After penetrating the international market, through its Island Souvenirs International arm, this Cebu homegrown souvenir company is taking its business to a higher level, by exporting Filipino-developed concept of merchandize lines, highlighting on design edge.
ISI president Jonathan Jay P. Aldeguer said that the company would create a good pool of designers in Cebu to develop designs to be marketed around the world.
This time, Island Souvenirs will not only sell, manufacture souvenir products, but will create a name as a design and merchandize developer and exporter, with headquarters based in Cebu.
Aldeguer, who is set to leave for London this coming September 2005 as the Filipino finalist in the Global Search for International Young Design Entrepreneur of the year (IYDY), believes that one of the few niches left for the Philippines to combat the threatening world competition is on the design capability.
Cebu for instance, had already taken ground as the home of new generation world famous designers, such as Monique Lhuillier in fashion, and Kenneth Cobonpue in furniture.
"We are now taking a new avenue for our business in Island Souvenirs, which is to capitalize on Filipinos' sharp ingenuity, that has a huge potential to compete in the world," Aldeguer told The Freeman in an interview.
With this new venture, ISI is positioned to accept design requirements for different lines of merchandize especially for hotels, resorts, and retail outlets worldwide.
"This is an opportunity for us to nurture our good designers here, and further develop their talents," Aldeguer said.
ISI has been able to penetrate the international market, through its International franchise venture, with outlets in Saipan, Hawaii, Macau, United States, among other countries.
Aldeguer hopes that this venture and his participation in the Global search for international young design entrepreneur would pave the way for a more established design industry in the country.
He mentioned that Cebu had been banking on its design edge especially in furniture, as it positioned to become a "design center in Asia" although it has not really been magnified in terms of (strong) government support, as well as worldwide promotion.