Author Topic: Setting the Trend: Mario Florig Cirujales  (Read 2275 times)

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Setting the Trend: Mario Florig Cirujales
« on: June 25, 2007, 11:23:06 PM »
BY LOY M. PALAPOS
Bohol Sunday Post

Island City Mall has greatly enhanced the lifestyle of Boholanos. Since it opened three years ago, it has become a big stakeholder for development. Not only is it a catalyst of change, it is also a source of pride. An Engineer-friend and his Nurse-wife, flying back to Tagbilaran with all their children, including the married ones, to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary, were awed at the sight of ICM building and expressed his impression by blurting out, "I am proud of being a Boholano."

For indeed, Island City Mall is a source of pride for every Boholano who knows how to appreciate progress and development. The even-increasing hordes coming to the most modern Mall in Bohol can attest to this acceptance of ICM as a part of their lives.

Years before, people flock to the beaches on weekends, especially on Sundays. Now, they have found a more fulfilling and super-leisurely venue for the whole family, at lesser expense. A week-end Mall habitué once quipped: "Sa una, kaadlawon pa sa Domingo, nagsugod na mi'g sugba, luto sa pagkaon, preparar sa mga dad-onon, kay maligo sa dagat. Pagbalik sa balay, manghipos, bisan kapoy kaayo kay tibuok nga adlaw nga napagba sa adlaw. Karon, relax na. Ang akong kamanghuran nga kwatro anyos, maoy mag-una ug ilis, sakay dayon sa awto, kay adto na sa ICM. Adto mi mokaon, either sa Jollibee or Chowking, unya manan-aw ug sine, adto sa World of Fun, samtang ang akong Mrs. nangumpra. Mouli mi pagkahuman na ug panihapon. Pag-abot sa balay, relax lang gihapon, way samok sa huna-huna."

ICM celebrates its third anniversary on June 26 (Tuesday) with a series of activities starting June 20. This corner believes it appropriate to feature one of those responsible for making ICM sail smoothly. The Operations Manager is that person who can tell the buying public the kind of customer service Island City has been fostering, and what the plans are, especially that the Mall is now acknowledge as a trend-setter.

Mario Florig Cirujales (MFC) was obliging enough to spare 20 minutes for this interview.

LMP: Did you plan to become an Operations Manager?

MFC: It never came into my mind that I will be a Manager.

LMP: We understand that it was not really a very pleasant life when you studied, how did you survive?

MFC: I came from a humble beginning. I had to find ways educate myself through working in different establishments.

LMP: Meaning to say, you were a working student?

MFC: Yes, since first year High School until I graduated in College. Even if I was a working student I chose DWC because I wanted quality education. During that time, even if I was working and studying at the same time, I also made it sure that my academics would shine.

LMP: This experience that you had as a working student, what did it do to your life? Did it dishearten you? Did it discourage you? Or, inspired you instead?

MFC: It inspired me. Poverty is not a hindrance to success.

LMP: When you were young, were you that ambitious?

MFC: I was ambitious. Because even if my resources were not promising, but I really dreamed of something better. It was not just an ambition for ambition's sake, but I liked to improve my life.

LMP: What course did you take?

MFC: I took up BSC, major in Accounting at the Divine Word College (now Holy Name University).

LMP: When did you graduate?

MFC: I graduated in 1985.

LMP: What was the reason why you took up commerce?

MFC: Because if you are a commerce graduate you have lots of employment opportunities compared to other courses.

LMP: Did it come true? What I mean is, after graduation from college did you land on a job at once?

MFC: Yes. I rested for only for 2 weeks after I graduated. I was also fortunate because at that time it was the opening of the Alturas Supermarket Corporation Department Store.

LMP: What job did you have?

MFC: I started as stock clerk in the Department Store for 4 weeks. The Management noticed my performance. The General Manager himself chose me as his secretary.

LMP: Does it follow that even during that time the General Manager already has trust on you?

MFC: Yes.

LMP: At that time there was only 1 store?

MFC: Yes. At that time there was no HRD nor definite departments. Everything was not yet well organized.

LMP: How long did you stay?

MFC: I stayed for 3 years.

LMP: What were the reasons why you left Alturas?

MFC: I got a letter from a friend in Saudi Arabia that he recommended me to a job, and then he did not want a no answer.

LMP: When you went to Saudi Arabia did you find what you wanted to see? A lucrative job?

MFC: The pay was good, but the work atmosphere was not that good, because it was strange to me. We were all men in the company; they didn't allow women to be working together with men in the company.

LMP: What was the job you had?

MFC: As Sales Secretary.

LMP: Meaning you handled the correspondence?

MFC: Yes.

LMP: You did the job for how many years?

MFC: For 2 years. Even during my time with Alturas I already handled correspondence.

LMP: After that?

