Banker Felipe Estrella digs ‘Field of Dreams’ and Green Lantern
May 19, 2003 | 12:00am
Making it to the dean’s list of an Ivy League school is an achievement that Felipe Estrella, 33, is happy about. With his MBA from Columbia University, getting his first job with Chase Manhattan was easy.
"I am going home soon," he would tell his friends each day of the five years he lived in New York. Although he loved living in the big city, the demands of a 14-hours-a-day workload were too much. He needed a balance between work and play. Come home he did. Felipe Estrella now works as assistant vice president for East West Bank.
As one of the heads of the corporate banking department, Felipe manages the needs of 80 business accounts. East West Bank, owned by the Gotianun family, has 47 branches nationwide with over 600 employees.
Our bachelor pauses here to reflect on watching TV, having the Inno Sotto designer skills and being clinically insane.
On what occasion do you lie?
When I am trying to get out of trouble.
Who or what is the greatest love of your life?
Family, friends, good food and beautiful places.
What sports do you do?
Snow-skiing in Vermont. Basketball in Bel Air Village.
Where are you most comfortable?
On a Lazy Boy, watching TV with close friends like Georgia and Gilbert Remulla.
What film influenced your life?
Field of Dreams with Kevin Costner. It’s about a farmer who fulfills his dream no matter what.
Which hero of fiction can you most identify with?
Green Lantern who was an ordinary guy until his ring gave him extraordinary powers. Even so, he had his limitations.
Which living person do you admire most?
When the Pope came here in 1995, he passed in front of me and I started crying. There is something special about the Pope and the one he represents.
What is your greatest fear?
I hate putting up with the administrative crap of government.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Tardiness. I have turned it into an artform: Either I slip in inconspicuously or act remorseful.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
The stupidity of people who don’t do things properly like drivers who decide to counter-flow and then cause traffic jams.
How do you start your day?
In a panic. "Ouch… I am late!"
What is your motto?
With faith, all things are possible.
What is your current state of mind?
Clinically insane. I’m more relaxed and laid back now but I flip-flop, feel completely stressed out and become anxious about the future.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Sleeping and watching TV.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Having a fabulous wife and wonderful kids.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Being alone.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To be really good at designing like Inno Sotto who can express himself and turn his design into a creation.
What do you most do with your hands?
Click the remote.
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