Former insurance agent risks, finds success in testing lab for feed milling plants

The Manila Times

Former insurance agent risks, finds success in testing lab for feed milling plants   The First Analytical Services And Technical Cooperative has a humble and God-inspired history. The idea of putting up FAST Lab was thought up by one of the founding members of the cooperative. Reynaldo 'Rey' Amigo Kangleon was feeling uncertain of his newfound profession as an insurance agent early in the year 1997. At that time, he had been selling insurance for nine months already, a year after his early retirement as a quality manager. While he was selling life insurance products, a former colleague suggested putting up a testing laboratory for various feed milling plants in Southern Luzon; one which was cheaper but had faster turnaround of test results. It dawned then on Kangleon that it was God’s answer to his prayers. He knew putting up a testing laboratory was costly, and so he decided to solicit business partnerships from his former R&D colleagues, which gave birth to the company.  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe   Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net   Subscribe to Business Franchise Guru: https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessFranchiseGuru   Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook  Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram  Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter  DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion    Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital  Sign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newsletters  Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify  Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts  Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic  Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein   #TheManilaTimes  #philippines #entrepreneur

Transcript

00:00The Business Mentor Talks is vlog by no other, Armando Buts Bartolome, in cooperation with

00:14the Manila Times.

00:15It aims to bring to life and recognize entrepreneurs who constantly strive to create a living for

00:21the community as well.

00:51Again, this is a Sunday edition of the Manila Times Business Mentor Blog.

01:20But you know, this morning, we have a very interesting business, a business that supports

01:25a lot of entrepreneurs and really a need for you, for entrepreneurs to use this type of

01:31service.

01:32We're talking about safety, we're talking about analysis, we're talking about how well

01:39your business is compliant.

01:42So today, we have three people, three key people, I'm so happy they made their way,

01:49even despite their business schedule.

01:52And let me introduce to you the people behind FAST Laboratories, 27 years, imagine that,

02:03with five established regions.

02:06So let me call on first Ms. Marietta Ilao, Mr. Reynaldo Canleon, and Aisel Dimatulak.

02:14Good morning to you.

02:18Good morning.

02:19Good morning.

02:20Good morning.

02:21Good morning.

02:22So Marietta, tell us how you started the business of FAST.

02:28What is really FAST?

02:29Anybody?

02:30This acronym, I understand.

02:32I think we have one of the founders here who can give us a better view of how it started,

02:39Director Ray.

02:40Yes.

02:41Ray, you started, you were one of the founders, I believe.

02:46Yeah.

02:48Butch, I would really, after 27 years, even when we started, I would say that it was an

02:58answered prayer for me at that time.

03:04I availed of an early retirement in San Miguel, and after leaving San Miguel, of course, I

03:14had to do something for my life also.

03:18So I ventured into business, and the first business I had was an insurance agency with

03:24also fellow San Miguel employees.

03:28But I would say it was not, though I performed well, but I was not happy in selling insurance

03:34because it's selling.

03:37It's not my forty to sell.

03:40So, while I was selling insurance to my colleagues in San Miguel, of course, I was already, when

03:54I left San Miguel, I was part of the Mancom of the Luzon BMEG operations.

04:01So I was selling to my previous colleagues in management committee, and while I was selling,

04:08this colleague of mine offered to me to open a testing laboratory for BMEG, for their feeds,

04:19because they were expanding into provinces, and they were into contracting business feed

04:26milling operations, and they have no laboratories, especially in the south of Luzon.

04:34So for me, it was an answer because I was praying then that what should I do aside from

04:43the selling insurance, or other business I would do.

04:47So when I had that offer, I, well, I prayed for it, and I offered that to my former colleagues

04:55also of San Miguel Incorporated R&D, as I mentioned.

05:02And they were there to say, well, let's go for that.

05:05That all started, and when we had that meeting at Dulcinea, that first all started to put

05:13up a business, a testing laboratory business for San Miguel.

05:19So it was already an outright market, a client was waiting for us, as we should say.

05:29So when we put up the laboratory, and we decided to have it as a cooperative, as suggested

05:38by the late husband also of one of the founders, so because of its advantages as a co-op.

05:49So up to now, it's a co-op, still a co-op, and even in the first year, we were already

05:59earning because, well, it was really meant to be, we were able only, basically as a co-op,

06:08there should be 15 members or founders, and we only had about 2 million when we started

06:1527 years ago, and that 2 million was able to put up two laboratory facilities, but it

06:23was cheap, well, it was so cheap then, because compared now, if we can put up two laboratories,

06:32it could be 8 to 10 million to put up a laboratory.

