SPEECH ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2010 CEAP
CONVENTION AND THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY
OF REX BOOK STORE, INC.
(September 22, 2010 6:30 PM, Pacific Grand Ballroom,
Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City)
Atty. Dominador D. Buhain
President, REX Book Store, Inc.
Good evening to each and everyone. It is an honor and privilege to be speaking to you as the President of REX Book Store, Inc. on the occasion of the 60th year of its business existence coinciding with the 2010 CEAP Convention here at the Waterfront Hotel.
This hotel is memorable to me as this was the venue where I was elected as President of the Asia Pacific Publishers Association (APPA) last June 18, 2010. APPA is comprised of 16 member-countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea.
I could vividly recall that at the age of nine, on the occasion of the death of my father Dominador Maño Buhain thus leaving my mother a widow, a visitor made an apprehensive remark probably based on our sad looking appearance: “Ano kaya ang mangyayari sa tatlong batang ito?” ( referring of course to me and my two brothers).
I could vividly recall also that after that death of my father, there were two suitors of my mother, a Chinaman- the owner of a bookstore at the left side and an Ilocano from Zambales – the owner of the bookstore at the right side of the then REX Book Store which was during that time engaged in the buying and selling of second hand books.
My mother was correct in choosing the Ilocano who proved to be a real father to us and a successful business partner. He was no other than Mr. Juanito Fontelera who was fondly called “Manong.”
When he entered into our lives, to quote my son Don, he did not only save my mother from the burden of being a widow. He also saved the three brothers and practically all of us.
The query of the visitor during the burial on what would happen to us was answered by the entry of this person.
It is unfortunate or maybe heavenly coincidence that on the occasion of the celebration of the 60 years of REX Book Store he can no longer be with us as he left this world to join his Creator.
The plateaud business was resurrected and during the time when the family attended the course on managing family corporation at the Asian Institute of Management, we were able to unearth the behavioral traits that brought about harmony in the family and stability and growth of the business. We were able to cull our values which are love of God, love of country, good morals, leadership by example, maximizing time and resources, cleanliness, orderliness, hard work, word of honor or palabra de honor, entrepreneurial spirit, lofty ambition, habit of saving, education, humility, dignity of labor, industry and promptness.
Though the business was resurrecting, it once again met another misfortune which was the fire which destroyed everything except one prayer book “God Save Me.”
As an offshoot of this misfortune, I had to resign from the bank where I was working and armed with that deep desire to resurrect business, I, together with Mr. Chino Febre decided to sell our publications across the archipelago, armed with the prayer book.
My first sale was with Sister Esther Granados, RVM of St. Mary’s School of Quezon City and Sister Natalie of Regina Carmeli in Malolos. I received likewise the favorable endorsements of Sister Milagros Ycasas of St. Paul School, etc. and other schools.
The fact that the son of the owner is the one selling proved to be helpful in soliciting order.
While satisfying the aspiration to resurrect the business after that fire, I took up law at the Ateneo College of Law and subsequently passed the Bar. It nevertheless did not stop me from selling our publications.
One of the law schools’ deans here in Cebu City even told me: “Here in Cebu City, you are not dignifying your law profession by selling books instead of being a law practitioner.”
Such remarks, however, did not deter me from setting high goals for REX Book Store.
I am fortunate that with the values cascaded even to the third generation under the leadership of my son, Don, such brought forth substantial innovations leading to humble business growth until this point in time.
I am therefore thankful that the client schools where REX Book Store started have been with us until now. This celebration is therefore dedicated to all of you.
I would like to end my message with a quote from Oprah Winfrey, an American television host, actress, producer, and philanthropist when she said: “The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance – and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning.” (Oprah Winfrey, O Magazine, September 2002).
Thank you very much and enjoy the rest of the evening.
At this point also, may I invite Monsignor Gerry Santos here on stage for a ceremonial toast to our partnership.