The Varsitarian

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. Ma. Charise Lauren C. Adonay and Ma. Cristina S. Lavapie.