Jonathan Jay
Aldeguer
Young Cebuano Entrepreneur, Islands
Souvenir
The story behind Islands
Souvenir
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir
Industry
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
Islands Souvenirs, the brand that
started it all, revolutionized souvenir
shopping by transforming cottageindustry type products and giving it a
fresh take.
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
It carved out a new niche for itself
by providing premium quality souvenir
items that are creatively designed
and packaged in vibrant shopping
environments.
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
Islands Souvenirs’ thrives on a
culture of innovation as it constantly
introduces new concepts, offering
designs that showcase the Philippines
as a tropical and colorful country.
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
It pioneered and popularized the I
heart phenomenon which allow
customers to personalize shirts with
their own names; as well as provide
the locals an avenue to express their
pride of place.
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
Its success story has been widely
embraced, reaping for itself numerous
awards, given the Hall of Fame title for
having won the World Class Retailer of
the Year, three times, as conferred by
the Philippine Retailers Association and
the Department of Trade and Industry.
In 1992, Mr. Aldeguer
established Island Souvenirs.
The shop deviated from the
ethnic-looking designs which
were
the
norm,
and
showcased the Philippines as a
sunny and tropical country. He
packaged his products as a
totality
of
the
unique
experience
of
a
locality,
reflecting
its
dynamic
personality.
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
The idea of selling souvenir shirts
came to him after backpacking
exploits abroad after graduating from
college in 1991: he stuff his backpack
with t-shirts which he sold to friends
back home.
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
During a subsequent trip to
Baguio, he was looking for the best tshirt design and the vendor handed
him shirts with the same design as
those his parents gave him years
before.
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
He went into business when he
was 21 with an initial capital of
P200,000 sourced from a loan from his
parents and savings from small
businesses in college when he started
Islands Souvenirs
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
In just one year, Islands Souvenirs’
sales grew by 300% and expanded to
malls and in various places around the
country.
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
The company also began operating
internationally and opened outlets in
Japan, Macau, US and Singapore at the
invitation
of
the
Singaporean
Government. Mr. Aldeguer has also
created
other
tourism-oriented
companies that complement Islands
Souvenirs.
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
These
are
Islands
Souvenirs
International, Inc.; Franchise Ventures,
Inc.; Islands Pasalubong Center; and
Destinations
Media,
Inc.
He
also
embarked on co-branding marketing
efforts in tourism-related activities with
Cebu Pacific, ABS-CBN, Globe Telecom,
SM and Sony Ericsson.
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
Today, more than a decade after the
birth of his bright idea, Aldeguer, now
president of the Aldeguer Group of
Companies, claims that jumping into the
water and getting his feet wet has been
rewarding beyond the financial success.
Islands Souvenir: Souvenir Industry
With about 30 stores and roughly 100
department store outlets, with franchises
in Singapore, Okinawa, Macau, and San
Francisco, his business is reported to be
worth P300 million. But, he says in earnest,
"I don’t know. I don’t count in terms of
assets (but) in terms of growth and
fulfillment."
Entrepreneurship
Certifications
Entrepreneurship Certifications
• 2007 Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship
(PCE) – Go Negosyo Entrepreneur for Tourism
• 2006
Confederation
of
Asia-Pacific
Chambers of Commerce and Industry —
Philippines
• 2005 SME Entrepreneur Award – Ernst &
Young
Entrepreneurship Certifications
• International Young Design Entrepreneur
Award (Philippine Candidate) — British
Council Philippines
• 1st Business Excellence Award for SMEs —
Philippines Small Business Development
Foundation
• Business Economic and/or Entrepreneurial
Accomplishment Award — The Outstanding
Sacred Heart Alumni
Entrepreneurship Certifications
• 2004 Entrepreneur of the Year in Tourism —
Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• 2003
Agora
Award
for
Outstanding
Achievement in the field of Entrepreneurship
— Philippine Marketing Association
• 2003 Ten Entrepreneurs of the Year —
Entrepreneur Magazine
• Johnnie Walker Striding Man Award
Entrepreneurship Certifications
• Hall of Fame — Outstanding Filipino Retailer
— Philippine Retailers Association & DTI
• 2003 World Class Retailer of the Year —
Philippine Retailers Association & DTI
• 2002 World Class Retailer of the Year —
Philippine Retailers Association & DTI
• 1997 World Class Retailer of the Year —
Philippine Retailers Association & DTI
Entrepreneurship Certifications
• 1997 Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM)
Award
• Cebu Success Story — Cebu Chamber of
Commerce and Industry
Products