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Thursday, September 07, 2006
American expat defies odds
By Aquiles Zonio
"WHEREVER you go, there's always a problem around. There's no perfect place anywhere. You can run but you can't hide."
This was what Kenneth Johnston, 54, stressed when asked about his personal perception on the prevailing peace and order condition in General Santos City and Mindanao.
Last Monday, Kenneth and his wife Gina Perez-Johnston led in the inaugural rites of their newly-opened three-in-one shop and three-storey commercial building cum residence.
Aside from the officiating priest and Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr., other guests present included a select number of close family friends who stood by Gina's side during the most trying times.
"They (friends) were around through thick and thin especially when I was still struggling," Gina said.
A new home...
"I find Gensan an attractive place to retire. The people here are very congenial. The city is not too big and not too small. I feel at home and the area we've chosen is very relaxing. I believe in the future of Gensan and that's the reason why I staked my future here," Kenneth said.
He bared he did a thorough research not only about Gensan but including the islands of Mindanao. It took him about two years to decide to stay here for good.
According to him, he was convinced to put up investment here after reading the "Gensan Page", a website solely devoted for General Santos designed by British web designer and businessman Bob Martin.
Martin, whose wife Feyma is a resident of this city, said in his webpage, "My name is Bob Martin. I'm not from General Santos City, I'm not even a Filipino, but I love the City and the entire country of the Philippines, and that is why I decided to put up this page. It's been a great learning experience for me and I'm glad that I did so."
Aside from designing the General Santos City Webpage, Martin is also the webmaster for the Mindanao Network on the WWW as well as some other commercial websites.
Kenneth said "I feel safer here than in Southern California. I'm glad, I found a new home."
He said before departing for the Philippines in February 2005, 17 shooting incidents took place in freeway, Southern California.
He grew up in Cypress, Southern California, which he claimed, is just a 15-minute ride from Disneyland. He arrived here in February 2005 exactly the day when a trio of bombs jolted the Manila financial district of Makati, as well as the cities of General Santos and Davao killing at least seven people and wounding nearly 100 others.
He was not scared, saying "When it's your time already, you'll die wherever you are."
Three-in-one...
Aside from his multi-million investment here, Kenneth has also invested on American stock market.
"That's an investment for the future," he beamed.
The Johnston couple is a franchise holder of Dimsum Diner. The restaurant is located at the ground floor of the elegant building. Beside it is a bakery and coffee shop.
"I want something different. This place is for the whole family and for the people from all walks of life. You can come here anytime and drink coffee while writing your story on the laptop," he said.
The second floor is divided into a function room and office spaces for rental.
Two rooms are devoted for Gina's realty business while the seven others- all taken - are for rental.
The third floor serves as the couple's residence.
At present, the couple has a total of 45 employees on three shifting schedules assigned at the restaurant, bakery and coffee shop.
This is the first three-in-one shop in the city operating for 24 hours.
The opening was in time for the opening of the week-long 8th Tuna Festival, the main attraction of the city's 38th Charter anniversary scheduled August 27 to Sept. 5.
Johnston building is strategically located at Magsaysay Avenue corner Beatiles extension right at the downtown area.
Stark contrast...
The completion of the project was on time.
Kenneth said they met their target date in opening up the business. People come in droves to watch the activities lined-up for the 8th Tuna Festival.
Except for red tape, the wife said, the project encountered no hassle during construction.
"The titling, processing of papers and construction of the building were finished in less than one year," Gina said.
One thing Kenneth noticed during the construction was construction workers worked hard but they earned a little.
"That was the stark contrast between the Philippines and the United States. Here, construction workers work so hard but are being paid a little unlike in the US," he lamented.
He knows whereof he speaks because prior to his retirement Kenneth was engaged in sub-contracting business.
Renewed confidence...
Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. said Johnston's decision to put up business here was an indication of the investors' renewed confidence.
Data from the city economic management and cooperative development office (Cemcdo) showed that the amount of investments, both local and foreign, increased last year compared to 2004.
The total amount of investments in 2004 was about P379 million while in 2005 it was about P549 million.
Master of most...
The duo met while working with Relive International, a company engaged in selling food supplement.
Gina was the managing director for the Philippines, while Kenneth was her counterpart in the US.
The husband attributed much of her success to his wife and their strong faith in God. Both are devout Catholics.
Kenneth said, "It's amazing how much I've grown up just because of her mere presence."
She described Gina, who is two-month pregnant of their first baby, as strong-willed and a woman for all season who "can accomplish too much in so short a time."
"Instead of sleeping, I think she stays wide awake thinking how can we improve our business. She's jack-of-all-trades, master of most. She's smarter than I am. Sometimes, I think she's half a machine," Kenneth said of his Filipina wife.
Obsession...
One more thing Gina wants to accomplish - to be a successful real estate developer.
She said they plan to expand their business by putting up a subdivision.
However, right now, they want to focus on running their newly-opened business.
"Once this one becomes stable, we're going to pursue our other plans. It's my obsession to develop my own subdivision," she said.
When asked what she thinks are the secret formula for the success in business, she said "Faith in God, believe in yourself and treat the workers fairly."
(September 4, 2006 issue)
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