“It’s always about the
team. The team is the one making it successful.”
One of the things that I admire about business-minded people
and the likes is that, how they treat their people, especially those without
power and can barely express their vices. That’s why, I was amazed on how these
“big names” adores their employees, their team and their peers. And with that,
they are truly deserving of their awards. Last November 15, 2018 from 7PM to
11PM, the Gala Night and awarding ceremony of the much awaited “Asia Leaders
Awards 2018” was held at Isabela Ballroom, Makati Shangrila Hotel. The venue is
packed with leaders from different industries; CEOs, Actors, Singers,
Hoteliers, Diplomats and Government Officials.
Here is the list of awardees in no particular order:
- Dr. Andrew Tan (Megaworld)
- Robbie Antonio (Revolution Precrafted)
- Mayor Evelio Leonardia (Bacolod)
- Arch. Kaydee Velasco (KMV Asia)
- Delton Triguero (Next Generation Construction and Supply Corporation)
- Sykes Asia
- Sitel
- Seda Hotel BGC
- MCCS Business Process Solutions Inc
- Raymond Francisco (Frontrow International)
- Thierry Tea (Philjets)
- Lawrence Li Tan (A Thousand Concepts)
- Therese Madrigal (The Madrigal Foundation)
- Regina De Ocampo (Filremit)
- Merle Balicao (Mer-Nels Cake house)
Special Awards:
- CEZA Administrator, Sec. Raul Lambino
- Concert Director, Frank Lloyd Mamaril
- Musical Director, Adonis Tabanda
- Artist, Jake Zyrus
- Editor, Anna Sobrepeña
- CEO, Raymond Francisco
One of the judges who is part of the awards committee is the dashing
bachelor, Robert Laurel Yupangco. He is the grandson of our former
president of the Philippines, Jose P. Laurel. He is famous as the Zooperman of
the Philippines for managing 5 Theme Parks (Zoobic Safari in Subic, Zoocobia in
Clark, Pampanga, Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite, Zoori at Residence Inn Tagaytay
and Zoocolate Hills in Bohol) with animals that includes Lions,Phytons,
Crocodiles and different kinds of birds among others with more than 50 tigers
and hundreds of horses. The theme parks are part of Zoomanity Group which is
under the Yupangco Holdings Corporation with more than 5000 team members.
Robert graduated at De Lasalle University with a Bachelor of
Science in Business Administration then continued his education at Asian
Institute of Management, Harvard Business School and The Wharton School of the
University of Pennsylvania in USA. His influences include his parents and
family which includes the late Vice President of the Philippines, Salvador
“Doy” Laurel where he served as one of his campaign manager during his time.
Robert right now is now also managing different restaurant branches under
one of the famous Korean BBQ in the Philippines, Samgyupsalamat, which is
famous for having customers up to 2am every day because of its super affordable
rates and delicious side dishes. His branches include at Century City Mall in
Makati, Metropolitan Road in Makati, Inside Residence Inn Tagaytay and soon to
have at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.
When asked about his success, “It’s
always about the team. The team is the one making it successful. I’m just
giving them guidance. All my properties and businesses, there’s always one
Operation Manager who is making sure to implement a difference for their teams.
They are so empowered that sometimes I don’t need to say anything anymore, they
know what to do.” Once in a while, even with his busy schedules with a standard 10am to 2pm
office meeting with the team, he is making sure that he can play golf with
friends. That’s only one way for him to relax and to get some insights with
regards to current events and politics though he is trying not to be involved
unlike his Grandfather, President Jose P. Laurel and uncle, Uncle, the late
Vice President Salvador “Doy” Laurel.
Robert also received so many awards already and that’s why he is in full
support for Asia Leaders Awards 2018. His awards include Kalakbay Award
(highest award in tourism under President Fidel V. Ramos, Entrepreneur of the
year under President Joseph Estrada, Most Outstanding Tourism Entrepreneur
Under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, A Go Negosyo Awardee, Best Theme Park
in the Philippines and the recipient of the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship
Awards (APEA) for Tourism. When asked about why he is involved now in Asia
Leaders Awards 2018, “We need to
acknowledge the leaders we have now in the Philippines and beyond as they are
the ones promoting their respective country and making a difference in their
own ways.”
Robert added, “For me, success for
employees and are executing and doing the right things at the right time, right place and with the right person/s/employee/s. A
good organization innovates and markets outstandingly!! As I keep on saying, it’s
not the company making the the team ... it’s the team that makes the company!”
He also stated that, “Objective of
Zoomanity Group is to make touch the lives of Filipinos and tourist in the
field of hospitality, tourism, agri, and other related businesses.”
Asia Leaders Forum is a series of events with different leaders as
speakers. Those who graced already were; Arch. Jun Palafox, Robert Laurel
Yupangco, Sec. Raul Lambino, Executive Director Pepeton Ejercito Goitia, Charlie
Rufino and Dr. Elton See Tan among others. The awards is the culmination of the
long year forums to acknowledge the leaders who are promoting the Philippines
as the premier business hub in Asia and destination in which since Robert is in
Tourism industry, it’s also part of his advocacy. When asked about his last message about his company, “What makes us different is because of our team! (which makes our
company not the company making the team).”
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| Mikel Yaw, Robert Laurel Yupangco and Jake Zyrus |
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