FINDING ANSWERS

Alberto “Bert” David Lina, who passed away recently, was my elder brother I always looked up to. He was always there for me, in good times and in bad. I’m truly thankful for having had the ideal brother who truly cared, who can really inspire, who can always be relied upon.

He was a visionary who rose from our humble beginnings to become a compassionate business tycoon as he epitomized the transformative power of hard work, discipline, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to do the right thing and uplift others.

A devout Christian, patriot, and philanthropist my brother certainly was.

To God be the glory, he always knew. “In the cutthroat world of business, it is so easy to forget this simple and profound truth: that our purpose during our short time on earth is to serve others, which is the best way to glorify God,” he used to say in his speaking engagements.

He was also expressive about his patriotism. “In our group of companies, especially at Air21, we encourage our people to have what I like to call, “pusong ube” or purple heart. It is the heart that is full of love for one’s country – that thinks for the highest good of everyone,” he told the GAMA Philippines Convention in July 2010.

And he was among Asia’s “Heroes of Philanthropy” named by Forbes in 2012 for “sponsoring annual medical and dental mission to Ibajay community on Panay Island, developing youth basketball teams in remote communities, for having donated a carillon to Manila Cathedral and for underwriting the Union Cycliste Internationale-sanctioned Le Tour de Filipinas race.”

Kuya Bert’s early life was marked by diligence and determination. He was valedictorian in elementary and high school. Starting his career as a certified public accountant after studying at PSBA, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to build Air 21, revolutionizing our country’s logistics landscape.

He went on to establish the Lina Group of Companies that spanned various industries, including waste management, marketing communications, corporate services, travel and transportation, food, business process outsourcing, media, business information, and environmental care.

Beyond business, he was a tireless sports advocate especially for basketball, cycling, and golf. He was owner of PBA teams, and was affectionately called “Godfather of Cycling” for reviving cycling tours in 2002. His passion also extended to the arts as he supported the Manila Symphony Orchestra and the Philippine theater community, enriching our country’s cultural heritage.

He had two short stints at the helm of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) — in 2005 until he quit and joined the so-called Hyatt 10 who resigned at the height of “Hello, Garci” protests, and in 2015 during the PNoy administration.

Many were astonished then why a billionaire tycoon would leave his comfort zone and return to the BoC, an agency perennially perceived as “hopelessly corrupt,” and opened himself up to vicious criticisms his predecessors were not spared from.

“At this stage of my life, it is time to give back. Those who know me know what it truly entails — the hard work, long hours we are willing to endure and the personal sacrifices and comforts that we are willing to forego to get the job done,” he said upon taking over at the BoC for the second time.

It was obvious love of country was his driving force when he returned to the controversial BoC post that paid a meager government salary, a far cry from the millions he otherwise would have continued making at the helm of his companies. The majority stake of his Air 21 he sold to the Ayala Group in 2022.

Love of country also guided his companies in times of disaster. On Typhoon Yolanda, he said: “Our group’s plane flew to Tacloban immediately after the storm to deliver the equipment needed for the airport to function. Our warehouse in Parañaque became a DSWD re-packing center for relief goods while our trucks carried these goods to the affected areas. Our warehouse in Cebu was used for storing the foreign relief aid that came pouring in.”

Kuya Bert lived by a corporate philosophy to exercise social responsibility, and not be obsessed with profits alone.

In one gathering of business leaders, he warned against the notion that to be successful, one has to be cutthroat and ruthless, to step on other people. “It’s easy to become hopelessly immersed in obliterating our competition to get ahead and make profit, thus making power and money the centerpiece of our lives. Please don’t get me wrong, aspiring to be successful individuals and profitable companies is not a bad thing. It only becomes negative when this aspiration becomes our sole reason for living.”

He also impressed upon young Filipinos the value of character and respect. “Respect other people… everyone that you will encounter for the rest of your life. What does it mean to respect others? It is treating them with dignity, honesty, and kindness. It involves being a good listener and taking the time to understand where people are coming from,” he told the PATTS 2010 graduating class.

For all his brilliance, compassion and humanity, my Kuya Bert was truly an outstanding Filipino. He shall be deeply missed by the Lina clan, especially his wife Sylvia, and April, Rose, Wynne, Donna May, Edgardo, Lucia Jane, Bertha Ann, Victor Paul, Andrea Rose, Alberto Wynn, Aurelia Joule, and Aurora Jane.

Farewell, my dear Kuya Bert, and may God grant you eternal peace! ([email protected])