A Weekend with Bobby

Dedon furniture, proudly made in Cebu, Dekeyser at the factory

Robert “Bobby” Dekeyser’s life reads like a plot pulled straight from a Hollywood movie. Embracing everything that life has to offer, the good and the bad, he has been whisked away from Europe’s biggest football stadiums to the Philippine’s lush tropics to New York’s concrete jungle. He has faced abandonment, bankruptcy, and the death of his spouse with strength and honest emotion, and has always picked himself up from the depths of despair. Today, Dekeyser is the founder of furniture company Dedon, a world-renowned brand that distributes its exclusive wares in over 80 countries. And he hasn’t stopped there. In 2009 he established Dekeyser&Friends, a foundation that creates an avenue for world-class personalities to mentor young people. In Cebu, Dekeyser created Compostela, an initiative that rehabilitates families from the slum areas, giving them sustainable livelihoods. Most recently in 2012 he opened Dedon Island in Siargao, a luxury retreat with an emphasis on outdoor activity.

We get the privilege to get up close and personal with the handsome and enigmatic man, who, accomplished and idealistic in the face of both triumph and tragedy, is an inspiring testament to all.

Posing with children and Herve Lampert

PHILIPPINE TATLER: What was it that drew you to the Philippines?

BOBBY DEKEYSER: It’s hard to explain because it wasn’t logical. It was about 20 years ago in Cebu, and everybody was telling me that if I wanted to do business in Asia, I should start in China or Thailand, referring to the sorry state of the airport here, and the factories are very small as well. But there was something that held me back. I think it was the people and this wonderful experience that I never found anywhere else in all my travels around the world. Filipinos are unbelievable – so hardworking and fantastic. Everyone knows this. But I would say that there’s not enough positive marketing for the Philippines as a country. Maybe that’s a good thing because it’s not overwhelmed with foreigners. But I see something very special about the Philippines. The people are very open to everything.

PT: How do you identify with the Philippines?

BD: I think I’m partly Filipino because I love it so much here. It’s like I’m part of the culture. I feel like every time I fly here, I’m coming home. I’ve been coming here regularly for 20 years now and I haven’t gotten tired of it because it really gives me something.

PT: Would you call yourself a perfectionist? Do you set a standard for yourself and everything that you do?

BD: I’m not a control freak at all, but I expect everyone to give their best – not for me, but for themselves. I love to see people’s passion in whatever they do, whether it’s in cleaning houses, weaving, or managing a business. I just love it when people find what they want to do and give their best. I don’t control, I just look at the output later. 

PT: Do you have a personal philosophy?

BD: Everything is meant to be. You can’t control everything; your life story has already been written. But you have to trust that everything will work out and learn to love crises. With crises you really have to sit back, reflect, cry, whatever, and then come out stronger. I always confront difficulty, and I really go into it. I don’t escape from things and it really helped me a lot to accept crisis.

PT: It’s been almost four years since your wife passed away. How are your thoughts and emotions at this point in time?

BD: It depends. We were married for 24 years and we were in it for forever – we were made for each other. So I went through so much grief. In the first year I was almost dead. I was really crying, lying on the ground, screaming, I didn’t know what to do. But all those emotions helped me to come out of that dark place. I feel that we’re still connected, she’s still there and that’s why I’m still wearing these two rings. But this sadness, I think it’s important that you acknowledge it, but at the same time not cling to it because it doesn’t help anybody. So now I’m concentrating on being a good father. But of course it’s really hard. It’s not easy for my new girlfriend [actress Gina Gershon] as well because my wife is still so present. But now, I’ve made my peace with it, and the kids are dealing with it as well in their own ways.

Bobby Dekeyser paddleboarding at Dedon island

Photography by Mau Mauricio | Read more in Philippine Tatler Vol. 14 No. 150. Download the digital version from Zinio and Magzter.