Two decades ago on Aug. 8, sisters Vina Morales and Sheila Magdayao put up Ystilo Salon. Today with the rest of the Magdayao sisters, Ystilo has branched out to other parts of the country. Four sisters—Vina, Sheryl, Shaina, and Sheila—are marking the country with Ystilo branches, the latest of which will open in Sta. Lucia and Marquee malls.
The secret: quality service reasonably priced products (mostly imported) and top-notch customer service.
The 20 branches (some are franchised since Ystilo was opened for franchising) are spread out across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao—SM Mall of Asia, Shoppesville in Greenhills, SM City San Lazaro, Festival Mall, Nepo Mall Dagupan City, Tanuan City Batangas, SM City Tarlac, SM City Calamba, Robinson’s Place,Lipa City, Abreeza Mall Davao, Iba Zambales, Angeles Pampanga, SM City Sta. Rosa, Limketkai Cagayan de Oro City, One Magnolia Placce Balanga Bataan, SM City GenSan, Waltermart San Fernando in Pampanga, Citymall Koronadal, One Legazpi Place Tuguegarao, Island Citymall Bohol, and Manaoag in Pangasinan.
Vina and Sheila own the salon with equal shares, while Shaina and Sheryl are franchisees. Members of Ystilo’s staff have been with the Magdayao’s since its inception and first operation.
In its 20 years in the salon business, not one customer complained about the salon’s service, pricing, or anything that would ruin its standing in the business.
“Oo nga, thank God walang mga ganu’n kalaking problema. Of course lahat naman ng business mayroong mga problema or mga pinagdadaanan and thankful kami na hindi umaabot sa mga big issues when it comes to services. At saka pag mayroong maliliit na problems naayos kaagad. Ang gumagawa no’n ‘yung (tao) sa Ystilo Office,” Vina explained.
What have been the problems Ystilo would usually encounter?
“Siyempre hindi maiiwasang magkaroon ng allergies, even though tatanungin mo kung may alleriges (clients), sasabihin nila wala kasi hindi rin nila alam kung ano ba talaga. I think maybe on that day, medyo sensitive ‘yung scalp nila (pag nagpapakulay), ganu’n lang talaga, small problems naayos kaagad. Thankful talaga kami kasi marami kaming clients na pabalik-balik talaga,”she said.
Every anniversary month, the salon offers 30 percent off in color and rebond standard and premium services. This year, the offer lasts till Oct. 30 for hair color and rebond, and 20 percent off until Nov. 30 for hair treatment.
“Kaya talagang magi-ikot ako sa lahat branches namin bilang pasasalamat na rin sa lahat ng clients namin,” Vina said.
Vina knows how to apply makeup not only on herself but also on others. Some clients request if she could do their makeup.
“Yes, marunong talaga ako. Ako I do my own make-up, minsan may nandito ako (salon) tapos may client kami, nire-retouch ko, natutuwa naman sila. Pero gumagawa talaga ako. I do my own hair, I do my own make-up, marunong din akong mag gupit. Hindi ako nag-aral I think natutunan ko na. Si ate Sheila ang marunong talaga.
“Pinadadala naming ang mga senior stylist namin sa ibang bansa para mag aral. Or then kung anuman ‘yung brand na hawak namin sila ‘yung nagpapadala (ibang bansa) to train the seniors,” she related.
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The Music Museum celebrates 3 decades
The Music Museum, the unique theater concept that chanteuse Kuh Ledesma introduced to the entertainment scene on Aug. 8, 1988, celebrated its 30th anniversary on the Music Museum stage.
Staff led by Music Museum Group President Precy M. Florentino marked the milestone with Mass and a company lunch with employees, some of whom have been with the company since its very early days. Celebrities like Mitch Valdes, Nanette Inventor, Carlo Orosa, Zsazsa Padilla, Ryan Cayabyab, John Nite, and Kuh Ledesma sent in video messages.
The original purpose of the longtime concert place in Greenhills San Juan was to provide performing artists with a readily accessible venue that would showcase their talents, unhampered by stiff requirements dictated by hotels, the performance venues at the time. Performers of various genres welcomed its arrival in 1988, warmly and enthusiastically. Through the years a wealth of Filipino talent in music and the performing arts performed on the Music Museum stage.
Lani Misalucha, Side A, Jose Mari Chan, Sarah Geronimo, Agot Isidro, Keno, the Neocolors, Julie Ann San Jose, Glaiza De Castro, Loisa Andalio, Maja Salvador, Baihana, KZ Tandingan, Mateo Guidicelli and Michael Pangilinan, Enchong Dee all had their debut concerts and first big concerts at the Music Museum.
The Music Museum experience was and still is unique because it is like being in a cozy home where artists entertain guests in a big living room. It’s the only theater in town where guests can order food and drinks during a performance so they can dine, drink and feel right at home while being entertained. In 1989 Kuh sold the Music Museum to her friend Precy Florentino.
Music Museum celebrations of its milestones were often marked by concerts that would last till dawn. When it turned 10 in 1998, a 10-band concert rocked the Greenhills Car Park, while artists like the APO, Nanette Inventor, Kuh Ledesma, Ogie Alcasid, Geneva Cruz, Randy Santiago, Lani Misalucha, Nina, Dessa and Leah Navarro performed on the Music Museum stage.
When it turned 20 in 2008, the Music Museum looked forward by recognizing young talents—Charice Pempengco (now Jake Zyrus), then 16, and Charlie Green, the Britain’s Got Talent winner, then 11—as future stars. It partnered with The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab to discover musically talented kids via musical tilts Musmusikwela and MusiKabataan that awarded them musical scholarships.
The 20th year was marked by a grand concert at the Araneta Coliseum called Divas 4 Divas, featuring four of the country’s best female singers—Kuh Ledesma, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pops Fernandez and Regine Velasquez.
When it turned 25, the Music Museum celebrated with an all-music-genres private concert, supported various artistic endeavors and launched its commemorative coffee table book.
On its 30th year, Precy Florentino said the prevailing spirit is gratitude. “The Music Museum looks back at the past 30 years with a celebratory attitude, Thank you to the fans and concert goers who have inspired us through the years and continue to inspire us to come out with the very best entertainment. To the artists who performed at one time or another at the Music Museum, you are its life and soul. You fill us with so much gratitude,” said Florentino.
The Music Museum is now a dining, shopping and entertainment complex called the Music Museum Group and includes Shoppesville Plus (a hobbyist’s and aficionado’s haven),Theater Mall (a hive of cinemas, shops, dining and coffee places), The Promenade (a level-up shopping place with lifestyle services, more dining places, and the most modern cinemas) and Teatrino (a favorite events place for launches, parties, and cozy performances).