Grounded. Sensible. Inclusive. Ayala Land International’s Anna Tatlonghari Leads by Example

An interview with Ayala Land International Sales Inc President Anna V. Tatlonghari.

Long before inclusive leadership became an ideal workplace culture, Anna V. Tatlonghari had already intuitively practiced making meaningful connections to every stakeholder. I know because I had been one of these stakeholders and had witnessed how Anna had made everyone, including myself, feel like we belonged and mattered.

It is not that Anna had to consciously consider inclusion to promote diversity and look good as a leader, but it is naturally her character to make sure everyone is heard and looked after. There is no doubt her genuine and endearing leadership is one of the reasons why Anna is holding the top post at Ayala Land International.

Filipinos in every part of the world dream to find or build a place they can call home in the Philippines. Fruits of one’s labour or perhaps a gift to themselves in exchange for those years and special occasions when they were away from families and friends. Anna, who leads all real estate efforts to sell Ayala properties to Filipinos and foreigners worldwide, understands this. And she makes sure she and her team deliver.

Anna’s progressive climb to the corporate ladder is deserving. She is known to work hard, and she makes sure she not only hits her dizzying KPIs; she exceeds them! Outside the demands of work, Anna is a role model who is a filial daughter, sister and friend – a personal side of hers not too many people know about. And while she has yet to find the perfect someone to journey with her in this driven yet amazing life she leads, she is undeniably happy and fulfilled. Then again, it is also easy to see why some guys find it hard to resist inviting Anna out for dinner, so yes, one very lucky guy is bound to win her heart one day soon.

Anna makes everyone feel comfortable around her and communicating with her for this interview was no exception. There are so many practical and tender wisdom to learn and take away from this grounded, sensible, and lovely leader.

FMAG: Waking up in the morning, what are the first few things that go through your mind? 

AVT:  I am highly introspective. I start my day with a clear mind. Meditation and prayers help me a lot. I do not usually think of work the first minute of the day – rather, I concentrate on simple things. Like calling my parents, getting a good cup of coffee, and just preparing myself mentally.

FMAG: Who is Anna Tatlonghari as President of ALISI (Ayala Land International Sales Inc) and as a person beyond work?
AVT: I consider myself a very driven person. I always want to be on top of my game, but I also believe that I am a modern leader who relates well to people because I am always curious of what motivates them. I want to know their stories and how I can add value to their lives. I am very authentic and real. What you see is what you get. 

FMAG: You've always been known to work so hard. How do you allow yourself to play hard? 
AVT: I live pretty much a balanced life. I value my relationship with people and I like spending time with friends, colleagues and family – so whether it’s a weekend brunch, cocktails or dinners after work or occasional splurge on wine and travel, I make sure to enjoy my time with them. In the end, it is the quality of conversations and time I get to spend with people that I truly value.

Anna on a trip to Madrid in 2018.

FMAG:  Behind every success are failures that refine better judgment. What has moulded your leadership?
AVT:  I think success is always sweeter when you worked hard for it. Things have not been very easy for me, contrary to what people think, but I’m always guided with the Ayala Land core values of Leadership, Integrity, Vision, Excellence and Malasakit  (Editor’s note: “Malasakit” is Filipino for concern). So, when I face a challenging or difficult scenario, I always go back to these values.

FMAG: Which continent has been your biggest market?
AVT: Pre-COVID19, North America specifically the US, has always been our biggest market. I am proud to say that we have pretty much dominated this market for 15 years. But the growing professionals in Asia and Middle East is something you cannot deny. We make sure we expand our reach by setting up offices in the key markets like Singapore, Hong Kong, and UAE. We attribute the company’s success to our people, the existing organization shares the same level of competencies, excellence and integrity.

FMAG: You have progressively climbed the corporate ladder. Can you share one or two milestones that brought you to where you are?
AVT:  I never stopped learning, up to now. I think I am still a work in progress. I believe that for you to lead a high-performing organization, you must always walk the talk. You do not expect people to follow you if you yourself break the rules. You set the bar high, collaborate with groups, listen to what they have to say and tweak in between. I am lucky to be surrounded with people I truly trust. People who do not have an agenda and share the same goals I have. In the end, we are here to serve the Filipinos working overseas – we understand their struggles and we only hope to share our knowledge so that one day soon, they can all come home and live more comfortable, fulfilling lives, close to their families and loved ones.

FMAG: How important is family to you?
AVT: Family is very important to me. It is my core. I do not think I will get to where I am now without the guidance and love of my parents and siblings. They keep me grounded. My sisters and I started a small family foundation some eight years ago called “Project: Ki.D.S.” This evolved from the usual annual Christmas gift giving to street children in the different barangays (village or district) to a full-blown three-year ongoing relationship with Gota de Leche (non-profit organization established in Manila, 1906) where we help the organization provide milk and nutrition to the malnourished children of Manila. Spreading not only milk of human kindness, but also cultivating gratitude and compassion to many.

FMAG: Who are influencers in your life?
AVT: My former lady boss Dinna Bayangos is someone I truly admire. She is a tough cookie; she knows what she wants and how to get them but still exudes kindness and is very helpful to everyone. She strives for excellence in anything she does - from the very simple contract I used to proof-read for her to the placement of banners for the photo op. Her professionalism and work ethic influenced me to carry on the same qualities up to now.

Mr. Tony Aquino former Ayala Land president is also someone I admire. He went through the highs and lows in his 50+ years of professional career but up to now, his energy level is infectious. He never gets tired of giving me advice and mentoring me. He is well-loved and respected not just by his subordinates but also his colleagues and bosses.

FMAG: What is your ultimate dream for the Philippines?
AVT: The Philippines’ fundamentals are quite strong the past couple of years. But with the advancing technology and innovations, sometimes we neglect the very basic resources we have.

I believe providing aggressive programs and incentives to farming, eco- tourism, and micro SMEs will truly drive the country’s economic growth. And, of course, my ultimate dream is for every Filipino to have a decent home in the Philippines. A safe and secure environment where they can grow their families and thrive in the communities.

FMAG: What is being Filipino to you? What is a happy place for you in 20 years?
AVT: Being a Filipino to me means being able to withstand all the Ondoys, Yolandas (Editor’s note: Ondoy and Yolanda were super typhoons that devastated the Philippines in 2009 and 2013), Taal volcano eruption and COVID19. I believe we are the most resilient nation. We face these situations with our sense of humour, and eventually thrive. Filipinos are very generous with their talents and love for family and friends.

My happy place 20 years from now will probably be a self-sustaining, environmentally friendly boutique resort in Siargao, serving healthy Vietnamese (Editor’s note: Anna is half Vietnamese) and Asian dishes, and just making new friends and enjoying the beach.

FMAG:  If you could advise your 25-year-old self, what would you have to say?
AVT: I would have to say, ‘be more frugal’. I should have saved so much earlier and enjoyed the fruits of my labor so much earlier.