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A Shining Heart

It was a soft and beautiful afternoon, as we pass along the neat and warm lighted office of the G7 Bank; it was quite a mixture of feelings in what to expect to see and meet, clad with a portfolio of papers and pencils. It was a surprise when we were met and welcomed by a man with a boyish smile and a warm grin yet has a strong conviction in his eyes. This man is Allan Cu, the Executive Vice-President of the G7 Bank. I was resilient at first to throw the first interview question, he happily offered us a cozy seat with a spectacular view of the city and childishly said that we might find him boring in a conversation, yet it was the other way around as I expected it to be ,‘coz here is a man with so much color to offer the world. We started with giggly chats and stories and soon after, over the aroma of coffee and cream matched with perfectly golden fries and sandwiches we started the ball rolling.

(Photo Caption) Mr. Allan S. Cu, President of FLC Foundation, Inc. and EVP-CEO of G7 Bank, leading the way for employee-volunteers of G7 Bank and FLC Foundation, Inc. as he paints a wall of one of the houses during their house-painting and gift-giving outreach project dubbed as: “Kulay G7: Kulayan Natin Ang Bukas” in one of the housing project sites of the Tabang Atenista program of Ateneo de Naga University at Bgy. Sabang, Naga City last October 29, 2005.




BM : What in this world interests you most?

ASC : Business, anything about business.

BM : Aside from business which people would always associate you with what other things interest you, do you like books, music, news and current events, people?

ASC : I’m currently reading The Wal-Mart Way by Don Soderquist. Prior to this book, it was Robert T. Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I read books on business and inspirational themes, like those of John Maxwell. Headlines and politics are my interests in the papers. I’m enjoying this new kind of music they call pop opera, the sounds of Josh Groban and Il Divo.

BM : How about people, do you admire people in their respective place under the sun?

ASC : Yes, I have great admiration for many of our big guys in the local business setting, and so with JAZA (Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala) and the Tai-Pans for remaining as grounded persons despite their being huge successes in business.
Every single statement is complimented with a laughter and warm jokes off the record, a business call broke the ice yet paved the way for me to go into more personal query to spice up the icing on the cake.

BM : How do you start your day?

ASC : I start my day planned, ready to move around the demands of the job, but with conscious flexibility on the unending possi-bilities that every single day offers and brings.

BM : What is your guiding principle in life?

ASC : Be not afraid. (He empha-tically answered)

BM : What’s your favorite spot in Naga?

ASC : My bedroom (with a conspicuous grin)

(Photo Caption) Mr. Allan S. Cu with the employee-volunteers of G7 Bank and FLC Foundation, Inc. during their house-painting and gift-giving outreach project dubbed as: “Kulay G7: Kulayan Natin Ang Bukas” in one of the housing project sites of the Tabang Atenista program of Ateneo de Naga University at Bgy. Sabang, Naga City last October 29, 2005. This project is part of the revitalized corporate social responsibility initiatives of G7 Bank, FLC Group of Companies, and their social development arm, the FLC Foundation, Inc.

BM : Any other place you like?

ASC : I like the laid back scenario of Boracay and the energy of New York.

BM : How does it feel to be the son of Fidel Cu?

ASC : Let me say that I consider being the son of Fidel L. Cu as a plus; my dad is a father who under-stands his children’s mistakes and is generous to let us learn from them. As his son, I take my responsi-bilities by heart and I make the decisions that come with them. We also make mutual decisions, and while there may be times when the old school and the new school might not always be in agreement, I never fail to seek his guiding wisdom.

(Photo Caption) Mr. Allan S. Cu with lovely wife Ms. Gwen L. Cu during another outreach project entitled: “Core Cares project” done on the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of Core Distributors, Inc. last October 15, 2005 at the Missionaries of the Poor Center, San Rafael, Cararayan, Naga City as they pose for a souvenir picture with employee-volunteers of CORE Distributors and project beneficiaries.

BM : As a son, how will you describe Fidel Cu?

ASC : He is a friend and a person with a good heart.

BM : If you are dining with friends and family what do you talk about over the dinner table?

ASC : With friends we talk about past experiences and younger days, with the family we talk about the children (social graces aside) business.

BM : What is your favorite food?

ASC : Japanese Food to be exact, my palettes are so used to Chinese Food which is part of the daily meal, so if I’m in Manila or given the opportunity, I really like to eat Japanese food.

BM : Favorite drink?

ASC : Red Wine, a good red wine (not to mention it is good for the heart and the body)

BM : Any other likes in food?

ASC : Seafoods is in the top list, though sometimes some health risk foods are tempting and can’t be resisted, still I take the good ones in mind.

BM : Are you body conscious?

ASC : Yes, I had once got to loose some pounds but dad said it doesn’t make me look good, besides in Chinese Culture if you are a businessman you should look big and have a big tummy in order to have an impre-ssion of content- ment and prosperity.

BM : If given the chance to take a big risk to eat foods beyond those in the dinner table, what risk will you take?

ASC : I will take the risk of eating those that we see in Fear Factor, maybe the insects, but not the worms.

The conversation was in full bloom when we were served with another cup of this tempting coffee, then I think it’s time to ask a more casual side of himself and his heart.

BM : Is there anything that you do for the people and the community?

ASC : The FLC Group of Companies has its corporate social responsibility arm, the FLC Foundation, Inc. We advocate social development and community empowerment. The Foundation’s programs are geared to assist the less fortunate, especially the marginalized youth and children. As the President of the Foundation, these same advocacies and programs are also my way of extending my personal mission to the larger society; and as a way of giving back, of sharing our family’s gratitude for all the blessings God has given. It is heart-fulfilling.

BM : With this busy schedule around you all year round, how do you relax?

ASC : If given the time, I go to a spa, have a relaxing and soothing massage or just be in a cozy hotel with my beautiful wife and enjoy the moment.

BM : If given a chance to be with yourself and you alone what will you savor and take privilege with?

ASC : Peace and Quiet.

BM : If there will be a day without rules what will you do?

ASC : Get wild and enjoy.

BM : As a businessman, if you are given the chance to untax a certain thing that will help majority of our people what would it be?

ASC : Oil, coz it is the main component of a lot of the basic commodities and the manufacturing of it.

BM : If you will pick a feminine color that best suits you what would it be?

ASC : My wife took the initiative to tell me I look good with old rose, trusting her good taste in trend and fashion I think it’s old rose.

The interview commenced with a lot more jokes and interesting chats about life, yet I left realizing that in the grandeur of life despite our differences in status and way of thinking it is amusing that through its diversity we can live in harmony with everything and everybody. Allan Cu is not only a beautiful person outside but has this magnetism of a charming person inside his heart. He is perfectly human and will never close down to the goodness of the life around him.