We could not imagine what GSI is today without the opportunity given to us by Gabriel Leiva because GSI could have been a vanishing dot on a radar screen just like a crashing jet plane.

Sometime in the first quarter of 1999, as we were in middle of a negotiation for the PhP 22M contract to develop a computer system, I was called by Gabriel in his office. Without hesitation, he asked, "Do you have any enemies in the industry?". "No!", was my immediate reply and explained that GSI was just 10 months in existence and we are not even known in the industry.

He was referring to an email sent by a company engaged in... (my lips are sealed). As quickly as he retrieved the email, its content was read to me. It seemed that the sky has fallen flat on my head when I heard the company was advising Gabriel not to sign the contract with GSI. He continued to read the email, "(Efren) will sell the company, not finish the project and ran away with the money".

Seeing that the color of my face changed from red to pale white and outspoken to speechless, Gabriel stood up and exclaimed, "Do you think I will not sign the contract. Don't I trust you?" Still motionless from the shock of the email, I replied, "Please, give us this opportunity and we will deliver".

Knowing the email sender, I was scared to death that they will strike again to win a contract fraudulently. The persons mentioned in the email were known in the industry to rig bids and corrupt public officials. But common good prevailed. The dark clouds of greed and deception were all wiped out by Gabriel's single stroke of honesty and integrity.

All negotiations were done at UNISYS office in Makati. Several technical discussions with key UNISYS guys, Vic Monroy and Ernie Del Rosario, were conducted professionally. Prior to any technical proposal evaluation and contract negotiation, we never had coffee, lunch or dinner with any UNISYS officer or staff. Maybe, GSI then has no budget for marketing!

After probably about 20 revisions of the contract , a final agreement was reached and a version for signature was circulated. That was the big break that made GSI.

Looking back it was the triumph good over evil, prayer brigades over corrupt corporate giants and David over Goliath.

Since the project contract was signed, deliverables completed and GSI fully paid, I can tell the whole world that Gabriel, during his entire stay at UNISYS, was such a man of honesty and integrity. Even in my next lives, I would not probably be able to pay back the value that he has created for GSI and for our country.

A straight "A" Peruvian/Canadian student with PhD in naval engineering from Germany, Gabriel Leiva is best remembered when said "The fun has just begun." each time I shared with him a successful milestone. So, for each passing year, it was "Not good enough", so he said. During his stay in the Philippines, I had several tennis games with his beautiful and intelligent wife Jocelene, a French with MA in Germany. She was an excellent singles player.

After his tour of duty at UNISYS Philippines, he moved to UNISYS Mexico and now settled back in Canada.

Viva Gabriel! Mabuhay ka!


(Years later, the same company influenced and manipulated the result of a bidding conducted by a government agency. With letters and meetings protesting the outcome of the bid, the agency declared a failed bid. But the company managed to do the job indirectly with another government agency. Hmm, the usual birds of the same feathers corrupt together.)

Labels: CEO blog, Efren Ricalde, Ernie Del Rosario, French, Gabriel Leiva, GSI, honesty, integrity, intelligence, jet plane crash, Jocelene Leiva, Makati, Peruvian, UNISYS, Vic Monroy

 
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Lolo Tibo, my grandfather from mother side came from As-is, Bauan, Batangas. The Batanguenos from As-is were known for hard work, honesty and entrepreneurship.

Most of the sidewalk vendors selling eyeglasses and other stuff on collapsible shelves along the stretch of Rizal Avenue, particularly the span between Carriedo and Raon streets, were from As-is. As I walked along Avenida Rizal to buy science pocket books from Alemars Bookstore in the late 60's, I often passed by Ka Juaning, one of the vendors.

Victor Arellano, one of Lolo Tibo's nieces, exemplified not only an ideal "ala-e" but a very successful professional of As-Is. His father, Lolo Tino, was a puto-kutsinta vendor and a stevedore at the Manila pier. When we were in living San Andres St, I remembered buying puto from Lolo Tino. His booming voice signalled his presence in our duplex house at La Paz, Makati. And hours and hours of listening to his stories of hard work and love for his children consumed most of my day when he was around.

While Lolo Tino was working in Manila, his son Victor was a very conscientious student studying in Batangas to become a teacher. And he became one. The last time I visited him, he was completing his PhD.

Victor visited our house each time he was in Manila. No matter what the schedule was, he ensured to have a session with my father, Ka Iking. He confided to me that Ka Iking was his advisor. That explained their lengthy meetings as I sat beside them during my elementary and high school years.

Today, Victor is a manager of the Port Services Division, Philippine Port Authority, PMO Batangas at Port of Batangas. A victor serving the government is a man of intelligence, honesty and hard work. A Victor to many victors. Our country needs more Lolo Tino and Victor!

Labels: As-is, Batangas pier, Bauan, CEO blog, Efren Ricalde, honesty, integrity, Ka Iking, Lolo Tibo, Lolo Tino, PPA, Rizal Avenue, Victor Arellano

 
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