All about Toyz

US President John F. Kennedy once said, “When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters — one represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.”

Vilma Santos is a classic example of an artist who turned crisis into an opportunity. It is common knowledge that there was a phase in the Star for all Seasons’ life when she had to work doubly hard to surmount some financial problems. Vilma is now one of the most successful celebrities in town. She is also making waves in politics, first as mayor of Lipa and now as governor of Batangas.

Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore had a turbulent childhood marked by alcohol and drugs. She was a little girl lost. She made a successful shift from being a troubled teenager to an actress, producer and director. Among the movies she produced are Charlie’s Angels, 50 First Dates, Music & Lyrics, Lucky You, He’s Just Not That Into You and Grey Gardens among others.

Toyz Café president and CEO Mel Macasaquit was certainly able to turn crisis into opportunity. Just half a decade ago, right after quitting his job as pilot, Mel conceptualized a brand inspired by the Formula I racing cars in the hope that it would go global one day.

Penniless at that time — he didn’t even have enough money to ride public transport, let alone buy anything for his birthday — Mel nevertheless believed in his dream and thought of ways to get out of the rut.

Nowadays, Mel can look back on those days with a smile. Toyz Café has become such a huge success, churning out a magazine, a chain of restaurants and soon, a movie.

Of the four, Toyz Café has proven to be his most lucrative venture. Toyz Café has recently opened its fourth and biggest branch at The Fort. Like the other Toyz Café on Carlos Palanca St., Makati City, inside Crowne Plaza and the one at Lancaster Suites Condo Hotel along Shaw Blvd., the latest resto-bar caters to Manila’s elite crowd who gives Mel good business not only through patronage but word-of-mouth endorsement.

And it seems Mel will get his dream of going global, too. In a recent interview, he revealed that his company is already working on opening a fifth branch in Singapore, and then another in San Francisco, USA.

It’s not success without design. Mel ensures that anyone who visits Toyz Café is treated like royalty. An Italian chef prepares the food which is at par with the best global restaurants.

The ambience is conducive for the market it targets. There’s not much activity in the bar — no loud disco music, no angry cover bands, no flamboyant comedians. That’s because Toyz Café wants to be known simply as a place where people with common interests could have a nice conversation with a drink in hand, or one where they could meet and make new contacts.

The Toyz brand has evolved into merchandising items which will soon be sold in all Robinsons branches. A “scent” (as in perfumes and colognes) line has also been introduced in the market.

And it doesn’t stop there. Mel says he is already finalizing plans to produce an indie movie that would tell the success story of Toyz. Although the movie starring Jennifer Lee will be crafted as a sexy comedy meets “Fast and the Furious,” it will ultimately be inspirational; a story of people beating the odds to emerge triumphant.  Just like Mel and Toyz.

Asked what tips he could give dreamers like him, he says, “Just keep working towards achieving your dream and doors will open for you like magic.”

Mel believed and dreamed but he did not just survive. Mel won.

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