Borgy Manotoc: 'Love people, work hard and enjoy the world'

Even as a young boy, Fernando Martin “Borgy” Marcos Manotoc was obsessed with clothes and shoes. His childhood years living in exile exposed him to different types of people, when he noticed that what people wore often dictated how they felt. The effect domino-ed and the more he traveled, the more aware he became of the influence of style and aesthetics on culture. By the time he came back to the Philippines, he knew he wanted to get into the retail industry. He wanted to choose products that would help people express themselves by the way they dressed.

So our bachelor opened Bunker, a sneaker boutique in Greenhills. Three years later, Bunker continues to attract individuals who feel that there is value in design.

Meanwhile, Borgy, 27, is expanding his vision. His venture into the retail scene showed him that Filipino consumers’ form of self-expression is still not represented in their choice of clothes. He wants to be part of that creative process. His desire to get involved encouraged him to learn more about what goods go through, from design to production. Here Borgy reflects on believing in change, making people happy and recovering from failure:

One of my goals this year is to start saving.

My personal style signifier is my variety. I am a very confused person sometimes. I have become a lot more focused over the years, but there are mornings I wake up and feel very differently from the day before. So that really reflects in my clothes. Sometimes I like wearing colors; sometimes I don’t like wearing colors. I can’t stand skinny jeans and sometimes I can only wear skinny jeans. Living and breathing by my mood.

What makes me happy is giving people something they can’t give themselves.

I get inspired to make things better and believe in change. I think some people get a bit comfortable in their security bubble, community and lifestyle and they don’t realize that things can actually get better.  

I work best at night. I have become a bit nocturnal and being a business owner, fortunately I get to create my own schedule. It has become a habit. I also have things to do at night when it comes to the time difference with the US, but generally a lot of my creativity and ideas come to me during those evening hours.

The last meal that truly impressed me was the kamayan dinner for my friend’s birthday party. Food is always sort of judged by the substance, but I love the experience of our eating with our hands on banana leaves.

One fear of mine is wasting opportunities.

What helped me to conquer fear is recovering from failure.

My best moment is yet to come.

My worst moment was having to apologize to my mother for fighting with other young men.

Best quality about me is my acceptance of my shortcomings.

A quality that I have been working to address is execution of ideas.

A recent find is Dark Chocolate Altoids.

The last thing I bought and loved were socks.

The thing I’m hoping to buy next is lunch.

If I had to limit my travels to one city, it would be Manila. The world is defined by the people around you.

A memorable place I have traveled to in the past year: Batanes.

The souvenirs I choose to bring home are usually clothes and accessories.

The place that inspires me: the Internet.

The best gift I’ve received recently: good advice.

In my fridge you’ll always find orange juice, soymilk, rye bread, peanut and jam, and mustard.

My favorite websites: WWD.com, Slamxhype.com, The Sartorialist, Hypebeast.com and Reuters.com.

I am proud of my friends.

Beside my bed are books, water, a candle and always a clock.

My style icons are my grandparents.

If I wasn’t doing what I do and I had talent, I would be a musician.

In school, I learned how to do what people expect.

After being in business, I realized that I am not really a businessman.

I choose my employees… A small group of people helps me do what I do. They are chosen by their skill set and their ability to comprehend my ideas and communicate.

A recent setback I had: Setbacks happen all the time. There is no point in thinking about something you cannot do anything about. I just move on.

Borgy’s fascination with clothes made him realize that he can help people express themselves by the way they dress.

A while ago I was browsing the bookstore.

My talents include pretending.

The sport I do the most is tennis.

The books I am reading now are The Joke’s Over: Memories of Hunter S. Thompson by Ralph Steadman, and The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley.

I remember an embarrassing moment at work when I had to stand around in my underwear all day. But that happens almost every other day.

The way I plan my day is a calendar for appointments and lots of to-do lists.

The last time I cried was when I asked my then friend to be my girlfriend.

Good advice I have given: Love people, work hard and enjoy the world.

Good advice I received is there is no such thing as a boring place, just boring people.

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E-mail: aurorawilson@gmail.com