La Union mall owner says putting up business is God-inspired By: William Jun Garcia-City Media Bureau September 27, 2013 SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union-A hardened Christian, who devotes half of his daily life serving God by having his All-Christian Foundation School of Missionaries spread His word in Luzon, says he put up his business is a dream come true. Joey Tan Yao, a 65 year-old, Filipino-Chinese businessman here, owns a 4.5 hectare Manna Residences Subdivision; a building which houses his home, a hardware shop and the school and now the Manna Mall which is anchored mainly the Puregold shopping mall and 52 other stalls which was built on a 1-hectare lot, he claimed he owns it with his siblings, in Barangay Pagdaraoan, here. “No politicians in La Union invested in the mall business,” he swore, in the 5,000 square-meter mall, Puregold being the 200th built in the country. “This is one way to help residents have employment and Income for the city government too.” Tan Yao said that this project is a “dream come true and a miracle” the reason why he called his business, Manna, which he claimed he dreamed some 20 years ago. Embedded at the gate of his Manna Subdivision is a Glory to God signage. “I would like to build a ‘Makati’ of La Union.” On Oct. 6, the Mall formally opens to the public with elected politicians, show business personalities, members of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Puregold artists, Isetan Dept. store owners and other partners expected to grace the grand opening. He said that several stalls such as signature restaurants, fast foods, banks and even government office mini-stalls will occupy the “miracle “Mall. “Over 500 employees, working in shift will be employed here,” Tan Yao said, referring to the high unemployment rate nationwide. He further narrated that Puregold management came scouting for a location until they saw the area which is very visible to travellers along the National Highway and along the San Fernando bypass road intersection. “The city proper is so cramped with buildings so they surveyed outside and chose my place.” Tan Yao, who built his own chapel inside his Subdivision, beside the mall, has 30 missionaries in his foundation to date and is now on its 31st year existence serving Luzon and even as far as Mindanao. He claimed it has served millions of devout Christians. “I had many ups and downs in my life, until 10 years ago; I realized I must serve God in my own small way.” He is a few of Chinese descent who chose Christianity as religion instead of Buddhism. Tan Yao, who lives with his 64-year-old wife, Mary and four children, all businessmen and five grandchildren, said he has a perfect health today. “I will no longer lie on the properties, I leave it all to God,” he said in a testimony before churchgoers Manna Mall is considered a breakthrough in the business history of this city which mainly relies on agriculture and fishery as main focus of livelihood and industry.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 06:03:29 +0000
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