Say Chris Tiu’s name out loud, and you’d have curious fans and celebrity watchers hoping for a glimpse, a photo-op, or score a “braggie” with the 5-foot-11 sportsman-turned-commercial model/ TV host-turned-businessman.
One can’t help but wonder how Chris juggles his multiple tasks —basketball, business, advocacy campaigns, and family (last year he married his long-time non-showbiz girlfriend). And then he tells you that his good fortune didn’t come on a silver platter.
Christopher John Alandy-Dy Tiu back in his elementary and high school days at Xavier School in San Juan City was a witness to some bullying incidents, so much so that he made anti-bullying one of his advocacies.
As part of the Ateneo Blue Eagles (collegiate men’s varsity basketball team), Chris earned a degree in Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering and a minor in Chinese Studies from the Ateneo de Manila University. He was formerly the Sanguniang Kabataan chairman of Barangay Urdaneta in Makati City. Not only that. He was team captain of the Sinag Pilipinas that won a gold in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games. And last year, he was one of the recipients of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award. Currently, he plays for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA.
Discipline, sacrifice, stamina, focus, and devotion to God—it’s the sure-fire formula that pedaled Chris’ vehicle to success. The Play! pool who was at the meet and greet in Pepper Lunch (Chris is one of the owners along with Chef Jeroen Van Straten and Allen Tan) were all ears as the basketball poster-boy shared so-called “Tiu-torials” on life skills, lessons learned, and wisdom gained from turning a struggle into a strength, a victim story into a victor’s.
What brings you to Cebu?
We’re here to visit our stores— Pepper Lunch and Happy Lemon.
I am glad that finally they are up and running.
Is this something that you’ve always wanted to do aside from playing basketball?
Yup! Definitely, because we are a family of entrepreneurs. Ever since we were young, we we’ve been groomed and conditioned to get into business. It’s just that I am not joining the family business right now because my schedule is so tight. I have PBA, my shows on TV5 and GMA 7. I wanna do something that has flexibility over my schedule. That’s why I do business, and I am lucky to have great partners who allow me to continue my other jobs while they take care of operations, the nitty-gritty. We all know that in the food business kailangan tutok ka talaga. I take care mostly of the marketing and business develoment side.
Looking back in time, do you remember your earliest sale?
I think I sold my basketball cards back in grade school. It wasn’t allowed in school, but there are always ways to do it. We’d do it on weekends or when friends are in the house. And then I started my first business when I was in Ateneo. I was fourth year in college. Two friends and I decided to put up a food kiosk called “Chinky Chickens” and we sold rice toppings. Different toppings like teriyaki, curry— everything chicken with rice. And the business did pretty well. We were able to save up from that and I was able to open other businesses later on.
What did you learn in basketball that you have applied in business?
A lot of discipline. Like promptness—you have to be on time. You follow rules. Same thing in business. In the business environment, there are certain rules that you have to obey. Teamwork is another. In basketball you can’t win on your own. So know your role. But you also have to learn how to lead when the time comes. In a business or in an organization you can’t do it by yourself. From the board level to the management team to the staff, you must be able to motivate them. Setting targets and making goals— make everybody understand the roles they play. There are a lot of parallel lessons, actually…
There’s humility. One must be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. You have to realize that success is the result of the effort of each person involved, and ultimately from God. That’s why you have to use that success to do greater things—give back to the community.
As a kid, did you always get what you want?
When I was a kid, I only had one pair of rubber shoes, unlike most of the kids nowadays who have four or five pairs. At that time, I wasn’t allowed to buy a new pair until the one I have is sirang-sira na or overused na talaga. Even if you wanted a new pair, or if there’s a new model that came out, Mom would put her foot down and say, “No!” She would say, “You still have something that’s in good condition. Think about the kids out there who barely have anything.” Things like that. Or “You still use it.” This is how I was raised, and that’s still how I see things.
I am glad my parents taught me the value of money.
You were never spoiled by your parents?
Siguro sa food. When we were little, my Dad would take us to restaurants, and sa Chinese culture, food really plays an important role. At spoiled siguro on little things, like if we needed a driver, my dad would find a way for our transportation.
What was your age when you had your first car?
After college. It wasn’t really my own money since that was a partnership with a car company. So it was like an endorsement. But for the longest time while growing up, I would just borrow my dad’s car.
On rare times that you like to splurge, what do you look for?
Food! We love to eat out. And travelling with friends or family, and now with my wife.
You mean your long-term girlfriend and now wife?
Yes. We have been together since 2000. We got married September of last year.
How’s married life?
It’s actually fun! Of course, there are some big adjustments when you start living together. We never even got to travel, just the two of us, because we both came from very conservative families, very traditional. Which is good. I am thankful that my parents are very strict. For instance, they wouldn’t allow us to take trips abroad—which is something we only experienced now that we are married.
What drives you as a person?
