Mixing the right dosage of fate and faith was all he needed to reach success.
Starting from a pharmaceutical-based business, one of the leading perfumeries, Prescripto (Latin term for Prescription) managed to invade the sense of smell of the local market in a span of six years. However, it is neither owned by a prominent celebrity nor by an established businessman. Instead, Thomasian pharmacist Marnie Alcantara transformed his business from its humble beginnings into a multi-million company.
Marnie, a probinsyano from Pangasinan, is the youngest of four children. At the age of four, his father left for United States to help support their family. But after some time, his father abandoned them and it became difficult for Marnie’s mother to support all children. His mother then worked abroad as a domestic helper in Japan and left her kids in the care of relatives.
“Dahil na rin sa hirap nagkahiwa-hiwalay kaming apat na magkakapatid. Pina-adopt kami ng mother ko sa iba’t-iba naming tita na kanya-kanya ring sumuporta sa pag-aaral naming,” he said. Marnie was adopted by his aunt who financed his studies from high school to college—all of which in UST.
Becoming a pharmacist was never his dream though. Instead, he wanted to become a doctor and vied for Medical Technology as his pre-medical course. But due to financial problems, he enrolled later than scheduled. That day he stood at the long line of students enrolling for Med-Tech. Not knowing exactly how it happened, Marnie got his turn and the clerk told him that the line was for Pharmacy enrollees and that no more slots were available in Med-Tech. Hesistant, he enrolled thinking that he could shift in the next semester. However, his high school friends were enrolled in the same course so he settled and decided to finish Pharmacy instead.
Despite having financial problems on his shoulders, Marnie’s college days in the University were among his happiest. He says UST played an important role in molding him to be determined to continue on with life. “Ang atmosphere ng UST inspiring. Ang magiging priority mo talaga ‘yung education and UST is the best place for it. ‘Pag may problema ka, mas gugustuhin mo lang na dumaan sa simbahan at magdasal kaysa mag-drugs. Even without your family to guide you, but with a good school like UST, things will work,” Marnie said.
In 1987, after graduation, his friends pursued Medicine—he could not. Strong-willed and determined to make something for himself, Marnie immediately worked for recognized pharmaceutical companies like United Laboratories, Warner Lambert, Bayer Philippines, and L’Oreal Philippines. From there, Marnie acquired his expertise inside the laboratory and familiarized himself with the trails of the corporate world.
In 1996, he established his own business, Prescripto, a drug wholesaler for small-scale pharmacies. In 1999, the business evolved and eventually became a famous line of perfumes. He said it started with only 60 bottles of mixed formula for his colognes which he sold to some friends. Marnie and his brother then presented the idea to department store-giant SM and were immediately offered outlets in three of its branches.
At present, Prescripto has 63 outlets nationwide. Unlike other well-established companies in the country, Marnie himself solely runs Prescripto. He says it is a “one-man company”, with him being the owner, managing director, logistics manager, and sometimes even the deliveryman. “100 per cent I own the company. Marami ang nagsabi sa akin na umupo na lang daw ako sa opisina. Pero mas gusto ko magbigay ng mga fliers and leaflets at lalo na mag-deliver sa mga probinsya,” he added.
Coming from poverty, Marnie knows the difficulty of the underprivileged to be employed. He says almost all of his employees are undergraduate, majority of which only reached high school. “Pag nagha-hire ako, ang unang tanong ko is always about family. I don’t ask about educational attainment. Pag ‘yung mga ganu’ng tao kasi ang kinuha mo (na may importansya sa pamilya), mas lalo nilang minamahal ang trabaho nila,” Marnie explains.
Today, Marnie, his wife and four daughters, are now settled in a one-hectare hacienda in Pampanga, which also houses his company’s warehouse and laboratory. He also plans to expand Prescripto’s merchandise by introducing fashionable bags and a line of apparel in the coming years.
With all his accomplishments, Marnie is still thankful for the blessings and good fortune he has. And whenever people would ask him about his good luck, he has only one reply, “anak (kasi) ako ng Diyos”.
From owning nothing, Marnie Alcantara now has everything within his reach. For someone who had been through the downs and ups of life, Marnie advised his fellow Thomasians to be optimistic despite the trials along the way.
