Monday, August 11, 2008 Anthony's business-packed life By Gigie A. Agtay
AFTER 14 years in the bar and restaurant business, Anthony Ang still flashes that smile. Who wouldn't be happy with the opening of the second branch of Antonio's Bar and Grill at the Metro Lifesytle complex on the corner of Torres Street and Jacinto Extension, Davao City on August 8.
There's indeed a reason to be happy about the branching out of Antonio's Bar and Grill whose main outlet at the ground floor of SM Davao started in 2006. The Torres branch has a bigger dining area that can occupy 100 diners at one time plus the VIP room that can accommodate 50 customers.
Antonio's, which was named after Anthony's father, Antonio, was conceptualized to be a Filipino fine dining restaurant without having to do away with Dabawenyos' craving for grilled food.
"Mahilig kase ang mga taga Davao sa mga barbeqeued food kaya nasa menu pa din ng Antonio's," Anthony said. Aside of course from its best sellers that include Crispy Pata, Binusog na Bangus and Binusog na Sugpo, among others.
"The first concept was for Antonio's to be the first bar inside the mall pero din a nag materialize dahil mas marami na ang pumupunta for regular meals," Anthony said.
Antonio's may be a classy resto but it caters to Class A to D markets. Prices are affordable without compromising the quality of food.
Anthony, a 36-year-old Filipino-Chinese, is one of the members of the group that put up Bluepost, a popular billiards bar that opened in 1994.
As expected, Anthony has enjoyed a business action packed life. He was introduced to business at a young age. He and his three siblings would sell banana cue and "pabunot" in the neighborhood. In college, he worked part-time at his uncle's grocery in Tagum.
After completing his BS Marketing degree for the Holy Cross of Davao in 1991, he worked as a sales representative for Mindanao Coco Development Corporation, cooking oil manufacture. After two years, he managed Mindanao Biscuit Company.
After Bluepost, Anthony did not cease from venturing into other businesses like Front Porch -- another Bluspost branch on Ponciano Street, Krua Thai resto at SM Davao, two Whistletop (an American-themed bar and resto) branches at Matina Town Square and Venue compound, specialty a store, and event organizing.
But there's nothing as sweet as sugar, he had to give up his Krua Thai, and a Whistletop branch.
"Its not all ups in business. Huwag paapekto sa downs. Kung tagilid na ang negosyo hindi ko pipilitin," he said.
There goes the positive attitude of an entrepreneur to rise above trials. He may have given a few businesses up but there's no stopping him from putting up new business pursuits.
It didn't take him long to roll up his sleeves. The space where Antonio's Bar and Grill at SM was offered to him.
Now that there's Antonio's on Torres Street, Anthony can't help but feel excited about the prospects of franchising. He has been offered to branch out in Cagayan de Oro, Manila, and Cebu.
"In 2006, after 6 months nag open ang Antonio's SM, we didn't expect na may mag offer na mag franchise. May offer sa Cebu pero 'di kame ready. Di namin alakain na maganda ang acceptance ng tao," he said.
Antonio's Cagayan is now on the drawing board and is expected to open by next year. Anthony said resto consultants are very much interested to open two franchises on Timog Ave. in Quezon City and at Shangrila Plaza.
"This makes me proud because we'll change the mindset na ang trend of franchising is from Manila to Davao. If matuloy ito, it's a homegrown resto from Davao to Manila," Anthony said adding that he sees five Antonio franchises in the next five years.
Business success for Anthony is not an overnight thing. You learn lessons along the way. "It would mean a lot of trials and errors, taste tests and feedback courtesy of your family and friends," he said.
"But most of all the key to business success is not just passion but aggressiveness."
"Huwag ka mag venture sa isang business na di mo alam. Malayo pa tayo sa Manila. Davao market is hard to please. Give them their money's worth at tatagal ka.
I train my staff to treat diners as family. In Antonio's para ka lang kumakain sa bahay," he said.
He has moved heaven and earth to realize his dreams. For all his businesses, he also juggles his time for her wife, Jennifer and 3 kids - Ryan, 5; Sean, 4; and Antonnete, 10 months.
By the way Antonio's Bar and Grill at SM Davao is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with telephone number 299-3904 while the Torres branch is open from 10 a.m, to 10 p.m. with tel. no. 225-1255.
