MANILA, Philippines —  For almost 10 years, Rex Drilon II fought his battles inside corporate boardrooms, having headed top companies such as Ortigas & Co. Ltd. Parnership, Fuji Xerox Philippines, and Philtranco.

But the lifelong executive now enters a new challenge as he comes out with his first novel, “Patriots on the Street”.

Co-written with newspaper columnist Adelle Chua, “Patriots on the Street” is about uncovering the seedy side of business and government.

The book tells the story of 42-year-old IT executive Jonas Tunsay, who has accepted an invitation to attend his old high school reunion and address a new generation of students in his hometown.

However, he realizes upon coming back to his town that things have changed – and not necessarily for the best.

While his hometown now boasts of a new international airport, well-paved roads, and big buildings, it appears that all of this progress has been achieved through less than savory means.

The town mayor – who also happens to be Jonas' cousin – has perpetuated his stay in office through shady activities like illegal logging and shady property deals. A school friend has become a judge who is also involved in illegal dealings.

Throughout his stay, Jonas begins to realize that perhaps he has strayed from the path he had set for himself as a young man. Rather than focusing on financial security, Jonas begins to realize that ones success is measured by the love you show others and the good you do for them.

Inspirations from real life
Drilon says that the inspiration from the book comes from his own extensive experience dealing with unsavory characters in the corporate world.

“My personal crusade and advocacy is good governance. Having dealt with many government officials during my career as a professional manager, I saw heroes and villains in the cities and in the countryside,” he says.

Putting that inspiration to paper, however, would be easier said than done. Drilon says that the idea for the novel was already in his head back in 1996, but he would only begin to write the book a year ago, alongside his collaborator Adelle Chua.

“Starting it was the most difficult. It was in my mind for at least 15 years,” he says. “When we started to write it, it took us one year to finish it, writing one to two chapters a month. I had a full-time job running a company.”

Collaborating with Chua, according to Drilon, was essential, as he himself admits that he has very little writing experience. “My writing experience was limited to memos and project studies, mostly related to my work as a professional manager,” he explains. “'Patriots on the Street' is my first attempt at writing fiction, and I would not have been able to finish the project if I did not have someone to write it with. My language is the language of business and not of poets, writers, and artists.”

That doesn't mean that there is no literary bent in his blood.

“While my grandparents and parents are teachers rather than writers, my father did write several short stories for the Philippine Free Press. My uncle published a book of poems. I am the first novelist in the family,” he reveals.

This early, Drilon says, he already has plans for two more books.

“Governace has at least three dimensions — public governance, corporate governance, and personal governance. 'Patriots on the Street' is a story about public governance, patriotism and love of country,” he says. “My next book will be on corporate governance and tentatively titled 'Patriots in the Workplace. The third one will be on personal governance.”