06:37So what we did, what we did before was to buy the laboratory equipment and apparatus

06:46from San Miguel, because like for example in BMEG laboratory, it closed, the BMEG, Manila

06:55BMEG operation closed, so they sold the laboratory equipment in the plant.

07:04So we were able to buy the second-hand laboratory equipment from San Miguel, not only from BMEG,

07:10but also from Magnolia.

07:13So we were able to put up two laboratories just for 2 million.

07:19And well, I think starting a business really is something like what you experienced, you're

07:29not, you're not, you're not born to sell insurance, I guess.

07:35But again, answered prayer is always an answered opportunity.

07:42You may have been praying for such a long time, but always in time.

07:45I always say, always in time, in God's time.

07:49That's what we're saying.

07:51Let's not force the unhealed, that's what we're saying.

07:55That's what's important here.

07:57But again, why was there, well, you were serving before just the BMEG and San Miguel, but how

08:04did you realize that there was a need for other, from other companies?

08:10How did you see that?

08:12Because you could be exclusively for that company because of the need, the pain points,

08:19but you saw other, other opportunities.

08:22How was that?

08:23What happened there?

08:24What happened there, Butch, was that our former bosses in San Miguel also, the former president

08:34also of BMEG operations advised me that, Ray, you should consider other markets because

08:47the BMEG operation, in the future, we will have also our own laboratories.

08:53So we were advised to prepare for that, for that time, the San Miguel operations or the

09:06San Miguel facilities will have their own quality laboratory.

09:11So it took us after, after that, that advice.

09:17So because we started with the Batangas laboratory, the first laboratory we have in Santo Tomas,

09:26and that served the BMEG facilities in Southern Luzon, about five plants, five feed milling

09:36plants.

09:38Then we opened the main laboratory.

09:40So this is a story, the branch was the starting facility and the main office, the main laboratory

09:49in Cubao was the second facility, you know.

09:52So it's the opposite, right?

09:55In other words, it's the opposite.

09:58But it's good what your former colleague said, don't put all your everything in your backpack.

10:05Yes.

10:07Ma'am Marieta, what is your opinion on that?

10:10When did you join the past laboratories?

10:14I joined them about 10 years ago, 2015.

10:19Right.

10:20And when I joined them, I didn't know anybody.

10:23I kind of read about it, find out what it is.

10:26And I, I mean, I just think that there are lots of opportunities for growth.

10:33So I decided to join them.

10:36So, I mean, yes.

10:39Go ahead, Marieta.

10:41So when I joined them, my understanding of what the co-op is, is very, is new.

10:49I came from basically corporate set up.

10:54So it was a different set up, but I decided to find out what it is all about.

11:00And of course, as I got to learn about the co-op, I got engrossed into it and started liking it.

11:07So it's not actually self, more of self.

11:10It's actually a matter of giving to sit in the board or to be with the co-op.

11:16So if you're coming from the corporate set up and you want your money to grow real big,

11:21the co-op is not the place to get into.

11:25So our main goal actually is to help the members.

11:30So that's good.

11:32You did a good job, Ray.

11:34You established a cooperative.

11:37It's one for many, for the benefit of many.

11:42But what is FAS?

11:44It's an acronym, right?

11:45I mean, how did you arrive at this word?

11:48Can you tell us?

11:51Yeah.

11:53Of course, when anyone or anybody starts a business, you have to think of the name.

12:01Of course.

12:02Even a small store, you have to think of a name.

12:05So what we did, the founders we met and we discussed what name we will be using

12:13for registering in the CDA, in the Cooperative Development Authority then.

12:20So there were suggestions and what came out was FAS.

12:25It was suggested by one of the founders.

12:28I still remember her.

12:30She's now in England and she's a doctor also in chemistry.

12:37So the name FAS stands for First Analytical Services and Technical Cooperative.

12:54So F-A-S-T, FAS.

12:58But the FAS Laboratories is the trade name.

13:03Well, the First Analytical Services and Technical Cooperative is so long, right?

13:13It's hard to pronounce.

13:17It's hard to pronounce and it's hard to remember.

13:22Yes, it's hard to remember.

13:24Especially with the customers, what is important is the name recall of the business.

13:31So it was really timing or fitting that we had FAS Laboratories as our trade name

13:41and what we use in marketing.

13:43So FAS Cooperative in its official way.

