Bernadine Siy: Life after Dad is worth living

As a school girl, Bernadine remembers being shy and hesitant about expressing her views. With gentle reminders from her parents on the value of a good education, Bern was encouraged to apply at the Kellogg School of Northwestern University in Chicago where she earned her MBA degree. Upon her return to the Philippines, she had the good fortune to work for a year with her dad, Ramon Siy. During that time, she related to him as an adult who was now capable of gaining his respect with her newly acquired management skills. Sadly, her father was murdered and his children had no time to mourn. They had to take over the father’s textile mills and manage his other interests. Suddenly, Bern, as the eldest child, had to take over the many responsibilities that her 55-year-old dad had shouldered.

Today, Bernadine Siy, 43 , has multiplied the business holdings of her family. As president of The Roasters Group, Bern is very involved with what she considers as one of her passions, food. The 34 branches of Kenny Rogers, Seattle’s Best Coffee with its nine trendy cafes and the two Popeye Chicken and Biscuits stores all display the high standards of Bern. As the assertive and determined leader of more than 600 employees, our bachelor pauses to reflect on her internal radar, playing golf and being happy.

What is your passion?

Other people would say that my career is my passion because I work most days from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. But for me, I want to play more golf, cook a lot more and spend more time playing piano.

How do you resolve your conflicts?

I use my internal radar to decide if the problem needs an action – oriented decision or not. For higher issues such as relationships and dealing with people, I consult with a few friends whose wisdom I consider more evolved than mine.

What sports do you like most?

Golf is a game I can play by myself or as a social sport with friends. I do nine holes in Manila Golf once a week and 18 holes in Tagaytay Midlands on weekends.

What book influenced your life?

There are books that I keep beside me and look at often like The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck and The Collection of Homilies by Father Donellan.

What is your greatest fear?

For the people I am closest to not to understand completely my heartís most sincere desire.

How do you start your day?

I’m up at 6:30 a.m. and have time to putter about till I arrive at work at 8 a.m. About three times a month, I enjoy staying at home till 9:30 a.m.

What is your motto?

Live life in a way that when something is given to me, I can add some value to it before I pass it on.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My membership in golf clubs and eating in restaurants. I travel to taste good food; now I can justify these meals by thinking that they are "market research."

What is the first thing you look at when you see a man?

I try to feel what kind of person he is from his face. My radar has been honed and immediately my vibrations tell me up to where he can go.

If you could be any historical character, who would you like to be?

I would like to have had the opportunity that Cory Aquino had when she took over our government in 1986. The people were willing to follow, America was very supportive and good men like Jimmy Ongpin were eager to serve.

When was your lowest depth of misery?

At 10:30 p.m. in 1987, my auntie phoned me and said that my father, Ramon Siy, was shot. I felt that my heart had been removed from my chest. He was a brilliant man; the founder of Solid Mills, Jag, Mariefrance. The killer was never found.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

It’s more of an achievement of our family. I was 28 when my father was killed. We had no time to prepare ourselves emotionally. The responsibility of carrying on the business was with my brothers and sisters. Kaya ba namin? We regrouped and our business even grew.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Acceptance of the cards that are dealt you; being at peace with the people that matter to you.

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

"The unexamined life is not worth living." It means that one needs to step outside one’s activities to get a better perspective.

What makes you laugh?

Things that make me realize, hey, don’t take life too seriously.

What is your favorite journey?

Playing golf in John Hay or Malarayat about 5:30 p.m. The colors at dusk are softer and it becomes an experience. A trip I enjoyed was to Pagan, Burma where I climbed up a 1,500-year-old pagoda at dusk. At the top, I looked in all directions and saw thousands of pagodas.

What is your favorite occupation?

Having a strategy on how to compete in the market with a vision of how to evolve a business. Then enjoying the pleasure of seeing it happen and getting people to subscribe to that vision.