Tiếng ViệtLast autumn, I visited Bantayan Island in the Philippines. Knowing my passion for wine, Marco surprised me with a visit to a local winery on the island. Bantayan, part of Cebu in southern Philippines, truly lives up to its reputation as a paradise on earth. You must visit it at least once to experience its pristine, mesmerizing beaches. However, I never expected to find a winery there. Entering through the rustic gates, a landscape of trees and vineyards greeted us, and inside, the classic European-style winery room featured neatly arranged wooden barrels and wine bottles. We were welcomed by Michael, a distinguished gentleman with salt-and-pepper hair, who exuded intelligence and wisdom. Formerly the CFO of a global maritime corporation, he had abandoned his glamorous life in America to return to the simplicity of Bantayan.
Our conversation began with Michael introducing various wines and offering us tastings. His passion for wine began while working in Brazil; a family dinner at a restaurant in Rio de Janeiro, owned by a winery proprietor, sparked a lifelong friendship and a deep interest in wine. Coincidentally, he and Marco had both lived in Brazil, leading to a profound discussion about life and experiences in the South American country. I soon grew to admire Michael’s vast knowledge and exceptional leadership, as he led a diverse team comprising individuals from many nations.
Curious about his secret to managing a multinational team, I asked for insights, and he shared valuable lessons drawn from his extensive experience. He recounted his challenging tenure as CFO in Qatar, managing a team with over 30 nationalities. Michael emphasized the importance of engaging in employees’ daily lives to understand them and make informed decisions. Reflecting on his early career, he discussed the delicate balance between accepting and declining help from colleagues. “Accepting everything indebts you, but refusal creates distance,” he explained, imparting wisdom that resonated deeply.
What I admired most about Michael was not just his leadership prowess, but his decision to leave behind excellent opportunities abroad to return to Bantayan, an island still lacking in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, to start anew. “Life in Brazil was good, but not for my children,” Michael explained. “They struggled with language integration, and Portuguese isn’t widely beneficial for their future.”
Michael created opportunities for his children to learn and grow in Bantayan, believing that education extends beyond school to parental guidance. He didn’t just support a self-learning environment but also became an educational consultant for his youngest son’s school. The principal invited him to conduct monthly reading skills workshops for teachers, enhancing the island’s educational quality.
Upon returning to Bantayan, Michael dreamt of bringing grape varieties from Brazil, developing vineyards, and producing wine under a unique Philippine brand. He shared this vision with a gleam of hope in his eyes. Throughout our conversation, I was captivated, feeling fortunate to receive such valuable lessons. I believe that with Michael’s passion, vision, and intelligence, he will create remarkable changes for the island. I look forward to returning to Bantayan someday, hoping to see the transformations Michael has inspired.
