This group helps Pinoy entrepreneurs achieve their big dreams

MANILA, Philippines - There used to be a time when micro-small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were relegated to the side and left to fend for their own. Nobody took notice of their pioneering efforts and struggles, despite their number.

In 1997, however, home-grown MSMEs were eventually given a chance to shine with the emergence of the First Filipino Franchise Federation (F4) which later became known as the Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. (AFFI).

The organization was formed by seven visionary entrepreneurs who wanted to do one simple thing — help intrepid Filipino entrepreneurs with their bold ideas and big dreams.

The seven entrepreneurs who started AFFI were Bob Juan of Labandera Ko, Franchise Guru Armando ‘Butz’ O. Bartolome of GMB Franchise Developers, Tony Cruz of Pancit Malabon, Jorge Wieneke of Potato Corner, Teresa Laurel of Goto King, Pacita Juan of Figaro, and Ricardo Z. Cuna of Milkin’ Corporation (Fiorgelato Ice Cream and Art’s Cream Gallery).

Cuna is currently the two- time AFFI chairman while Laurel is still a member of the AFFI Board of Advisors composed of Teresita ‘Tess’ L. Ngan Tian of Lots’ A Pizza, Estrelita ‘Bards’ Lapid- Montanido of Chicharific! by Jee Lapid, Erlinda ‘Lyndah’ Bartolome of GMB Franchise Developers. The AFFI President is Paulo M. Tibig of VCargo Worldwide (Vintel Logistics) while the vice president for finance is Josephine See of Peanut World, vice president for membership is Gilbert Jim of Shanghai Siomai and Bubbatealicious, secretary is Freda Co of Rice-in-a-Box, and auditor is Kamela Seen of Plato Wraps. AFFI’s PR head is Bards Lapid-Montanido while marketing head is Joel L. Cruz of Aquabest (GQWEST). 

One of the effective ways by which AFFI helped Filipino entrepreneurs was through the Filipino Franchise Show it mounted yearly.  The event became a venue to introduce and showcase up-coming home-grown business ventures concepts for both aspiring entrepreneurs and the consuming public.

Later on, AFFI consolidated the power of its annual franchise show to encourage more Filipino entrepreneurs to join the association and attract potential franchisees to invest in their time-tested business systems and brands.

More important yet, the AFFI show also served to renew and invigorate the Filipino entrepreneurial spirit by giving them a venue to test and showcase their products and brands.  With an association that gives them all its support, Filipino entrepreneurs not only developed more confidence in making their bold ideas known to the public but also devised strategies to make their business a success.

As a testament to AFFI’s success and that of its Filipino Franchise Show, the group expanded exponentially to over 100 credible and reliable member establishments now from its original seven founding members.

Today, AFFI plans to further build on its success to brighten the prospects not only of franchising but also of seeing more Filipinos get into business. AFFI two-time Chair Cuna said Filipinos are “natural entrepreneurs because they have creative minds and a unique business savvy that usually makes for successful brands not only in the Philippines but also abroad.”

“Being part of AFFI is largely more for advocacy, and not for profit only. We are very happy, however, that we have brought up brands that have become successful. There are Filipino brands that are now becoming popular abroad. For us, that is our reward,” Cuna stressed.

As it celebrates the 10th year of the AFFI show, Cuna, along with other officers of AFFI, aim to further help boost the Philippine economy by turning franchising into an attractive investment for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), young entrepreneurs with limited capital but have the numbers to create a business, cooperatives, and those in the provinces who dream of expanding nationwide and overseas.

With the current anemic health of the economy, Laurel said starting a business from scratch is difficult especially if an entrepreneur does not have sufficient capital “to develop a product, brand it, market it, sell it, and grow it.”

Franchising, Lapid- Montanido explains, allows aspiring entrepreneurs to benefit from tested and proven products and business plans without having to develop them by themselves. By investing a minimum amount, usually a fraction of what it would cost to start a business from scratch, Filipinos can already have their own business and earn decent profits.

“I think franchising is still a good option. Many still want to franchise, especially now that we have problems with our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) because of what happened in Japan and the Middle East. (Franchising is) the other option for returning OFWs because they don’t know how to start (their own) business,” AFFI Board of Advisor Teresita L. Ngan Tian and Lots’ A Pizza owner said.

Looking forward, AFFI seek ways and means to help protect both franchisors and franchisees and the industry itself.  It now pushes for rational franchising rules and regulations the state must formulate.  AFFI also strongly urges the government to become a signatory to the Madrid Protocol which would allow Filipino businessmen to have their trademarks and brands registered abroad without extra costs.

Apart from protecting industry members, Tibig also reminds AFFI members or would-be franchisors that getting into business just to be able to franchise should not be their only goal.

“Getting into business should be fueled by the desire to offer a product or service that will help other people live better lives. Franchising is only a means to share these products and services to reach more Filipinos nationwide,” he explained.

Knowing more about doing business and franchising is something AFFI can offer to interested Filipinos.  It is a noble advocacy. After all, helping home-grown companies succeed is a reward and a goal for AFFI and its annual franchise shows.

AFFI will be staging the 10th Filipino Franchise Show on July 21-24 at the World Trade Center featuring the best and the brightest homegrown franchise concepts and brands in the country today. For inquiries, call please (02) 5068883 or 09175182334, or send email at [email protected] or visit www.affi.com.ph and www.franchiseshowphilippines.com.