Board of Directors
OWNERS
of
UNO International Corporation
From the left Sir Herbert Go Chua, Sir Oliver Go Chua, and The President, William Barbo.
Brief background of the BOD's of UNO
President William Barbo (WB), was born in Basey, Samar. His parents moved to Manila in search of greener pasture. As a young boy, he sold, ice candy and was one of the "takatak boys" selling cigarettes along the crowded and busy streets of Tondo, Manila. As a teen-ager, he drove tricycles in Navotas to help his parents make a living. To finance schooling in college, he worked as a Crew at McDonalds for 7years, the same number of years to complete his Engineering Course as a working student. For want of a job after college, he worked as a BARTENDER, a position he painstakingly held over five years.
Little that he know that all these that he had gone through, and the values he learned at the so called University of Hard-Knocks: humility, hard-work, self-reliance, perseverance, patience, sacrifice, value of customers, service oriented disposition, understanding people, high standard of excellence, etc, are lessons that prepared him to become who he is now, the PRESIDENT OF UNO INTERNATIONAL.
His First Entry into the World of Network Marketing
One Christmas Season, a co-worker by the name of Rommel, introduced Network Marketing to him. WB immediately got excited with the vast, unlimited and mind-bogging potential that Network Marketing can offer. He then took the first risk! He sacrificed his 13th month pay and Christmas bonus and took a cash advance from his credit card just to purchase a 3-header account, his passport to enter the arena of Network Marketing.
While his friends and co-workers were busy shopping for the Christmas and enjoying the real spirit of the Holidays, he was left cashed trapped, contemplating whether he made the right decision to join MLM or not. In sales parlance, it is called buyer's remorse.
"Malungkot, sobrang lungkot, mahirap abutin ng pasko ng walang kapera-pera", WB said. "But I made a promise to myself. Na kung totoo man itong networking na ito. This will be the last Christmas na wala akong pera", he added. And the rest was history.
Dealing with NEGATIVES
When it comes to negatives, WB, with a big smile, has to say, "Sobrang dami ng negatives na dinaanan ko. Ang daming pilosopo. Kung di ka pa tapos magsalita, nire-reject ka na. Sa una, matindi ang tama sa emotion, specially kung kapamilya, katrabaho o kaibigan mo mismo di naniniwala sa iyo. Mahirap lang talaga sa una pag wala pang income. Wala kang panangga. Walang kunsweldo de bobo. Pero sige lang. Eventually, masusuklian lahat ng hirap pag may resulta ng nakikita. Darating din ang punto na pag nireject ka, sasabihin mo sa sarili mo na hindi ako ang nawalan, kundi sila..."
His Baptism of Fire: Paying the Price
Armed with nothing but a burning desire and a big dream to change the course of his life, his venture in Network Marketing began. For the first 7 months, his earnings were way short of the expectations he initially had. Nonetheless, he did not let go of his dream. He did not quit. "Gutom, pagod, puyat, kawalan ng family time, lahat naranasan ko. I also had to work 7 days a week! our mentor taught us the principle of delayed gratification; na kailangan willing akong magsacrifice and pay the price first to earn the rewards I want in life. That kept me going. I just focused on the rewards- my financial and personal freedom", he lamented.
Fruits of His Labor
After the sacrifice comes the reward. To WB, giving up was never an option. He persevered, until he gained the sweet fruits of his labor. When he started to earn more than what he was earning as a BARTENDER, he resigned from his job. Hence, he became a FREE man, living each day without a boss. Network Marketing gave his freedom from then on. Now he has more free time to spend with his wife, DONNABEL MESINA MAGTANONG, a tall, elegant, kind, and understanding well-bred woman from Bataan, who also shares his passion in network marketing, their 5 year old son, SEAN WILLIAM, interestingly nicknamed UNO and Ysa, who was recently born last 2011.
After a couple of years in Network Marketing, WB then bought his first car, a brand new CR-V. Eventually, then came the construction of this classy, multimillion 2 story house with a wide garage, a garden, and a swimming pool. And these were just the beginning, for the best has yet to come few years after more cars, more properties, more local and international tours, more financial rewards, more high quality time for his family!
Success in Network Marketing
Due to perseverance, hard-work, focus, consistency, positive attitude and other attributes that he i endowed with, WB became one of the most popular and respected personalities in the field of Network Marketing in our country. Whatever Networking Company he associated with, he became a consistent Top Earner and Millionaires Club member.
Together with the brothers, Oliver and Herbie Chua, they are now regarded as the THREE ACES of Network Marketing Industry in the Philippines.
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Herbert Go Chua, a young millionaire married to a gorgeous lady of Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Marites Salvador. Together, they are blessed with two lovely, beautiful children, Patricia Mharice (14) and Byancha Mharice (11).
Just like brother, Oliver, Herbie also had his share of life's unpredictable and sometimes inevitable ups and downs from childhood of extreme affluence, to teenage life of arduous financial struggles, then back to life of abundance courtesy of hard-work, and Network Marketing.