Excellence in general. Whenever I get into something, I always make sure that I give it my all. I do research. I invest in whatever I need to invest. Like in basketball, I work out. I make sure that I am in good shape, so when I compete in the game, I deliver accordingly. So that’s why in the business, my eyes are always set on the competition, looking out for opportunities. My mind never stops exploring possibilities. Also, finding the right platform to give back to the community. Because in everything that I am doing—from basketball to the business, to the TV shows, and even as a barangay kagawad—I feel that I should give back.
You’re a barangay kagawad now. Is running for office in your future plans?
For me and with my background, siguro, I can help in the private sector.
So, how do you balance all these things you need to do?
Just time management, creating systems and workflows that will make you efficient. For me nga, I am kinda slowing down a bit. I wanna spend more time with my family and my wife. I am just lucky that I have a support group that helps me out. And my Mom as my bookkeeper—as well as my spiritual guide.
What church do you go to?
I’m Roman Catholic.
When did you realize that you need to slow down?
When I got married. I believe that if you want to have a strong relationship, you need to have quality time. I just felt that for the last couple of years I have been working sometimes to the point where I don’t get to spend time with my family anymore. And when I hear stories of friends’ family members passing away not able to spend enough time with their loved ones, I feel na I don’t want to regret and go through the same thing. So we work hard and you make money, but at the end of the day, you can’t bring your money to heaven. We are just stewards of God’s creation. What’s important is time well spent with our loved ones.
What are the Top 3 destinations in your bucket list?
Machu Pichu—I am going there next month. Also, I want to go to Brazil. And New Zealand.
What’s your comfort food?
Steak. And noodle soup.
What makes you happy?
Making other people happy. Seeing other people happy.
Do you have an advocacy?
I have a foundation. It’s called the Charis Foundation which means “grace” in Greek. Our cause is more on youth leadership. I also help out with Caritas Manila and Habitat for Humanity. In Charis Foundation, we want to develop young people who have leadership qualities, at the same time really grounded and have strong values. We can’t reach every single youth in the country. However, we can tap these young leaders who will eventually be in the public or private sector. It’s like planting the seeds early, and hopefully it makes an impact in their community.
We heard about your anti-bullying campaign. Have you been bullied?
Yeah!
What’s your message to bullies?
Sa mga nang-bully sa akin dati, sad to say ‘yung ugali nila hindi pa rin nagbabago. If you look at where they are right now, they’re unhappy. They don’t have any clear direction, and they didn’t mature. Sayang lang. And to those who are being bullied naman, don’t lose your self-esteem. Maybe easier said than done. Pero ako kasi, what helped me was hanging out with the right people. The right friends. And now my business partners are mostly my friends back then.
Did you go through a rebellious, experimental stage?
Hindi siya magnified. Boys will be boys, we have our bad habits, and sometimes even until today meron pa din. Rebel phase, hindi naman masyado compared to other people because my dad was very strict. I’d get punished talaga hanggang masira yung bakal ng bed. I remembered that. And it worked.
Who do you look up to?
I like Pope John Paul II, who was also a sportsman, very charismatic, very human. There’s Michael Jordan, because he delivered when it mattered. He was consistent, has great work ethic. His competitive spirit makes him what he is. And for business, I look up to Steve Jobs for his ingenuity and for his ability to innovate, as well as Warren Buffett for his management style and investment principle. Also, Nelson Mandela for his courage. Can you imagine being imprisoned and still having the spirit?
Who do you turn to for advice?
I have a spiritual director that I go to. He is a priest and he wants to be anonymous. He is Opus Dei, actually. He always has this unique ability to give advice and say it in such a way that it always hits the spot.
It seems that you have the perfect life. What was the biggest challenge or heartbreak you experienced?
Marami. Like in basketball, there was a time that I really struggled. In the court, there are times na bangko ka, hindi ka ginagamit ‘cause you don’t play well. But I always believe in God’s perfect time—if it’s meant to be, it’s gonna happen. I am also hard on myself, especially if I don’t play well… I take it bad.
So how do you deal with it?
You just work harder. There’s no secret formula . Giving up and coming up with excuses is no way to deal with it. I know it sounds cliché, but you just have to dig deep and push yourself.
How about the showbiz temptation of fame and notoriety?
That’s why I am so lucky with my spiritual director—he really gives me good advice. Well, not just him, but I guess all the people around me. People that I meet every day. Even people who are so simple and down-to-earth. When you’re in an environment like showbiz and basketball, it can be very tempting. But with a strong spiritual life, it really helps me a lot. We are not perfect. We make mistakes. Good thing, the Lord is willing to forgive us. It’s never too late with God.
If you were to write a book, what would the title be?
I will write about my life and share my stories. “Everyday is a Tuesday.”
If you were a dish, you’d be…
Chili crab. Hard on the outside and soft in the inside.
PHOTOS BY DR. FRANCIS XAVIER SOLIS