1 night in Bangkok, 5 amazing Filipinos

One of the things I hate about traveling is all the waiting and lining up I have to go through, particularly in airports. Don’t get me wrong, okay? I feel very blessed and privileged that I have the chance to travel and see the world. But all the waiting and body inspections can really be a hassle at times. Sometimes I am tempted to travel naked just so I can get in quicker. But I’m sure that’s not a viable solution.

Traveling is a great experience. But too much traveling can be a pain. I had just come from Bangkok three weeks ago, so when I was again required to go to Bangkok last week, I wasn’t particularly ecstatic. I said to myself, "Dang, long, lonely waits again in the airport!"

So I went to the Centennial airport, endured the long lines and the long wait at the airline counter and immigration and flew to Bangkok. I arrived at noontime in Bangkok, went straight to my meeting at Unilever Thailand, and went straight to the hotel afterward. I stayed one night in Bangkok and the very next morning, I had my bags all packed at 7 a.m., even if my flight was not until 2 p.m. I was raring to go back home. I was saying to myself, "Oh, boy, another long wait in the airport!" What I didn’t realize was that my wait in the Bangkok airport would be one of the best waits I would experience in my life.

As I lined up at the airline counter, I saw a familiar-looking man smiling and waving at me from the next line. Then it dawned on me: "Holy mackerel," I whispered to myself, "is that Pitoy Moreno waving at me?" I approached him and, almost kneeling before the supreme legend of Philippine fashion, I bowed in reverence, extended my hand and said, "Good morning, Pitoy, you remember me? I think I may have modeled for you once, around 20 pounds ago."

Perplexed, Pitoy had this "don’t be silly" look on his face. "Of course I remember you!"

We talked a bit and I asked him if he was in Bangkok for a show. He said, "No, I came here for a quick, five-day break with friends." He then turned around and said, "I’d like to introduce you to Johnny." This Johnny had his back to me. When he turned around and faced me, I said, "Wait a minute, I know this man!" And he said to me, "Rod, it’s me, Johnny Valdes!"

How could I not know Johnny, right? After all, he’s the Johnny in Johnny Air Cargo. We shook hands and shared some laughs. Johnny and I had numerous meetings regarding a property that his family owned in Bataan. They were interested in turning it into a golf course at that time. The talks, however, never really materialized, and eventually, we lost touch. However, through the years, I would always see him on TV, especially when he was team manager in ’98 and ’99 for the La Salle basketball team (that’s when La Salle broke my heart and became champion). He has now taken a bigger role in La Salle – as vice president and treasurer of the alumni foundation. He told me all about the wonderful developments with the foundation.

"Jay Gervacio is leading the way. He is the president. Under his leadership, the foundation was able to raise P50 million. That’s unprecedented. Also, we were able to come up with a La Salle credit card that was guaranteed by the foundations. So when La Sallites go out there in the real world, they have credit standing right away. Plus, we have a program: 100-percent employment for La Salle graduates. We are very close to achieving that goal. We’re at around the 90-percent level."

"Wow, really?" I said, "Can I apply?"

Laughing, he replied, "Sorry, only for La Sallites, eh. That’s what you get for being an Atenean!" he joked.

I replied, "Okay lang, we don’t need such a program in Ateneo. We’re all employed!"

We both laughed. Deep inside, I really admired what he and Jay were doing for the La Salle alumni.

Johnny Valdes’s life is a true Pinoy success story. He worked as an accountant when he went to the US in 1974 on an employee exchange program. He became aware of the many products and services that Fil-Ams wanted which were not carried by mainstream marketers. Instead of continuing his career as an accountant, he decided to start his own business. Between 1980 and 1983, Johnny sold vegetables and food products, catering to Fil-Ams as well as Asian restaurants and retail shops. He also began to travel back and forth between the Philippines and the US.

At that time, the postal service in the Philippines was unreliable and slow. Consequently, he was asked to carry packages for fellow Filipinos on each journey. By 1984, he started the Johnny Air Cargo Corporation and began to provide airfreight service primarily to the Filipino-American community. The business was initially operated from his residence and had only one employee who was a driver. Because of his great service, business eventually boomed, and he began to service major corporations.

