29 July 2021
Polo player Anthony Filamor steps down from the Board after two consecutive terms, and he’s loved every minute of it. In between, he married and started a family with Jofel Samonte, and they now have a son. He looks back at his time on the Board and looks forward to post-pandemic life, hopeful for a return of the Polo Season in 2022.
Work
You worked in Chicago for a while. What made you decide to come back to the Philippines to establish your career here?
I worked for Northern Trust (Chicago Head Office) for a year after completing my MBA/MSF at Boston College in two years. Staying longer wasn’t an option because I worked there as an extension of my student visa (F-1 Visa). In 2013, after grad school, working in the U.S. was a tall ask (even for locals), much more so for international students like myself. Considering the job market then, I feel quite lucky to have gotten that extra year in Chicago.
How was your transition to working back here in the Philippines?
I was fortunate as Northern Trust, my former employer, was setting up boots on the ground and I did not miss a beat workwise. Good management experience for me and I made lifelong friends.
How do you juggle work, Club commitments and family time?
Great question! Comes down to disciplined time management and surrounding yourself with the right people. I’ve been able to serve our Club all these years because of my amazing colleagues from the Club management, my Directorate, and the Board.
What do you like best about working from home and attending virtual meetings? Do you miss your work routine, pre-pandemic?
My opinion, working from home/virtual is effective but it is no substitute for human/in person energy. Virtual meetings do help you beat the pre-pandemic traffic! I miss my work routine, pre-pandemic, for a different reason though. After work, my dad and I would talk all the time, whether in person or over the phone, no fail. I miss that companionship, but I do believe he’s still guiding me somehow.
How often do you come to work and what is the first thing that you do as soon as you reach home from work?
I’m in the office quite regularly (barring vacation leave/public holidays) as I truly value in-person collaboration and believe in leadership from the front. That said, the moment I’m home, I’m always looking for my mom, wife, and son to check on things.
Family
How was it like growing up in a household full of girls, having three older sisters with you being the only boy?
I am the third of four. Correct, I’m the only boy and perhaps people think I am youngest since I was last to marry and start a family. That said, it was great! My parents did amazing work juggling all their own commitments, investing in our US education, and being a great couple. Something I aspire to replicate in my own way.
Have you always lived in Makati or did you live in other parts of the country/world?
I lived in New York as a kid. I lived in Boston for graduate school and my internship, then Chicago for post graduate schoolwork. I lived in Singapore for a short-term work assignment, too.
How was it like growing up as a Dependent? What sport/s did you play as a kid and what did you enjoy the most?
I learned so many sports thanks to Manila Polo Club!
In grade school, I started out as a badminton player, representing the Club at national tournaments and dual meets. Of course, I learned swimming to be sink-proof. I had riding lessons before I became a serious rider and eventually a polo player. I never stopped riding (except for work or school) once I tried polo. During my high school through college years, I was playing tennis for Ateneo, but it was mostly bench-warming though! We had an amazing team; my teammates were just so good.
“Polo is the best analogy for business and life. You work with your team to achieve a goal. You fight for your line or someone else can grab the line.”
How’s married life treating you? How and where did you meet your wife Jofel?
Married life is great, I am just heavier now, hahaha. We were once work colleagues. My wife and I met each other working at RCBC Treasury for our then-boss and my dear mentor, Lorenzo V. Tan. Jof and I were not colleagues for long as I left for Boston for graduate school.
What do you miss doing the most with your family before the pandemic?
Hanging with my dad pre- and post- polo games or polo practices. My dad was not a rider himself but his love for the game was so pure. Pre-game, we would chat and post-game, no matter how bad or well I played, we were together, too. Post-game, my parents and I would go for dinner, too.
What is your biggest indulgence at home?
Food! With lockdowns, YouTube and all, my wife and I have found our “inner chef”. Not that we could make any proper money with our cooking, but it’s been really fun for family lunch or dinner.
How do you stay fit and healthy?
I’m working on the fit part, honestly, and I am staying healthy as a start. I got back into golf recently and hit tennis balls every so often.
Polo
How did you discover your love for polo? When did you start playing and competing professionally?
My parents had an intense sports program for me, all in MPC. They kept me away from TV and malls to help me find my passion and apply myself. I came into polo by accident, thanks to our dear member, Rossana Yulo, who first helped me get started with chukkers and horses. I started playing in 1996, always as an amateur until today, with fair fortune of playing with and against professional players (like top NBA players), thanks to polo patron and MPC member Iñigo Zobel.
Do you have a personal favorite polo pony or horse? Why?
My favorite ponies are Gorda and Tota. My parents imported them from Argentina in 1997 after a summer playing there. These ponies helped me catch an early break, and my handicap progressed from -2 to 1 over the next few years. They’re fairly big for traditional polo ponies, with a smooth gait, cool temperament with all the gears, and soft mouth.
What can you advise kids/people about wanting to play polo or to be an equestrian? In your opinion, what is the most important thing about polo that a player should always keep in mind?
Horses are a personal commitment, as well as relational beings. Not like a racket or set of clubs that can be stored if you suddenly don’t feel like playing. Whether you are preparing for the season or resting your horses in pasture, you must be there. You may have a great team of players, grooms, pros, etc. but you have to be there.
You have taken a few young players under your wing. What are the essentials that a new player should possess and always keep in mind?
Riding fundamentals are so key. Even after all these years of horseback riding, I am still working on my seat and genuinely believe there’s still room to learn, grow, and master.
In polo, how much percentage of performance is the rider, and how much percentage is the horse?
At all levels (professional and amateur), the depth of horsepower is the whole difference between polo organizations and polo players. It is practically the whole game.
It’s a fact that COVID-19 has affected our lives beyond words. How do you deal with the situation and what has been the biggest challenge since the pandemic hit?
Unfortunately, we were not able to deliver a 2021 MPC Polo Season as we did not have the LGU permission to do so. That’s understandable considering the broader reality we were in. We hope, in partnership with the LGU and country’s drive towards herd immunity, we can deliver a 2022 MPC Polo Season.
What advice can you give our young dependents who are interested in playing polo?
Of all the sports I have taken up, I find that polo is the best analogy for business and life. You work with your team to achieve a goal. You fight for your line or someone else can grab the line.
What is the Polo Season going to be like in 2022?
Assuming LGU approval, we will have polo games, polo practice/scrimmage, but no big social gathering/festivities during pre-pandemic days. That would be a solid start to build on.
Club
How would you describe your Board experience? What do you like about being on the Board?
I grew up with the Board in a manner of speaking. I got engaged, married, had my son, all as a Board member. Time went by really fast and it was a pleasure serving our Members with my amazing colleagues.
What would you have liked to implement at the Club if the pandemic had not gotten in the way?
I would have wanted our Polo Season to take place because internationally (in Europe, USA, Australia, Argentina, etc.) they are still playing because the sport is outdoors, distanced, and at speed. Of course, we must respect that every country’s situation is unique; we will get there in due time.
Of all the Committees you have chaired, which one did you have the most fun handling and why?
Polo and Equestrian was my favorite. It was challenging because we take our work and our horses very seriously. Really fun, too, because we respect each other as peers and family.
What do you think is the most important project that the Board accomplished in the past year? What should it prioritize in the next Board Year?
Implementing Covid protocols for safety and securing vaccines for our people. Next year, they would be in best position to determine that, rather than I, as the environment changes so quickly.
What are some of the things that would be important to tell Board candidates about serving on the Board?
It is serious and fulfilling volunteer work, but don’t forget to have fun while you are at it!