“The most important thing is to enjoy life. Secondary na lang ang problema. Pray and don’t question God, but rather, ask for help. Enjoy, go on, and life will find its way, “ he said.
Thank you Marnie Alcantara for sharing your life experience. I’m a student under faculty of pharmacy and your story just give me motivation for everything! God bless idol!
Thank you Marnie Alcantara for sharing your life experience. I’m a student under faculty of pharmacy and your story just give me motivation for everything! God bless idol!
Good morning!
I was inspired with your humble beginning…i would like to find out how can we franchise for zamboanga area. I am a user of your product for more than two years now and i am inlove with almost all of your scent.
i am very much interested to among your franchisee..please let me know your requirements in applying for franchise. you can email me your response or reach me through my celfone no. 0917 724 6501 or 062 926 2826..
thank you and more power!
To God be the glory…
anne torres
I’m very inspired by your story. Im an avid fan of your perfumes and I’m also into business. I would like to open a franchise of Prescripto here in Bicol. Please email me the details on how I can apply for this franchise. Or contact me @ 09079461369. Thank you!
Sir,
I am an OFW gusto ko sana mg franchise sa inyo, malapit napo kasi mgbukas SM San Fernando and i am interested na mg franchise.
i hope you can help me and my wife
Dingzon
OFW
Very inspiring ang story mo. ms. marnie
I’m Mark Alvin Faraon, gusto ko magfranchise ng Prescripto.
magkano ang starting capital.
ito ang number q 09393074781. sana mapag-usapan natin ung mga bagay-bagay na icoconsider sa pag franchise.,
Please send me thru my email the details on how to franchse with your company prescripto. Thanks very much, hoping soon maisend nyo sa akin. God Bless!
Good day!
Please send me thru my email ad the details on how to franchise with your company, ala po dito sa lugar namin ng prescripto. 5 provinces po nkapalibot sa amin, dati ko na yan ginagamit nung npupunta ako sa manila. sana po maisend nyo asap. salamat po. God bless!
please allow me to become distributor or to franchise prescripto.
this is my address 183 Brgy Tumaway talisay batangas.
contact no. 09228000728
Hi!
I’m interested to know how i can franchise your Prescripto? Please give me a call at 09228997106 or email me.
Looking forward to hear from you…
Thank you….
Hi po, I’m also interested on franchising Prescipto in Bacolod City. Please kindly email me the details if possible. God bless !
Thank you.
hai po..panu po mag franchise ng prescripto?gusto q sana mag franchise..taga ilocos po aq eh sa sm baguio pa aq bumibili ng perfume nyo…plz email me for the details..thanks po
good day!
I would like to ask how to franchise prescripto perfume.
thank you!
hi! i am from la union and i am interested with the said product. i just want to know how can i get a franchise of prescripto perfumes? i would appreciate it if i get positive response from you, maybe as soon as possible? 🙂 thanks! godbless!
Hi! I would like to ask how much is the franchise fee of Prescripto perfume. I’m a 4th year college student and currently working for our Thesis and we need to know every little information about Prescripto.
I will be happy if you answer my inquiry as soon as possible. Thank you! Have a good day.
please can you help me in franchising prescripto?Im from Silang Cavite and I will be thankful for your reply..
Hi po. I’m Clinton Ulysess B. Battung, I really use Prescripto since then apparently I need to travel manila pa po just to buy 1.
I’m currently a Marketing Asst and I have plans po to franchise prescripto here in Isabela. Please contact me po.
09269765229/09064643914
Thank you very much!!
Hello po. im vincent. UST din po ako nag aaral mojor in entrepreneurship. sana po mag visit kayo or invite po namin kayo pag may seminar kame. na inspire po ako after asahin to, and matagal ko na din po akong gumagamit ng prescrpto, ang galing nyo po. 😀
Hi! I just would like to asked where we could possibly by products of Prescripto at a lower price, because we would like also to sell your products in a store that we are about to open., I don’t think we have enough money to franchise your products that’s why we just would like to know the place where we could possibly bought products of yours at lowest price possible…, Could you possibly help us? thanks….,