Interview with Andrew Masigan

1. Introduce yourself and introduce your company

I have always been based in the Philippines. However, our company has

investments in Spain.

2. What year did you join La Camara how has the country changed since then?

I have been a member since 2013. La Camara has been an invaluable source of

information for our business operations in the Philippines and in Spain.

The networking opportunities have been impeccable and camaraderie among the

members is strong.

I have become a more informed businessman, thanks to La Camara.

3. How has your professional career or your company ́s career developed since since

you have been with La Camara?

Our group of restaurants has expanded from 7 to 31 over the last seven years.

We have become a more professional organization as a result of our association

with the group.

4. Do you think that doing business is nowadays easier or more complicated than

before?

The onset of the Wuhan virus has changed the game for everyone, especially for

us in the hospitality industry. Conditions are more challenging now. Not only

must we adapt to higher safety protocols, but we must also shift our business model to

one that better serves a market more inclined to consume food at home.

5. How has the Filipino consumer changed during all the years that passed by?

The market has been strong all these years until the onslaught of the Wuhan virus.

6. What has been your most difficult challenge since you are here?

I would say surviving the quarantine period and adapting to new market

conditions have been the most challenging.

7. Of all these years, what are you most proud of?

I am proud of the unity and strength of our family, the resilience of our business

and the good friends I have made all these years.

8. In relation with the current pandemic (CoVid-19) that the world is facing, how has

your company has been affected and what actions do you propose to better the situation?

See above

To finish, could you please tell us an anecdote that you will never forget from the

The Philippines?

As a board member of La Camara, I am often asked to invite guests to our

monthly economic briefings. Fortunately, I have friends in the government whom I

can ask to speak before the group.

Whenever I invite high-level officials to speak before La Camara, my invitation is

always deemed as a privilege and a delight for them.

Many have told me that La Camara is still one of the most important business

groups in the country due to its history, heritage, and caliber of members. There is

no denying that government officials feel a connection to a group and treat it with

favor.

We have had five cabinet secretaries speak before the groups so far. One of them

even brought his full team of undersecretaries to address our group. This has never

happened before among business groups in the Philippines. In this regard, La

Camara is special.