Up Close and Personal with ASAG/DE/Dir. Albert Alday

A Rotarian like no other—this is how someone can easily describe Dir. Albert Alday. He has served the Rotary Club of Manila in numerous capacities and has received countless distinctions which exemplify his passion and commitment to help others. Living Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self", he has been actively involved in the affairs and service projects of the Club.

In a few days, he will celebrate his 15th year with the Rotary Club of Manila. Dir. Alday shares his Rotary life and how the journey has changed him. On the lighter side, he also talks about that one thing that makes him happy, the skill he has discovered during the quarantine period, and where will he go if he can travel for leisure now.

He shares his thoughts and story here.

Rhea Vitto Tabora (RVT): When did you join the Rotary and what inspired you to join?

Dir. Albert Alday (AA): I joined Rotary in 2005. This was, so to speak, a project that was two years in the making. The godson of my mom, Dr. Cesar Ubaldo, who was the President of the club at that time, had been prodding my dad to convince me to join Rotary way back in 2003. At that time, my dad had just been diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer. Despite his condition and to make things light, Dr. Ubaldo, a protégé of my mom in Obstetrics and Gynecology, kept on harping the matter because he knew that my ways were attuned to that of Rotary. Even with Dr. Ubaldo's repeated ways of convincing, I gave the matter the cold shoulder as I was just about to reach my peak then in my career as an educator. I've known Dr. Ubaldo since I was a kid as my mom was the one who recommended him to the late PD Peping Tamayo who needed an assistant at that time and that was way back in the '80's. He literally witnessed me growing up as he was present in all my graduations, elementary, high school and college. Hence, he knew exactly my leadership ways, modesty aside. He thought that Rotary was a perfect opportunity for me to grow as a professional.

My dad passed away three days before my birthday in 2005 and I thought that was the end of that topic until Dr. Ubaldo, even at my dad's wake, reminded me of the matter. I always knew it was the dying wish of my dad for me to be a Rotarian. As such, I finally consented. I sent my curriculum vitae to him. When it was first taken up, I was not considered, despite my stature as Chairman of the Medical Practice Department of a medical school. I thought that was the end of it. I was 32 at that time. I was clueless that the club I was entering was the most prestigious club in the Philippines which had an unwritten rule then that only the number one and number two of every company were given consideration for membership. Had I known, I would have had second thoughts. A reconsideration of sorts earned the nod of the Membership Committee. After my ten-day notice, I was given a Rotary briefing by the late PDG Romy del Rosario, a former DPWH Undersecretary, and renowned lawyer and law professor, the late PP Tito Gupit, who knew me from my college years since I courted his daughter who was my classmate then. At the start of the briefing, they handed me their stunning business cards which again got me intimidated.

Several days after, together with three others, former Rtn. Boyet Evangelista, former Rtn. Oscar Evangelista and Prince of Jaipur owner former Rtn. Max Talreja, I was inducted on October 6, 2005 at the Makati Shangrila Hotel in Makati City where the club used to meet. Of us four, I am the only one left when many expected that I would be the first to leave. I felt like a star struck fan in a sea of who is who in the Philippine society on my very first meeting. Divine Providence, indeed, works in mysterious ways. In a few days, or on October 6, 2020, I would be celebrating my 15th year in the Rotary Club of Manila. How fast time flies.

RVT: How has Rotary changed you – personally and professionally?

AA: With more than two hundred alpha males in the club, I learned to think like a CEO and act like one. I gained self confidence in my ways and it vastly improved my decision making. Imagine being in the company of movers and shakers of the Philippine economy, stepping up was never an option, it was a norm. I had to probe into the mindset of a CEO to understand their ways. And because of this, I had gradually learned the ropes of business and life, as well. I literally grew up with tycoons in this club.

RVT: It seems like your day is always packed with activities. Can you give us a glimpse of how you usually spend your day?

