Author Topic: One-on-One with Consuelo Damolo Mapa (Supervisor, National Bookstore)  (Read 1399 times)

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By Loy Palapos
Bohol Sunday Post

Literacy is always a national concern. By this is meant not just the basic capability of reading and writing, but the capacity for analysis and reason; thereby paving the way for development.

Massive are those who believe that people who read are more informed than those who don't, and that non-readers have lesser chances of advancement. A well-informed country knows its direction, in the same manner that a knowledgeable individual is highly competitive in the modern world.

In the hierarchy of establishments that justifiably serve the public, even in the business sense, the National Bookstore leads the rest of its kind in offering more opportunities for a better life. When it opened in 1941 along Avenida Rizal in Manila, no one would have thought it would spread all over the country, and even go international. This is exactly what is happening, with its 97 well-placed branches in the Philippines, and the opening of an outlet in Hongkong. With the public acceptance it now enjoys, National Bookstore would continue to dominate the consciousness of Filipinos in terms of their search for progress.

This is an interview of Mrs. Consuelo Damolo Mapa (CDM), the Supervisor of the local branch of National Bookstore, which opened at Island City Mall three years ago. She has been with the establishment since her college days, when she worked as a Sales Clerk full-time, and studied during her off-duty hours.

After more than 20 years, two children (ages 17 and 16), and being married to a Cebu-based junior executive, Mrs. Mapa is very much a part of National Bookstore.

LMP: What made you decide to be employed in National Bookstore 20 years ago?
CDM: Actually, Sir, I was looking for a company nga maka support sa akong studies before.

LMP: So, you were working at the same time?
CDM: Yes, Sir. Ang National Bookstore man gud known na nga minimum ang pagpasuweldo.

LMP: So you were a full time student and at the same time part time employee?
CDM: Actually, part time student and full time employee.

LMP: What year was that?
CDM: 1987

LMP: What was the first designation?
CDM: Sales clerk, in the sales department.

LMP: Where was this located?
CDM: Mango Avenue Branch in Cebu. The first branch sa National Bookstore sa Cebu.

LMP: At that time unsang year pa ka sa college?
CDM: Second year.

LMP: Part time ka until your graduation in what year?
CDM: 1990.

LMP: Wa ka mangita ug laing employment after graduation?
CDM: Wala na.

LMP: Was there any promotion?
CDM: As a cashier in 1990. In 1994, Section Head sa Receiving section. In 2000, I was a Management Trainee. After a year, nahimo ko nga Assistant Manager.

LMP: The same branch?
CDM: Yes. The same branch.

LMP: Sa Mango? Wa ka pul-i?
CDM: Ang Mango Avenue duol-duol sa among balay. In 2004, gi-transfer nako diri.

LMP: Since the very beginning, ikaw gyud ang nagdala sa National Bookstore dinhi? Now, unsay naa sa National Bookstore as a means of public service? How does it differ with the other establishments in the same line of business?
CDM: Anang mga books nato sa children for example, they can stay there for as long as they like. Pwede magbasa ang mga bata, as long as dili lang gision ang mga pages. Dili pud nila pangtang-tangon ang mga stickers. Kay bayran man gihapon na sa parents.

LMP: What else? What other advantages are there at NBS?
CDM: Also, sa atong service, if ever naa tay customer, naa nato ang item pero wala pa kintahay mahatod, especially nga 500 sq. meters lang ang naa sa atong branch diri; so if ever naa silay gusto, ato lang i-accommodate and we can order it from Manila or Cebu branch.

LMP: So definitely, if the stock is not here, if somebody needs it, you can have it flown here.
CDM: Yes, Sir. We can always do that.

LMP: What can you consider as the specialty of National Bookstore? Would it be books, novels, or…?
CDM: Actually, books man gyud ang pinaka best. Definitely, textbooks gyud ang labing kusog.

LMP: Pero, I noticed you also sell office supplies.
CDM: Mas daghan gyud sa branch ang office supplies.
CDM: Seventy percent sa branches supplies ang nagdala. 30% ang books contribution.

LMP: What are some of these marketing strategies that you have made? Labi na karon?
CDM: Actually, existing na 7 years ago ang Laking National.

LMP: What is this all about?
CDM: This is a loyalty card, nga para sa mga loyal customers, when they can have membership for only 100 pesos. Good for 3 years gyud na, Sir.

LMP: What is the use of this card?
CDM: Every time nga mopurchase ang mga members sa National Bookstore, they can use their card and they can earn points. Every point, ma-convert na siya into E-purse. That is Electronic-purse. 1000 points is equivalent to P10 nga E-purse. Kadto nga E-purse, modaghan, kay makita man to sa ilang resibo. So once nga dako na ilang E-purse, e-encourage pod na namu nga gamiton as payment.

LMP: So it could accumulate?
CDM: Yes. Accumulate everytime mopurchase sila. Ang student sad nato, has only 60-peso membership fee.

LMP: Pero anybody could. Like in my case puwede, magpamiyembro ko karon?
CDM: Labing maayo. Then also, puwede rag ikaw ang magpamember, but your wife or your children, makagamit sa card.

