Speech on the Occasion of the Presentation of the Best Quality
Circle, Committee and Individual Awards
In the past it was the AVP who was announcing the quality circle winners. In view of the fact that he was appointed as head of the Market Enhancement Group (MEG) born out of necessity, prudence dictates that I assume this function.
Pursuant to the proceedings in the annual report, Top Management believes that all the quality circles should be commended for complying with the desired expectations.
All of them are interdependent with one another but one cannot succeed without the other.
Considering that the Product Research and Development Group (PRDG) under the leadership of Ms. Do Salvacion has to reckon with external factors which include the cooperation of authors which may or may not be forthcoming, it did considerably well in view of the improved overall business performance brought about by the improvement in the number of products processed.
They can, however, stand improvement in view of the surplusage of priority titles as predetermined . Can we therefore give them a round of applause.
Though they may not be affected so much by external factors as discussed above but with the rightful machine, manpower, leadership, the Operations Improvement Group (OIG) under the leadership of Ms. Liza Cruz (who manifested during the recently concluded annual report on her detailed knowledge of the works under her group) did well as they responded 100% to the desired expectation. Can we give them therefore a round of applause.
The REX Book Store, Inc. (RBSI) Accounting Department under the leadership of Mary Ann Ada (which is an integral part of the Financial Systems Improvement Control Committee (FISICC) under the leadership of Bebot Griño) unveiled and rectified a gargantuan procedural defect which would bring forth substantial savings to hopefully offset the huge losses incurred during the preceding years.
As a double whammy, the same unit brought forth resolution to a recurring and interminable problem by presenting an updated income statement even prior to the close of its accounting period.
The other work unit in the group did well especially on cost-cutting and enhancement of efficiency. The breakthroughs made by this quality circle is indeed a pacesetter as it broke the status quo. Can we give them therefore a round of applause.
The Educational Materials Division (EMD) under the leadership of Clifford Caceres which is an integral part of the MEG led by Mr. Don Timothy Buhain was confronted with the issue on whether or not to follow the ethical considerations for the industry’s stability or to succumb to selfish consideration to obtain a bigger sale in the market. The quality circle adopted the first course of action which would mean cancellation or relinquishment of existing and projected book orders involving several millions of pesos not to mention the desired repercussion on the financial expectations of the entire staff and management of the REX Group of Companies.
MEG, however did not lose heart as the younger generation took the cudgels to offset the losses of the elderly generation of the EMD.
The Tertiary Materials Division (TMD), Legal Materials Division (LEMAD) and the Government Materials Division (GMD) were motivated to maximize their respective performances. Present and future product lines of existing units were harnessed. Other entities were organized to add more product lines. Affiliates which included New Republic Book Store, Inc. (NRBSI) were invited to the quality circle.
The moribund state of ROAC appears to be given a new lease in life by hopefully coming up with projects meritorious of international recognition and support that would satisfy the cultural and educational objectives of the foundation. The confluence of these breakthroughs inevitably brought forth positive sales performance notwithstanding the obstacle earlier cited. Can we give them a round of applause?
As in every contest, no matter how competent, brilliant or qualified the contestants may be, one or some nevertheless would excel over the others. In law there is a Latin quotation: “Primos interpares,” meaning the best among the equals.
Top Management went beyond the usual criteria. It added innovativeness, creativity, performance of extra mileage to the point of breaking the status quo and more importantly the extent of impact to the business.
In view of the following considerations, it is my honor and pride to declare FISICC and MEG to be the winner of the Best Quality Circle Award for the year 2003.
May I take also this opportunity to give recognition to some committees like the Fact-finding Committee, Copyright Committee. Due to the sensitive nature of their functions requiring nondisclosure of their identities, they will not be called upon to the stage. There is an assurance, however, that the head of both committees will receive both recognitions tonight. Last but not the least, may I be privileged to announce the recipient of the individual special award to Ms. Mary Ann Ada.
May I call on Mr. Juanito Fontelera to give the award.
From the President’s Desk
The undersigned wishes to commend the leadership and membership of the various committees for the efforts being exerted to approximate the successful hosting of the Asian Pacific Publishers Association’s (APPA) General Assembly on August 11-13, 2004:
Mr. Jerry Catabijan (St. Mary’s Publishing, Inc.), Chairman of the Sports and Recreation Committee spearheaded a seminar entitled “How To Prepare a Successful Bid” on September 10-11, 2003. The Abiva Publishing House served as a venue while Mr. Miguel Voloso acted as facilitator.
He is once more taking a lead on the holding of the Badminton Tournament on November 30, 2003. The sport appears to be popular as it is drawing the participation of not only the associates of the member-companies but the owners as well.
Ms. Florinia Espiritu Santo (ABC Educational Products) as Chairman of the PEPA-APPA Committee and Jorge Garcia (Abiva Publishing House) as Vice-Chairman have lined-up several projects which include but not limited to: “Sa Aklat Sisikat” raffle” , the “Dance for a Cause” affair, the “Bookay-Bookay” sale, etc.
Ms. Nila V. Mata (SD Publications) and Ms. Edna Tupas (Academe Publishing) have been appointed recently as Chairman and Co-Chairman respectively by the Board for the forthcoming Christmas Party on December 17, 2003 and the General Assembly on January 31, 2004.
