GMIC: The ‘Midas Touch’ of Aklan

KALIBO, Aklan- If there is a man who has a ‘King Midas’ touch in the province of Aklan, it will be no other than Guidon Macciri Dela Cruz (GMC).

The story of King Midas was one of the classic favorite story books of children. It has been said that King Midas possesses powers, that is everything he touches turns into gold.

Dela Cruz, 65 started his story in 1985. Though he was born in a decent family, he started to sell and deliver in his neighbors pandesal in the morning, and spanish bread in the afternoon.

Through the years, the bread delivery turned into a store and eventually became a bakeshop gathering national and local merit awards in business. It now has more than 130 store franchises in the countryside having branches in Romblon, Mindoro Island, Guimaras among others.

But through the years, Dela Cruz did not only invest in the Bakeshop, he also introduced the growing number of stores of Pizzados and Tokanz Batchoy.

Although now retired, he handed over the chairmanship to his wife Dr. Cynthia Dela Cruz.

Doc Cynthia and their children have been Guidon’s secret recipe in running the day-to-day operation of their business despite painstaking difficulties, challenges and successes.

Doc Cynthia in one of their corporate speeches said that she wanted to make their now corporation the Filbake Group of Companies a community endeavor, where priority is given to helping people earn a living, rather than an enterprise.

Mark Reyes, senior operations manager of Filbake told the Boracay Island News Network (BINN) that their founder GMIC not only makes successes especially in the food business. He also inspires people, especially their employees. He know to trained people, maximising one’s potential.

“He knows the value of hard-earned money – knows when to spend wisely and economically. One reason perhaps why he’s one of the successful entrepreneurs in the province,” he said.