And the rest, as they say, is history. Johnny Air Cargo is one of the most successful courier-services companies in the country. But what strikes me about Johnny is not so much his accomplishments but his humility, simplicity, and no-airs-whatsoever demeanor. He didn’t talk about himself or Johnny Air Cargo much, but he talked about Jay Gervasio, president of the La Salle alumni, and the things he was doing for the alumni. He was very much like Pitoy Moreno. Highly successful, has all the right to brag, but never calls attention to himself.

Johnny introduced me to their other friends. "Rod, I’d like you to meet Gerry Contreras, Dr. Greg Alvior, and Mario Somera." I shook hands with them. Like Pitoy and Gerry, they looked like very simple people to me. There was really no indication of how successful they were. But I was immediately struck by their individual charm and their closeness as friends. What I didn’t know was that I was talking to a group of very extraordinary, highly successful, and amazingly selfless people.

The group invited me to have duck soup with them at the Bangkok airport. They immediately made me feel welcome, like I was one of them. From the casual conversation, I learned that the whole trip was Gerry’s treat. Johnny whispered to me, "Rod, do you know the Gercon building along Makati Avenue near Mandarin?"

I said, "Yes, I work in Peninsula Court which is right beside it. Why?" He then looked at Gerry. I thought for a moment. "Wow, don’t tell me Gercon is short for Gerry Contreras?" I said. "Yup," Johnny replied. "Gerry will not announce it to the world, but he owns several buildings in Makati." I was floored. I always pictured owners of buildings as tough-looking people in suits. But if you look at Gerry, he is the exact opposite. He has a very nice gentle face, which is matched by his actual demeanor and personality. He speaks very slowly, with a kind, gentle tone. He was a very receptive, warm man – a guy you would like to have as a father or uncle. Through the group conversations I learned how generous Gerry was to his friends, and how he would go out of his way to help those in need. Gerry wasn’t telling me anything, but his friends attested to his generosity – not just to them, but to his staff and to the less fortunate.

Gerry, in turn, introduced me to Greg. "Greg was one of the top ob-gyns in Queens, New York," he said. And then Pitoy added, "And he left all that and now, he is the president of the PGH Foundation." I talked to Greg about his sojourn in the US and his decision to come back. "I just want to give back to the country, do something for the country. It’s the right thing to do. So many people in the country need help."

Gerry also introduced me to Mario Somera, who is one of the top pursers of PAL. I met Mario before through a friend but during this trip, I got to know him more since we were seatmates in the plane. I learned that apart from being one of PAL’s top pursers, he also owns Somera, the quaint retail shop in Glorietta that sells imported perfumes and lotions. He also has branches in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro. I told him I was familiar with his shop because my wife and her friends would always go there to buy perfumes and lotions which they can’t find in local stores (or which are more expensive in local stores). During the flight, Mario told me about his other project, Ephesus, a house for abused girls and women, which he built out of his Somera shop earnings. He told me, "I was at a point in my life where I said, "Is this it? Is this what life is all about? Traveling, partying, and earning money?" I felt empty. I had to do something. And this was it." I told myself, "Wow, this is an amazing group. All are highly successful – and all of them seem to have found their true purpose in life."

Three things struck me about this group: First, no one talked about himself. No one in the group talked about his own accomplishments. Each, however, took turns introducing and praising members of the group. They seemed more proud about their friends’ accomplishments than their own – even if each one was a living legend in his respective field. Second, they seem to be at peace with themselves. These five people are busy people – and they have a lot on their plates. Yet they are able to relax and find time to enjoy. And third, their treasure doesn’t lie in their piggy banks, but in their relationships and friends. They exude this "money isn’t everything" attitude. And I instantly felt it. At first, I was overwhelmed by their status and achievements. But by the end of the trip, I was overwhelmed by their simplicity, humility, and genuine caring for other people. They certainly knew how to make me feel special. And I think that’s the reason for their success. They know how to treat people well.

After the flight, at the luggage carousel area, I felt a bit sad saying goodbye to this dynamic and inspiring barkada. But I was comforted by the fact that I had gained new friends, and these friends are not just ordinary acquaintances. These new friends gave me more hope. By meeting them, I knew that this country isn’t so bad. We have a lot to be proud of.

Pitoy Moreno, Johnny Valdes, Dr. Greg Alvior, Gerry Contreras, and Mario Somera – thanks for making my trip back home a great experience. I salute you. You are an inspiration – and I’m sure not just to me – but to many of your friends out there.

May your kind grow in number!

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Thanks for your letters! You may e-mail me at rodhnepo@yahoo.com