MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from college (UP Diliman where she graduated with a degree in Clothing Technology), Rhoda knew that she only had one place to go. There was no plan B; there was only Rustan’s. And 20 years later, her choice has revealed its wisdom and has blossomed into a fruitful career.
Today, as vice president of merchandising cosmetics of Rustan Commercial Corp., Rhoda Campos-Aldanese has not only helped build the brand into what is it now, but she has grown along with it, imbibing much of what Rustan’s has taught its people. Much like the corporation she works for, Rhoda has grown to expect and deliver nothing less than perfection.
Rhoda is regal and articulate, the epitome of grace and beauty. But underneath her captivating beauty, you can sense the toughness, earned by years of training under one of the most prestigious corporations in the country—Rustan’s. “I can be tough,” she says. “I guess it comes with the territory. If you represent world leaders in the cosmetics industry and the brand name like Rustan’s you really have to approach it that way.”
People may claim that beauty and the industry that revolves around it is superfluous and superficial, but Rhoda has played the game long enough to know that behind this business of beauty, there is a game of numbers. “It is a very cutthroat industry, fiercely competitive. Performance is key. When numbers come into play, there is no gray area. Decisions you make can be perceived as ruthless when in reality they are just based on facts and numbers. And in this game, numbers do talk,” she says firmly.
But it is not simply about money. One needs to be financially literate and decisive, especially when it comes to protecting the welfare of all those who have a stake in the Rustan’s brand, both employers and employees. “The most difficult thing about my job has to be managing people ... (but) at the end of the day you need the numbers for the company to survive, create new jobs and secure existing ones. Your business has to grow.”
Rhoda has learned to act wisely and swiftly, especially in the incredibly fast-paced world of luxury branding. But it was not so when she began working for Rustan’s years ago. “I felt like a simple country girl who found herself pushed out of an airplane and parachuted right smack in the middle of New York City.
“I grew up with a strict mom who limited our social activities... It was very difficult (for me) in the beginning (to adjust to the work environment, especially) coming from a sheltered family. All of a sudden you are in the middle of all these big brands with big plans and you just have to run with it because the ‘walking’ is unacceptable.” She soon learned that there was no place for mediocrity in Rustan’s.
Today, Rhoda takes on her responsibilities with a zealousness that is only to be expected from an “ambassador” of Rustan’s. The responsibilities are overwhelming—any other regular executive would crumble under the intense pressure—but it is these circumstances that keep her young and on her toes. (On the other hand, it is the much-relished down time with her husband Vince Aldanese and family that keeps her grounded and ultimately happy.) And what is not to love about this job? She adds, “You are constantly learning something new. The word ‘boring’ is a word hardly used in the industry. This business is highly dynamic, full of innovations and contains state-of-the-art marketing concepts. The energy level is constantly at a fast pace and if you blink, something will definitely be missed.”
Her years with Rustan’s have passed like the blink of an eye. But in an industry where beauty is given much importance, does Rhoda feel the pressure to be ageless? She responds with a casual, “Who cares about age when there is skincare? You can be any age you want to be. You see much better looking 40- and 50-year-old men and women now because of the innovations in skincare.” Work, it seems, when enjoyed, can keep you young.Saturday, October 15, 2011
MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from college (UP Diliman where she graduated with a degree in Clothing Technology), Rhoda knew that she only had one place to go. There was no plan B; there was only Rustan’s. And 20 years later, her choice has revealed its wisdom and has blossomed into a fruitful career.
Today, as vice president of merchandising cosmetics of Rustan Commercial Corp., Rhoda Campos-Aldanese has not only helped build the brand into what is it now, but she has grown along with it, imbibing much of what Rustan’s has taught its people. Much like the corporation she works for, Rhoda has grown to expect and deliver nothing less than perfection.
Rhoda is regal and articulate, the epitome of grace and beauty. But underneath her captivating beauty, you can sense the toughness, earned by years of training under one of the most prestigious corporations in the country—Rustan’s. “I can be tough,” she says. “I guess it comes with the territory. If you represent world leaders in the cosmetics industry and the brand name like Rustan’s you really have to approach it that way.”
People may claim that beauty and the industry that revolves around it is superfluous and superficial, but Rhoda has played the game long enough to know that behind this business of beauty, there is a game of numbers. “It is a very cutthroat industry, fiercely competitive. Performance is key. When numbers come into play, there is no gray area. Decisions you make can be perceived as ruthless when in reality they are just based on facts and numbers. And in this game, numbers do talk,” she says firmly.
But it is not simply about money. One needs to be financially literate and decisive, especially when it comes to protecting the welfare of all those who have a stake in the Rustan’s brand, both employers and employees. “The most difficult thing about my job has to be managing people ... (but) at the end of the day you need the numbers for the company to survive, create new jobs and secure existing ones. Your business has to grow.”
Rhoda has learned to act wisely and swiftly, especially in the incredibly fast-paced world of luxury branding. But it was not so when she began working for Rustan’s years ago. “I felt like a simple country girl who found herself pushed out of an airplane and parachuted right smack in the middle of New York City.
“I grew up with a strict mom who limited our social activities... It was very difficult (for me) in the beginning (to adjust to the work environment, especially) coming from a sheltered family. All of a sudden you are in the middle of all these big brands with big plans and you just have to run with it because the ‘walking’ is unacceptable.” She soon learned that there was no place for mediocrity in Rustan’s.
Today, Rhoda takes on her responsibilities with a zealousness that is only to be expected from an “ambassador” of Rustan’s. The responsibilities are overwhelming—any other regular executive would crumble under the intense pressure—but it is these circumstances that keep her young and on her toes. (On the other hand, it is the much-relished down time with her husband Vince Aldanese and family that keeps her grounded and ultimately happy.) And what is not to love about this job? She adds, “You are constantly learning something new. The word ‘boring’ is a word hardly used in the industry. This business is highly dynamic, full of innovations and contains state-of-the-art marketing concepts. The energy level is constantly at a fast pace and if you blink, something will definitely be missed.”
Her years with Rustan’s have passed like the blink of an eye. But in an industry where beauty is given much importance, does Rhoda feel the pressure to be ageless? She responds with a casual, “Who cares about age when there is skincare? You can be any age you want to be. You see much better looking 40- and 50-year-old men and women now because of the innovations in skincare.” Work, it seems, when enjoyed, can keep you young.
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