Les Romero masters the art of timing

At 31, Les Romero has much. In Dumaguete City, he raises 15,000 chicks as a contract grower of RFM and harvests up to 50,000 bangus four times each year. In Manila, he is a partner of the Mediterranean restaurant Azzurro in Megamall.

Ambitious and determined, this 6-foot bachelor challenges himself physically, too. He quit smoking, stopped drinking beer and trained for the Sprint Triathlon to win a place in the combined swimming, biking and running competition. Les pauses here to reveal his phobia for heights, excitement with fish caging and ardor for His Airness, Michael Jordan.

Which living person do you admire most?

My dad, Mike Romero. A great father, very kind, friendly, supportive. He was Congressman of Negros Oriental for three terms.

What book influenced your life?

The Power by Robert Greene, Master the Art of Timing. It’s candidly honest about how to handle life. It makes you think. It has tips like "Conceal your intentions."

What is your most fervent wish?

To achieve happiness. Happiness is success.

How do you resolve your conflicts?

I am very confrontational. I tell the person what I feel. I want to make peace.

Where would you like to live?

Sydney, Australia, by the beach or near the ocean. I fell in love with Australia last year. It’s a great blend of Western modernity and European culture.

What is your favorite journey?

Going home.

What is your greatest fear?

Dying in pain. My phobia is heights. Even in malls, I stay away from the railing. Yet, I live on the 29th floor and I don’t feel frightened at home .

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

My moodiness. When I wake up, sometimes I just don’t want to talk.

What quality do you like most in a man?

Being confident and subtle at the same time.

What quality do you like most in a woman?

Her ability to be so gentle and demure.

How do you start your day?

In Dumaguete, I go up north to my fish ponds by 9 a.m. I talk to the manager, weigh the bangus, estimate the schedule of harvest, stay about three hours, then visit the poultry.

What is your motto?

Work hard, party hard.

What is your current state of mind?

Excited about my new ventures in fish caging and the broiler expansion. Fish caging is a method of accommodating up to 30,000 sticklings of bangus in an area of 8 x 16 ft.

What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty. I have friends from my middle-school days in Brent. You get into a lot of things and you’ll know if they are loyal.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My wardrobe. I love dressing up and looking good.

What words or phrases do you overuse?

"To cut a long story short."

Which historical figure would you like to have been?

Michael "Air" Jordan. His attitude, leadership, charisma. He put style in the game.

What sounds do you love?

Chill-out music. Chimes relax me.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Being alone.

Which famous quotation would you have wanted to be the author of?

"Just trust yourself and you will know how to live."

What is your passion?

Basketball comes in a close second to women.