Friday, October 06, 2006 Viray: What the doctor ordered for Clark By Atlee T. Viray In and Out of Court
"FOCUS is the key to success. There are many intelligent people who don't succeed because they lack focus. Be passionate about what you're doing and you'll succeed," Levy Laus bares his secret towards reaching the top.
Banners all over the city proclaim his appointment. Congratulatory messages come in droves. He is a much sought-after person. He is on top of the world. From virtual obscurity to a national celebrity, he represents the best in us. He is a leader we can be proud of. He is an asset to the Arroyo administration. The son also rises. The spring sometimes rises above the source. His father Ceferino "Pinong" Laus is the senior board member of the third district of Pampanga. Pinong can put to shame men half his age when it comes to looks and health. When others think of retirement at age 70, Pinong got married anew and started a new family.
Let us hear it from the father: "Levy at a young age showed sings of leadership. He abandoned his comfort zone and started his own business. He chartered his own course. He was determined to excel in all his tasks."
In the 1970s, Levy founded the Laus Enterprises and began selling tires, batteries and car accessories. Gaining experience, he ventured in selling cars. He was a one-man army. He solicited his clients. He closed the deal. He got the car from the supplier. He drove and personally delivered the vehicle to the buyer. He received and remitted the payments.
Soon he mustered enough courage to establish CarWorld Inc., the fledging firm concentrated on the sale of Mitsubishi vehicles. While other dealers of Lancer found difficulty pushing the product, Levy was consistently flooding the Central Luzon market, fiercely slicing the share of the leading brands.
Levy was a dreamer. He saw the potentials of a talahib-infested Dolores in his dreams. He did not sleep on his dreams. He foresaw corporate offices and banks built in this strip. He bought a sizeable piece of land in the area. He convinced his friends to invest and build their office near his. Soon, Dolores came to life and became more prosperous than the city poblacion.
The late venerable Governor Bren Z. Guiao was so impressed with Levy's vision that he convinced Levy to be vice gubernatorial candidate. Unfortunately, he was ranged against the popular (Senator) Manuel "Lito" Lapid. He took his loss as a true gentleman. As it is, Senator Lapid counts Levy as one of his true friends.
He has a soft heart for his friends. I have first-hand knowledge. We have a mutual friend, the jolly Fiscal Romy S. Razon.
"I have bad news," I was talking to Levy through the phone.
"Tell me. What is it?" the voice on the other line said.
"Romy suffered a massive stroke," I tearfully answered.
Wasting no time, Levy came to the rescue. He brought the dying Romy to a better hospital. He was there on his bedside. He told Annie (Romy's wife) not to worry about the bills. He not only settled the obligation but has since supported the family of Romy in a way only a true friend does. Romy is still alive today because he has friends in Levy's mould. Excellence is the result of risking more than what others think is unsafe. He confronted the Mitsubishi leadership and told the stunned Board that he is to carry other brands of cars apart from Lancer.
"I have a confession to make. I want you to be the first to know that I would sell Ford and other brands. I am not abandoning the Lancer. It's either you retain me or junk me," he told them passionately.
So it was to be. Mr. Lancer became Mr. Ford, Mr. GM, Mr. BMW, Mr. Chevrolet. His companies offer almost all brands - a la grocery of vehicles. Name it, his company sells it.
His success was not limited to the business world. When everyone had given San Fernando up for lost, Levy founded the Save San Fernando Movement. He built a radio station to rally public support for the safety of the Fernandinos. The Mega Dike is a monument to the efforts of men and women like Levy who love San Fernando dearly.
He was initially drafted as member of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA). The neophyte official gave valuable inputs in the BCDA that impressed his colleagues.
When the Constitutional Commission (Con-com) was formed, he was one of those entrusted to proposed changes in our fundamental law. He was one of those whose voice was respected by his peers. When he talked, everybody listened.
And President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo listened. She appointed our Levy to be the president of the Clark Development Corporation. It's what the doctor prescribed. We need Levy Laus to plan Clark towards becoming a truly international airport. It's only a matter of time. Or rather -- it's only a matter of leadership, the leadership that Levy Laus can provide.
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