Concepcion's Story by Tiong-Aquino

Concepcion was 12 years old when she left home to live with relatives in order to get a good education which her own
family could not afford. Living with relatives in Batangas, she has to work for her keep. A housemaid's work was lighter than her
labors, she now remembers. Between her household tasks and her school work, there was little time to sleep. When her
grandparents in Manila took her in, her life stared to turn around for the better because they were kind to her. She tried to be
useful around the house whenever she could because she wanted to please them. So as a young adolescent, she missed out on a
lot of things young people usually enjoy-parties, movies and outings. The money from her grandparents could let her buy new
clothes, shoes, and other stuff, but she did not.

She was a high school senior, when World War II broke out. When schools reopened, she taught grade school briefly
and then found a job as a telephone operator in the United States Naval Force at Subic Bay. Around this time, too, she married a
man who turned out to be irresponsible and who let her take most of the responsibility of earning a living while he took it easy.
He also turned out to have contracted a previous marriage. In time, Concepcion succeeded in getting out of marriage. This failed
marriage produced a child.

Years later, Concepcion remarried, this time to an American, an enlisted man in the US Navy with whom she bore four
children. It was her new husband who helped her set up her first business - a jeepney and taxi concession around the naval base
area. When the venture succeeded, she put up a four-storey hotel that combined nightclub and restaurant facilities.

Even when her businesses were starting to earn profit, Concepcion continued to live frugally. Instead of hiring yet
another worker, she found out first if she could do the job herself. When her husband wanted to buy a car going to work, she
bought him instead a bicycle and later a jeep.

Before her second marriage, Concepcion had to bear with disgrace of being a single parent. But this time, she faced
disapproval concerning her business involvement. People were saying: “How can you succeed in business? You’re only a girl…
you don’t have a college degree!” and “It’s your fate to bear a cross … you can’t change your destiny!” But she did not let any of
these discourage her.

In between raising her children and running a business. Concepcion found time to pursue a college education in Manila.
Commuting daily, she followed a punishing schedule. It was back to fours of sleep a day for her. After finishing a degree in
commerce, she too a degree in law, a master’s degree in public administration and a doctorate degree in commerce.

During the Vietnam War, the couple hit the jackpot. With shiploads of American servicemen coming to Olongapo City
for rest and recreation, their hotel and restaurant business boomed. They also added more units to their fleet of taxicabs. In 1967,
they organized APEX Motors with two business partners and soon became the exclusive distributor of Mazda Car.

By the 1990s, Concepcion became the president and chairman of Diamond Motor Corporation which at its peak,
ranked among the top ten car dealers in the Philippines, employing 320 people.

As an entrepreneur and manager, she was decisive in dealing wither people. But the tough lady had a soft spot. She
would not hesitate to help any of her staff, especially those who have proven loyalty and commitment. She was as easy to fall for
a sob story as to blower her top. She made it a point to compensate her people generously with profit sharing schemes and other
benefits.

She attributed her company’s success to credit-worthiness. She tried hard to maintain the trust of financing companies
from the time when she was operating taxicabs up to the time she managed Diamond Motors. In turn, the banks trusted her and
gave her almost unlimited credit. She never abused her creditors, she said.

Now retired, having passed on managerial responsibilities to her son. Concepcion Blaylock looks back to her past
struggles with some sadness. At the same time, she is grateful for these experiences for they challenged her and made her strong.
https://www.slideshare.net/wilfreddextertanedo/entrepreneurship-lesson-1-introduction-to-entrepreneurship-pinoy-styl

Activity # 2

Part I. Finding the Filipino values manifested with a Filipina entrepreneur story.

Read the case study of a Filipina, who became rich, successful, and well respected in the world
of business. Read the story carefully!! Using the given format, identify the traditional Filipino
values that are shown to be favorable to entrepreneurial activities.
 Filipino Value Manifestation
Sample format: Frugality/Thrifty/Matipid As a child, she saved money rather than buy her
new things; as an adult, she didn’t immediately buy
a car even though she could already afford one
1.

2.

3.

4.

PART II. Reflection - Based on the video material (Philippine Culture, Entrepreneurship and
Development), what do you think are the lessons that you can use or apply in your personal
life? Any comments and suggestions?