2 Ilonggos succeed in transport, hotel businesses

MANILA, Philippines – Joseph Vincent Go, owner of one of Iloilo’s leading transport service firms, tells the story of their company’s humble beginnings.

They started in 1975 with a single taxi unit. The responsibility for operation and maintenance of the taxi was divided among family members.

“I learned the trade of the transport business in high school. I have been business-oriented since I was a kid,” Joseph says, recalling that he was assigned to manage the money matters of the business.

When he finished his business administration degree, major in accounting, he took on greater responsibilities in the company.

In 1994, the family transport business was known as the Light of Glory Taxi Services. They had three taxi units.

As the business started to grow, problems brought about by competition also surfaced. Light of Glory Taxi Services was already operating 25 units of FX taxis when new models of Corolla taxis came out. The riding public preferred the new models and business became nearly stagnant.

The family thought of giving up the business, but Joseph told his family to be positive. He told his father that if customers wanted something new, then their business should adapt in order to continue.

Joseph proposed a switch from FX taxis to Corollas. His father gave in to his suggestion but instead purchased units of the less popular Kia.

Joseph continued to explain to his father the advantages of purchasing Corollas for their transport business. They eventually made the switch and Light of Glory Taxi Services was back in business.

Years passed and more investments followed to expand their enterprise.

Light of Glory Taxi is not only focusing on improving the quality of their taxi units but also aims to professionalize the industry by investing in a program that would educate and train their drivers and employees on customer relations and communication.

At present, Light of Glory Taxi Services has a total of 168 taxi units in Iloilo. Though Joseph is now the one running the business, he still consults with his father.

Joseph credits their company’s success to the will and determination of their family to keep the business running despite hardships, citing the importance of having the “guts to do it.”

He believes that entrepreneurs should never give up and learn to see opportunity from adversity.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Joseph gives this advice: “Be guided by available opportunities and be brave to enter it. An entrepreneur must have a thorough understanding of the business. He has to know how to manage the business, his competitors, the market, his money and his customers.”

“Reading good entrepreneurial books, investing in the mind, is also a great help. Be innovative – do not follow the trend. What worked in the past will not necessarily work in the present or the future,” he adds.

Sarabia’s success story

Known as one of Iloilo’s foremost landmarks, the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center continues its legacy of excellence through 30 years of service.

Like many other successful businesses, Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center started as a family business.

In 1978, Salvador Sarabia took on the responsibility of managing and running the family business after attending the Asian Institute of Management.

Apart from Salvador having no prior management experience, another major challenge in running the business was the turbulent times during the Marcos era.

The dictatorship and endless street demonstrations against it led to economic instability. Determination not to fail his parents and fear of failure were the factors that drove Salvador to keep going.

Since Salvador took over, he managed to complete the construction of the hotel, pay the financial obligation two years in advance, and run the enterprise for two decades. Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center was also recognized with the Kalakbay Best Hotel Award of 2000. Salvador owes all these to his family’s support, hard work, God’s blessings and timing.

He recounts that the hotel business entered a period when Iloilo City needed more hotel rooms, convention and conference facilities and entertainment, riding on the nation’s growing tourism industry. It was the time when the Development Bank of the Philippines provided soft loans and provided Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center with added capital.

As the business progressed, Salvador brought his siblings into the business, and they have contributed much to the development of the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center. At present, the hotel is being managed and run by the siblings as a family enterprise.

Salvador also started another personal business with the help of his wife. They put up the St. Therese Printing Press as their first business together. They also started a laundry business, car leasing, travel and tours agency. In 1982, Salvador and his wife opened their Villa Rosa by the Sea beach resort.

He said he owes the development of his enterprise experience to the support of his family, sound advice of his friends, spiritual development and to the balanced life that he lives.

Salvador shares these tips with young and aspiring entrepreneurs who would like to engage in business: “Business is a cycle. Like the season, it has to change. And we must learn to predict and adapt to changes. Developments are repetitive. Markets usually invent tools to make man’s living more comfortable. But it is the same.”

Awarding today

Joseph Vincent Go and Salvador Sarabia will be given the Most Inspiring Ilonggo Entrepreneur Awards today at the Go Negosyo sa Iloilo, the latest leg of the continuing Go Negosyo campaign spearheaded by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. Concepcion III, at the Rose Memorial Auditorium, Central Philippine University, Iloilo City.

Go Negosyo sa Iloilo is presented by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Iloilo Business Club chairman Antonio Jon, DTI Region VI director Dominic Abad and Taytay sa Kauswagan Inc. president Angel de Leon.

Go Negosyo sa Iloilo will also be graced by Presidential Management Staff chief Secretary Cerge Remonde, who is also chairman of the Cabinet Oversight Committee for MSME Development. Member agencies will also be present to reach out to participants.

Awardees were endorsed by the Iloilo Business Club, Micro Finance Council of the Philippines, and Taytay sa Kauswagan Inc.

Go Negosyo sa Iloilo is also made possible by major partners Iloilo Business Club, PLDT SME Nation, Smart Communications, Globe Business, Condura, RFM Corp., Ariel, Entrepreneurs School of Asia, and San Miguel Corp.

Go Negosyo also thanks its corporate partners: Splash Corp., V-cargo, Kettle Korn, and Iloilo Supermart; media partners The Philippine STAR, GMA 7, QTV 11, Philippine Daily Inquirer, ASPAC-LAW, Full Circle Communications, Select Media, Creativevoices, Idealminds, ABS-CBN Iloilo, MOR For Life! Iloilo, GMA Iloilo, Super Radyo Iloilo, and Campus Radio Iloilo; venue partners Central Philippine University and Amigo Terrace Hotel; government partners the President’s Social Fund, Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee-Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Department of Trade and Industry, Iloilo provincial government, and Iloilo City government; and the Ateneo de Manila University Graduate School of Business-Center for Continuing Education, Bennch Transport Services and Rent A Car and F & E Enterprises.