13:50But later, after 10 years, when we renew our registration with CDA,

13:58we added the word DA, D-A-T-H-E.

14:04So the First Analytical Services and Technical Cooperative

14:09for the renewal of our registration at that time.

14:14But still, we use the trade name FAS Laboratories in all our dealings

14:20with customers and even in marketing.

14:23So Aisel, what is your experience here when you face customers?

14:31When you say, where are you from?

14:33I'm from FAS Laboratories.

14:35What is common that they ask you, Aisel?

14:38First, their impression when they find out that I'm from FAS Laboratories,

14:43they say, ah, really? FAS?

14:45Because we are really known in the industry of analytical testing.

14:49That's one thing that we are really proud of,

14:51especially in terms of environmental testing, food testing.

14:55Those are a few of our core themes.

14:58That's why when we say FAS Laboratories, they immediately have a recall.

15:02But the first thing, yeah, that's correct.

15:04When they ask, why FAS?

15:06Are you really FAS?

15:08That's one thing that we really try to live up to.

15:11The results need to be fast and at the same time, quality.

15:18Like we said, the founder started with the word FAS

15:22and became a boost to kick off efficiency, both internal.

15:30Because you can't say you're FAS and then you get kicked out.

15:34That's a bit difficult.

15:37Tell us, tell us exactly, Ray, what is really the need for having a FAS?

15:44Aside from the feeds that you analyze,

15:47what do you see the relevance of your group in terms of doing services?

15:55What services are being done by FAS Laboratories?

15:58Okay, so we started only with the feeds business

16:05and the feed analysis, basic feed analysis,

16:09because it was sort of a quality control services for San Miguel feeds.

16:15Then we ventured, especially in Cubao,

16:19we started water and the food analysis

16:24because we had experts on food analysis.

16:31We have one of the founders or two of the founders

16:34were experts on food analysis.

16:37They were also former San Miguel employees, chemists in the central laboratory.

16:43So it was really an edge for us to venture now into the other types of samples,

16:52especially food, water, and wastewater.

16:55And we know at the time that, well, of course,

17:01we know that it is part of the government regulations

17:07for their businesses to have such testing

17:11in their raw materials, in their finished products,

17:15and of course, in terms of the environment,

17:18the ways they are disposing.

17:22So there's the need, well, there's really,

17:26I would say there's a lot of opportunities,

17:29a lot of the market is there, is funding

17:36because of the need of the government in terms of compliance

17:40for the business to exist,

17:43and especially if the government is becoming stricter

17:48in terms of compliance.

17:50So we are there, the business is there.

17:53So we are saying that if the government is becoming stricter

18:00in terms of implementing or enforcing government requirements on businesses,

18:07the better for our business.

18:10But you know, lately, we read in the news,

18:14there are like a government warning

18:17on when they water the plants or the fruits,

18:21the vegetables, the E. coli.

18:24I'm sure you have heard about that.

18:26And, you know, it's kind of scary for consumers.

18:31That's the reason why if you are a producer or manufacturer,

18:36you have really to be compliant.

18:38Because a lot of people are saying that they can do it.

18:43Is that a good procedure, Aiselle?

18:46I mean, how can you convince an entrepreneur

18:49that if you do be compliant, you can really be upgrading

18:54or scaling up your business, right Aiselle?

18:58Yeah. First, what we are telling our customers when they come to us,

19:03their first question is what are the requirements that we have to comply.

19:07When you secure business permits and all these clearances,

19:10you are required to submit proof that, for example,

19:14the ways that you are releasing are compliant with the Clean Water Act,

19:18and the Clean Air Act, as well as the Drinking Water Act.

19:23We have to make sure that the general public's health is not compromised.

19:28For example, if you are a manufacturing company,

19:31you really have to convince the government

19:33that the food that you are producing will not pose a threat to the general public.

19:38That's one thing that requires or drives entrepreneurs

19:44to really follow the requirements because they cannot operate their business otherwise.

19:48That's one of the significance of the services that we offer.

19:53We are really partners with the government to implement general welfare,

19:58not just the general public, but also the environment.

20:01Our business is really rising.

20:03The need is there. The market is there.

20:05So it is not really that hard to market the service.

20:08Why did you put different branches in different regions, Marietta?

20:14Why did you expand? You can just stay where you are,

20:17stay in Cubao, stay in Batangas, but you are in five regions now.

20:22Fantastic.

20:24Yes.

20:25What happened?

20:26We are in five regions.

20:27You have to remember that a lot of businesses are more in the small and medium enterprises.

