“They’re bright and accomplished. They’re family; we trust them and they will do well,” says Michelle Ongpin of her cousins who are now part of the business.
It all began when tycoon Roberto Ongpin invited his nephew Eric Ongpin Recto to join his company. Today Recto is Ongpin’s right-hand man and heir apparent. Recto is president of ISM Communications, vice chair of PhilWeb and Alphaland Corporation and director of PBCom bank.
Lately five cousins and an in-law are helping in Alphaland’s expansion.
Rafael A.S.G. Ongpin, project development executive and online executive of PhilWeb Corp. He heads the Marina Bay development, its yacht club and Alphaland’s marine assets, including the landing craft and smaller vessels.
For Philweb, he led the marketing tacks for such business units as the e-Games casino café, internet sports betting stations and mobile betting. A former media executive and broadcaster, he has recently written three coffee-table books for big corporations and on Bukidnon.
Jose Luis W. Ongpin, director for procurement and logistics. His job is purchasing anything from steel rebars to towels and service contracts. Jay is planning the logistics of Balesin which he says will “define Alphaland.” “It’s unique because you will see the most luxurious beach destinations in one island that’s never been seen before. We flew the architects to Europe and Asia,” he says.
A stockbroker and financial consultant, he won the Millionaires Club Award (1999 top 10 in sales volume) from the All Asia Securities Management Corporation and Marketing Professional of the Month (top salesman) in Toyota Alabang (1997).
Juan Gabriel Ongpin, executive vice president of Tabacalera Incorporada, the country’s oldest cigar manufacturer. Aside from the cigar divan in Alphaland Southgate, there are plans to set up tobacco lounges in the City Club of Makati Place and Balesin and to promote cigars as a must-buy souvenir from the Philippines. He is also tasked to conceptualize the food and beverage projects for Alphaland mall operations.
Marianna M. Ongpin, director for property management. She is tasked to manage the Southgate mall and tower, providing better customer service and cost-effective operations.
In San Francisco, Juan and Marianna owned and managed the franchise, Beard Papa’s Sweets Café in Northern California which became the top area developer in the US in sales.
They also developed a sausage and beer restaurant concept, World Sausage Grill, which was in The San Francisco Chronicle’s Top Bargain Bites in 2004 and 2005.
Earlier, they managed a high-end souvenir store in Fisherman’s Wharf and were suppliers to the Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons gift shops. Both have backgrounds in investment banking, securities and finance trading.
Joanna Ongpin Duarte, retail consultant. With her retail experience, she’s helping in the leasing and merchandise mix of Alphaland’s upcoming malls. For Southgate, she is planning the improvements including a food strip with an open café.
“I’m slowly beautifying the mall from the parking lot upwards.”
She is president and chief designer of Big & Small Marketing Co. Inc. which has clothes for maternity, children and tweens. Her stores have won several Merchant Reward Store Awards from Ayala Malls for store operations, visual merchandising and marketing partners.
Caroline Ongpin, marketing supervisor. The youngest of the brood, she works on the website and other corporate design projects. She studied fine arts at the University of the Philippines and took a summer course at the Art Student’s League of New York. She has participated in several group exhibits, facilitated in children’s art workshops and is an accomplished athlete and licensed diver.
On her first job, she’s getting a reality check. “You have to ascertain with everyone and have it approved. Mistakes can cost money.” Marge C. Enriquez
