Pampanga’s hardware honcho

When his parents put up their own supermarket in Pampanga, young Jaime “Jack” Uy immediately recognized that glass doors were not the only ones opening there but also opportunities for him to do something significant with his life.

From working as a bagger and cashier in the family business during summer, then 19-year-old Jack went on to take his favorite pastime of watching movies to an entrepreneurial level by starting his own eponymous video shop inside their supermarket.

“That was in 1983,” Jack said. “Since there were many American servicemen then, who were, like me, fond of movies, I decided to put up Jack’s Video.”

Jack’s Video became a household name in their town, especially as it helped provide inexpensive and worthwhile entertainment for the people during the tragic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 which drastically affected their province.

After a while, people who frequented his store began asking for more than just movies recorded in betamax and VHS formats. According to Jack, the demand for TVs and other electronic accessories surfaced, hence his decision to convert his small video shop to an appliance store.

Today, this is where his main business, Sentine Development Corp., finds its specialty. Under two trade names, Saver’s Mart and Saver’s Digital Hub Appliance Depot, Sentine is a retail and wholesale enterprise which has made appliance dealership its point of excellence.

“We always think of something new for our customers, especially as we know their needs when it comes to technology. I personally think this keeps them loyal to our services,” said Jack, President/CEO of Sentine.

“For instance, we are the ones who pioneered a means for OFWs to purchase products from Sharp, Sony, Samsung, GE, and other international brands through a tie-up with DBP and RCBC. The items, which they could pay either in cash or by installment, are then safely delivered right in front of their doorsteps, in whatever part of the country their homes may be.”

Further, Jack said that appliances sold in his shops come in economical deals, with warranty, which then “spares the customers from the hassle of looking for spare parts if ever the appliances they purchased through us broke down because we also provide them that service.”

The famous Saver’s Mall in Angeles City is also under Jack’s business line. From being the first ever mall in Pampanga, it has now transformed to a specialized mall for home appliances.

Saver’s Mart, on the other hand, has, at present, 17 branches strategically located in the booming areas of Central and Northern Luzon, the latest of which is in Edsa, Quezon City.

An earnest mogul in his own right, Jack, has coupled his entrepreneurial success by founding the Saver’s foundation, which gives assistance to deserving employees and their beneficiaries. The foundation has since funded the education of 100 elementary and high school scholars.

Among his other businesses are the Angeles City Cable Television Network Inc. (Chairman), Comclark Network and Technology Corp. (Chairman), Angeles City Golden Fortune Marketing Inc. (Chairman), J.A.D. Saver’s Development Co. Inc. (President/CEO), Saver’s Line Foods Corp. (Director), First Savers Food Plus Corp (Vice President), and Fortune Tea House Inc. (Chairman).

On Oct. 8, Jack Uy will be honored by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III as an Inspiring Pampanga Entrepreneur, an award given by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship as part of the Go Negosyo sa Pampanga slated at the Bren Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando.

Go Negosyo sa Pampanga is part of PCE’s latest campaign, the Go Negosyo Caravan, which aims to bring Go Negosyo forums and expositions in key cities in the country. The  Caravan has already visited Cebu, Bacolod, Baguio, and Manila.

Go Negosyo sa Pampanga is presented by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Major partners include Pagcor, Globe, Hyundai, San  Miguel Corp., Splash Corp., PLDT, Smart, RFM Corp., Unilever, The Philippine STAR, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Manila Bulletin, GMA Network Inc., RPN9, NBN4, Aspac-Law and Creativoices Productions.

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