20:34To put up a laboratory requires a lot of budget setting

20:41and also regulatory requirements compliance.

20:44So that is where FastLab comes in.

20:47They would come to us and have their samples tested.

20:50Instead of putting up their own laboratories,

20:54they would go to us, a third-party laboratory, to do the testing for us.

21:00As far as FastLab is concerned, we now have to overcome the challenges of all the certifications.

21:09We have to deal with all the governments.

21:11We are ISO certified.

21:13We have to be certified by DOH, certified by BAE.

21:17So all of the certifications are shouldered by us.

21:20And that spares the small and medium enterprises

21:24who cannot afford to put up their own laboratory, the expenses.

21:30Actually, that's true.

21:31That's true, right, Ray?

21:32Because if I'm an entrepreneur, I'm just starting up.

21:35I cannot afford to drive my own lab, right?

21:39You said it might cost more than 10 million nowadays for a complete lab.

21:45Here you are, the idea of subcontracting it or authorizing FastLab to do handle,

21:52you have more credibility at the same time, the technical people, right?

21:56That's your purpose, right?

21:59We also saw the probability of business in other areas.

22:03Like you can see Mindanao, the growth in Mindanao,

22:06as far as agriculture is concerned, the mining is concerned.

22:09So with two laboratories in the three June week,

22:13keep in touch with the business.

22:15Keep in touch with the growth.

22:18So we want to be there when finally these businesses boom.

22:22We want to give them the opportunities to grow.

22:27Correct.

22:28So you're one of the best.

22:32Yeah, I just want to add to what Mayette mentioned also.

22:35When we started, well, as I mentioned,

22:39we started in Santo Tomas Batangas for the Batangas plants of San Miguel.

22:45Then we put up Cubao for Metro Manila and other analysis.

22:51But after that, we considered Cebu

22:56because Cebu is the second biggest commercial district,

23:01has the biggest commercial district after Manila, right?

23:05So we were looking into that.

23:09We would say that these are strategic locations

23:14or areas where we can grow our business.

23:18And to be proud also,

23:22we were the first ones to venture in testing laboratory,

23:28to venture into other places like Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.

23:33So our competitors,

23:36even the big multinational competitors were not doing that.

23:40They have only a laboratory in Manila.

23:44And when we did marketing and investigation

23:49also in Cebu and in Danau,

23:52they were saying, especially the businessmen,

23:55they were saying, we need laboratories here.

23:57We don't want to send our samples to Manila

24:00because it will take time

24:02and they don't know what Manila laboratories are doing

24:06to their samples, et cetera.

24:07We want to see actual laboratory,

24:10a testing laboratory in our region or in our cities.

24:14So that happened.

24:16So that really pushed us to build laboratories outside Metro,

24:23well, here in Metro Manila.

24:26And after so many years and up to now,

24:32our competitors are following us.

24:35They are now present in where we are.

24:39Where the driver of growth is, you're there.

24:43You're really after that.

24:45In other words, where are your growth areas?

24:48And there's still more growth areas

24:50as we are talking about the development.

24:55So it's like you're very intent on listening

24:58to the needs of the customers, especially the companies.

25:01That's right.

25:02Because how can I send my samples to Manila?

25:06One, the safetiness, you know, the expiration.

25:11Maybe later it will reach you and it's already contaminated.

25:14Isn't that how it is, Aisel?

25:15Yes.

25:16Those who are being sent.

25:18So why am I being sent?

25:19At the same time, the rapport that your people

25:22in the specific region can establish

25:25with the entrepreneurs there, you know,

25:27they speak the same dialect.

25:29They understand the culture.

25:31You know, Filipinos are more TLC, tender, loving, care.

25:38So do you see more and more regions

25:41as we speak, are there in the pipeline

25:45more than five that you're putting up?

25:48Yes, we're planning to put up more.

25:50Okay, Aisel, go ahead.

25:51Yes, ma'am.

25:53There's a lot of excitement here in FAS.

25:56You know, ladies and gentlemen,

25:59you're talking to the FAS group.

26:01So they are that aggressive.

26:03Okay, yeah, Aisel.

26:05Can we divulge it?

26:07Hey, Gay, can you divulge it at this point?

26:09Yeah.

26:10I don't want to step ahead anymore.

26:13The growth in other regions,

26:16especially in Ilo, in Bacolod,

26:19in Cotabato, in Davao, in Gensa,

26:22they are really, you know,

26:24the industry there is fastly growing.

