Ni REGGEE BONOAN

PORMAL nang binuksan kahapon ang ikatlong Chowking outlet ni Kris Aquino sa kanto ng Quezon Avenue at Araneta Avenue, Quezon City na dinumog at pinagkaguluhan ng napakaraming tao. Ayon sa mga nadatnan namin sa labas ng restaurant, 10 AM pa lang ay inaabangan na nila ang pagdating ng Queen of Online World and Social Media.

Maaga rin kaming dumating sa venue at narinig ang usap-usapan ng mga nag-aabang na magpapa-picture raw sila kay Kris habang kumakain sila sa CK.

Nagkagulo na nang dumating ang mag-iinang Kris, Joshua at Bimby pero hindi pa naman puwedeng pumasok ang lahat sa loob dahil nagsimula na ang religious rites na pinangunahan ni Fr. Jun Sescon.

Ibinigay na rin kina Kris, Joshua, Bimby at Jiggy Cruz ang emblem o simbolo ng Chowking bilang franchise owner. Ang bagong CK outlet ni Kris ang pang-529 stores sa buong Metro Manila.

Masayang pinasalamatan ni Kris ang lahat ng mga taong dumalo sa opening ng kanyang bagong branch ng CK. Ibinalita rin niya na patuloy na lumalago ang Chowking na ang ibinabalik na return of investment taun-taon ay triple.

Agad sinabi ni Kris na hindi para sa kanya ang kikitain ng bago niyang restaurant outlet kundi para sa trust fund nina Joshua at Bimby.

“This is the best bond that I invested for them (Josh at Bimby); I think maybe those of you who have children and meron lang akong words of advice na nanggaling sa Mom (President Cory Aquino), unfortunately now 35% na ang tax na binabayaran ko, tumaas ‘yung bracket at sabi ng mom ko na 35% din whatever income I make ay i-set aside for my children.

“So that 35% is actually what’s paying for this (CK outlet), so I want to say thank you because the Chowking endorsement, I’m going on my fifth year. Nakakatuwa at nakaka-touch na meron. Parati kong sinasabi na ang mga endorsements ko, mas tumagal kaysa sa kasal ko (tawanan ang lahat).

“Okay na ‘yun, you can’t have it all but I’m very proud of the fact that the two boys sine-set up ko sila na malaman nila the true value of working hard. That working in hard it has to be and I think Father Jun knows this that I lived in this principle na it has to be a circle of prosperity. Hindi puwedeng ako lang ang yumayaman, kailangang makapagbigay din ako ng trabaho para sa marami dahil sino ba ang bibili ng produkto?

“How can you open a business without ensuring that there will be people who will have jobs and will earn from those businesses? Because nobody will be able to support those businesses kung hindi mo sila bibigyan din ng iyong tiwala.

“The reason I’m here right now and the reason to do this for my sons is because you trusted me and you continue to trust me and I want to say thank you to that.

“And you better pray both of you (Joshua at Bimby), because your allowance will come from here (CK). Gusto kong matuto rin sila -- and Bimby is 10 and kuya is 22, but I want Bimb at this early stage of his life to realize the true value of what it means to work hard to have a business and to be responsible about your finances.

“In name only ako ang may-ari (ng Chowking Araneta cor Quezon Avenue) but in trust for Joshua Aquino and Bimby Aquino. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat for being here and being part of our continuing journey the Chowking.”

Pagkatapos ng dragon dance ay umalis na rin kaagad si Kris dahil may shoot pa raw siya ng Ambi Pur air freshness sa Makati.