The year of joyous vindication

A couple of years ago, I devoted a number of columns to highlighting women entrepreneurs making a mark in various business sectors. When possible, the added dimension of their being in what was traditionally a male bastion, gave added texture to the story. Lawyer Lyne San Juan-Ponferrada was one of those featured, as she had just been appointed president of the family-owned Commonwealth Avenue Hyundai and Nissan dealerships. Yes, her father, Amando “Amang” San Juan is a well-known figure in the automotive industry; but as the youngest in the family, and with brothers managing the then existing dealerships, such as the one on Quezon Avenue, there was a degree of trepidation on Lyne’s part.

One preeminent question nagging in her mind was whether she was right in jettisoning a legal career, having passed the Bar exams. She quickly moved to give her dealerships distinct features, the “Jet Service” guarantee being one of the primary moves, something she had to plan and collaborate well with the service and maintenance crews under her.

It’s heartening to now note that 2013 was a sweet year of vindication for Lyne, as both her Hyundai and Nissan dealerships were chosen “Philippine Dealer of the Year” in recently held festivities by the two automotive giants. The JD Powers rating system, which rates sales satisfaction via scores in sales, after sales, and a customer satisfaction index, saw the dealerships run by Lyne coming out on top. From the finance department, to HR, to customer relations and then sales, Lyne has had her progress through the ranks, before assuming the presidencies of the two dealerships, rewarded with these accolades. And don’t look now, but it’s not only at the dealership level that women have been making their mark, as nationwide auto distributors also have women at the top — two examples being Hyundai itself and BMW.

I asked Lyne if there was still some hankering for a legal practice, she smiled, “I don’t look back anymore at that. Having a legal perspective has been more than useful; but honestly, the challenge of taking on the business, and carrying on the proud tradition our father established, are true rewards in themselves. I’ll leave the active legal career to my husband (who works with PhilWeb and is a Law professor)!”

If she is bearing one regret at the time I spoke to her, it was that while their annual summer party for the Hyundai dealership came after they had the Awards Night at the Solaire Resort & Casino, her Nissan staff celebrated their summer outing calling themselves “Dealer of Choice” as the results of the Nissan scoring had not been announced yet. And I joked her that come Christmas time it’ll only make their celebrations doubly sweeter. For someone who feels her being a woman has only helped her corporate initiatives be more people-oriented, this kind of recognition is not mere icing on the cake; it’s joyous vindication that says she deserves to be where she is!

Come to the Cabaret!

For those who love the performing arts and those with a generous “heart,” the annual MMQ Theatre Group Le Cabaret Masquerade Night at Dusit has always been a red-letter day. Now on its seventh edition, the September 14th black-tie masked dinner is something to definitely look forward to.

Through the arts, the MMQ has always seen itself as a bridge between expats and Filipinos, a place where they perform, play and work together, with specific charities, initiatives and projects that favor disadvantaged women and children as beneficiaries. This year is no different, as MMQ joins hands with Rotary Club of Makati North to make this year’s Masquerade Night one that helps Feed a Child, Build a Nation — providing supplementary meals for over 100 malnourished children in two public elementary schools in Makati City.

Hosted by regular MMQ performer Issa Litton, this year’s Masquerade Night promises dance numbers, singing, theater excerpts and multi-cultural arts. The diplomatic community and business expats have always solidly thrown their support to the Night, and it would be great to see even more Filipinos recognizing the efforts of MMQ. And when I mention MMQ and the expats who are behind the theater group, know that these are right minded individuals who truly love the Philippines, and have integrated in various ways.

MMQ founder and president Michelle Washington teaches Theater Arts at the University of the Philippines. She has transformed her love of theater to a means to reach out, involve others from the expat community, and help the disadvantaged in this country she now also considers her “home.”

Raffle prizes are also a feature of the Masquerade Night. A mix of professional and amateur performers promises a night of entertainment and fun, and all for a worthy cause.

(Those interested to attend the MMQ Le Cabaret Masquerade Night, visit www.mmqtheatre.com, e-mail mmqtheatre@gmail.com or call 0927-3839517.)