So Maxs, Chowking, Gerry’s Grill and Red Ribbon are out there in the United States; Baliwag Lechon Manok and Liempo is in Singapore; Gingersnaps in Thailand and together with Island Souvenir in Singapore; Goldilocks in Canada; Potato Corner in the US, Panama, Indonesia and Malaysia; Fiorgelato Ice Cream in Malaysia; Pancake House is also in Indonesia. Of course we have Jollibee, which not only penetrated the US market but also in other parts of the globe. Bayad Center too is now in the USA.
Wait! Are you not having goose pimples as you read this? Filipino franchises are breaking new ground and establishing the Filipino way of doing business. The Philippines is now savoring the much-awaited recognition by the global community especially in the name of business. More and more Filipino entrepreneurs are in high spirit to explore and conquer the world. Meantime there are also Filipinos who are residents of different countries who began a business and now bringing it back to the country.
An example is Tin Hao Dimsum, which began in Vancouver Canada by young Filipino migrant couple and spreading in different parts of the metropolis. Every Filipino who sees these brands automatically gets magnetized to take a long hard look, smile and boasts to friends. It would be nice to have these brands also project the Filipino hospitality and the Filipino warmth. Now, that’s what I call our distinct brand. The Filipino hospitality is legend and our family ties, which are bound tight from cradle to grave, are also legendary.
Franchises like Singaporean brands (Bread Talk, Toastbox), Korean brands (Face Shop, Samsung, etc) and Japanese brands (UCC, Yoshinoya, etc.) inevitably bring with them the characteristics of the country of origin. This is how we can attract tourists to visit our beloved country. As the fast food chains conquer foreign shores, they will also inevitably recruit more tourists into our shores.
What is our country’s brand? Is it what we eat? So, it can then be adobo. Or is it the dried fish? I think Adobo makes a better statement, and brings with it our originality. Every household has its Adobo recipe. Every restaurant has its secret ingredient, be it more garlic, or different vinegar, or what have you. What we eat is part of our country brand. Like Kim chi is to Koreans and Sushi is to Japan. Adobo must be Filipino.
Next are our TV shows or telenovelas. Will it be as global as the Korean telenovelas? Or maybe we should just capitalize on the singers we are so proud of like Lea Salonga and Charice. After all, they are already global talents.
Then, we have our beaches in Bohol and Boracay and our underground river in Palawan, which is now one of the 7 Wonders of Nature. Are we branded as the Islands in the Pacific? There are other beaches around the world but we always claim ours to be the best.
After thinking about all these Filipino offerings, I think our brand is really our PEOPLE. Our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are well loved wherever they are detailed; they bring with them our good traits of diligence, warmth and our loyalty. So our OFWs are really our brand ambassadors as they can really get the Filipino brand to a global level. We have Filipino chefs inside the White House, we have nannies taking care of royal babies and we have seamen who handle sea craft skillfully. We have personalities who in the likes of Rico Hizon of BBC based in Singapore and radio DJs Michael “Kuya Mike” and Federico “Tita Kerry” Paragas in Hong Kong. They are proud to be Filipinos. All we need to do is give all these ambassadors the message: The Philippines is ready to welcome you.
I read recently the government through its agencies like DTI, POEA and OWWA will be pushing with a learning series to teach OFWS how to become entrepreneurs. We have so much pool of talents and skills that I am pretty sure many Filipino experts would be most willing to volunteer to join hands with these agencies. One thing nice to note is Filipinos has this trait called in street smart. We are fast learners and can focus all energies if we really want to. I just hope and pray that we have already put an end and much more a big PERIOD on the a just for show attitude and continue to forge real progress. Sometimes I see the launching of projects only as photo opportunity or in other forms of media. Thereafter the progress report is forgotten. I believe to begin asking for changes, it must start in all of us. Then spread and infect our family and circle of friends to believe that the country is now gaining progress.
Those franchisors mentioned most of them began overcoming obstacles and proved that a Filipino company CAN SUCCEED in implanting our flag in those countries mentioned. They definitely deserve a round of applause.
Everywhere one goes in the world there is always for sure a fellow Filipino working. In fact in Hong Kong, Singapore and Middle east, the merchants have learned to speak Filipino words! One problem we have is foreigners have two main difficulties in recognizing a Filipino. One is the look. We are all a mixture of Spanish, Chinese, Malay and even other foreign blood. Foreigners often will ask whether one is from Malaysia, China or Spain? The other is age where foreigners think the Philippines is one place where the fountain of youth exists.
What lies in every Filipino is the ability to endure whatever hardships come along the way. Despite the ever spiraling of prices, we Filipinos can manage to put a smile of our face and even make jokes out of it. We are a race of peace loving people and always have the compassion for each other. Watching the television broadcast of Pope Benedict XVI’s Easter Mass, the camera caught him gave a sweet smile when he mentioned the Philippines and greeting in Tagalog. Filipinos either tourists, pilgrims or religious studying in Rome were touched!
Next time you travel and see a kabayan, tap his shoulder and say You are Doing Great Brother!
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You may contact Armando “Butz” Bartolome for questions and more information.
By email: aob@gmb.ph
FB Page: Armando Bartolome
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franguru/
Website: https://www.gmb.ph
