Rustan’s: Thanking women

“IF IT wasn’t for women, we wouldn’t even be here,” said Michael Tantoco Huang, Rustan Commercial Corp. VP for Store Development and Expansions in an interview with ����ý.

Mr. Huang is the younger son of the late Rustan Commercial Corp., SSI Group, Inc., and Rustan Marketing Corp. Chair Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco. She had passed away on Feb. 8 (story here: /arts-and-leisure/2024/02/12/574791/rustans-zenaida-nedy-tantoco-77/), just about a month before the “Rustan’s Beauty GRLPWR 2024: Resort To Beauty” event launch at Rustan’s Shangri-la on March 7, a day before International Women’s Day (March 8).

“Not just my mother — she took after my grandmother (Gliceria Rustia Tantoco, who died in 1994), who had the vision for Rustan’s. It was my grandmother together with my grandfather (who died aged 100 in 2021). You see, my grandfather was always the one supporting my grandmother, and (she) had that vision from the very start, what she saw for Rustan’s.�� And I think that was pushed over to my mom, where she had the vision of what Rustan’s should be, and continued on through the years.”

Since his mother’s demise earlier this year, his brother Anton Huang has been named CEO, and his cousin Donnie Tantoco was named Chair. “As part of the third generation, we’ve always seen ourselves as stewards to keep the family business going. We’re just acting as stewards for the next generation,” said Mr. Huang.

RENOVATIONS AND�� PROMOS
Jackie Avecilla, Marketing and Communications Head for Rustan’s Beauty, said that following the renovation of their flagship in Rustan’s Makati, they’re planning renovations for their branches in Shangri-la, Alabang, and Cebu. “We’re expanding certain areas there, and also renovating. That’s long overdue,” she said. While she can’t disclose their names, she said there are new brands entering their beauty roster this year.

The “Rustan’s Beauty GRLPWR 2024: Resort To Beauty” event and seasonal campaign will highlight three female artists: singer Clara Benin, who performed at the event; illustrator Elle Battung, who did a mural for Rustan’s Shangri-la, and designer Zarah Juan, whose new bag, the Mobula, will be available for Rustan’s Beauty Addict members with a minimum purchase of P30,000 (available in white, black, and tan) from March 1 until April 30.

Other promos are lined up, but more importantly, “Because a lot of our shoppers are mostly women, especially for beauty, it’s also thanking them, and making them feel like this is a place where they can freely be themselves… and just really a safe place for them,” said Ms. Avecilla.

For every purchase of P5,000 at Rustan’s The Beauty Source from March 1 until May 31, Rustan’s Beauty Addict members are entitled to one e-raffle entry for a chance to win an all-inclusive four days and three nights-stay for two in the Garden View Villa of Nay Palad Hideaway in Siargao, inclusive of round-trip flights. From March 8 to 31, Rustan’s Beauty Addict members can enjoy times-five Beauty Addict points for any purchase at Rustan’s The Beauty Source. — JL Garcia