LAMOIYAN CORPORATION: 25 Years of Hapee Smiles

LAMOIYAN CORPORATION: 25 Years of Hapee Smiles

Lamoiyan Corporation turns 'Silver'. The country’s first homegrown toothpaste, Filipino-owned oral and personal care products manufacturer Lamoiyan Corporation celebrate its 25th anniversary of giving hope, sharing Hapee smiles to Filipinos at Acacia Hotel today, January 24, 2013.

President and CEO, Dr. Cecilio Kwok Pedro of Lamoiyan Corporation presented to the media, trade partners and distributors and VIP guests the achievements of Lamoiyan Corporation for the past 25 years. He relates how his first company, Aluminum Container Inc., sold aluminum toothpaste tubes to foreign firms from 1978 to 1985. However, an unexpected experience happened in 1985. Those companies which he had been supplying aluminum tubes for about 8 years switched into using plastic laminated tubes. So, not for long, Pedro had to close his factory. Undaunted by that failure and with his full faith in God, he decided to try venturing into toothpaste manufacturing, then the domain of multinationals. And so the birth of the first local 100% Filipino-owned toothpaste manufacturing Company in March that same year saw the introduction of the first local toothpaste brand, Hapee toothpaste and later diversifying his product line to include Hapee Kiddie Toothgels, Dazz Dishwashing Paste and Dazz All-Purpose Kitchen Cleaner, Fresher feminine wash and Gumtect, a special gum-formula toothpaste. Since its inception it has consistently maintained world-class quality at par with its foreign counterparts. 

 

I personally think it is good to note that Dr. Pedro is a staunch supporter of the hearing impaired. Yes, Dr. Pedro has chosen to use his entrepreneurial skills to help provide opportunities to others. Dr. Pedro helps provide free college education to at least 180 deaf-mute students through the Deaf Evangelistic Alliance Foundation, Inc. (DEAF), which he currently chairs. He was recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports for the continuing efforts of D.E.A.F. providing education to the hearing-impaired in alleviating their conditions and providing them with adequate education.

Lamoiyan Corporation also employs over 30 deaf-mute staff, and helps provide them with free housing. To narrow the communication gap between his hearing-impaired and hearing personnel, Dr. Pedro has also required his managers to learn sign language.

 

“My primary intention is to encourage more businessmen to be socially responsible, to help people and to give back to the community,” Dr. Pedro shares. “Being socially responsible is not only taking care of the hearing impaired, but also taking care of your people. You provide a decent place where they can work safely,” he adds. “I also believe in taking care of my employees’ physical, intellectual, and spiritual well-being.” Of these three aspects, Dr. Pedro puts a premium on creating means by which his people can grow spiritually. His company holds regular Bible studies and prayer meetings to help make food for the soul. Their singular corporate motto is “Making the difference for the Glory of God.”

 

Dr. Pedro, together with his only son Joel Pedro VP for Sales and Marketing with Peter Paul Ang, Assistant Vice President for New Business Development bared details about several activities currently in the pipeline in relation to its 25th anniversary, which includes tie-ups with organizations such as the Philippine Dental Association (PDA), represented by Dr. Corazon Flores for its nationwide adopt-a-Baranggay project medical/dental missions. 

Joel Pedro VP for Sales and Marketing

Various activities will be conducted in key cities in the Philippines with the support of Lamoiyan’s trade partners. Dr. Pedro also reiterates his support to the deaf mute.

The event also coincided with the company's three-day National Sales Convention that aims to empower and build a stronger business partnership with its valued trade partners.

 

Themed "Silver," which is also in line with the commemoration of the company's 25 years in the business, this annual conclave serves as a fitting tribute to their trade partners’ substantial contributions to Lamoiyan Corporation’s continued growth. The event also gives the trade partners a preview of Lamoiyan Corporation’s goals and programs for the year, and allows them to look back at the firm’s historic past and further foster camaraderie with one another.

 

“We believe that celebrating our silver anniversary amid this convention is the perfect opportunity for us to show what God has done for a Christian-Filipino company in a highly competitive oral care industry. With our trade partners present, together we will walk the path to victory,” Dr. Pedro said.

 

Peter Paul Ang, Assistant Vice President for New Business Development  

Lamoiyan Corporation also stands proud as the first Filipino company that successfully penetrated the local toothpaste industry through its dental care brands, and Kutitap. Since then, its portfolio of products expanded, many of which have earned the love, patrimony and loyalty of consumers here and abroad.

“Many thought then that my decision was unwise but Lamoiyan Corporation’s success throughout the years proved otherwise. It’s been a good 25 years, and we are looking forward to more years together with our trade partners in order to make a difference—all for the glory of God,” Dr. Pedro continues.

To know more about how Lamoiyan Corporation gives hope to Filipinos and shares smiles, visit www.lamoiyan.com or www.facebook.com/LamoiyanCorporation.