David Zuellig | Contributed Illustration
PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO—There are relatively few Filipinos in this tiny sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, associated with royalty and breathtaking views of the sea.
That is when one compares their numbers against big European countries, where tens of thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) make up a hefty chunk of their migrant workforce.
Those “Pinoys” recently relished a once-in-a-lifetime treat: a free pass to a concert—at the Opera of Monaco, no less—by world-renowned pianist Raul Sunico.
The treat came courtesy of the Philippines’ consul general in Monaco, businessman-philanthropist David Zuellig, of the famous clan behind the multi-country pharmaceutical distributor.
In a recent interview with BusinessMirror in Monaco, Zuellig and his wife, Dr. Hazel Paragua-Zuellig, a neurologist and epilepsy expert, gushed over the experience of hosting Sunico and absorbing the thrill felt by Filipinos who came to the concert. Despite living or working in Monaco for years, many have never stepped foot at the Opera—by the Casino. So, the experience was doubly exciting, according to the couple.
Even though he spent quite a fortune of his money to sponsor the concert (he rented the Opera), Zuellig was obviously supercharged by it: enough to see it as the kind of starter for a series of events that would better project the Philippines in Monaco while binding the Filipinos there even more.
“But really, what I’d like to achieve in a way is to get to work on the image of the Philippine community, and as you know we’ve had this concert with Raul Sunico recently, and we were actually very pleased with the way it went,” Zuellig told BusinessMirror over dinner.
Quite pleased, the businessman noted that “[Sunico] received a standing ovation.”
He blushed when told that Filipinos were interviewed afterward and said, “They were so happy that it was free. And they loved you. Like, ‘Oh my God, we have this free concert by David Zuellig.’”
Dr. Hazel Zuellig volunteered the information: “Many of them have not been inside, [some living here for 20 years, because the concerts are] expensive. And he rented it.”
Zuellig noted: “We had more than 500 attendees, and more than half—quite a bit more than half—were Filipinos.”
From Sunico’s successful concert, Zuellig is looking to jump-start other events.
“Well, for one, tourism, of course. Another is [that] we were at one point thinking of hosting one of the designers of piña…to showcase Philippine craftsmanship.” (Writer’s note: When Zuellig tied the knot in 2014, he wore two barongs, both by Paul Cabral: One was a piña silk barong Tagalog for their civil wedding in Singapore and another for a reception back in Manila.)
He thinks indigenous materials being used for fashion could be a good bet.
He was asked if fashion is big in Monaco.
“Well, yes. I mean the people travel, so they’re very exposed. Of course, in Monaco itself…you will find some of the well-known brands.”
Asked about the chances of Filipino physicians landing jobs in Monaco, Zuellig said it would be harder for those in highly specialized occupations like physicians, lawyers, and even nurses, which are in great demand in the United States and parts of Europe like Germany and the United Kingdom.
“First of all, these are professions that are protected,” Zuellig pointed out. “But they’re protected not just in Monaco or France; they’re protected worldwide. So, it’s difficult, which is unfortunate.”
He recalled a recent visit to the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace (CHPG), the biggest hospital in the city-state. (It is the only public hospital in Monaco named after the late Princess Grace, the former American actress Grace Kelly. – Ed.) Zuellig recalled that only one Filipino who immigrated decades ago is working there.
“Well, the requirement is the same as in other countries, I guess. The medical staff has to speak French. You have that in Germany, you have that in Japan,” he commented.
When asked if he thought Filipinos could adapt, Zuellig replied, “Sure [they] can. Absolutely.”
Still, he sounded tentative when asked about job options in the hospitality industry, such as hotels, cruise ships, or luxury resorts: “Well…Monaco is interesting and somewhat unusual in that…the Palace supports its citizens. So, citizens are highly subsidized. Which means they also get jobs.”
Of Monaco’s more than 30,000 residents, only about 8,000 are citizens. Most workers cross regularly from France or Italy.
Only 112 Filipinos live in Monaco.
He added that one can also apply for citizenship, but “it takes many years and of course,” the connections that establish one’s deep roots in the place could help.
Zuellig was asked: “From your point of view, what kind of work do you think can be supplied? What do they actually need?”
“Well, it’s something that really the government has to answer.”
“He is particularly proud of the public health projects they support through the Zuellig Initiatives Philanthropiques, especially one in the College of Public Health at the University of the Philippines, where his physician-wife graduated.”
He concedes that he often finds himself saying Filipinos can do this or that job when he goes around.
“Absolutely. Very often, actually,” Zuellig asserted. One such recent moment was when he visited CHPG and wondered how things would be if more Filipino health professionals worked there.
