Bobby Joseph, the dreamer

The Christmas season is all about hope — finding hope and giving hope. In that department, Robert “Bobby” Lim Joseph surely excels. He has a copious supply of courage and optimism. To some extent, he is hope personified.

One quick look — even an extended glance — at Bobby and you will see a stout man full of spirit. His joie de vivre is always intact, always in place. His movement has a cadence that spells his love for life. When he smiles, or laughs, it is as if he defines his passion for living. But inside him, literally, he is battling cancer of the kidney, stage 4. 

He has “befriended” cancer for “six years and two months” now. “It started from my kidney. Then it metastasized to my mediastinum, nose, head and spine. Now, it’s in my left foot,” Bobby says without a tinge of complaint in his voice. He says his doctors have found his situation to be remarkable but for Bobby, he remains alive and in “good condition” because of the blessings he receives every single day. His existence is a proof of God’s loving kindness and mercy.

“I thank God for extending my life to be a better person. I thank God, my family and friends and especially my intercessors, Mama Mary, St. Therese and the other saints for their help. I take life one day at a time and continue having hope and a very positive attitude to do my best while I can and share and serve the community, and the tourism industry I love,” he says.

His medical condition notwithstanding, Bobby, Consul General of Latvia in the country, has fortified himself to continue working on his many business endeavors and advocacies.  He serves as chairman for the Philippine Wine Merchants and Ralph’s Wines & Spirits, Tourism Educators and Movers Philippines (TEAM Philippines), League of Tourism Students of the Philippines and Save Our Skies.

His love for Philippine tourism can be gleaned from his participation as president of Skal International Philippines, Skal International Makati and Cebu and Network of Independent Travel Agencies.

“In all of these, I have major decision-making responsibilities. I give directions to these organizations and make sure our activities and initiatives have far-reaching impact to our members and our various publics,” he says.

If those undertakings are not enough to fill his plate, you can add in his being a director at the Rotary Club of Manila. Or his involvement at the family-owned Wine Museum in Pasay City. The Wine Museum, established five years ago, is a hotel, restaurant and training center rolled into one. Bobby’s love for the tourism industry of the country is evident every time he conducts tourism symposium at the Wine Museum, which also serves as the laboratory and extension of some colleges and universities that have hospitality courses in their curriculum.

Bobby is intrinsically a happy person. His is a soul that cannot be cowed by challenging circumstances. His disposition in life is bold, bright and beautiful. What inspires Bobby then to have an unflagging spirit?

“I am inspired by success stories and achievements of other people. I am motivated by challenges, overcoming defeat. I am motivated by love of country. I am always inspired by the goodness of people, by the goodness of the Lord,” he says.

He finds ultimate joy in celebrating his family. He is always on the brink of tearing up every time he mentions the kindness and support he gets from his loving wife Ida and their children. As a father, Bobby says, he is caring and is always in need of his children’s hugs and kisses. He has an uncontainable joy, too, when he talks about his Joseph brothers.  

“My strength is my family,” he succinctly says. In fact, Bobby, ever since he was a kid, has always been in love with his family.

“My father, Robert Joseph Sr., is my hero. From him I learned the importance of doing my best. He taught me a lot of sports and how not to take too much booze. He showed how it is to love and love more,” Bobby recalls.

His lineage will disclose that his great great-grandfather came from Assyria under the Ottoman Empire and moved to Nilgiri Hills, India, where his grandfather was born. They then moved to Singapore to establish an American bazaar and then set up a branch on Colon street in Cebu. He married a Spanish-Filipina from Iloilo and had eight children. Their business included trading, zarzuelas, stage shows, nightclub, bicycle store, movie projector distribution (first talkies), movie production and theater.

“My mother, Forecita Favis Lim, taught me competence, commitment. She also showed me how to strengthen my character. She taught me to work hard. I started working at age 13 for summer jobs. She taught me to save, save, save and be frugal. She taught me to take care of my siblings. I learned from her to have pride and never allow anyone to put me down,” he says.

Bobby says his mom was from Vigan, Ilocos Sur and San Fernando, La Union. “She is Ilocana-Chinese. My Chinese grandfather was the biggest tobacco trader in Ilocos and my grandmother was in the gasoline and commercial establishment in San Fernando,” he recalls.

Bobby’s business savvy and strength of character are stipulated in his DNA. “My business acumen is Chinese but the passion and drive is Arab and Spanish; and I am an Ilocano with regard to my discipline and frugality. I’m a ‘fruit cocktail’ but my heart and soul is Filipino,” Bobby notes.

Despite his accomplishments and challenges, Bobby remains a dreamer. He keeps on saying that his cancer has enabled him to become a stronger person not only for himself but also for others. And he dreams for them, too.

“I have so much time for myself by sharing it with others. I love what I am doing. Never had a dull moment. I am happily busy doing things I love.”

Bobby’s happiness quotient is at all time high. “I am extremely happy and thankful that God extended by life with the help of prayers, love, support from my family and friends.”

What more can he ask for?

“I already have joy and peace of mind. What more can I ask for? No more,” he ends.

Bobby Joseph also conducts motivation seminars. He has published books on living an inspired life. Here are some of his nuggets of wisdom:

1. Make things happen by going against the tide.

2. Never undervalue yourself.

3. Ensure a united, loving and caring family.

4. Back to basics, when in doubt.

5. I am a co-pilot; God is with me.

6. What you decide to do should be significant. Touch lives and make them meaningful.

7. Blessed are the ones who sacrifice, endure and persevere to fight for what is right, what is true, and what is fair for our country. They have our children’s children in mind.

8. It is not what you do but who you are that counts. Character makes a man. Character is based on your foundation. It is the root of life.

9. When you take a stand on an issue, it may cause a lot of disagreements. So be it, as long as you know you are right. It does not have to be popular.

10. The best way to a person’s heart is through sincerity and a caring attitude.

11. Keep life simple. Avoid complications. Go back to basics as you move forward. Seek peace from within. Be frugal with your money. Love abundantly. Motivate people to enrich themselves in mind, body and spirit.

12. For those who have done you wrong, pray for them. For those who have hurt you, pity them. But thank them for they have helped you to develop your strength of character. They are gifts for you to attain more success and make you a better person.

13. True leaders take responsibility immediately. Don’t evade or ignore the issues confronting you.

(For your new beginnings, e-mail me at bumbaki@yahoo.com.

I am also on Twitter @bum_tenorio. Have a blessed Sunday!)