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Kuan, Ma and Reyes

Chowking, Masuki and Aristocrat: All for the Filipino’s Love for Food


What makes restaurant chains stand the test of time? Nobody really knows for sure, but for Chowking, Masuki and Aristocrat, it is their deep understanding on what the Filipinos truly want that make them tick over the years.

robert_kuan2.jpgAfter an eight-year stint in his family’s food business, Robert Kuan decided to take matters in his own hands as he founded what is now the premier Chinese fastfood in the country.

True to its name, Kuan has made Chowking an outstanding leader among fastfood chains in the Philippines. It was in 1980s when Kuan acknowledged the fastfood niche which was dominated by Western culinary. So, he devised a program that would introduce popular Chinese food to the market and bring in Chinatown favorites like pancit guisado, bihon guisado and lumpiang shanghai to the commercial Filipino palate. In 1985, Chowking became part of the conventional food choices that would later cater to the gastronomic needs of the on-the-go market.

“It was the consistency of quality, product, service, design and cleanliness that put Chowking to its present status,” Kuan said. “It also helped that we did not try to impose taste to our customers. We always made sure it was what Filipinos like.”

Anything that does not sell, “they take out.” He believes that it’s not good to hang on to something that does not work anymore. Just like when he left his tried-and-tested family-owned business to stand on his own feet and take his own risks.

“Like life in general, you will attain happiness in business when you know when to let go,” Kuan said.

willen_ma2.jpgEngaged primarily in the manufacture, supply, promotion and sales of mami, siopao and siomai, Masuki Mami Restaurant is considered an institution in Binondo. Spanning over forty years of quenching the Filipino-Chinese community’s palate, this deemed food stop never ceased in upgrading their menu and services to address the demands of its consumers which has also been changing through the years. Despite undergoing challenges like a huge fire and tragic setbacks that involves the family, its owner, John Ma, still persists on pursuing this business.

All throughout its existence, Ma always makes sure that their products undergo a series of research and development. This only proliferates the company’s vision of expansion and growth, putting up more branches so it can cater to a wider market, and further fortifying its existence so it will be able to let the Filipinos taste siopao, mami and siomai, Masuki style.

Trudging through different generations and withstanding American and Japanese colonizers, Aristocrat still maintains the prestige that its brand has been enjoying over the years. Taking great pride of serving extreme markets, this almost a century-old restaurant attributes its success to never sacrificing quality for price.
jose_reyes2.jpg
Oblivious to exactly how they were able to stay in the business, the Reyes Family can only thank its loyal patrons who come from different walks of life. Pushing the legacy of hard work and innovation that their parents have started, they are firm on giving their customers who have always stood by their side, quality and affordable meals that are truly Filipino.

Because of the inspiration that Chowking’s Robert Kuan, Masuki and Aristocrat have drawn to its community and the city of Manila, the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship will be recognizing these establishments as three of Manila’s Inspiring Entrepreneurs at the Go Negosyo sa Manila slated 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.

Getting the unconditional fervor of the Filipinos is indeed hard and long road to tramp. But once you master the art of satisfying not only their hunger but their cravings as well, the enterprise is sure to invoke a priceless possession.

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.