Mindanao traders find greener pastures in Greenhills

When the Cotabato barter trade closed in the 1980s, businessman Abdul Macabantog went to Manila to look for business opportunities. He landed at the Greenhills Shopping Center, where he set up exhibits for antiques and jewelry. Although sales were slow for the handful of traders, Macabantog stayed true to his Muslim values and persevered despite the hardships. His high quality antiques, pearls and jewelry soon attracted a loyal following among wealthy customers, both Filipinos and foreigners. “After malaman ng mga tao dito, lalo na ‘yung mga foreigners, na ‘yung mga paninda namin talagang genuine pearls and jewelry, nagpuntahan na sila dito sa Greenhills," he said. “Cheaper (ang mga paninda namin) kasi kami talaga nagseserbisyo sa mga tindahan naming. Hindi kami kumukuha ng mga tauhan." Other Muslim traders from Mindanao soon learned about the greener pastures in Greenhills, and from 20 stalls, their number grew to 70 stalls in 1996. In the same year, the Greenhills Muslim Traders Association was formed as a support group for the growing Muslim community. According to Public Information Officer Nasser Gote, the association was obligatory to their faith. “’Pag magkaroon ng isang lugar na (maraming Muslim), dapat magkaroon ng lider. Dahil ang sabi ng Propeta Mohammad, ‘yung marami na walang lider, ang nagli-lider doon evil,“ he said. Around 90 per cent of pearl and other jewelry sellers in Greenhills are now Muslim traders, mostly from the Maranao community. Other traders sell imported bags, footwear, ready to wear apparel and mobile phones. But the path to their booming businesses had its share of hurdles. Gote said most of them had to deal with negative connotations about Muslims --- a tricky problem especially for the jewelry traders. “Kasi mamahalin ang paninda namin (kaya) ang nakakausap namin mayayaman na Christian. Ang akala nila, ‘yung mga Muslim, lahat masasama ang ugali, hindi mapagkakatiwalaan, traydor, lahat ng maduming pangalan,“ he recalls. Instead of spawning conflict, Gote saw the misconceptions as an opportunity to redeem the image of Muslims and establish good relations with their Christian customers --- efforts that soon paid off. “Nang lumipas ang mga taon, nakita nila okay pala itong mga Muslim. ‘Yun ang talagang pinagpapasalamat namin sa Allah na naipakita namin na ang Muslim community ay puwede palang maging parte ng Christian community." Giving back At present, Gote estimates that there are over a thousand Muslim traders who make up almost 60 percent of the vendors in Greenhills. With rentals averaging at P52,500 for a 2x 2 meter jewelry stall, Muslim traders contribute a significant portion of revenue in the shopping center. Their prosperous businesses have also allowed members of the trader’s association to give back to their community. In accordance with the teachings of Islam, the traders donate frequently and generously to the association. The funds are used to help fellow Muslims with a variety of problems --- starting up their own business, paying hospital bills, or buying tickets to go home to Mindanao. They have also started constructing a P3.8 million mosque near Cagayan de Oro. Although they have also felt the pinch of the global economic downturn, they believe their hard work as well as their faith will see them through. “Ang turo ng Islam, ‘pag may dumating na calamities tulad nitong financial crisis, ang number one weapon ng Muslim diyan magtiis, magtiyaga, at mapalapit sa Panginoon. ‘Yun ang ginagawa namin," said Gote. GMANews.TV