LMP: Is this transferable?
CDM: Not transferable. But it could be used by any member of the family. Pero inig gamit na nimo sa imong E-purse, ikaw ra gyud ang mo sign. 1000 points is equivalent to P10, P1 is 1 point. Like if mupalit ka ug P100, naa nakay 100 points.

Every October, anniversary sa National Bookstore, naa tay mga freebies for the members. Like this year, atong gipanghatag sa mga members mga diaries or planners.

LMP: That would be at the beginning of the year?
CDM: No, October. October 1 to 31.

LMP: So when does your year begin?
CDM: Wala man siya'y year. Month lang. So anytime of the year, magamit siya. Every year, maghatag mi ana to the members pero dapat nga mupalit sila ug 1000 single or accumulated. One in every 1000. So if naa tay member nga naka purchase ug 3000, makadawat siya ug 3 planners. Nagahimo sad ta ug booksale every year.

LMP: When was the last booksale that you made?
CDM: August 15 to September 16. One month.

LMP: And then, pila man ang discount?
CDM: Up to 65% pero selected. 65% kay nag-65 years naman ang National Bookstore. From 10 to 65%. That's every year.

LMP: What else?
CDM: Last month, naa tay 10% sa assorted mga supplies nato. Actually, mga participating suppliers lang ang mga miapil, dili gyud tanan. Also everytime nga mo purchase ka ug item nga naay color purple, naa kay 10% discount.

LMP: Is it there everyday?
CDM: Just last month. Naa pod ta again last month nga 10 rims plus 1 rim.

LMP: What is that?
CDM: Like sa papel, if you buy 10 rims, naa kay free nga 1 rim. This was within the month of October.

LMP: Naa pay lain?
CDM: Naa pod tay children's reading fair. Ika-third year na nato na siya karon. Every year na siya.

LMP: So unsa may mga benefits nga gipanghatag?
CDM: Naa pod tay discount ana. Every time mopurchase ka adtong mga selected books, children's books, naa kay 10%. Sa Manila, nindot adto kay naay story telling, scrap booking, ug ubang mga activities, Sir.

LMP: Lets talk about National Bookstore in general. Can you recall when National Bookstore started to operate?
CDM: If I'm not mistaken, 1941. The first branch was Nanay Coring at Avenida. Naguba to siya sa bagyo pero nagpatukod ug usab.

LMP: Where was the first branch in Cebu?
CDM: Mango Plaza. In 1987.

LMP: Was that also the first time nga ming trabaho ka?
CDM: Yes, Sir.

LMP: So how many National Bookstore outlets are there in the country today?
CDM: As of October, 97 branches .

LMP: Then in foreign countries?
CDM: Nag-open na ang Hongkong branch.

LMP: Since when?
CDM: September.

LMP: Going strong? Still expanding?
CDM: Yes, definitely.

LMP: Here in the country?
CDM: There's one about to open in Taytay, Rizal, next week.

LMP: What are some of the reasons nga wa man gyud ka mobalhin og laing katrabahuan?
CDM: Lahi man gud ang National Bookstore, Sir. Magsugod gyud ka sa ubos hangtod nga nag anam ka ug saka. Hatagan gyud ka nila ug chance.

LMP: How is business today in Tagbilaran?
CDM: So far, nag increase man gyud ta. Hinay hinay lang.

LMP: You've been here for 3 years?
CDM: Mag 3 years karong November 24.

LMP: Ang clientele is increasing.
CDM: Yes, of course.

LMP: If you have any idea, how many employees has National Bookstore in the entire country?
CDM: Approximately, mga 3000 plus.

LMP: Sa usa ka branch, usually like here in Tagbilaran, pila kabook?
CDM: Actually, ang regular nato is 16 only.

LMP: Would that be the same number kung mag open anywhere?
CDM: Depende sa area sa store.

LMP: It seems that you are at home with National Bookstore. Will you be staying with National Bookstore until retirement?
CDM: Yes, of course. I'm very sure of that. Kapoy na mobalhin. Not unless mo- abroad ta.

LMP: How about the reading habit of the Boholanos? Do you find it kuwang pa?
CDM: Medyo kuwang pa. But makita man gyud nimu, Sir, kay maklaro man namo ang mga regular customers kay mao may magsigi ug balikbalik. With the steady increase of our clientele, we can always say that we have contributed to the reading habit and literacy of Boholanos.

Enticing the top management of National Bookstore to open its first branch in Bohol was a study in persistence. The initial contracts resulted to a number of prerequisites, highlighted by a socio-economic profile of the Province of Bohol and the City of Tagbilaran. This only proved that National Bookstore cannot just be had for a song; that compliance with its standard requirements is only the first step in its time-tested formula of business acumen.

It took a giant conglomerate like the Alturas Group of Companies to persuade another giant book and educational supplies corporation to come to Tagbilaran City. Now, the two are on a partnership to help uplift the cerebral prowess of Boholanos. And the joint venture is obviously bearing fruits.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=6409.0
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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