Get Customized!

At a tender age of nine, instead of playing around in the neighborhood, Charmaine Ong was at the working area, helping out in her family’s export fashion accessories company. Her exposure in the industry stretched her creativity and developed in her that entrepreneurial spirit.

Charmaine’s penchant for souvenirs and giveaways paved the way for a business venture which she nurtured since 1996 - Customized Giveaways. Just like any budding company, Customized Giveaways by Tropical Souvenirs International started small as a stall in Ayala Center Cebu, catering to baptismal, wedding and birthday souvenir needs. But it was in 2005, when the company opened its second cart store in SM City Cebu, that Charmaine finally went hands on with the business. It was then when she got her hands dirty. As a young blood, Charmaine started marketing for corporate accounts after discovering that it has a huge market share and in that way, she could keep the company visible.

The 28-year-old young entrepreneur continued to shop for goodies in China for her clients - lending and realty firms, call centers, big corporations - for anniversaries and of course, for Christmas. Customized memo pad holders, organizers, thermal mugs, calculators and pen holders are the common employee giveaways/incentives given during the holidays. Clocks, refrigerator magnets, key chains, pens, name it, they have it. Customized means that company logos are either laser engraved, silk screen printed, or dome tech stickers are used. They also use indigenous materials such as wood, tree barks and twigs as raw materials. One can get a key chain/stress ball for as low as P25, and the best part is, you can bargain!

Aside from manning the souvenir business, Charmaine also takes care of the mother company, Angel Whispers, a home handicraft accessories export company that utilizes indigenous materials. Christmas trinkets, mini Christmas trees, tie backs (curtain ties) and jar necklaces made from shells imported from Africa to go with exquisite jars are must-buys for the season.  

Charmaine is among those who make Christmas extra special and memorable through memorabilia and souvenirs her company creates. Her customized giveaways are also effective marketing collaterals.

Christmas is just around the corner so make sure to place your orders now since Customized Giveaways only gives a maximum of one month to process orders of a minimum order of 100 pieces. Visit the Angel Whispers at Warehouse 2, Sabalex Compouned, Diamond Street, Lahug with Tel nos. 412 2370/ 232 6275. They also have a stall in Greenhills’ tiangge located near the Chinabank entrance. Warning: The items in their showroom are great ideas to help you out this gift-giving season!