Health buff Rodrigo Rivera enjoys laughing at political buffoons

As executive vice president of the RD Group, Rodrigo "Jun" Rivera’s business is trading tuna between the Philippines and Japan. Jun’s tuna processing and export plant in General Santos City employs more than 500 people. His business interests extend to pawnshops and jewelry stores, agribusiness, food processing, cold storage, insurance brokerage, as well as 24 branches of Peninsula Rural Bank.

In his senior year in high school, Rodrigo, 46, was sent to America by the Rotarians as an exchange student. Since then, our bachelor has learned to respect and love the Rotary group. Now he is thrilled to be the president of the Rotary mother club in Gen. Santos City.

Name an embarrassing moment at work?

I refused to meet a visitor, telling him over the phone that I was out of the office. Turned out he was standing just outside my door. I jumped out of my chair and went rushing over to greet him. I made sure he was smiling when he left my office, but those were the longest two hours of my office life.

Which living person do you admire most?

My father, Rodrigo Rivera Sr., although he doesn’t know it.

How do you resolve your conflicts?

By being the best salesman I can be in convincing all sides to compromise. Sometimes, even at my own expense.

What sports do you engage in?

Body-building, basketball and running.

Which historical character would you like to have been?

Jesus Christ. No, maybe that’s blasphemous. Nobody else can be Christ.

What book influenced your life?

A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. It humbles me to realize that the universe is so full of miracles.

What is your greatest fear?

To be cast in hell for eternity because there’s no hope in that situation.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Doing many things simultaneously without sufficient time. That’s different from cramming, because the latter means doing everything at the last minute.

How do you start your day?

Take my vitamins/supplements while making my phone calls and text messaging before breakfast.

What is your current state of mind?

Thinking of what to do next, making the most of my time. As they say, one way to pursue happiness is to keep oneself busy with worthwhile matters.

If you had the chance to change something in your life, what would that be?

To be more expressive of my love for my family and friends.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Catering to my passion for music by building a working commercial recording studio for my band.

What words or phrases do you overuse?

"What a life..."

What is the first thing you look for when you meet a woman?

Initially, the tangible aesthetics, of course. If positive, we proceed to the conversation part. Then I look for more important things like intelligence, charisma, and good temperament, etc. Naggers turn me off.

Name a moment that brings back happy memories.

At a time when we didn’t have much, my dad acquired our first black and white TV. The whole family sat around and watched it.

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

There are thousands. One is by Martin Luther King, Jr.: "The time is always right to do what is right."

What makes you laugh?

The buffoons in Congress.

What does your dad often say to you?

Nowadays? Get married and settle down na!

What is your favorite occupation?

Just being in the office, doing anything and everything.

What do you most do with your hands?

Writing and signing documents, I guess.