HIS GOLDEN MORAL COMPASS
Inside the walls of his office in Makati, adorned with his well-curated collection of art pieces, we are introduced to mining magnate Bryan Yap. With him is Ferdi Salvador, a good friend who at the moment was helping him match clothes for this particular shoot. The shoot runs smoothly with Bryan and Ferdi suggesting we conduct the interview at the topmost floor of the building. The Penthouse 8747 is a 20s-inspired roof deck bar and restaurant with a picturesque view of the Makati Central Business District skyline.
Over glasses of Decadence (a mix of gin, fresh pomelo juice, and aloe juice), we talk about his work and his personal passions. Working in the mining industry has its challenges, the bulk of it from people who are yet to be enlightened of the true nature of the job. For someone who consistently visits the sites and personally meets with his employees, Bryan says that there have been so many misconceptions about the work they do, most of it from people who are yet to meet his team of dedicated and hardworking individuals.
Bryan shares that if he’s learned anything from his years of experience, what matters more to him is the impact on the people who are directly involved in the process. It is a personal definition of luxury brought about by a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment. “The sense of fulfillment that I get from my work is when I go to the mine site and then I visit the community. Around camp, I get to see the community, the children, and the schools that we are providing for within our camp at least. That gives me a sense of fulfillment. If I have to do the work that I have to do, I make it a point that after my meetings, if I finish early, I would go around camp and visit the schools or I go visit a hospital,” he says. He then shows an image from his phone. It is a picture of him carrying a newborn girl from their mining community named after him. He proudly narrates how he was there during her delivery. And with it, the rationale of his admirable immersion, “Their simple life provides joy, pag nakikita mo sila, nakakausap mo sila. It provides a sense of fulfillment.”
Outside his busy schedule, photography is a hobby. “I just started it last year, really learning the craft. I enjoy it. Initially, I just started posting on my social media with my phone. And then eventually I started taking it seriously. What I wanted to focus on that time was landscape photography because I like traveling and that’s the sort of thing I do. But one of the reasons why it gravitated towards that is also because of the work that I do, which is mining, which is at that time very controversial. I wanted to learn the craft of photography to showcase and change the perception of mining in a natural way. Then, it progressed to other things, like traveling,” Bryan elucidates. Though most of his time is devoted to his work, he still makes sure to travel every now and then. Recent trips to India and Scandinavia provided a much-needed time to bond with his family.
His hard work heavily involving his advocacy to help communities, it is without a doubt that Bryan understands his personal connection to them and his role in changing the landscape of his industry. Driven by purpose, there is no hesitation from him, when he answers to what a meaningful life means. “With where I am right now? Fulfillment. It’s really that. As long as you’re happy and you feel fulfilled, and you have people that surround you, support you, and respect you, you’re happy,” he shares.
We then join Ferdi and Chase Yap, his cousin and the managing owner of The Penthouse 8747, at their table. As Chase orders more food and wine and as Ferdi entertains us with epic stories of their friendship, the more I see that Bryan’s words come from a genuine place. Whether in the mine site with communities or in the company of good friends, being surrounded by the things you consider invaluable is the best luxury one could ever have.
After our small gathering ends, Chase gives us bottles of wine and thanks us for the well-spent evening. Walking on my way home, a few blocks away from the building, my mind lists down a few words from the experience. And as I plot the story and make mental images of its characters, I realize that the man who lists perseverance, conviction, open-mindedness, and kindness as admirable traits pretty much exudes the same qualities himself. Bryan Yap, I conclude, is a genuine person with a heart of gold.
BRYAN YAP,