ENDEAVOR
On Tuesday, February 25, I received sad news about the passing of an esteemed friend, Alberto ‘Bert’ Lina.
I had known Bert for many years and worked closely with him when we both served with President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino.
He was a jolly good fellow, always smiling, and ready to share or listen. He told me he was a campanero, or one tasked by the parish priest to ring the church bells, during his boyhood. Years later, he donated the bells in our parish belfry in Alabang.
Long before he first served in government as customs commissioner during the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, I knew Bert as a fellow Rotarian and president of the Rotary Club of Makati North. His first stint in government lasted for only five months. He resigned together with fellow senior officials that were tagged as ‘Hyatt 10’ as they announced their resignations at the well-known hotel in Pasay City.
He was appointed by President Aquino on April 23, 2015, his 67th birthday. Mindful that as a presidential appointee his tenure was coterminous with his superior’s, he regarded his prospectively brief stint of one year and two months as a genuine opportunity to serve.
As customs commissioner, he focused his efforts at streamlining its operations, ensuring that the newly enacted Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) passed in May 2016 to modernize customs and tariff procedures would be fleshed out in terms of implementing rules and regulations.
The law's goals included: a) the promotion of faster trade through improved supply chain and customs service delivery; b) reduced corruption by preventing and curtailing customs fraud and illegal acts; c) improved customs administration; and d) fulfillment of the country’s international commitments.
He applied efficiency measures he had implemented in his own conglomerate comprised of 19 companies, among which were Airfreight 2100 Inc., U-Freight Inc. and U-Ocean Inc. ‘U’ stood for ube, or purple yam, his signature color, too.
I recall the story shared by his wife Sylvia on why many of his companies, including the professional basketball team he once owned had the number 21. It’s because his career as a successful entrepreneur began on June 21, 1979, the day he was informed by his erstwhile boss that his contract won’t be renewed. That impelled him to set up his own businesses.
Our common friend, Joaquin ‘Quinito’ Henson wrote about Bert’s narrative in his sports column:
“In effect, I was terminated. At the time, I lived a comfortable life. I was travelling a lot for the company and I had three cars. But I was only an employee. That led me to do things on my own. If I didn’t get fired, I wouldn’t have created my own group of companies. I saw the opportunity in freight and I built my businesses around it. I’ll never forget 21 because that was the day when I opened a new chapter in my life.”
He applied efficiency measures he had implemented in his own conglomerate.
He founded and headed 19 companies under the Lina Group of Companies, including Airfreight 2100 Inc., U-Freight Inc. and U-Ocean Inc. He was long-time waterfront industry stalwart as of Aircargo Forwarders of the Philippines Inc. from the late 1980s to the 1990s.
I first became acquainted with Bert in Rotary circles. We met each other in fellowship gatherings or while attending club meetings. His younger siblings, former Senator Joey Lina and Baby Lina-Vale, also served as presidents of the Rotary Club of Makati Central and the Rotary Club of Parañaque Metro, respectively.
He was in his elements at the golf fairways. He had two home courses, Alabang and Greenfield. I still wear a golf shirt on which the phrase 25th ADL Cup is embroidered. ADL, of course, is the short form of his full name, Alberto David Lina. He was the impresario of his own golf tournament for more than 25 years.
He was also into other sports, having been chairman of the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association, and owning a professional basketball team in the PBA. For some time, he also owned the Burger King franchise.
Bert’s generosity and civic spirit is reflected in the Sylvia P. Lina Theatre in the De la Salle -Zobel campus in Ayala Alabang that has become a preferred venue for concerts and other cultural events.
In public policy, he consistently pitched his views on how to improve productivity. Recently, he participated in a press briefing sponsored by the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. (PCAFI) headed by Danilo Fausto, tagging inefficiencies in logistics as a main cause of high food prices.
He proposed twin measures: first, the government can acquire and deploy temperature-controlled vehicles that are accessible to farmers; second, giving internet access to farmers so they could connect with consumers directly without passing through middlemen.
I will miss Bert. His jovial company was always a source of energy and rejuvenation. Indeed, he was a public servant, civic leader, and impresario par excellence.
He personified what Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton wrote: “Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.” He also mirrored Denis Waitley’s reflections: “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute, with love, grace and gratitude.”
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