Alberto “Bert” D. Lina, the business tycoon and philanthropist who passed away recently at age 76, was a beacon of generosity and compassion, a truly outstanding Filipino whose legacy of service and leadership was inspiring.
I first met Kuya Bert nearly four decades ago, and I’ve known him to be a highly-respected, well-loved and compassionate visionary who uplifted many lives, who was a knight in shining armor in times of disaster. He was a true patron of progress, not just in business but in culture and sports as well. He was also a two-time Bureau of Customs Commissioner.
Forbes named him one of Asia’s “Heroes of Philanthropy” in 2012, recognizing his unwavering commitment to helping others, for “sponsoring annual medical and dental mission to Ibajay community on Panay Island, developing youth basketball teams in remote communities, donating a carillon to Manila Cathedral, and for underwriting the Union Cycliste Internationale-sanctioned Le Tour de Filipinas race.”
He was a devout Christian who expressed his deep faith by being of service to others. “In the cutthroat world of business, it is so easy to forget this simple and profound truth: that our purpose during our short time on earth is to serve others, which is the best way to glorify God,” he once told a gathering of business leaders.
From humble beginnings, he rose to become a business titan, proving that hard work, discipline, and integrity could transform not just one’s own life but also the lives of countless others. He was valedictorian in grade school and high school, and he studied at PSBA to become a certified public accountant. But his entrepreneurial spirit drove him to establish Air 21, revolutionizing Philippine logistics.
He went on to build the Lina Group of Companies which spanned multiple industries – waste management, marketing communications, corporate services, travel and transportation, food, business process outsourcing, media, business information, and environmental care.
His patriotism was as deep as his faith. “We must have what I call ‘pusong ube’—a purple heart full of love for our country, always thinking of the highest good for everyone,” he told another gathering of business titans. He lived by such principle, whether in business, public service, or his many charitable endeavors.
Beyond business, he was a passionate sportsman, earning the title “Godfather of Cycling” for his efforts to revive the sport in the country. He also supported golf and basketball, owning teams in the PBA. His invaluable support was also felt even in arts and culture as he financially backed the Manila Symphony Orchestra and Philippine theater. He understood that a nation’s soul is nurtured not just by its economy but also by its culture.
His love of country guided his companies in times of disaster. During Typhoon Yolanda, his group mobilized its planes, warehouses, and trucks to ensure aid reached the victims swiftly. He never hesitant to act when his country needed him.
It was also the same love of country that drove him to take on the formidable challenge of leading the Bureau of Customs (BoC) – first in 2005, until he resigned alongside the “Hyatt 10” at the height of the “Hello Garci” scandal, and again in 2015 during the PNoy administration.
“At this stage of my life, it is time to give back. Those who know me know what it truly entails—the hard work, long hours we are willing to endure and the personal sacrifices and comforts that we are willing to forego to get the job done,” he said in 2015 upon his return to the BoC.
Why a billionaire would leave his comfort zone and step into an agency long plagued by corruption and criticism can be bewildering, but love of country was obviously at play when he took the BoC post that paid a meager government salary vastly different from the millions he was earning in his companies. Majority stake of Air 21 alone had sold for more than P6 billion when the Ayala Group acquired it in 2022.
He believed that becoming a business titan should never be about power and money alone. “Success is not about stepping on others,” he once told fellow business leaders. “Aspiration only becomes negative when it is our sole reason for living.”
In a talk with the graduating class of PATTS in 2010, he reminded young Filipinos: “Respect other people, everyone that you will encounter for the rest of your life. What does it mean to respect others? It is treating them with dignity, honesty, and kindness. It involves being a good listener and taking the time to understand where people are coming from.”
Kuya Bert’s greatest legacy is not only about his brilliance, but the love he shared—with his family, his friends, and his country. His was a life of purpose. He shall be dearly missed. My deepest condolences to his wife Sylvia and all his loved ones. May the Almighty grant him eternal rest!
Email: [email protected]
