Yehey!’s Kevin Khoe reflects on Bill Gates, cycling and cyberspace

Kevin Khoe, the CEO of Yehey.com, hopes that the people who log on to Yehey! every month will use his PayPlus+ concept of shopping on the Internet with an ATM card.

"Many Filipinos do not own credit cards," laments 30-year-old Khoe. Shopping with an ATM card, therefore, is the ingenious way of achieving more sales for the popular Pinoy website.

Originally thought of as a spoof of Yahoo.com, Yehey! has become a popular Filipino stopover on cyberspace. Around 32 avid computer experts plan the things to put on Yehey!’s screen every day, which include news articles (plus tidbits about the Jose Pidal scandal) that are transmitted to Filipinos around the world.

Kevin, an economics grad of University of Asia & the Pacific, answers at least 50 e-mails a day. He is responsible for getting advertisers to use Yehey.com, and is the one who approves almost every item that goes on the website.

An avid cyclist and runner, our bachelor muses on going back to school, drinking with friends and riding his mountain bike.

Which living person do you admire most?

Lance Armstrong, a five-time Tour de France champion, which is the most grueling bike race in the world. And he won it for five consecutive times, despite being given a 40-percent chance of survival from his cancer. That’s all grit and determination.

What is your passion?

Aside from Yehey! and PayPlus+, I am passionate about my sports activities: cycling and running at least 40 km per week, as part of my regimen.

What is your most fervent wish?

To go back to school. I did not really maximize and enjoy my school life. I was already working when I was still at the University of Asia & the Pacific.

What film influenced your life?

I can totally relate to Wall Street, starring Michael Douglas and Charlie Sheen. I used to be a stockbroker before I joined Yehey!

What book influenced your life?

Business @ The Speed of Thought by Bill Gates. It basically teaches you how to run a business in the new economy setup; it’s how I run Yehey!

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Sloppiness.

What is the first thing you see in the morning?

Still a stockbroker/finance guy at heart, I make sure I watch Bloomberg every morning to know what happened to the US market the night before.

What is your current state of mind?

Hmmm…. quite nervous since I will be presenting to 450 people this Tuesday. I am still working on my slides as of this moment.

What do you most value in your friends?

I love drinking with them. I value those drinking sessions very much. It’s time away from work.

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

I would rather be a full-time athlete given the right opportunities.

What is your greatest extravagance?

My mountain bike.

What words or phrases do you overuse?

"Just get it done." I think it reflects my lack of patience.

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

A beautiful face that can launch a thousand heartbreaks.

Which historical character would you like to have been?

Gandhi. His influence transcends across the world regardless of race and culture. Modern-day heroes like Nelson Mandela or even Ninoy Aquino referred to him for inspiration.

Name a moment that brings back happy memories.

Maybe my first trip to Boracay 10 years ago. I am a "city slicker" so Boracay is an absolute paradise for me up to now. I just hope they maintain the place cause it’s getting worse each year.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

At age 28, I was asked to run Yehey.com. About a million people visit Yehey! every month.

What does your mom often say to you?

"Take it easy."

What is your favorite journey?

Out-of-town bike trips. The feeling is wonderful. You get the chance to work out and at the same time appreciate nature.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Being man enough to admit his mistakes.

What is your greatest regret?

Not having a family life. I think I have overextended my independence and am still single. Most of my friends have already settled down.

Name an embarrassing moment at work?

Brought the wrong set of presentation when I met a client. Worst thing about it was the presentation was for the client’s competitor. Good thing I was able to adlib. But the biggest irony is that the client signed up fearing that his competitor might get the slot. Not a bad strategy to use, huh!

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E-mail babycamp2 @yahoo.co.uk.