Author Topic: Interview with Dr. Ligaya Dumadag Escalona  (Read 1805 times)

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Interview with Dr. Ligaya Dumadag Escalona
« on: March 28, 2008, 10:15:14 PM »
By Loy Palapos
Bohol Sunday Post

Hundreds of Boholanos leave their homeland and seek the greener pasture elsewhere, in the same manner that there are those who come here from different places, and have found home in Bohol. The motivation could be business, the profession, or by affinity. In the case of Dr. Ed Trompeta Escalona (ETE), all three merged. The tri-pronged reason was a beacon light to make him a Boholano.

As a businessman, he is one of two franchise holders of Julie's Bakeshop in Bohol, the other being former Talibon Vice Mayor Robesito Aurestila. This year, he and his wife, Dr. Ligaya Dumadag Escalona, were elevated to the Hall of Fame after being named Outstanding Franchisee of the Year 2007 (also in 2005 and 2006) by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA).

Dr. Escalona is the incumbent Executive Vice President of the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), with some members of the Board wishing he would make the presidency of the Chamber a try, but which he is not very enthusiastic about. He is also with the Lions club and a few other organizations like the Bohol Medical Society; but it is his affiliation with the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) where he displays a personally total involvement. For two years he was its Chapter Head of BCBP-Tagbilaran South, where he made use of his exposure to the corporate world in an organizational leadership and style that left nothing to be desired.

Bohol will host the 28th Annual Celebration of BCBP on April 4-6, 2008. A heavy task was placed on his shoulders, that of spearheading the Ways and Means Committee as Chairman. True to form, he can deliver.

LMP: You are a professional, a businessman and a Christian all at the same time, is there no conflict between business and religion?
ETE: Wala man, Bro. I think it's just a matter of aligning ourselves. I feel that the business world is given to us by God to serve other people and be a blessing at the same time. Usa pa, even if you earn millions, there must always be a percentage to be given back to God.

LMP: As a Doctor and a businessman, is there no conflict of interest?
ETE: If your priority is money and success, there will definitely be conflict of interest. But if your priority is doing God's will, wala gyuy conflict.

LMP: Did you have this attitude before you join BCBP, o namugna lang ni because of BCBP?
ETE: It's not really totally BCBP; you mature through the years. It's just that BCBP gave me the proper environment on how to become a better individual.

LMP: When you first ventured into partnership with Julie's, nagsugod na ba na nga concern? Or, was your first motive on how to make your business grow?
ETE: Before, the first concern was money. But later on, I realized that there are things that can't be equated with money. Like labor… how you got the business, and how you worked for it. It's knowing that this is one form of service that gets you going.

LMP: Right now, unsa man ang gi-prioritize nimo, your profession or your business?
ETE: Pareho ra siguro, Bro. Right now, since I'm already 50, I could say that I'm more concerned with the mission and vision of BCBP.

LMP: How about your family?
ETE: With my children, I always teach them the importance of serving God and be significant to the lives of other people.

LMP: When you became a Doctor, did you also think of becoming a businessman?
ETE: No. The only reason I wanted to become a Doctor was to be rich. But later on, there were things I encountered nga naka-engganyo nako to enter the business world. And realize money is not everything.

LMP: Were you an original member pag-abot gyud diri sa BCBP?
ETE: No. Second batch na ko. BCBP came here sa Bohol in 1991, I joined in 1992.

LMP: What was the reason you joined BCBP?
ETE: Being a Doctor, I felt like a God. Surgeon pa gyod ko. Lahi ra man gud sa uban nga field. On my part, kon operahan nako ang pasyente, mora'g naa sa akong mga kamot ang decision if that person will live or die. Until later I realized the limits of my humanity. Aduna naman goy mga casualties. There were some cases nga wala na koy mahimo. It's not about negligence, naa lang gyoy mawala.

There were times nga I felt like I was not in control anymore. But it's just a part of growing up. BCBP is a very good arm in evangelizing me, and the others.

LMP: When you entered BCBP, pila na imong anak?
ETE: Duha na.

LMP: After joining BCBP, were your outlook and attitude changed?
ETE: Yes. Especially with regards to discipline, and realizing the fact that I'm not in control of everything.

LMP: What other organizations are you a member of?
ETE: Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lions Club and member of the Bohol Medical Society.

LMP: One of the trend karon is mag-Doctor, then mag-Nurse. Did you ever think of that aron molangyaw?
ETE: Yes. In fact, nag-start pod ko ug eskwela because of that. But, I lost focus because I was already with BCBP. Later on, upon reflecting, I realized that it was not the right direction.

LMP: Karong panahuna, naa pa ba gihapon ang huna-huna nga mo-abroad?
ETE: Wala na. Muadto na lang para mag-bakasyon, dili mag-trabaho. My home is here.

LMP: What is your focus now?
ETE: Ang legacy nga ikahatg nako sa mga bata. After mahuman ang mga bata, rest na, passive income na lang siguro.

LMP: Do you feel blessed nga you're a Doctor, and you married another Doctor? Because in the Philippine setting, once a Doctor marries another Doctor, they are financially stable.
ETE: Sa akong experience, if you are lucky enough, you can be a millionaire at the age of 60.

LMP: In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, can you say nga naabot na nimo ang self- actualization?
ETE: I'm still on the way. I just go with the flow of what God wants in my life.

LMP: What is the upcoming National Convention of BCBP for? What can the participants get out of it?
ETE: It's actually a realization that we are not a small community. We all are doing this one to attain the mission and vision of the organization.

LMP: Let's go to the Be Honest campaign of BCBP. Based on what you have achieved, can you say that you are 101 percent successful?
ETE: No. To achieve the vision and mission of the organization, you really have to be honest and even live by example.

LMP: Do you not find it hard to be honest all the time?
ETE: I don't want to be brutally honest to the point nga insulting na ba. Being a good Christian is a hard struggle. Daghan ka ug mga butang nga gusto himuon but then you would remember nga this is not the way it is done as a good Christian. Aduna gyud ginagmay nga mga reservations.

LMP: So, as far as your future is concerned, what is your projection?
ETE: As a Doctor, mora'g semi-retired na ko. As a businessman, karon, I want to move forward, to be significant and share my blessings to others. As a Christian, to live by example. Pwede ni sila tanan magduyog without conflict.

LMP: What is your guide in life from the very beginning nga imong nasubay hangtod karon?
ETE: Think God all the time. If there are some things nga mora'g nagduha-duha ka, put yourself in God's shoes and ask if ikaw ni Lord, what will you do? At the end of the day, review what you have done; ask what is to be done the next day. You'll never be sure, but later on, makita nimo ang consequences sa imong devotion.

Godliness in the market place, that's Dr. Ed Escalona's obsession. He knows the pitfalls of the crusade, but there's no holding him back. He is totally convinced that profit is not the only objective in practicing a profession and doing business.

His voice is not anymore a voice in the wilderness, for there are many now who believe in corporate social responsibility. These concerned businessmen and professionals know their priorities, while acknowledging that when God does not will it, nothing happens.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=11187.0
Romans 10:9
"That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved."
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