At a very young age of 18, he became a family man. The yoke of fatherly responsibility rested on his shoulders at a tender age. With abounding determination, he did not allow the youth and lack of experience impede on his goal of raising an ideal and financially secure family. From the very start, and since the blood of Chinese entrepreneurs flows in his veins, the value of being your own boss, of being a business owner, remained to be his strong resolve. To him, employment was neither an option nor an open, viable proposition.
Thus, the young business person partnered with his friends, most of whom were older than he was, and ventured into Buy and Sell of cars. Just like other business of this kind, the flow of income came unpredictably depending on the season and economic condition. Nevertheless, he managed not just to make ends meet but, provided a comfortable life for his family.
First rendezvous in Network Marketing
The door of network marketing was first opened for him through his in-laws. He was a reluctant prospect at first, but something really struck his attention the possibility of making much money with so little capital. This to him defied his initial understanding of what business should be High Capital, High Income, and High Risk!
To him, just like his other would be partnered William, and brother Oliver, HARD WORK or "SIPAG" is a given, somehow a built in attribute, or perhaps it is in his genes as a Chinese descent. All he needed was an OPPORTUNITY, a good break in life to match with his willingness to roll up his sleeves and work!
Network Marketing was a great revelation to him. On seeing, hearing and meeting so many ordinary people making extra ordinary income, something inside him was awakened. He was challenged. His hope to make it big rekindled. His expectations rose to the highest level. Nevertheless there was only one problem: Just like his brother, he too not feel comfortable presenting to many people. BOMs were a bum to him. That was not his forte. That was not his training. Certainly, he was the extremely shy, highly reserved and utterly soft spoken type. Public speaking to him was a corporal punishment.
Yet, he proceeded, as he went onto say, " Ito lang nakita kong malaking pag-asa ko! Hindi ko man linya, kung kailangan kong linyahan, lilinyahan ko." All he needed was a paradigm shift and the proper training. He had both eventually, then his life began to be transformed, and change became apparent.
Keeping their Feet
When asked how they managed to remain humble despite all their unparalleled accomplishments and achievements. William said this, "History would tell us, mahirap ang kahihinatnan ng taong mayabang. I also believe in the biblical verse which says, "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Pag tumaas ka, kailangan mas lalo kang dapat yumuko and be more approachable." Oliver echoed the same, "It is about going back to roots.. about sympathy Hanggang umiikot ang mundo, dapat marunong pa rin tayong makiharap sa tao."
"Hindi kailangang magbago pag marami kang pera. Palulungkutin mo lang buhay mo. Baguhin mo lifestyle mo, pero hindi ang ugali mo," Herbie added rather substantially.
Words to Live by from the FOUNDERS
When asked what advice the trio would like to share to their distributors and to those who are still having second thoughts in joining UNO, these they humbly stated:
"Maraming masipag, kailangan lang ng tamang opportunity. UNO is the best opportunity for those who are willing to pay the price. Sino ka man, ano man ang tinapos mo, ano man ang pinagdaanan mo o pinagdadaanan mo, so long as na you are of legal age, we provide equal opportunity for you. Hindi na tayo kailangang mag-abroad pa, iwanan ang mga mahal sa buhay at makipagsapalaran para kumita. Madami ng natulungan ang UNO. Patuloy pa itong mangyayari. Sana, ikaw na ang susunod na mabago ang buhay." said William Barbo.
"We offer you the best opportunity: The best products. The best systems support. The best marketing plan designed for the long-term. We offer nothing but the best. We intend to live up to our corporate name UNO, to be number one, and to remain as the Numero Unong Negosyo ng Bayan in our country. Everything is given. Results are there. Only the TIME FOR YOU TO START is the question. Kung meron kang totodohin, eto na." said Oliver Chua.
"Ito na ang tamang vehicle para makamit ang inyong dreams, goals and aspirations. Hard-work at focus lang, soon success will follow. Hindi rin solution ang palipat lipat sa ibang company. Focus ka lang sa UNO, sure ang results. Para sa mga naga-alalang late na kayong pumasok dahil mahigit 5 years na tayo, I assure you, walang late sa company na pang long term. Malaki ang market. We have just built our own office. Madami pang products na parating. There will be more innovations for the better. We have only just begun. It's never too late so start your UNO Business." said Herbert Chua.
His Secret Approach to "Stardom"
His secret approach to "Stardom" armed with a boyish look, the magnetic charisma, a disarming smile, and bundles on bundles of energy to burn, he proceeded to make his mark in the networking industry. On his secret of success, he said. "For straight 6 months, I went on a sponsoring binge. Sponsor dito, sponsor doon. I was running berserk. Living each day as if there was no tomorrow. Hard-work talaga, at focus lang sa goals ko. Lagi kung tinitingnan yung earning opportunity. I was willing and prepared to sacrifice. I never lose faith. I knew then, if others could make it, I could, too.
Yes, there were so many negatives, he went onto say, But I never allowed myself to be affected. I respected them for their views, but I never allowed those views to shackle my feet and stop pursuing my dreams.