26:26So those are the regions that we see

26:29in our planning for the next years to come.

26:32Now, hopefully, in God's perfect time,

26:35we'll be there, we'll be present there.

26:39So one in, somewhere there in the Ilo or Bacolod,

26:43and then another in Mindanao,

26:46hopefully in Gensa or Cotabato.

26:48Because the Philippines is,

26:50there are many regions that are scattered.

26:52Some are just transportation by sea,

26:55some are just by air.

26:57But the requirement for laboratory testing

26:59has been there because it's regulatory.

27:02So we wanted to reach as many regions as possible,

27:05as many MSMPs there, out there,

27:07that need analytical testing.

27:09We really wanted to reach them out.

27:11That's true, that's true.

27:13So you have to be aggressive.

27:15I mean, not because for the brand,

27:17but you're both collaborating.

27:19The collaboration is important.

27:21You know, there are collaborations

27:23that are being said right now.

27:24You work together, but you and I work together

27:27so that we can prosper.

27:29It's a teamwork, it's an effort.

27:31That's why what you see,

27:33for example, Gensan,

27:35you see that, you know that,

27:37the tuna capital.

27:38The growth is there, there's a lot of compliance there.

27:41Sambuanga, Iloilo, Bacolod,

27:44there's a lot, right?

27:45It's like the opportunity is right now

27:49so booming, like that.

27:51So what else,

27:53what else,

27:55what else do you see as important

27:57that should be taken away by entrepreneurs

27:59or the consumer?

28:01For example, when I go to the supermarket,

28:05if I'm a consumer,

28:07what will be something that

28:09I would say safe for me?

28:11For example, like I buy fruits,

28:13I buy vegetables,

28:15how would I know

28:17that this company or

28:19this kind of vegetables

28:21that I'm buying are safe?

28:23Do you have any memories

28:25of something like seal,

28:27Aysel?

28:29Yes, may I answer that Bush?

28:31First thing that you really need to look at

28:33when it comes to food is the packaging.

28:35If it has a nutritional labeling on the back,

28:37definitely it means to say

28:39it is FDA registered.

28:42Because if this product

28:44is intended for mass consumption

28:46of the general public,

28:48our FDA is required to have it

28:50analyzed for nutritional value.

28:52Nutritional value.

28:54And another requirement for testing

28:56is the safety.

28:58Is it toxic level?

29:00Is it not?

29:02Are the harmful chemicals absent

29:04or present?

29:06So basically, the nutritional label

29:08on the back of every food

29:10that we buy in the supermarket.

29:12So though not all,

29:14not all,

29:16because now it's easy to sell

29:18with virtual selling,

29:20online selling and all.

29:22If you know how to make a product,

29:24it's easy to sell.

29:26But if the scale of the product

29:28you're selling comes up

29:30and the reach of your market

29:32is wider or larger,

29:34that's where the FDA will go

29:36because the general public

29:38So that's it.

29:40They are required to have the nutritional label.

29:42Especially the expirations.

29:44Ray, how is that?

29:46You know, I've seen a lot

29:48of expirations.

29:50You know, it's scary

29:52because expiration

29:54is expiration.

29:56Some people say, no, it's still possible.

29:58There's no sign.

30:00It's far from the star.

30:02Can you really take,

30:04I'm not going to take risk.

30:06That in addition,

30:08what Aizel mentioned

30:10about nutrition labeling

30:12or nutrition facts.

30:14One,

30:16another way is

30:18to see the,

30:20especially the food products,

30:22to see that in what you mentioned

30:24the expiration date,

30:26good, etc.

30:28The expiration date.

30:30That is one of the

30:32ways that you can

30:35That is one of our

30:37services also.

30:39We do what we call the shelf life

30:41study of food products.

30:43Especially new food

30:45products.

30:47We do the shelf life studies.

30:49We would be able to determine

30:51how long or to determine

30:53the expiration date.

30:55So that's the important

30:57as mentioned by Aizel.

30:59Aside from the nutri facts,

31:01but also the expiration date.

31:03Because that's really important

31:05for the safety

31:07of the consumers

31:09because it is food.

31:11It could be that after the

31:13expiration date, there could be

31:15other chemicals being formed

31:17and not healthy

31:19or even toxic chemicals

31:21from that or

31:23the microbial load will be bigger,

31:25etc. and will cause

31:27diseases.

31:29So we should, the consumers

31:31should be really

31:33knowledgeable or

31:35being careful

31:37to buy foods, especially foods.

31:39They have to look into that.

