FRANK H. HALE Old timer, industrialist, and friend
of the Filipino people
|
At the time of his death in Manila in 1952, pioneer shoe
manufacturer of the Philippines, Frank H. Hale (b. Aug. 30, 1872) was called
“Friend of the Filipino People.” He was also known as “Mang Isko” by millions
of Filipinos, who gave him this nickname in appreciation of his contribution to
Filipino life. His vision was that every Filipino replaced his or her chinelas
with a pair of sturdy, stylish, and affordable shoes.
The brand ESCO became a household word, and its shoes
were soon being worn even in remote areas of the Philippines. Mr. Hale became the
largest exporter of shoes to the U. S. and Europe. At the outbreak of WWII,
Esco was the largest manufacturer of shoes in the Philippines and, according to
some economists, possibly in the whole of Asia.
From humble beginnings as a volunteer cobbler with the U.
S. Army aboard one of the American ships sailing to the Philippines in 1898, followed
by his setting up shop in Fort McKinley under the auspices of General Pershing,
Hale built what became Esco.
Having grown up on a wheat farm in California that
suffered from a wheat market disaster in the U. S., he was determined to create
something needed in the Philippines to last for generations to come and to be a
stable organization staffed by Filipinos for Filipinos.
Reinvesting all profits made, he turned the cobbler shop
into a modern industry. He arranged for machinery, backed by royalties, to be brought
from United Shoe Manufacturing in Boston, Massachusetts, and imported the
finest leathers from the U. S., Italy. Argentina and Australia, to manufacture
fine shoes capable of competing worldwide in terms of style and strength.
ESCO became the manufacturer for leading brands in the U.
S. and Europe, as well as the contractor for military and industrial shoes in the
Philippines. Manpowered by 100% Filipino skilled workers, ESCO became a model
corporation where employees were given housing, medical, social and sports
facilities. Employees’ families thrived, and some opened up their own
businesses backed by ESCO resources.
Hale then experimented with Philippine materials, opening
Tropicraft Corporation, which experimented steel and plastics to increase the
strength and life rattan furniture. His admiration of the Philippines led him
to call it the “Land of Promise, Opportunity.” He was included in Who’s Who
with other leaders of agriculture and industry in the Philippines.He also opened Lyric Music House, bringing in the finest
musical instruments from abroad for the tastes of talented musicians of the
Philippines.
During WWII, the Japanese military government confiscated
the factories and turned them to their own uses. Mr. Hale was interned in Santo
Thomas where he helped sew up older co-interns’ shoes. Reconstruction after the
war meant adjusting to new conditions within the new Philippine Republic. He
was weak by then but nevertheless
returned to success but on a smaller scale.
The exhibit features Mr. Hale’s personal belongings,
generously donated by his granddaughter Ruth Hale Cobb Hill to the American Historical
Collection.
SOURCE:
Various Graphic Magazines from 1929
Frank Hale was my grandfather's brother. My grandfather was Elmer Hale of Woodland Hills California,his son (my father) was Richard A. Hale of Seattle Washington and my name is Thomas A hale and currently living in Edmonds Washington.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to meet a relative of someone for the Philippine economy!!
DeleteHi Frank - I just responded to a query by Ruth Hale regarding my post on the Santo Tomas Internment Camp. Nice to know one of the Hales live close by. I live in Sammamish, Wa. - Lou Gopal, Producer "Victims of Circumstance" video now showing on YouTube.
DeleteI am the fan of world history in popular culture in TV films comics animation and media thrroughout the world my name is Wayne Moises from California USA.
DeleteEncyclopedia Brittanica 2024-25 edition internet/website.
DeleteI want to request the Youtube Channel to air the Filipino history from past present to the future soon.
Deletemy greatgrandfather Demetrio Roxas was a fine shoe maker of Esco Shoes
ReplyDeleteFormerly a shoe company in favor of SM City shopping mall Robinson's Mall Ayala Malls & more.
DeleteI am so humbled to hear from Mr. Demetrio Roxas's grandson. Your grandfather and mine must have had quite a time in those days, producing millions of fine shoes that was proudly marketed not only in the Philippines but also in the US.
ReplyDeleteI like world history is my favorite subject to study learn & read true to life influential people events and places in popular culture in TV films comics animation and media thrroughout the world. waynemoises@gmail.com waynemoises2077@icloud.com.
DeleteWorld Book Encyclopedia 2024-25 edition to the internet/website.
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