Dr. Juanita Guerrero, Chairman of the Board of Advisors with members Fr. Richard Varela and Mr. Roberto Cruz have outlined the general framework of these two affairs.
The undersigned has lately sent a communication to the membership appealing for financial assistance for the forthcoming APPA General Assembly through the adoption of the following schemes:
- Those who shall be able to contribute $1,000 or more shall automatically be entitled to the Dr. Ernesto Y. Sibal Gold Award;
- Those who shall be able to contribute $500 or more shall automatically be entitled to the Jesus Ernesto R. Sibal Silver Award;
- Those who shall be able to contribute $250 or more shall automatically be entitled to the Miguel Picache Bronze Award.
The same shall be awarded in an appropriate ceremony in the course of the holding of this international event.
Any contribution or pledge of contribution that shall be made by a member in connection with the above-cited appeal may exempt the company which he/she represents either wholly or partially from any PEPA-APPA related fund-raising activities.
Incidentally, the Outreach Committee under Board Secretary Roberto Cruz is about to come up with the desired printing materials directly responsive to the Sadanga Literacy Project.
Allow me therefore to take this opportunity to express my thanks to all PEPA members for playing pivotal roles in supporting the varied activities designed to strengthen the cooperation and camaraderie among the educational publishers which is a conditio-sine-qua non to help ensure the successful holding of an international event.
Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!
KEYNOTE SPEECH ON THE OCCASION
OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF REX-CEBU
(October 17, 2003)
The decision to open REX-Cebu (Store) on October 17, 1983 was indeed no walk in the park. It took myself and Mr. Chino Febre 17 years after my graduation from college in 1966 to visit the nook and cranny of Visayas and Mindanao before finally deciding to open the Store.
Schools like the University of Southern Philippines, University of Visayas would suggest that if you want to improve your orders, an accessible store was indispensable.
True to what they said, the orders have gone up and gone up. The store, however, was confronted by another difficulty: dishonesty, mismanagement, each one trying to outdo one another characterized the period from 1983 to 1992 or a period of nine years or a total gestation period of 26 years.
Every time I would visit the Store, I was apprehensive that problems would be presented.
Certainly, like night following day, when I visit the Store, problems are presented and as the days, months and years pass by, they became compounded, trebled and quadrupled.
After providing palliative measures after each visit, I would leave the Store with a heavy heart knowing that during the next visit, problems would again be reported (just to exemplify the magnitude of the problems). There was even an occasion when I was not allowed to enter the premises even though I own the building.
Despite the wild, wild, west condition of the Store, I nevertheless asked permission from my parents Mr. & Mrs. Juanito Fontelera to put up REX-Davao under the leadership of Ms. Lourdes Dicipulo to be assisted by husband Eddie Dicipulo to hopefully counteract the Cebu situation.
It has also been my contention that if I have savings, I would rather invest it on something that would benefit the mother company, REX Book Store, Inc.
During 1993 when I was bent on closing the Store and that the building would just bbe rented out, Ms. Amabel Quijano visited me in REX-Recto. She was wearing shorts and she was comparatively slender then. Being loquacious and talkative, she premised our conversation by stating that she had already finished with her masters.
We ended up with me offering and she accepting the leadership of the Store.
True to her pronouncement, she instituted reforms in management especially in the rigid control of the cash flow and that there must be check and balance at all times. It has been her contention eversince that managers should never have access to cash. Any form of dishonesty no matter of insignificant should not be given a chance.
Such corrective measures brought about good morale among the staff which consequently brought about phenomenal growth in sales. Until this point in time, REX-Cebu is the number one seller in this area.
I’m happy to take note that the management of t he Store s adopting also the Japanese way concerning longevity of stay of the associates.
In view of the effective leadership in tandem with Lourdes Dicipulo, Management was inspired to put up REX-Iloilo in 1994, REX-Cagayan de Oro in 1997, REX-General Santos and REX-Tacloban in 2002, and God willing, REX-Palawan, REX-Bacolod, REX-Zamboanga, etc.
With this Cebu experience, the success of an endeavor depends on good leadership. My prayer is that the values instilled by our parents Mr. & Mrs. Juanito Fontelera together with the values middle management has inputted would be transferred to our successors.
Thank you very much.
ATTY. DOMINADOR D. BUHAIN
General Manager/Franchisee, REX
Book Store – Cebu
President, REX Book Store, Inc.
Executive Vice-President, REX Group
of Companies
Annual Red & White Ball
20 February 2003
NBC Tent, Bonifacio, Global City
Fellow Bedans, relatives and friends:
I and my family are truly honored with the recognition bestowed upon me today. As an average student from Grade 1 to 4th year intertwined with minor academic recognitions in the elementary years and a recipient of loyalty gold awards, never did I realize that I would be given this honor by my alma mater.
After I finish at San Beda, I studied in other schools such as the De La Salle for my degree in Business Administration and Ateneo for my degree in law.
During reunions, I notice that not only Bedans are more intimate with one another but they appear to be more professionally and materially successful. In fact, I came to learn that some of the tall buildings here in Fort Bonifacio are owned by my classmate. He was likewise an average student. Another owns the largest fishing fleet. He was likewise an average student and was even discharged from school because of misbehavior.
These success stories are replicated in practically all my classmates. There is no other conclusion but to say that Bedans are winners. Thank you very much.