FAMILY FIRST TO OPEN SALES OFFICE IN SOUTHMALL

Family First, Inc. (FFI), the exclusive distributor of Berkley International Philippines, Inc. (BIP), is set to open its newest sales office at the SM Southmall in Las Piñas City in January 2002.

Berkley President Felipe R. Diego said the opening of the Southmall branch shows the company's continuing faith in the economy despite the downturn in recent months. "Southmall generates traffic of about 150,000 people on weekdays alone and a maximum of 250,00 people during weekends. This presents tremendous opportunity for the company whose primary marketing strategy is to bring people to the product instead of the other way around."

Diego adds, "Much of the success of Berkley and Family First may be attributed to its innovative albeit relatively unconventional marketing technique. Unlike conventional marketing methods whereby agents call on or visit prospective clients, Family First has brought its selling activities closer to the market by being present in malls with high customer traffic. Prospective clients likewise have the chance to join raffles, with big ticket items at stake for prizes, all in exchange for sitting through a focused product presentation." Berkley, as per the latest report from the Securities and Exchange Commission, is ranked number 2 in the educational plan sector and number 4 overall in the pre-need industry in terms of new business.

FFI's Southmall Sales Office will be its fourth branch in the metropolis. The other three are in SM Megamall, Enterprise Center in Makati and Festival Mall in Alabang.

For more information, pls. contact:
Ms. Gina D. Cruz
Corporate Communications Director
Tel. No. 755-1500 loc. 1112