‘Fact is, both the bilyonaryos and we libonaryos confront many similar challenges — having to pay off a debt is an example. But the key difference lies in why we both have that debt in the first place.’
IF you have time, try to catch tonight’s episode of Ces Drilon’s “Usapang Bilyonaryo” at 8 p.m. over CNN Philippines. It’s the season ender and is actually a part two because, according to Ces, there was so much material in her interview of Manuel B. Zamora Jr. and Martin Antonio (Dennis) G. Zamora that one episode wasn’t enough.
While I know some bits and pieces of the Zamora story, I’ll catch this episode tonight. Am sure there are tidbits I will find useful in my own journey from a “Libonaryo” to… well, who knows.
Maybe “Daang Libonaryo”?
In the teaser that CNN prepared for the final episode, I actually loved the exchange between Ces and Dennis when she asked him, “At what point in a person’s life does he get to know himself?” The answer that Dennis gave was worthy of the experience and street-smart wisdom of his father: “I don’t think it’s an age thing. I think it happens when you have problems in life and you have challenges and you’re forced to think hard about yourself.”
How true.
But then I guess that’s where the bilyonaryos differ from us libonaryos. I guess they are quick to know themselves when confronted with problems and challenges — while we scratch our heads wondering who the hell we really are because we are confronted with the same damn problems over and over again — like recurring credit card debt or pregnant girlfriends, for example.
At least, we have the latest gadgets and wear the newest trendiest shoes.
Fact is, both the bilyonaryos and we libonaryos confront many similar challenges — having to pay off a debt is an example. But the key difference lies in why we both have that debt in the first place.
In their case, they went into debt because using other peoples’ money for an investment that pays back big bucks is indeed a wise thing to do. In our case, we go into debt because there’s a new iPhone, or Hermes has a new product, or we want to be seen behind the wheel of a swanky car.
This also explains why financial institutions are almost always happy to lend money to those who already have money and so theoretically do not need more, while being hesitant if not totally averse to lending to those who in fact do not have money at all and so are the ones who (desperately) need it. The banks are not being greedy or elitist — they’re just playing it safe as they need to be reassured the money they lent will eventually be repaid.
But this libonaryo feels doubly lucky. In my short miserable life, I’ve been able to see up close how two bilyonaryos live — Enrique Zobel (and children Inigo and Dedes) in the 1980s-1990s, and now Manny and Dennis Zamora in the 21st Century. In the process, I’ve taken rides on private jets, slept in a hacienda, ogled at art work whose total value I cannot pay even in ten lifetimes — in short, I have vicariously lived the life of them billionaires. And have enjoyed those moments
But yes, I’ve enjoyed more being able to pick up tidbits here and there because they’re nuggets of wisdom hard to find elsewhere.
That’s why I’ll tune in tonight and I suggest you do, too.
