Doyee Tumpalan: The proud Filipina
March 26, 2006 | 12:00am
She makes it a point to wear her terno on formal occasions, especially when speaking in front of people from all over the world. She never misses an opportunity to gush about the promise of our people. She dreams that every region in the country can be featured in her catalogue. Yes, First Quadrant Philippines Inc. (FQPI) president and CEO Rhodora "Doyee" Tumpalan-Tactacan is a proud Filipina through and through.
It could very well be argued that with the success FQ has received ever since it was founded, this patriotism has reaped a whole lot. FQ has over 800,000 members worldwide with branches in places like Milan, California, Canada, Dubai, Sydney and Hong Kong. "It (FQ) was conceptualized to revitalized the shoe industry. The success was really a bonus. I never imagined in our first year that it would be able to have 800,000 business associates." She is constantly surprised with how thankful people are with her and FQ whenever she visits her branches or when she goes abroad. "Sometimes I ask myself, ‘Did I really do this’?" Doyee says with a smile.
Doyee goes even further when she describes FQ and multi-level marketing as an industry as something that would come naturally to Filipinos. "We were born networkers. We have cariño," Doyee asserts. Actually, Doyee believes that the Filipino can achieve so much more if we weren’t so hampered by a lack of discipline and cultural leg-locks such as crab mentality. "There are so many people with so much potential. It’s a shame how most of us can’t be disciplined and successful in our very own country."
Perhaps, being largely optimistic can also help. "I believe that it is only in letting go of all negativity (whether in thought or in deed) that we are able to live fully and freely." She goes on, "I have never focused on all the negative things that have been said and written about me." Doyee’s FQ has had its share of controversy.
"I am focused. I just look to wherever I want to go and where I would like to be. Maybe that’s the secret to success," she says.
Doyee was nominated for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year last year. She was also one of PEOPLE Asia magazine’s ‘People of the Year’ in 2005. This month, she was chosen, along with personalities like Vicki Belo and Rissa Samson, to be part of a campaign for Lady’s Choice.
She says she has a lot more plans for First Quadrant. Their 7,000-square meter Hypermall in Ortigas is slated to open in May. With it, Doyee says that "inevitable expansions" are sure to follow. One particular thing she and FQ want to focus on is on their product list. "We want to offer more products that deal with health and wellness. We started last year with First Vita Plus, an all-natural drink, and we are looking into launching vitamins by this year."
She also attributes a lot of her success to her parents. "The most important thing that I learned from my parents (Dolorfino and Dory) is passion. You cannot buy that."
Doyee also learned from them how to be always natural and to be true to herself. She is also the great-great granddaughter of Philippine shoe industry pioneer Don Laureano Guevara.
"Be proud of who you are. I am Filipino and I am proud of it. My catalogue reaches all over the world. They know it is made in the Philippines and I will always be proud of that."
It could very well be argued that with the success FQ has received ever since it was founded, this patriotism has reaped a whole lot. FQ has over 800,000 members worldwide with branches in places like Milan, California, Canada, Dubai, Sydney and Hong Kong. "It (FQ) was conceptualized to revitalized the shoe industry. The success was really a bonus. I never imagined in our first year that it would be able to have 800,000 business associates." She is constantly surprised with how thankful people are with her and FQ whenever she visits her branches or when she goes abroad. "Sometimes I ask myself, ‘Did I really do this’?" Doyee says with a smile.
Doyee goes even further when she describes FQ and multi-level marketing as an industry as something that would come naturally to Filipinos. "We were born networkers. We have cariño," Doyee asserts. Actually, Doyee believes that the Filipino can achieve so much more if we weren’t so hampered by a lack of discipline and cultural leg-locks such as crab mentality. "There are so many people with so much potential. It’s a shame how most of us can’t be disciplined and successful in our very own country."
Perhaps, being largely optimistic can also help. "I believe that it is only in letting go of all negativity (whether in thought or in deed) that we are able to live fully and freely." She goes on, "I have never focused on all the negative things that have been said and written about me." Doyee’s FQ has had its share of controversy.
"I am focused. I just look to wherever I want to go and where I would like to be. Maybe that’s the secret to success," she says.
Doyee was nominated for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year last year. She was also one of PEOPLE Asia magazine’s ‘People of the Year’ in 2005. This month, she was chosen, along with personalities like Vicki Belo and Rissa Samson, to be part of a campaign for Lady’s Choice.
She says she has a lot more plans for First Quadrant. Their 7,000-square meter Hypermall in Ortigas is slated to open in May. With it, Doyee says that "inevitable expansions" are sure to follow. One particular thing she and FQ want to focus on is on their product list. "We want to offer more products that deal with health and wellness. We started last year with First Vita Plus, an all-natural drink, and we are looking into launching vitamins by this year."
She also attributes a lot of her success to her parents. "The most important thing that I learned from my parents (Dolorfino and Dory) is passion. You cannot buy that."
Doyee also learned from them how to be always natural and to be true to herself. She is also the great-great granddaughter of Philippine shoe industry pioneer Don Laureano Guevara.
"Be proud of who you are. I am Filipino and I am proud of it. My catalogue reaches all over the world. They know it is made in the Philippines and I will always be proud of that."
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