MANILA, Philippines — Ayala-led Generika Drugstores continues to attract franchisees to make affordable and quality medicine accessible to Filipinos,
In a statement, Generika said that its brand ambassador Dimples Romana has opened her first store in Nasugbu, Batangas.
“In my entire career, this is my very first time to franchise with one of my brands. And that says a lot about my trust in the brand. I trust the people and I believe in what we want to achieve here,” Romana said.
“Full disclosure: This is not part of my package as an endorser. This is really an initiative of our corporation to really get into the business,” she said.
The actress emphasized that the partnership with Generika Drugstore aligns with her values of serving families and communities, especially those in need.
Romana has partnered with her close friends Rowena Lindayag and Danica Domingo to form LIAHDO (Lindayag, Ahmee, and Domingo) Corp. for the franchise of the Nasugbu store.
Domingo said Generika’s commitment to affordability and patient care resonated with her, making it a perfect fit for their community’s needs.
Lindayag, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of addressing misconceptions about generic medicines and how Generika Drugstore continues to prove its value in providing high-quality and affordable healthcare solutions.
“We need to constantly remind people that efficacies of branded and generic medicines are just the same, expect that what we offer here in Generika Drugstore are significantly more affordable,” she said.
Aside from LIAHDO Corp., Generika pointed out that the drugstore’s ability to create value for the community has been a factor attracting its franchisee.
An example of this is Orven Rivera, brother and business partner of singer and celebrity Ariel Rivera, who sought not just a viable venture, but also a bridge to serve his community when he returned to the Philippines after years of living in Canada.
“Generika Drugstore was the right fit for us because they had a mission that resonated with our ideals. And when you have values that align, it naturally translates into trust. And when you have that trust, it gives you more drive to succeed. And when you have that drive, it’s easier to make relationships not just with your team, your staff, but with the community,” he said.
Rivera highlights how their stores in Metro Manila are able to provide affordable healthcare products, create local jobs, and support community initiatives because for him, they’re not only services but also actual lifelines for countless families.
Similarly, long-time franchisee Pearl Cambronero considers Generika Drugstore not just as a business but as a legacy of service to her communities in Negros Oriental by providing access to quality affordable generic medicines and by building a strong relationship with both partners and customers through her consistent implementation of value-added healthcare services in her stores for almost 13 years.
“We offer Plus Services, and that is ‘Libreng Konsulta’ with partner doctors, which we do once a month, as well as the efforts of our frontliners who regularly provide ‘Libreng BP’ in our stores. These made us stand out among our competitors and left a lasting mark in people whom we have helped,” she said.
Meanwhile, the simplified franchising it offers is also another factor recognized by its franchisees.
For Christian Galang, who joined the franchise in 2023, the support system of Generika Drugstore, coupled with the reputation of the Ayala ecosystem, removes the guesswork of franchising.
“I see their integrity. I know that they are honest and fair to their partners. Very straight. When you say that a company is Ayala-owned, you have no doubts,” he said.
Similarly, siblings Felicia Trinidad and Fausto Tirona III of MegaFran Corp., who have been part of the Generika Drugstore family since 2012 said it all started out on a chance encounter with the idea of franchising, eventually growing into a meaningful business that has positively impacted the communities they serve.
“It may have been by chance, but I would still pick it because I find Generika Drugstore as a quality brand. The design and business model are very solid for franchises. That’s why we decided to open more stores,” Tirona said.
Generika Drugstore is part of Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Ayala Corp., that aims to provide Filipinos access to affordable, quality healthcare.