MikeLigalig.com

By LOY PALAPOS

There are varied reasons why a business enterprise prospers and soars. It could start with a well-scrutinized plan in a business-conducive climate. The organizational know-how, that ability to get the right people perform the right tasks commensurate with their abilities, as well as the formulation of a structure that functions systematically, always are an advantage. An adeptness at direction to reach a target is a mark of a true leader. And finally, the knack at evaluation and capacity to control the reins of entrepreneurship is a formidable deciding factor for success.

Several family-owned and controlled enterprises are quite successful in Bohol . On the other hand, a few disappear from the scene basically because of mismanagement. Among these establishments that have shown mettle in the competitive world of business is Du Ek Sam, Inc.

It started in the Municipality of Jagna, but now it is every where in the entire country. As a success story, credit goes to the entire family, and how the siblings regard their forebears. The culture of respect and love is a reason that can't be held circumspect in this case. Affection abounds in the family, and this is further manifested by the offsprings' regard for their parents. In the Asian context, this is not a rare phenomenon, where respect for the elders is a sublime virtue that has weathered countless of generations.

Today, giving matriarchal wisdom to DES (Du Ek Sam, Inc.) is Mrs. Melecia Uy-Du, the Chairman of the Board of the fast-growing corporation, a position she holds since 1979. Before this date, it was her husband, Mr. Eksam Du, who piloted the fledgling company, with her helping him, while raising their children. The passing away of her better-half changed her life. She had no choice but to take over where her husband had left off.       

Ma'am Mening believes in the Shakespearean line in “The Merchant of Venice,” when the ill-fated Antonio exclaimed, “The world is but a stage where everyone plays a part.” It is in this perspective that a performance in a lifetime is viewed, not with consternation, but understanding that the role people play are their own choices, albeit circumstantial events.       

Before the couple's venture into the appliance and motorcycle retail business, they were primarily engaged in copra trading, with Jagna as their primary source. It was then well thought-out as a lucrative business since they were directly exporting copra to the United States , Europe and a few other foreign nations. That was the time when the coconut industry was booming, because of its high prices overseas.

The business expanded, this time into hardware retailing, which was well-received by the community. Aware of the people's need for easy access to gasoline, they put up a gasoline service station. This too, was patronized by the motoring public, and those involved in motorized fishing and other forms of livelihood that require energy derived from oil products. Still catering to the needs of the Jagnaanons and folks of the neighboring towns, the enterprising couple put up a rice and corn mill.

The new business venture also gained the peoples' trust, because of its efficient service and honest dealings with their clients. At this time, all their business were in full swing, with Mrs. Du never disregarding the needs of their children.       Until a big blow fall on the coconut industry. This was during the Marcos years, when the government decided to regulate and control the coconut industry of the country. The most lethal blow came when a law prohibited copra exporters from directly exporting their stocks to foreign markets. Just like the rest of the copra exporters all over the nation, the Du couple were obliged to sell their copra to local coconut oil manufacturing firms at very minimal prices. This marked the death toll of the coconut industry of the Philippines .

They had to divert to another business venture. Thus was hatched the decision to abandon copra trading and convert to appliance and motorcycle retail, which required quite a hefty monetary consideration vital for the venture. It was a novel move not undertaken yet by anybody in the province. It needed focus and more guts to make it prosper. Nevertheless, the risks did not prevent them from pushing through with the project. To start with, the employees hired were mostly from Jagna and other places of Bohol , they being known for patience, perseverance, and honesty. These were the trusted pioneer manpower of what was soon to amaze the business world. Mrs. Du hurdled many trials and tribulations; meanwhile, she had to take care of her growing family. Her necessary travels outside the province required her to spend most of the time away from her family, especially her children. To a mother, it was a total sacrifice.

Divine Providence must have seen this ultimate sacrifice a loving mother could make. It did not take long when her efforts paid off. The 1970's was dubbed as one of the Golden Ages of business. The retail trading started to expand with different branches in Tagbilaran City and then Dumaguete City . At this time some of the children had finished their studies, and had passed their respective board examinations, and they helped managed the branches hands-on.       

On June 26, 1979 the business was incorporated as DU EK SAM, INC. – after the Chinese name of the founder, Samuel Du, with Jagna being the principal office. The incorporation encouraged them into further expansion to the nearby towns and cities of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Occidental, Siquijor, Leyte , Bukidnon, Camiguin, and the island of Panay.  The last five years withered the victorious feat of Du Ek Sam, Inc. The company received numerous acknowledgments and awards for maintaining its exemplary operation in the appliance and motorcycle retail business. DES was a recipient of the Kaunlaran Award, given by Sharp Philippines Corporation, for its distinguished sales performance and consistent growth achievement.

The Kawasaki Motors Philippines Corporation recognized DES as Top Performer Awardee for consistently achieving high sales volume of Kawasaki Motorcycles on April 24, 2003 and June 17, 2003 , respectively. In the year 2004, the company was also awarded Third Place of Top Ten Honda Motorcycle dealers on February 20, 2004 for attaining the highest sales among the dealers all over the country in 2003. Other awards followed: Top Sales Contribution Award by Sharp Philippines Corporation for exemplary sales performance and formidable growth achievement (April 20, 2004); Most Outstanding Area Sales Performance during the First Area Award for Central and Eastern Visayas (June 15, 2005); Top Provincial Dealer Award with Positive Growth for the fiscal year 2005, by Sony Philippines, Inc. (April 5, 2006); Recognition awarded by Honda Philippines, Inc. for indelible contribution to Corporate Social Responsibility, being a member of the society, and sensitive to the needs of the community and environment (May 22, 2006).

From a mother who raised well-rounded, successful and respectable children to a business icon, it was not an easy task to perform. But Mrs. Melecia Uy-Du did it well. After almost 50 years in the business and raising highly successful children: Medelyn, Edward, Gilbert, George, Marilou, Edsel and Wilson…she has proven her worth, dedication and commitment to the family, the people of Bohol, and its neighboring towns and cities in the Visayas and Mindanao. Giving employment to more than 700 Filipinos, 80% of which are Boholanos, is already a great accomplishment. Practicing the virtues of honesty, fairness, trust, and treating the customers as business partners, are just two reasons why Ma'am Mening is indeed a business icon to emulate.

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