Travel, food, health, fashion, beauty, and more Lifestyle stories you love.
Travel, food, health, fashion, beauty, and more Lifestyle stories you love.
Many have preconceived notions about Luis “Chavit” Singson mainly because of the many controversies involving him in the past. Although he doesn’t have the perfect image as a public figure, he continues what he does best — as a businessman.
His name doesn’t need any introduction among Filipinos — and that says a lot. He has worked in politics and business and has done enough to make a mark in the country. From his beginnings as a tobacco trader in Ilocos to running a large group of companies, he knows how to do business.
Chavit sat down with GMA Lifestyle, not as the controversial businessman-turned-politician everyone has come to know, but the Manong Chavit who grew up in Ilocos Sur and whose passion is conquering the business world and helping people.
In this interview, he looks back on his humble beginnings, where he sold peanuts, noted life lessons from his parents, and shared philosophies that have helped him live a happy life.
Chavit started in the humble city of Narvacan in the province of Ilocos Sur, where he developed his passion for business and making money.
At only nine years old, Chavit sold peanuts and soft drinks on the streets and in their movie house — his parents’ business — in Ilocos
“I sold peanuts and went around. There was no air conditioning at that time, and often very dark. That’s how I started,” he shared.
Little Chavit would then keep his hard-earned money and use some to treat his friends. “When I make money, I’ll go out with my friends and bring them to the plaza and eat an empanada. They’re happy already,” Chavit recalled with a smile.
As he grew older, grit and passion stayed with Chavit, so he talked to his father and asked for a position in his team. He was later appointed as a timekeeper in the movie house. Then, in high school, he joined the Department of Public Works and Highways and looked over testing materials.
But what kick-started Chavit’s successful run in business was neither the peanuts nor the timekeeping job; it was tobacco.
Chavit worked his way through the industry, shook hands with already-successful figures, and studied the ins and outs of the business. He traded tobacco in and out of Ilocos, the products reaching as far as Manila.
“To cut the story short, I became the biggest trader in tobacco at that time,” Chavit told GMA Lifestyle.
In the ‘60s, Chavit entered politics. He started in the council and later worked his way up to the local office, but he kept his eye on the ball and did not lose his head in business.
After successfully making a name in the tobacco industry, Chavit started other ventures and established businesses in mining, telecommunications, finance, real estate, automotive, and even entertainment.
He later founded the conglomerate LCS Group of Companies.
His reason for joining as many industries as he can? The art of not putting all of your eggs in one basket.
“My advice is to always diversify because I don’t want to put my eggs in one basket,” Chavit explained. “It means I have to put up other businesses because if I put all my eggs (business) in one basket and it breaks, everything will fall apart.”
During the interview, Chavit fondly reminisced about more memories with his parents — no, not the fun, heartwarming experiences, but those that shaped the businessman he is today.
According to Chavit, his mother would question his eagerness to work. He said it was unusual for people to work at a young age during his time.
“My father, when I say something, he always says ‘yes,’ but my mother would always say ‘no,’” Chavit shared. “My mother would ask, ‘Why do you sell peanuts? Why do you work? Nakakahiya sa mga kaibigan natin (It’s embarrassing to our friends) that you’re working.’”
But as he said, it was his father who was very supportive of his mission: to work, gain experience, and build an empire.
In fact, he was the one who passed down one advice that the business mogul has followed from the moment he stepped into the business world until today, where he has a corporation under his name.
Credibility.
“One thing that I cannot forget is the importance of credibility,” Chavit said with emphasis. “My father said, ‘Once you lose your credibility, nobody will believe you anymore.’ That stuck in my mind, so I don’t lie.”
He added, “When I make a mistake, I say sorry. It’s very easy to say sorry.”
Now, it is safe to say it is Chavit’s turn to pass down philosophies and advice to his children. He even has something in his pocket —not money— that he believes should be engraved in everyone’s, especially the youth’s minds.
Pursuing education and living a happy life.
Looking at Chavit from the outside, it seems like he has everything — the money, security, and family — and he does; but he did not deny that, if he could go back, there is still one thing that he would love to redo: pursue his education.
Lucky for him, he took an alternate course and studied in the biggest university in the world he calls “UE” or the University of Experience.
“If I could go back, I would finish my studies. I did not finish my studies because of business. Nonetheless, I studied at the biggest university in the world, UE, the University of Experience,” Chavit shared with pride. “Experience is still the best teacher. Even if you are not educated, experience is the best teacher.”
He even spoke like the new generation of kids were in front of him: “The kabataan (youth), you should concentrate on your studies. You’re lucky if you’re studying.”
“My only advice to the youth now is that education is the most important because knowledge is wealth. You lose money, you lose land, you lose your car, you lose everything, but knowledge… You can hold on to your knowledge.”
Education is very important to him to the point that he is and has always been willing to sponsor those who do not have the opportunity to study due to financial constraints.
“Money is not yours until you spend it,” Chavit explained when asked about his passion for helping people. “I’m spending my money because I cannot bring it with me if I die.”
Chavit even said there’s not much for him to do but to spread happiness with others. And it is his happiness to help others.
The businessman is so dedicated to living a happy life that he named his state-of-the-art yacht “Happy Life.”
He acquired it in preparation for the Miss Universe 2018, as he was one of the principal sponsors of the edition. It was also the season where Philippine bet Catriona Gray took home the crown.
The fancy boat’s hull is made from aluminum, different from the usual fiberglass materials yachts use, making it lighter and more durable than others.
“I called it Happy Life because you have to enjoy life, because life is too short,” Chavit explained as he pointed out the best parts of his yacht. “I always tell everybody: life is too short, so you have to enjoy life.”
He added, “I called it Happy Life because whenever I can help people, they’re happy, then I’m happy.”
Looking forward, Chavit is focused on one thing — aside, of course, from growing his business more — and that is helping people to the best of his abilities.
“When I see people happy, I’m very happy.”
