finally got around to reading it, there is no doubt that it made a whole lot of sense then as it still does now.
What is your greatest fear?
Waking up and not having the strength and will to look fear straight in the eye.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My indifference, when it kicks in at full throttle.
How do you start your day?
Being a worrier and obsessed with organization, as soon as I wake up, I run through a mental checklist of the things I need to do for the day. After that is done, I put on some music to get me going.
What is your motto?
Borrowing from an unknown author: "If you must choose between two evils, pick the one you’ve never tried before." Seriously, though, my motto is quite simple, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
If you had the chance to change something in your life, what would that be?
When I was deciding where to go to college and what to major in, I wish I had been more confident and adventurous in my selections and opted for something off the beaten track.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Purchases made on impulse. I have definitely mastered the art of rationalizing.
What sounds do you love?
Familiar laughter, thunder and rain.
Which historical character would you like to have been?
Thomas A. Edison who said, "Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."
Name a moment that brings back happy memories.
I have an old photograph of myself with my dad and mom that was taken when I was about three or four years old. For some reason, to this day, when I look at that picture, I can’t help but think and feel that it must have been a perfect day!
In case of a fire, what would you bring out first?
My sister Andie, watches and CDs – in that order.
Which famous quotation would you have wanted to be the author of ?
"Be and not seem" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, writer, philosopher, poet and essayist.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Growing old alone with nothing to look back on except a life of regret.
What is your favorite journey?
As a child, my family went almost every other week to Sual, Pangasinan to spend the weekend on an island that had no electricity or running water. Hours were spent exploring the tiny island or swimming for hours on end. Collectively, these weekend outings resulted in a cornucopia of wonderful childhood memories and adventures.
What is your greatest regret?
While in college, I had every opportunity to learn another language. However, at that time, I did not have the patience or interest so I took classes that I don’t even remember anymore.
Name an embarrassing moment at work.
Recently, I accidentally mixed up the names of two ambassadors in a speech that made it seem that they were married to each other. It was embarrassing because I was actually acknowledging them.
What do you most do with your hands?
Write. Even if my penmanship is beyond repair and recognition, I tend to write and scribble a lot, mostly notes to myself – reminders, ideas and nonsensical things that even I don’t understand most of the time.
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