Profile of Transformational President Bobby Joseph

Robert Lim Joseph Jr., or Bobby to family and friends, is a living miracle. He was given six months to one year and a half to live because of his kidney cancer that was discovered in 2002 which later progressed to Stage 4 renal cell carcinoma in 2007. In May 2021, he faced another health challenge. He was hospitalized for nearly two weeks because of severe COVID-19. With God’s grace and prayers of those who care for him, he was healed and came out of the hospital with flying colors!

Today, Bobby is an epitome of optimism, happiness and success. He is surrounded by the love and support of his wife, Ida, four children, and five amiable grandsons. Bobby was born on December 12, 1949 to parents of Arab, Spanish, Chinese, and Filipino descent. He attributes his business acumen to being Chinese, his passion and drive to being Arab and Spanish, and his discipline and frugality to being Ilocano. As he fondly puts it, “I am a ‘fruit cocktail’ but my heart and soul is Filipino.”

In spite of holding the position as chairman of Philippine Wine Merchants, Ralphs Wines and Spirits, and Coltrans Cargo, Bobby chooses to focus on his volunteer work to promote tourism. He was Director and Chair of the Rotary Club of Manila Tourism Committee, and has been recognizing outstanding personalities in the tourism industry since Rotary Year 2004-2005. The Tourism Awards is an annual event, and a total of 186 awards have been bestowed since its launching until Rotary Year 2020-2021.

Bobby was elected RCM Transformational President for 2020-2021. When he was the Commodore of Manila Yacht Club in 2019-2020, he was the catalyst to make the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu to take the challenge to Save Manila Bay, a signature project of the Rotary Club of Manila.

His leadership and exceptional achievements at the RCM did not go unnoticed. Rotary International (RI) District 3810 Governor Odie Tarriela presented prestigious awards to Bobby during the District Awards Night on June 26, 2021. Bobby was awarded “Most Outstanding Club President - Overall” and RCM was recognized as the “Most Outstanding Club - Overall” out of the 117 Clubs in District 3810. Remarkably, this recognition happened despite the crisis that the Club went through during the first months of his term, as some members transgressed the Four-Way Test, which led to their expulsion. Bobby’s leadership found its finest moments.

Bobby co-organized the Tourism Educators and Movers Philippines (Team Philippines), League of Tourism Students of the Philippines (LTSP), and Network of Independent Travel and Allied Services Philippines Inc. (NITAS). He is currently the chair of SKAL International Makati, an international organization of top executives representing all branches of the travel and tourism industry. He also co-founded TravelAsiaNow.net, a digital travel and lifestyle publication that promotes travel and tourism in Asia. Furthermore, he participates in Gawad Kalinga’s social tourism program, Save our Skies, and Fair Open Skies.

Bobby is also Vice Chair and Director of International School of Sustainable Tourism, Chair of Lakbay Museo and Chair mentor at Make a Difference (MAD Travel) for Social Tourism. A man of many hats, Bobby is also the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Latvia to the Philippines since 1994. Bobby is also a member of the Manila Overseas Press Club. He chairs the weekly 777 News Forum in Manila since 2005 and the 888 News Forum in Cebu since 2006. He has written several books, including Guide to Global VIPs, Bring Out the Best, and M.I.C.E. (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Events and Exhibitions).