December 12th, 2024.
As Michael's plane touched down at Manila International Airport, he quickly made his way out, nodding and offering brief thanks to the crew. Moving briskly through the arrival area, his eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on a familiar figure. His mother stood there, holding up a placard that simply read, "Welco back." Despite his global business success, this personal touch felt grounding.
Seeing his mother after such a long ti, Michael couldn't help but feel a wave of relief and comfort. The busy, bustling environnt of the airport faded into the background as he approached her. His mother's presence brought a smile to his face.
"Mom," he greeted, opening his arms for a hug, which she eagerly returned. The embrace was warm and comforting, a stark contrast to the formal handshakes and polite nods he'd grown accustod to in his business dealings.
"You look well, Michael. Busy, but well," Myra comnted, eyeing him with a mix of pride and concern typical of a parent observing their child after a long absence.
"Yeah, it's been non-stop, but I'm managing," Michael replied with a tired voice yet with still a tinge of satisfaction in it. "I missed this, though. I missed ho."
Myra nodded, understandingly. "Let's get your bags and head ho. You must be tired, and you have a big day ahead…" "Ah…yeah I told you about that," Michael said chuckling. Myra rented a van for their convenience and went ho to their place in Quezon City.
As they arrived at their family ho in Quezon City, the sight of the familiar surroundings triggered a flood of mories for Michael. The streets he used to roam as a child, the local shops, and the faces of neighbors, so of whom glanced curiously at the van as it pulled into the driveway, hinted at the unchanged essence of his childhood neighborhood.
Inside, the house was just as he rembered it, with family photos lining the walls and the comforting sll of ho-cooked als wafting from the kitchen. His mother, ever the hostess, imdiately went about preparing sothing for him to eat, insisting he needed to "bulk up" after seeing him thinner than she rembered.
Sitting at the dining table, Michael spoke. "Mom, tomorrow, I have to be at the office at BGC. I told you about this business deal that I have to secure with the developers of the New Clark City. And I told you, mother not to tell anyone about it right?"
"I have not told a single soul," Myra assured as she handed the plate filled with spaghetti down on the table. "Besides, what's to gain from telling anyone? Your business is your own, and I respect that," she added, emphasizing her support for his endeavors, despite not always fully understanding the scale or impact of his work.
Michael nodded, appreciating her discretion. The topic of his business often felt too large and complex to discuss in detail with family, but Myra's support was unwavering, rooted in a mother's pride rather than the specifics of his achievents.
After dinner, Michael excused himself to prepare for the next day. He set up his laptop on the old desk in his bedroom, a stark contrast to the high-tech offices he was accustod to. He reviewed the presentation and docunts for the eting where he'll place a bid of 1,200,000,000 Philippine peso for the renewable energy project in New Clark City. This project was crucial for SolaraTech's strategy to establish a strong presence in the Philippine market and contribute to the country's shift towards sustainable energy.
As he reviewed the financial projections and the technical specifications of the solar panels and storage systems they proposed to install, Michael paid particular attention to their competitor, Solar Dynamics. The company that faked a technical report just so they could delay the release of his solar panel to the market, and one of the biggest photovoltaics companies that rival SolaraTech. He doesn't know how much they are going to bid but he is certain that it is going to be lower than the 1,200,000,000 Philippine peso mark he has set. Knowing the competitive landscape, Michael was aware that Solar Dynamics often undercuts its rivals on price, potentially at the expense of quality and innovation.
And at the fact that they have already built their brand in the Philippines, they are so overconfident that they won't choose any companies aside from them. This overconfidence, Michael thought, could be their Achilles' heel. Finalizing the details of the report, he turned off his laptop and then went to bed, aiming to get a good night's rest before the big day. Lying in bed, Michael tried to clear his mind of all worries and strategize about the presentation.
***
A day later, in the PSE Exchange Tower. And in his personal office, he saw Antoneitte Estolas already sitting on the sofa, waiting for him. "Good morning, Mrs. Estolas. Thank you for waiting. I just caught up in the traffic on the way here. Damn, why is it that every morning, traffic is worse than the day before?" Michael said as he set down his briefcase and took a seat across from Antoneitte.
Antoneitte chuckled a sound of understanding and shared frustration. "Welco back to the Philippines. "So, can I have a look at your presentation for the upcoming bid?"
Michael nodded and opened his laptop, quickly navigating to the presentation file. As the slides appeared on the screen, he walked Antoneitte through each point, explaining the technical specifications, the financial projections, and the long-term benefits of SolaraTech's solar energy solutions for New Clark City.
Antoneitte listened attentively, occasionally nodding or asking for clarification on certain points. When Michael finished, she leaned back, taking a mont to gather her thoughts before speaking.
"Michael, your presentation is comprehensive and well-structured. You've covered all the critical areas, but let offer so advice on how to really win this bid," Antoneitte began, her tone serious but encouraging. "Firstly, focus on the local impact. Emphasize how SolaraTech's project will benefit the local community directly—through job creation, skills training, and support for local suppliers. Make it clear that SolaraTech is committed to being a partner in the community's developnt, not just a contractor passing through."
She paused, ensuring Michael was absorbing her advice before continuing. "Secondly, anticipate their concerns. The committee will likely be wary about costs, implentation tilines, and the reliability of new technology. Prepare clear, concise answers to these potential questions. Use examples from your projects in Europe to demonstrate your track record of success and reliability."
"Lastly, appeal to their vision for New Clark City," Antoneitte added. "Align SolaraTech's goals with the city's ambition to be a green, sustainable, and technologically advanced urban center. Show them how your solar energy solutions are not just about providing power but are a crucial step towards realizing their vision for the city's future."
"Thank you, Mrs. Estolas," Michael said. "Okay, tomorrow is the bid, I have to prepare for it."
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