Eventually, I developed leaders. I focused my time and energy for them. I focused my time and energy to them. As I develop leaders, then came explosive and phenomenal growth in my organization. There really was no secret and no magic. Just plain and simple hard-work, proper training, many patience, sacrifice, focus on goals, inner drive and motivation as an antidote to negatives, then developing people to become leaders and succeed."
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Oliver Go Chua, was born in Manila to pure Chinese parents. He is married to a hard-working, lovely lady, Stephanie "Apple" Tan, also of Manila. The couple is blessed with three children, Zachie Mhiel (5), Zuri Mae (3), and Zara Marie (2). In the 1980's, Oliver's family was engaged in business that belong to the Top 1,000 Corporations in the Philippines. He was the proverbial child born with a silver spoon-elite, well-to-do, affluent-rich! In fact, he grew up with bodyguards hovering all over to ensure their safety. High-end, luxury cars were to them ordinary possessions.
Their employees used to tell him, "kahit ilang generations pa, sa yaman ninyo, di mauubos ang pera ninyo at di kayo maghihirap." Quite ominous. This human "prophecy" did not come true, but the contrary. When Oliver was a teen-ager, business downtrend turned their wheels of fortune 360 degrees. Their business collapsed, his father passed away, and they were left with seemingly insurmountable challenges; the possibility of poverty is staring them straight in the eye.
Introduction to Network Marketing
Oliver was determined to bounce back from where he came from. Realizing that his big dreams, specially his passion to collect high-end cars, were not in his present employment, he quit his job. He said, "kung ano mang raket at sideline pinasok ko, basta legal. Until I became a coco-lumber supplier. But the business did not last. Kasi yung business ng sinusuplyan ko, naglie-low din.
Until my younger brother, Herbie, introduced Network Marketing to me. Right away nagustuhan ko ang concept. Almost exact opposite ng traditional business. Mababa ang capital, mababa ang risk, pero ang laki ng kitaan.
The Value of Training and Mentoring
Just like any other network marketers, Oliver, too, had some dark moments wherein he was at the brink of giving up. At some point, he began to persuade himself that network marketing is not meant for him; not really his cup of tea. However he owed it all to his mentors who patiently caddied and convinced him to attend training, meetings and functions. As he attended these, "I got recharged and amazingly, lumalakas ang loob ko at lalo akong nacha-challenge. Nare-remind din ako: mahilig ako sa kotse. Wala akong malaking puhunan kung magnenegosyo ulit ako. HINDI NAMAN EMPLOYMENT ANG KASAGUTAN. Networking na lang talaga ang pag-asa ko.
I really owe it all to training and my mentors. Kung wala yun, baka wala ako ngayon dito. Kaya madalas, ito ang emphasis ko sa mga bagong networkers. Mahirap ang nangangapa. Kailangan mag-attend ng trainings. Sa mga leaders naman, huwag kalimutan ang mentoring sessions. These really are necessary components ng pagbuibuild ng solid at long term na marketing organization. Totoo din yung kasabihan, "Leaders are not born, they are made", he said emphatically.
Confronting Challenges in Network Marketing
Oliver is now ready to paddle his own canoe as he threaded the unknown waters of network marketing. As any network marketer, he too had his debacle over the need for him to adapt to a new environment, specially from being an introvert to go out in the open, to meet and talk to people. This to him did not happen overnight. In fact, he related, "Sa training namin, we were taught to invite people the most economical way. To complete our prospects list then call them one by one. Pag tumawag ako at nagring na sa other line, sinasabi ko sa sarili ko, "SANA WALA YUNG KAKAUSAPIN KO."
Ang hirap talagang maovercome yung pagiging mahiyain ako. He too had his own share of negativism. Minsan, may reunion kami. Excited ako kasi mga relatives at kakilala ko ang pagprepresentahan ko. Ang masaklap, doon ko narealize, MINSAN KUNG SINO PA ANG MALAPIT SA IYO, SILA PA ANG HINDI NANINIWALA. Ang mas matindi don, di na nga naniniwala, inenegative ka pa!
Oliver has this simple yet profound advice, "Ignore the negatives, digest and absorb the positives."
His Weakness became His Strength
At first, Oliver perceived that his typical reserved personality is a weakness. Ironically, he found it to be his strength since he became easily duplicable. Hindi kami magaling magsalita lalo na sa maraming tao. In fact, kami ni Herbie, pag may malalaking events dati, nagtatago kami. Kahit kami pa yung mga awardees. Umiiwas talaga kami sa mga malalaking events. We would rather do a one on one or small table presentations. Kaya most people would look up to me and say, "Kung kaya ni Oliver, kaya ko rin." This proves me one vital point: Network Marketing is designed for everyone, whether for the most out spoken, eloquent person or for someone who dread speaking in front of many people.
THERE YOU HAVE THEM, THE THREE ACES IN OUR COUNTRY'S MULTILEVEL INDUSTRY, THE FOUNDERS OF UNO, INTERNATIONAL.
