‘Finding opportunities in crisis’
His ability to see what lies beyond an ugly situation is just one of the many attributes that set Clemente Uy Go apart from the rest.
Clemens is managing the company started by his parents, the Filmon Hardware Inc., together with his siblings.
The company, which was officially incorporated in 1977, is behind those beautiful, luxurious fixtures and finishings that make an otherwise empty building structure to a beautiful homes and luxurious hotels.
From a mere hardware store in Legaspi street in downtown Cebu, Filmon evolves into an all-in-one supplier of construction, interior fixtures and furnishings.
Today, Filmon is Cebu's trusted source of quality interior fixtures and furnishings — a diversification born at the height of Asian economic slump in 1997. OPPORTUNITY
IN CRISIS
When the historical Asian economic crisis hit in 1997, the construction and real estate industries were one of the heavily affected casualties. Clemens' business was not spared.
While some contemporaries slowed down and momentarily halted their importation purchases, Clemens went the other way around, and used the crisis as the company's opportunity to shine.
This time, Clemens saw something good in the midst of depressing business environment. He activated his “third eye” in business and continued to import
although demand had dried up.
“Everybody stopped importing. There was a shortage of everything. We filled in that gap,” he said.
This was the start of Filmon's business diversification. When the market was empty, Clemen's expanded and built a showroom in preparation for market's turn around.
True enough, after the economic turmoil, Filmon was able to serve the “hungry” market—outrightly, and offered the most affordable price points.
He said, in business, one has to see beyond what is in front of you and even behind what meets the eye,
Any challenge, crisis in business and personal life, it should be treated as an opportunity to detour, diversify or see the rainbow that is surely comes after a storm.
DISCIPLINE
Clemens attributed his knack for business in his parent's example and unconditional way of training their children to live a well disciplined lifestyle.
Hardwork, he said is one of them. When he was 17 years old, Clemens was sent to Davao, not just to study high school but to work for his uncle's hardware store.
In his tender age, Clemens was trained to live independently, away from the sheltered life in Cebu and learned to juggle work and study in an unfamiliar environment.
“I was an all-around helper,” he shared reflecting that those times built his character to be disciplined.
He said lessons in school may help one know the theories and technicalities in business, but he discovered that it is in the school of actual life training that true character is shaped.
With or without financial back-up, a man who knows the art of discipline and the secret it brings, will surely walk in the success trail.
FOLLOWING THE FLOW
After finishing his degree in Business Administration at De La Salle University, Clemens joined his brother Edmund in furniture manufacturing business. The Filmon brothers were among the early risers of golden times in furniture exports.
Clemens and Edmund were able to make profits in furniture business alongside helping their family hardware business.
While the brothers were the early risers to follow the flow of luck in furniture business, they were also the early birds who were able to sense the approaching storm.
After they decided to give up furniture business, the brothers went back to their home-business—in hardware and furnishing.
From then on, Clemens mastered to follow the flow of luck within the business planted by their parents Felimon and Shirley. Surely, the flow continues and it never runs dry.
GLOBAL PARTNER
Although Filmon continues to play low-key in exposing its success in this particular field in local business. Its excellence is never missed by giant names in fixture and furnishings.
Recently, Clemens clenched a partnership deal with American bathroom and fixture brand Kohler, to open the largest Kohler dedicated showroom in Southern Philippines.
The 600- square meters showroom is located at the Filmon Finishing Studio along Molave street, Lahug.
Clemens said his company may soon open similar facilities in other areas in the Visayas.
Kohler is one of America's oldest and largest privately held companies. Its Kitchen and Bath Group has more than 42 manufacturing locations worldwide.
IT RUNS IN THE
BLOOD
The second generation Filmon brothers, and their other four siblings are now slowly passing on the legacy to the third generation.
Clemens said he understood that this kind of business is part of the family's DNA as children are naturally interested and inclined to continue the legacy.
Clemens' daughters are now running the show of Filmon Group, together with their cousins.
Cathy is in charge in the company's business development and marketing, while Caren takes care of the interior design jobs.
“It runs in the blood,” Clemens is assured that the legacy is intact and will live through generations.
At the height of immense competition and disruptive business environment, Clemens continue to see things that lies beyond. Looking through the lens of positivity, he is certain that Filmon is up for more milestones. Perhaps, the birth of a property development arm may happen soon.
For him, challenges and ugly circumstances are just part of the process of any endeavour. When these things happen, Clemens knows how to close his eyes and see what is beyond the hurdles and prepares himself for it.