31:41That's what Aizel said.

31:43Because nowadays,

31:45especially SMEs,

31:47it's easy to come up

31:49with their own food products.

31:51But it would be wiser

31:53for these entrepreneurs

31:55to

31:57consider the nutrient facts

31:59or shelf life studies

32:01for their own products

32:03to make their market

32:05bigger or far-reaching

32:07to other markets.

32:09Even abroad.

32:11So they can export

32:13their own products if they have

32:15nutrient facts and shelf life

32:17indicators.

32:19So that's

32:21what's important

32:23in food.

32:25Nutrient facts

32:28means FDA-registered

32:30or FDA-approved.

32:34Filipinos

32:36can find ways also

32:38to invent their own nutrient facts

32:40because

32:42there is a standard form

32:44of nutrient facts or nutrient labeling.

32:46So they can invent also

32:48on their own.

32:50That's something, a challenge also

32:52for the government.

32:54That's important.

32:56Again, I said, for example,

32:58if I'm a micro-entrepreneur,

33:00I work from home, I study,

33:02I came up with a product

33:04like a bangus or a sardines

33:06in a bottle.

33:08I follow the procedures

33:10based on what I learned

33:12from the YouTube University

33:14or the Google University.

33:18If I want my product

33:20to be tested,

33:22do I qualify

33:24or can I get the services

33:26of FAS? For example,

33:28I have one or two products

33:30that I probably bottled

33:32as sardines

33:34and all this.

33:36Can a micro-entrepreneur

33:38avail of FAS?

33:40Yes.

33:42They can just come up to us

33:44and bring the product

33:46to us and let us know

33:48what type of testing they wanted

33:50to be done

33:52or as simple as

33:54if they go straight to FDA,

33:56they will be told

33:58what are the testing that should be

34:00done.

34:02For general safety,

34:04very basic, coliform, HPC,

34:06DPC. Those are the automatic

34:08parameters we're going to offer the customer

34:10to the entrepreneur once he enters

34:12our laboratory.

34:14So they shouldn't be afraid

34:16that it might be expensive?

34:18Because you know, Ray,

34:20I don't want it to be expensive.

34:22I sell sardines.

34:24I have a business concept,

34:26but I have bottled sardines.

34:28I tested it with friends.

34:30It's delicious.

34:32Then they encouraged me to sell.

34:34But the question is, is it selling right away

34:36to the public or should I go to the

34:38next step and say avail of FAS?

34:40But the question is,

34:42is it expensive?

34:44What can we do to help

34:46Ray or Marietta?

34:49I know how much is this.

34:51Before you can sell any products

34:53to the market,

34:55it has to be registered

34:57with FDA.

34:59That's why you can see that

35:01FDA is the registry number.

35:03But the challenge there

35:05is for those foods

35:07that are being sold online,

35:09it's hard to track that

35:11because

35:13FDA itself cannot

35:15do that. They cannot track

35:17or say to it and inspect every

35:19product in there.

35:21But if it goes to the supermarket,

35:23it should be mandatory

35:25to have FDA registered.

35:27Before you can register

35:29or you can be considered registered by FDA,

35:31you have to present

35:33test results.

35:35You have to analyze that.

35:37You have to give a shelf-life study.

35:39That means

35:41you can't

35:43commercialize

35:45or export

35:47if those results are not there.

35:49You have to go to an

35:51accredited testing lab.

35:53You can't go to any testing lab

35:55because if they are not

35:57accredited by the FDA

35:59like we are accredited by

36:01the FDA,

36:03then the FDA will not accept

36:05results.

36:07So if you want to sell,

36:09you follow the procedure

36:11and be compliant.

36:13It's an investment

36:15at the same time, peace of mind,

36:17protection to have my product

36:19even if I sell online.

36:21I'm at peace because

36:23you're testing,

36:25compliance, so I can do selling

36:27online.

36:29Aside from the supermarket, of course.

36:31It's a bit risky

36:33if you're buying products online

36:35without the assurance

36:37of the FDA.

36:39Is that so?

36:41Yes.

36:43That's the problem

36:45with online products.

36:47Even on the shelves

36:49of supermarkets,

36:51most of them

36:53have approval.

36:55We see some supermarkets

36:57that 6 months before

36:59they go on clearance sale.

37:03It's very specific.

37:07The expiration is this and that.

37:09That's what's important.

37:23I just wanted to answer earlier

37:25that is it cheap?

37:27Testing is not cheap,

37:29especially when

37:31you're accredited by a government agency

37:33that has regulations

37:35about that product.

