A ‘hairy’ talk with Pin Antonio

Pinning down topnotch hair artist and businesswoman Pin Antonio for a sit-down interview can be quite a challenge. Especially since sprightly (and sprite-like) Pin is always on the go. She rushes to and from one project to another, from one salon to another, with as much accuracy and agility she devotes to her acclaimed haircuts.

Indeed, she wields comb scissors with powerful precision. After all, Pin, the woman behind the continuing success of the Salon de Manila chain, is also the pioneer and main exponent of Precision Cutting in the country.

Make no mistake about it, though. Although she can very well afford to slow down and take it easy, Pin is still a hands-on boss in the hair biz — still very active in the scene, still much-sought-after by her prized clients. "People who go to my salon get surprised when they see me cutting hair," she gasps. "They shouldn’t get shocked because this is my job! They should be more stunned if they see me hammering things!

"Pin hollers throatily, her characteristics good humor, pleasant nature, and heartfelt laughter echoing in the room.

Unlike other successful salon owners who have given up and turned in their scissors, Pin still personally cuts, colors, pampers, and primes her regulars. Those yearning to experience the unique Pin Antonio touch only need to call her central booking office at the Salon de Manila outlet in Legazpi Village Makati, 893-1309 or 08, courtesy of Janet. "A secretary in the Legazpi salon will make the appointment for you," Pin affirms. Just make sure to call way in advance because Pin’s waiting list is good for two months.

Once a customer makes an appointment, she will be rest assured to have Pin herself doing her tresses in any of the salon‘s six outlets, whichever one is nearest and most convenient for the client (Makati-Legazpi, Makati-Salcedo, Banawe-Quezon City, Tomas Morato-Quezon City, Blueridge-Quezon City and Alabang in Muntinlupa).

See, it’s not really impossible to pin down Pin for an appointment. Pin, in fact, doesn’t see herself quitting anytime soon because she has found her true passion, her true calling in the salon biz. That’s exactly the secret of her amazing success as hairstylist for the past 20 years and of Salon de Manila as a business for the past 22 years.

"Number one, of course, is my relationship with the Lord," she enumerates her trade secrets. "Number two is my passion for my work. That’s one of the many things I’ve learned through the years. That you should never lose your passion, your fascination for your job. You should always be inspired."

Her clients, in fact, always commend Pin for remaining upbeat and cheerful even after a hard day’s work. (She usually starts her day at 11 a.m. and calls it a night after working on at least 10 or so clients around 9 or 10 p.m.) "They ask me what my secret is," Pin pipes in. "How I manage to remain so energetic and enthusiastic even late at night. I just tell them it’s because I sincerely enjoy what I am doing."

Indeed, she derives pure bliss and extreme pleasure at the sight of a satisfied client. "That’s my happiness," she relates, "when I see a customer glowing, smiling from ear to ear." And it doesn’t stop there. Even long after their appointments, clients call Pin on the phone to personally thank her and congratulate her for a job well done. "They feel so great because their husbands complimented them on their new haircut," Pin enthuses.

According to lifetime partner Sonny Magundayao, it is fairly common for Pin to receive such appreciative phone calls from regular clients. "Every day, she gets such feedback," Sonny confirms. "She gets her strength from such positive comments. These energize her." She also tries to remain constantly in touch with clients. "Unlike others who don’t build a friendship with their customers," Sonny explains. "Unlike others who don’t do follow up calls."

"I myself check on them," Pin remarks. "I also have a secretary who would call on them once in a while. If there are any problems, they can come and see me once again. Or I’ll teach them how to fix it themselves."

Personal service and/or total care–that’s the main difference Salon de Manila offers. To maintain Salon de Manila’s high standards, Pin still personally makes the rounds, visiting each of her six (and counting) outlets all over the metropolis. "We have worked out a system that allows me to spend an entire day in each of the six salons."(Since there are two Salon de Manila outlets in Makati, she visits the Legazpi and Salcedo salons alternately).

On such salon visits, Pin herself takes charge of the staff’s continuing and never-ending training, passing on everything she has learned from her annual schooling at the Vidal Sassoon and Toni & Guy centers in London. Precisely because she has very exacting demands on herself and her staff, it cannot be avoided that Pin would sometimes feel tired or depleted, especially after a stressful week.

"I’m only human," she acknowledges. "I’m not perfect." Which leads us to ask, what keeps Pin running? "I really believe it’s my relationship with the Lord that keeps me going," she replies. "When I feel down, I just close my eyes and pray. I thank Him for all the blessings He has given me. And after praying, I feel happy again!"

And all revved up to face another busy day once again. Just like the Energizer rabbit, Pin Antonio keeps going and going, seemingly impossible to pin down!