MFC: After that, I took the initiative of finding a better opportunity.

LMP: So you transferred to another company?

MFC: After 2 years, I was again hired directly by another company, with a higher pay.

LMP: How long did you work in the second company?

MFC: 3 years.

LMP: What was your job?

MFC: Computer Operator.

LMP: Where you already computer literate during that time?

MFC: I bought and studied computer by myself at home.

LMP: How long did you stay in your second job?

MFC: 3 years. Before my contract ended, I found another job in an American hospital.

LMP: What was your job in the hospital?

MFC: As hospital assistant assigned at the library.

LMP: How long did you stay in that job?

MFC: 4 years. I was 37 years old then.

LMP: What really prompted you to come back to the Philippines?

MFC: Because at that time I was still single and I had in my mind that I would never settle if I kept coming back to Saudi. And because there is no place like home.

LMP: You were 37 and still single. Did you marry right after you came back?

MFC: Not yet.

LMP: What was your job when you came back to Bohol?

MFC: I was offered the job of a Sales Agent in the Phil-Am Life Insurance.

LMP: Then, next?

MFC: Engr. Sarmiento offered me a job in the Engineering Department of the Bohol Provincial Government. I stayed there for 3 years.

LMP: After the Provincial Engineering Office, what was next?

MFC: Laoag International Airlines as Station Manager in Tagbilaran City.

LMP: How long?

MFC: 1 year, until it stopped its operation.

LMP: After that, where did you go?

MFC: Bohol Tropics.

LMP: Afterwards?

MFC: I decided to come back to Alturas.

LMP: When you came back, did you believe that you already had the managerial skills that you are having now?

MFC: I was really hesitant if I could handle the job, because I was already told that I would be hired for that position. I'd never showed to the Management that couldn't make it.

LMP: Were you given enough training before you assumed the position?

MFC: Yes. I was exposed to Plaza Marcela for several months, I also assumed as Branch Manager of Alturas-Talibon.

LMP: Let's talk about ICM. The 2nd anniversary theme was "Changing Lifestyle." Was there an impact?

MFC: Yes. People started to dress-up appropriately when they came to the Mall. The way they look, and their personality have improved, and also the shopping attitude. In the downtown stores, at 9 o'clock in the evening, mingaw na. When we told the public that the "Mall is open until 12 midnight", it turned out that it was well accepted by the people.

LMP: What is now the turn-out of customers, is it increasing?

MFC: Yes. 2007 vs. 2006 the traffic count increased by 30%.

LMP: How about the Car park?

MFC: It is also increased by almost 20%.

LMP: Now is the anniversary days of ICM, there are lots of activities that have been done. One activity is the opening of a restaurant. When was that?

MFC: The soft opening was last June 23, Saturday.

LMP: How was it received by the people who were there?

MFC: The people of Bohol have been looking for fine dinning in the mall. They liked it.

LMP: What is the name of the restaurant?

MFC: The Prawn Farm, specializing in grilled dishes and seafoods.

LMP: Would it be able to give what the people want?

MFC: Yes, because it serves a variety of seafoods fresh from the sea.

LNP: Is this the first time of restaurant here in Bohol which concentrates on seafoods?

MFC: I consider it's the first time, especially speaking of fine dining. We also have other cooking styles which are not offered in other restaurants.

LMP: In the entertainment side of ICM, the people understand that the expense is really big. Is it worth it?

MFC: The first year it was really a sacrifice for us to invest in marketing activities, but now it has paid-off. People come here not only to shop but also to have fun.

LMP: The theme for this year's celebration is: Setting the Trend. What trend has ICM set?

MFC: Shopping experience; we offer top brands found in Manila and Cebu Malls, which are not found in other stores in Bohol.

LMP: What contribution ICM will have for the future of Tagbilaran? What do you expect 10 years from now?

MFC: ICM really helps the progress of Tagbilaran. 10 years from now, we really hope ICM will expand. As we can see the Mall is really full of tenants, and customers. Many are still inquiring for spaces. We also receive suggestions from the customers that it's time for us to expand sooner.

LMP: Whatever the customer says, do you believe that it is always right?

MFC: Yes, based on our studies and analyses. We give what the customers need. We set the trend.

That Mario Cirujales has literacy and figuratively gone a long way before he became the Operations Manager of Island City Mall, is an information not shared by many, for he is not a man with propensity to blow his own horn. The silent type who runs deep, he has undergone the various vagaries of life; then, he can't just be intimidated the way the unschooled and the unexposed coyly is. He has experienced more than enough to make himself a sturdy fellow unfazed by seemingly hard-core obstacles.
Mr. Cirujales comprehends the complexity of his job. It's the entire public who is his judge of his performance; therefore, he understands he has to always keep his best foot forward, and keep on setting the trend.

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