37:37Of course, you need to follow.

37:39Testing is only

37:41in the initial phase of production.

37:43Once you establish

37:45good manufacturing practices,

37:47definitely,

37:49your product will comply with the standards.

37:51Once it is registered

37:53in the FDA,

37:55testing will be

37:57annual

37:59or semi-annual.

38:01You have to invest for the testing

38:03so you can get the certification

38:05Afterwards, if you retain

38:07the process,

38:09you don't need

38:11another testing.

38:13It's not cheap, but it's a good investment.

38:15That's right. It's an investment.

38:17If you started a business,

38:19you invested in it.

38:21How to start a business?

38:23You're going to save on compliance?

38:25Come on. That's just an additional

38:27investment, but it creates

38:29value to your product.

38:31It creates more credibility.

38:33Yes.

38:35Especially now,

38:37when you're damaged,

38:39it's easy to get damaged.

38:41It's more expensive

38:43for a suit from the FDA.

38:45Yes. It's difficult.

38:47There are a lot of

38:49class suits.

38:51Anyway,

38:53it's so interesting

38:55topic about

38:57the fast laboratories.

38:59Where can they get

39:01in touch with you?

39:03Aisel, how can

39:05they get in touch with our viewers?

39:07Where can they get in touch with you

39:09or probably ask questions

39:11furthermore?

39:13Yes. We have

39:15our Facebook page, Fast

39:17Laboratories, and also our website.

39:19They can see the contact numbers

39:21there and also

39:23the addresses of the different branches.

39:25If they want to talk,

39:27consult technically on the analytical testing,

39:29we can also give it to them.

39:31They just need to go to our laboratories.

39:33Our laboratories in the branches

39:35are very accessible.

39:37Those were the venues.

39:39Our digital platforms,

39:41the Facebook page, and then our website.

39:43Correct.

39:45Siree, I'd like to

39:47ask you a question. Life after retirement,

39:49what can you

39:51advise to people who are

39:53about to retire

39:55or those who are retired

39:57and they're just becoming

39:59apostolates,

40:01apostolic workers.

40:03Apostolic.

40:05Apostolic work.

40:07Because you're able to

40:09transcend. You're able to

40:11transcend your

40:13I can still

40:15benefit from it. I'm still

40:17doable, right?

40:19From retirement in San Miguel

40:21to selling insurance

40:23to transcending

40:25the kind of business of fast labor.

40:27What can you advise now

40:29for people that age

40:31is not the

40:33difference?

40:37Age is just a number.

40:39I would

40:41like to clarify also,

40:43because when I retired

40:45from San Miguel, I was just in my

40:47early 40s.

40:49I opted for

40:51an early retirement.

40:53I was still young.

40:55You're still young.

40:57You're still looking young, Ray.

41:05At that time,

41:07very eager to have

41:09still

41:11a business.

41:13That's something aside from

41:15being employed. It was good

41:17really. I was convinced then

41:19to have a business instead

41:21of employment.

41:23After

41:25being employed also for almost

41:2720 years.

41:29It was good to shift.

41:31That's a shifting of,

41:33I would say, paradigm for me

41:35to go into business.

41:37Because business is

41:39really good if you know

41:41how to do it or you have

41:43the expertise. You have the

41:45experience. If somebody has the experience,

41:47the expertise, the knowledge,

41:49the business

41:51sense also.

41:53It's good to go into

41:55business nowadays.

41:57Especially also for retirees.

41:59When we retired from San Miguel,

42:01San Miguel put up

42:03a program

42:05they called before

42:07Life After San Miguel.

42:09We were trained.

42:13We went through a lot of

42:15seminars on businesses.

42:17That was good because we were

42:19exposed already to,

42:21after San Miguel,

42:23another life, we were exposed to

42:25business life.

42:27We were into that.

42:31For example, a lot of

42:33San Miguel colleagues

42:35now are into cooperatives also.

42:37The transport cooperatives.

42:39Because they were involved

42:41in logistics

42:43and transport operation of San Miguel.

42:45So, you have the expertise

42:49and you're exposed to business

42:51plus the business sense.

42:53Of course, a space,

42:55I would say, a space

42:57for our almighty

42:59God to operate within us.

43:01Exactly.

43:03In other words, you have to have that

43:05prayerful life.

43:07You have to have

43:09that discernment.

43:11Sometimes, retirees

43:13have their own retirement pay.

43:15That's the last money that you can have.

