Victor Emmanuel Sevilla Bernardo sells security

Designing campaigns to help insurance agents receive more business from their existing clients is Victor Bernardo’s job with Philamlife. As senior manager in the Office of the Customer, our 5’8" bachelor coordinates with the marketing team to think of ways to increase the policies that their clients already own. Vic’s excitement shows as he rattles off the different products that Philamlife agents can sell to fulfill their quotas: Quantum which is a life insurance policy that earns dividends, Quick Cash Builder for the Overseas Filipino worker, the list goes on.

Victor, 29 years old, could have worked for CDI Sakata Inx, one of the biggest ink manufacturers in the Philippines, since his father was the president of this chemical company. Instead, he chose to earn his way through, even during his college days at La Salle when he worked as a commercial model. Although he got good exposure as a model for companies like Mobiline and Chowking, Victor felt that a career as a model was too uncertain. Getting an MBA from the Asian Institute of Management, he decided to make his mark in the corporate world, starting out in telecommunications and moving to remittance.

Which living person do you admire most?

My father, Joseph Delano Bernardo, who is the Ambassador to Spain. Maybe I am a brat but he taught me how to work. I was given a car when I was in college but I had to pay the insurance bills. So, I had to find a way to earn money, which led me to modeling and doing commercials.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life?

My parents and my job, which I love. My work is challenging and the friendship between the executives and the staff is great.

What is your passion?

My career. I also love playing badminton at the Philamlife courts, as well as in the Polo Club, Anvil and South Smash in Alabang. On Wednesdays I play basketball.

What is your most fervent wish?

To maintain my current state of happiness and be able to share it with someone.

Where are you most comfortable?

With my friends… We rarely go out, preferring to stay home and have barbecues. On weekends we go to Tali Beach or Matuod. When I was at AIM, I would go up to Baguio regularly because I worked for three months at Texas Instruments.

What book influenced your life?

Jonathan Livingston Seagull, which is short, sweet and direct to the point. The Seagull tried to be the fastest and the best and he achieved that.

Which cartoon hero can you most identify with?

Popeye, since every time I eat, I get more energy. I love eating and food keeps me going.

What is your greatest fear?

Not to be content. Not to wake up with a smile on my face. To be forced to do something that I don’t want to do, since I come from a family that is successful.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

No sense of direction while driving. I always get lost… that’s what irritates me most about myself.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I don’t beat around the bush. I go directly to the point. It’s easier than building a grudge. Since I am so direct, I want others to be equally direct with me as well.

What is your motto?

Lead by example. I learned that during the two years I attended military school in Indiana, USA. You need to do things properly even to the way you dress and shine your shoes.

How do you start your day?

I wake up at 5:30 a.m. and I’m at work at 7:30 a.m. in our office at UN Avenue. I have a nasty habit of drinking diet soda instead of coffee.

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

I would like to have a sexier body.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Going out of town to beach resorts. Spending holidays in Boracay or Baguio. I enjoy visiting places around the Philippines.

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

To see if she smiles back at me.

Name a moment that brings back happy memories.

Every Christmas when my family gets together for Noche Buena in Baguio. It is mandatory for the eight of us to be together.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Surviving military school and graduating from AIM.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Meeting the right woman and being happy with her. Starting a family. Being content with a simple life. As long as my kids like me and I like them.

What does your dad often say to you?

"Quit smoking." He loves to teach and talk about business.

What is your favorite occupation?

Sales and marketing. Seeing products move and seeing people buy them. It tickles me to see things being bought as a result of an effective marketing campaign.

What is your greatest regret?

Never having enough time to read more and learn more.

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E-mail: babycamp2@yahoo.co.uk.