Loving work and the good life

Alfred “Alby” Xerez-Burgos III, president and CEO of upscale property developer Landco Pacific Corp., is not your typical CEO. He never seems to be stressed by work, maybe because he knows how to enjoy life. Married to the beautiful Maricar and blessed with lovely children, Alby usually spends weekends hanging out at the beach with his family. He loves good food and wine. And to top it all, his employees love him and his amiable ways.

Here are some insights into the work and life of the much-loved CEO of Landco.

How is the real estate business in the country doing? How about Landco? What’s your expectation for 2012? How did your company perform last year?

The real estate business is doing great. A lot of things are happening given the large demand for housing spurred by OFW remittances, low interest rates, and strengthening purchasing power.  If the government can implement more infrastructure projects, then the outlook can be better.

Landco’s sales in 2011 are at least 20 percent higher compared to 2010, and we’re optimistic that 2012 will be a good year for us. As of the third quarter 2011, sales were up 31 percent from the same period last year.

I heard you are a great cook. What’s your specialty and what made you try your hand at cooking.

Let me dispel that rumor. I’m not a great cook. And I don’t have to be one because my wife is already a great cook.  Since she loves to prepare food for me I’m very happy to oblige.  On my part, I just cook the things I like to eat because I like it in a certain way and pairs well with my Bordeaux and Napa Valley reds. So I have a limited menu comprised of steaks, burgers and soups.

How do you keep in shape? What sports were you engaged in when you were younger and what sport do you play now?

I used to play badminton since I was 15.  However, my knees gave way last year, and I just couldn’t play at the same level anymore.

Nowadays I concentrate on running and biking. I have a close friend who is convincing me to join the triathlon since I used to be a swimmer, but I still have to get myself up to 21k!

How are you as a manager? What’s your management style?

I like to empower my people. Like my father who founded this company, his dream was to have a company where people from below could express and implement their ideas.  People who run our projects are mini CEOs in that respect. It provides a great learning environment for everyone, including me.

What’s your dream for Landco? Any other business that you would want to go into other than the property business?

My dream for Landco is to change the way people live for the better.

We do that by imbibing leisure as a philosophy.  So when the Filipino thinks of leisure, he will think of only one name, Landco.

Our family does have other businesses, but stubbornly very much to do with land. We have a memorial park business that spans 14 parks across the country, and we’ve started a small agri-business project in Tagaytay that supplies produce in various groceries called Leisure Farms Fresh.

When your dad handed over to you the reigns of running the business, what were your marching orders? Any deviations?

He didn’t say much. All he said was, “It’s yours. Your uncle Manny (Pangilinan) and I think that you’re in the best position to handle this company moving forward.  We’ll be behind you if you need us.” My dad’s best quality is that he leads by example.  He doesn’t believe that he has a monopoly of all the good ideas, so he gives others enough elbow room to decide how they want to maneuver. However, he is very generous in lending his experience, and that’s where I draw much confidence.

Do you collect anything? Tell us about it. Any hobbies?

Wine, travel and food are my passions. I keep a modest collection of about 250 bottles of wine all over the place. I keep that stock constant, which means I regularly replenish whenever I travel. I can’t say I have a favorite region because what I drink depends on my mood and what I’m eating.  However, 60 percent of my collection comes from France and the U.S.

I also like to travel to new places and try the local cuisine.

Recently, I came from Mallorca, Valencia, Barcelona, San Sebastian, Bordeaux and Paris for a gastronomic adventure. It helps me a lot, especially as I do restaurant reviews for a book published by Philippine Tatler.

How’s a typical weekend for you and your family? How do you strike a good work-life balance?

We love the outdoors, so we normally travel to the beach. Luckily, Punta Fuego, Playa Calatagan, Playa Laiya and Hacienda Escudero are nearby. Just recently, I took the family out for camping at Hacienda Escudero, and my kids really had a blast. Ssshh! I also got to conduct my inspections.

Any pet peeves?

Yes.  Whenever I ask why something is being done in a certain way that doesn’t make sense to me, I hate hearing the line, “because that’s the way it’s been done in the past.”

What’s your favorite place and is there any other place that you would want to visit soon?

Aside from home, my favorite place would be either Napa Valley or Bordeaux.  I’m hoping to visit Mendoza, Argentina or the Douro Valley in Portugal, but I could easily settle for Burgundy, France or Barossa Valley in Australia. You get the picture.

What’s the last movie you’ve watched? Any preferred film genre?

I like action, preferably something that involves heists, like the Italian Job or epic battle scenes like Braveheart and Lord of the Rings. I just saw Flypaper, starring Patrick Dempsey and Ashley Judd. It’s sort of a compromise between what I like and what my wife likes. There’s a little action for me and a little romantic comedy for her so we enjoyed it.

How were you as a student? Tell us a little about your educational background. Were you the nerd or the jock?

Ha ha! I’m as average as it gets! Sure, I got my honor certificates here and there when I put my heart into it.  But generally, I cruised through high school as though it was one long party!

In college I applied for a double degree course, LiaCom, at De La Salle University.  Why?  Because that’s where the girls were!  Of course, when my grandfather found out, who at that time headed the De La Salle Alumni Association, he talked to my father to talk me out of it. Sooner than a blink of an eye, we were having breakfast with Brother Benedict, head of Admissions, and I was shifted to Industrial Management Engineering with a Minor in Chemical Engineering right on the first day of class.  I didn’t like math, but I figured if I could get through it, then that’s something I could prove to myself. No regrets.

Do you consider yourself a wine connossieur?

More like an enthusiast.

Any business personality that you admire/idolize? Why?

Of course, my father, for the reasons that I’ve already mentioned. I am also very privileged to take the advice of Mr. (Manny) Pangilinan from time to time. I see him at least once a quarter and could ask him questions that I know a lot of people could only dream of getting such an opportunity once in their life.  It’s amazing to know what goes on in that head, but that’s another story.