43:19But don't spend

43:21and spend

43:23for nothing.

43:25That's why the importance

43:27of discernment is very important.

43:29It's not like

43:31there are a lot of retirees

43:33who keep up with

43:35the Joneses.

43:37Like you, you're very fortunate

43:39because you have friends, you have

43:41colleagues, you have a company

43:43that help you transcend.

43:45See, Marietta,

43:47from corporate to cooperative,

43:49that's a big jump

43:51for you.

43:53Being corporate and all of a sudden

43:55from the corporate world

43:57down to shift into cooperative.

43:59What kind of transition

44:01or probably people

44:03who are in the same situation

44:05like you, what can you advise them?

44:07All you have to do

44:09is know what

44:11the business is all about

44:13and learn to

44:15more or less adjust to it.

44:17There should be the passion

44:19for it also.

44:21Being

44:23in a cooperative, understanding

44:25that the main aim

44:27of a cooperative is to help the members.

44:31To grow the business

44:33is one of those. At the same time,

44:35helping the community

44:37where you are in.

44:39Everything will just fall in place.

44:41Correct.

44:43I'm happy.

44:45Again,

44:47thank you for this opportunity.

44:49Thank you for this

44:51enlightenment of meeting the fast

44:53people.

44:55Thank you for being a member

44:57of the PCCI Quezon City

44:59chapter. You're very active.

45:01Thank you for all the support.

45:03Especially the

45:05halal seminar

45:07that we had last month

45:09wherein you gave a lot

45:11of enlightenment together

45:13with our other speakers

45:15of DTI.

45:17Again, more power

45:19to the people.

45:23Again, more power

45:25and I'd like to see you grow

45:27into those areas

45:29that you mentioned.

45:31Proudly Filipino.

45:35There are a lot of competitors

45:37but you're standing out because

45:39you're one homegrown Filipino

45:41that is being followed by

45:43a lot of foreign competitors.

45:45I hope to see also fast

45:47growing in other countries.

45:49Is that part of your dream now?

45:55In our vision.

46:01Big, hairy, audacious goals.

46:03Right?

46:05It's not prohibited

46:07to dream, right Ray?

46:09Yes.

46:11Dreaming.

46:13There are a lot of

46:15Filipinos who need it.

46:17It's good to see

46:19a fast

46:21USA.

46:23Right?

46:25Branded.

46:27To see

46:29both of you

46:31and the cooperative members being proud.

46:33Because you have founding members

46:35who are already retired abroad.

46:37They might be the one

46:39to take the lead.

46:41So, why not?

46:43It's not bad.

46:45In God's time,

46:47I want to see fast

46:49probably in the next 2 years.

46:51Fast California.

46:53Fast Texas.

46:55Fast Canada.

46:57Isn't it beautiful?

46:59Right?

47:01Again, last words.

47:03Ray, what else can you say

47:05now, Mr. Ray?

47:11For FastLab,

47:13we will

47:15be consistent

47:17and continuously

47:21follow or

47:23implement our

47:25mission.

47:27Our vision and mission

47:29for the business.

47:31Of course, to make it

47:33grow and bigger.

47:39To grow in terms of numbers of members

47:41and to take care of them.

47:43The members of the cooperative.

47:45And to be

47:47government compliant.

47:49For the others,

47:51in the industry,

47:53in the business,

47:55those who are into

47:57considering

47:59business as an option of their

48:01retirement or

48:03their excess

48:05funds, they can invest in

48:07fast as a

48:09member of the cooperative.

48:11Anybody is welcome

48:13to be part of FastLab.

48:3950,000

48:41will get in as a regular member.

48:43You are now entitled to

48:45all the benefits and we have a lot of benefits

48:47for our co-op members.

48:49So if I'm

48:51an entrepreneur and I'm in food,

48:53can I be a member? At the same time,

48:55what do I enjoy? Can I enjoy some of the

48:57testing and procedure

48:59services? Yes, you will have

49:01patronage refund for that.

49:03You will have

49:05what we call

49:07in the cooperative profits.

49:09Parts of the profits.

49:11You will have discounts

49:13also. Interest on share capital.

49:15That's what we call it.

49:17You can join our

49:19we have a

49:21pre-membership seminar where you

49:23can shoot all the questions you want to ask.

49:25We also have

49:27additional health

49:29insurance for

49:31all the members.

49:33The employees have a regular

49:35membership.

49:37You can join our

49:39pre-membership seminar.

49:41You can join our

49:43pre-membership seminar.

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