AA: From the time I became active in the club and that was by force of circumstance in RY 2010-2011 where in the middle of nowhere, almost towards the latter half of the Rotary year, I was prevailed upon to accept the Assistant Secretary position, there was never a day since that time that Rotary was not part of my everyday life. Why? Noticing my zest for literary stuff, I got engaged with the BALITA and ever since, I took it upon myself to gather news regarding Rotary from then, the tri-media and later, social media. I would do this each and every day aside from my usual chores then of being a Professor of Medical Practice which included History of Medicine and Bioethics as well as the multiple administrative jobs I held then as College Secretary, Medical School Registrar and later as University Registrar of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in Las Piñas City.

I retired early from those multiple jobs I held and went on my own with FLYHIGH MANILA, then a cabin crew events company which I converted into a cabin crew multimedia company, and FOLIUM MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION, a digital design and marketing company, where I serve in both as Chief Strategist, a modern day term for a CEO. This is aside from my role as President of International Academy for Continuous Education, an Executive Education school catering to foreign government officials. These days, I am swamped with Zoom meetings for my two companies, Rotary and my other organization, JCI Senate Philippines, where I currently serve as 2020 National Executive Director, the highest appointed position.

RVT: What do you usually do during your free time?

AA: Before the global pandemic, being still single despite my age of 47, I still live a typical bachelor's life. My group of friends are not actually my peers, they are mostly in their 20's, most of them are cabin crew of various airlines and my colleagues in JCI Philippines. I used to frequent clubs then like Republiq, Opus, Prive, Valkyrie, Pool Club, Revel and the like as I used to party during my late high school and college days at Faces, Mars and Euphoria. I used to enjoy the nightlife until I turned 40 and that was the time I gradually left the night scene and enjoyed the dating scene, more on the dinner and dessert type of a night out or an afternoon tea or coffee chat. I love light conversations and travelling across the country or abroad.

RVT: During the quarantine period, many people have discovered a new skill/talent and developed a new hobby. How about you? Have you discovered a hidden talent or found a new hobby?

AA: I actually discovered my skill in scriptwriting and learned technical skills on online streaming, which, not only became a hobby, but, became part of the services of my business. In a nutshell, I learned the behind-the-scenes of the broadcasting world.

RVT: What words of wisdom would you tell your 'younger' self (like lessons you've learned along your life's journey)?

AA: Don't deprive yourself of the teenage life. You only live once so don't just live the life of a hermit or a nerd. Be the life of every party. It's a phase everyone needs to go through whether you are of high scholastic aptitude, an average Joe, a happy go lucky person or a subpar individual. The experience develops your entire personality.

Take a stand. The easy way is, more often than not, not the desirable way. Discern and don't sweep things under the rug. Don't take things sitting down. You are born with a free will to decide for yourself. Don't let external innuendos affect your resolve. At the end of the day, your decision defines who you are as a person.

RVT: What is that one thing you like to do in a day that makes you happy/completes your day?

That's a tricky one. I am easy to please. Getting my daily dose of my comfort food, Spaghetti Bolognese will do the trick. For some reason, it gives me a calming effect.

RVT: What is one talent or skill that you wish you have and why?

AA: I wish I had the talents of a man of the house because these are needed skills like simple carpentry and electrical skills. This is actually my waterloo. One time I tried fixing an electrical problem at home. What happened was the entire electricity of our house got busted which started with the busting of the fuses. Would you believe, I could not drive a nail using a hammer. I could diagnose what's wrong with my personal computer or laptop, but, when I am the one fixing it, the damage becomes permanent. I am poor with skills using my hands.

RVT: If you can travel for leisure now, where will you go and why?

AA: I would want to travel to Bhutan. This is because Bhutan presents a serene atmosphere where I could meditate and take all my everyday worries away, not to mention the breathtaking views. It's a small country with a rich cultural heritage.

RVT: What is one thing about you that you would like to share with Balita readers?

AA: My tranquility does not mean my indifference to things or situations. Never underestimate my serene nature because silent waters run deep. I may be quiet, but, I know the real score. My patience spans metes and bounds, yet, when transgressed, you might never hear my voice, but, you will certainly feel the heat.