| Gerry Chua |
Ever Precious and beautiful: The Story of Mr. Ube’s life Bouncing checks, family woes and a wildfire of rumor-mongers were the problems that met then eighteen-year-old Gerry Chua to Eng Bee Tin (Ever Precious Beauty), their family’s decades-old hopia business. Several years later, however, Chua is now among those in Chinatown who have every right to tell and re-tell a colorful business history.Although success stories of Chinese people’s entrepreneurial ventures are not new in the country, Chua’s tale is apart from the rest as it is heavily glazed with a huge amount of persistence, will power and, of course, innovation. In fact, Chua could not help but beam with great pride every time he recalls moments when he had to wait for a Chinese exporter in one corner of Binondo so he could offer his goods. Notwithstanding rejection one after the other, he would still insist on developing his product so that he can finally get the much coveted ‘yes’ from this person. Because using corn oil has not given him the desired distinct taste he was looking for, he tried using other ingredients to make sure he gets a cut above the rest in hopia-making. Using his favorite ube halaya, he made a variation from the more common mongo flavor. Like most new things, however, Chua’s masterpiece also became inert recipients of raised eyebrows. But when celebrity host Cory Quirino notices and eventually featured his product in her then famous show, the young Chinese entrepreneur finally saw the end of their family’s financial crisis. To this day, Eng Bee Tin has been offering a wide range of hopia flavors. From traditional mongo to their ‘gold mine’ ube and several other hearty combinations of flavors that are distinctly Filipino, it is truly living up to its brand equity of being the home of the best hopia in the country. To his loyal customers, Gerry Chua is Mr. Ube - the fabricator of the sweet and delectable delicacy which appetizing feat can not be compared elsewhere in the world. As a testament, his outlets across the metropolis and his number of distributors that made Eng Bee Tin products available in convenience stores and supermarkets, are still growing. Other than the famous ube hopia, his Eng Bee Tin label is now also offering quality frozen products, Filipino treats, processed seafood, and even breads and cakes. Despite modestly giving little recognition to his innate business acumen, he is proud to say that everything he is reaping today are just fruits of the good deeds he has sowed several years ago. A fire volunteer who has been braving the odds and dangers of fire-fighting since he was a young man, Chua said he feels good in helping people. Other than risking his own life, he has also thought of a way to better help his community. Aside from buying two fire trucks which he painted purple, reminiscent of the ube halaya which brought him enormous luck, he also put up Café Mezannine, a restaurant which its entire profits are solely devoted to fire volunteers. Needless to say, he is now well enabled to financially support his comrades in the fire-fighting scene. Because of the inspiration he has drawn not only in his immediate community but in the city of Manila as well, the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship awarded him as one of Manila’s Inspiring Entrepreneurs at the Go Negosyo sa Manila last September 7, 2007 at the Philam Center for the Arts, UN Avenue, Manila. Spearheaded by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III, this event is part of the ongoing Go Negosyo Caravan. Because of Chua’s flair in the business, Eng Bee Tin products are not only available locally. The company is also one of the biggest international exporters of Hopia, delivering to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the USA. Truly, the company’s zest for innovation, which its owner and president initiated, persists to this day. Wanting to keep its roots, Eng Bee Tin remains in the same spot it has occupied for over ninety years. It is definitely an indelible landmark in Ongpin, serving as a living testament to its still thriving market. Go Negosyo sa Manila is presented by Globe, PAGCOR, Hyundai, PLDT, Smart, Chinese Filipino Business Club, Philamlife and RFM Corporation. Other partners of the event include The Philippine Star, GMA Network Inc., RPN9, NBN4, Aspac-Law, Creativoices Production, Ideal Minds Corporation, and Full Circle Communications. |