When asked about life during the pandemic, Zuellig said, “That explains partly why we’re here.” They “got stuck” in Monaco when COVID-19 ran berserk around the globe. With their shared experience and commitment to health care, they became more involved in helping people through the pandemic.
However, Zuellig added that only a few elderly fatalities were reported during the pandemic. “Well, you really cannot say whether it was Covid.”
Nonetheless, he stressed: ”They were very good in keeping the hospitals relatively free from [the contagion].”
Nannies for royalty
MEANWHILE, a scenario that is not so surprising, Filipino nannies are also a big deal in Monaco—though most of those working for famous families or celebrities are bound by strict privacy agreements.
Those of the Prince’s children are Filipinas or Filipinos, for one.
Does he meet the royals often? He mainly said at “bigger events” like National Day.
They were once on a cruise with Prince Albert II to the North Pole sometime in June 2022.
Do they speak like ordinary people? Or are they very proper?
“I suppose it depends where [they are]. But…generally speaking, he’s very approachable. More so apparently when he’s abroad; when he travels.”
The couple describes the Prince as “very capable, very personable—friendly,” but Zuellig says the monarch bears quite a burden: “Apparently, on average, he has 15 appointments a day. So that really doesn’t leave you a lot of time for yourself.”
As for him, How does he define contentment in life and happiness? BusinessMirror inquired.
“Well, I thought it was retirement,” quipped the man who doesn’t look a bit tired of serving his countrymen while keeping the post of managing director of the family’s corporate group.
“He never retired,” volunteered “Doctora” Hazel.
The company is present in 15 Asian countries, but Zuellig acknowledges that his generation must constantly keep pace with the changing ways things are done better and smarter. “Innovations, yes, as you well know. We live in a world that has changed a lot.”
I asked what they are best known for: “pharmaceutical distribution. We do some manufacturing, but [beyond that, it’s distribution and] marketing of pharmaceutical products. And that is pretty much exclusively in Southeast Asia, including South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.”
With so much on his plate, does he ever sleep? Hobbies?
He plays golf and watches tennis. And yes, he says he still sleeps.
Origins of the Diplomatic Post
How did Zuellig come upon this post? Given his hectic schedule as a business leader of a major pharmaceutical group, did he ever have reservations?
“Oh, this post here? That’s relatively easy. We came here and I was under the illusion that I could retire and we visited. And obviously, it all happened so fast.”
He continued: “We visited the embassy and [Philippine ambassador to France Ma. Theresa] Lazaro. We got to talk, and one thing led to another.”
At that time, the Department of Foreign Affairs under Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. was reportedly looking for a replacement for Zuellig’s father, Stephen, who once upon a time brought the Madrigal Singers and the Bayanihan Dance Troupe to Monaco.
Dr. Stephen Zuellig was the Philippine honorary consul general in Monaco in the late 1970s, having been appointed by then-foreign affairs secretary Carlos P. Romulo, according to a column by Roberto Romulo.
Though unplanned, the younger Zuellig accepted the challenge to be honorary consul-general because “it’s a good thing that we have representation. It doesn’t have to be me or such, but I think having representation is a good idea.”
Nonetheless, he shuns suggestions that he has the charm needed for a diplomat to promote people: “I don’t have the charm; my wife has [it], that’s for sure.”
As consul general of the Philippines to Monaco, Zuellig has ample opportunities to wield his diplomatic skills and further his philanthropic pursuits. He has been active in this circle since the early 2000s.
He is particularly proud of the public health projects they support through the Zuellig Initiatives Philanthropiques, especially one in the College of Public Health at the University of the Philippines, where his physician-wife graduated.
An eponymous park, perhaps?
ZUELLIG rues the scarcity of good public parks in the Philippines: “I was going to say, when we were talking about the golf courses, I suspect one of the reasons they’re so expensive as well—maybe not Manila Golf—is that they offer green spaces. You’re absolutely correct.”
He continued: “Why is Singapore so popular? You can actually walk very long distances having greenery around. Very well-planned. Manila has become so big, it takes you forever to get out.”
How does he want to be remembered? BusinessMirror suggested: “Would you build a park in the Philippines? Imagine if you would build one park in the Philippines under your name—which is free for the poor people.”
Then he remembered the late Washington SyCip: “They built a…park, and named after him.” It provides a shaded asylum for weary city workers and residents in Salcedo Village, Makati City.
Yes, the idea of having a simple park named after him seems to light up his eyes. In the meantime, the businessman who thought he could retire and ended up doing double work is just enjoying the moment—thinking, along with his spouse, of ever better ways to make life brighter for everyone.
This article originally appeared in Business Mirror. Reposted with permission.
