VP/Xclusives | AT THE TOP: Fidencio Balauag II on Running His World

One can stop moving, but time continues. It is a constant force that makes the world revolve. Sometimes it appears slow in the eyes of others with hearts so excited for what tomorrow may bring, while it comes rapidly for those who want to stay and savor the present. But for business leaders like Fidencio Balauag II, who runs his businesses alongside his personal life like he runs the world, the 24 hours in a day arrive at a constant speed, revealing a story of success and a narrative of a humbling past.

Known as Den to many, Fidencio Balauag II is the man behind one of the leading advertising firms in the present: Primals Digital Marketing Services, where he serves as its founder. At the same time, he stands as the chief executive officer of Noir Ph—a clothing line that brings in a fresh taste of street fashion in the market. While these two seem to be a lot already for one’s plate, Den knows that his purpose goes beyond himself; he has a duty to his family and the people around him. And all of these he does each day, maximizing every hour. Fidencio Balauag II is a man at the top of every hour, running his world.

From Rock Bottom to Solid Ground

While the industry recognizes his success and leadership today, seeing his effective management of both of his businesses, Den has always been open about how he began from rock bottom. “Ipinanganak akong mahirap. Ako ‘yong bata noon na sobrang laki ng pangarap kasi ang dami kong nakiktang mga bagay noon sa iba na hindi ko makuha,” he revealed, recalling his experiences growing up. “Talagang nangarap ako na gusto kong makaahon sa buhay,” Den added.

As he reminisced about this era of his life, Den’s past seemed to flash back in his vision. “Lima kaming magkakapatid. Sa isang kwarto, siksikan kami tapos hati-hati sa iisang electric fan. I am from Isabela, at sobrang init po roon,” Den narrates. The younger version of one of today’s business leaders had to endure the struggles in the scorching heat of afternoons, while others looked forward to it to play in the sun or bathe.

Den’s childhood seemed like a shortcut journey towards early maturity. especially in terms of his outlook on life. The circumstances he had to deal with made him feel invisible and even insignificant in the eyes of others. “Up until naging binata ako, hindi ako naging importante sa mga tao,” he revealed, recalling the weight of the pressure of having to prove himself and his importance back then.

“If I were to analyze and realize kung ba’t gano’n ang treatment sa akin ng tao dati, dahil ‘yon wala talaga ‘resulta.’ At a young age, na-realize ko na sobrang laki talaga ng impact ng tinatawag na resulta sa buhay, kasi that will reflect the kind of person you are.”

—Fidencio Balauag II

At a young age, Den had to go through an early but untimely evolution. He began seeking ways and chasing every opportunity to change things and make it better for himself and for his family, whom he considered as motivation throughout his journey. He was certain about his goal of taking his family out of situations where no one would lend a hand to them, even if they cried out in despair.

“Sabi ko, kung gusto kong mapatunayan na may galing din ako, may kayang gawin, and kaya ko ring abutin ang mga pangarap ko, I should make results.”
—Fidencio Balauag II

True enough, guided by his strong desire to “make results” and show people the potential that he holds, contrary to their perception of him, Fidencio Balauag II knew about network marketing at the age of 16. He joined the industry as a teenager without enough resources or a strong educational background, but with a brave heart to explore a strange world and a strong soul of a dreamer that he has always been.

On the other hand, things did not get smooth and easy for him. Den still had struggles despite taking his first step towards achieving the goals he had set himself, and it lasted for five years. “Mapapaisip ka e, kasi sinong matinong tao ang gagawa at magpapatuloy ng negosyo kung sa unang taon, ang kinita ay 5,000 pesos,” he shares. The digits increased bit by bit in those years, but what remained consistent was his faithful heart, believing and holding onto a better tomorrow that awaits.

“Nag-continue ako, dahil alam ko sa sarili ko na kapag huminto ako, lahat ng nasimulan ko, mawawala.”
—Fidencio Balauag II

Five years after the 16-year-old Fidencio Balauag II took chances entering the networking industry, he made his first million. And at that time, everything made sense for Den, realizing that every doubt he had endured and struggles he had faced prepared him for the success he gained at an age where others would just start exploring the world. From rock bottom with no one but dust to hold on to, he learned to stand on solid ground, proving his worth and achieving results.

The Rise of Fidencio Balauag II

Now that his feet are set on a concrete position, rooted in a humbling past, he continues to rise in the business industry as a leader who not only directs his people but also strives to turn them into leaders as well. And this he does while efficiently running his businesses in two different industries and fulfilling his perceived purpose in this lifetime.

Founded by Fidencio Balauag II in 2020, Primals Digital Marketing Services has found its way to the top of the advertising industry, as it has mastered the complex terrains of cyberspace. “Ngayon, nasa Facebook and phone na ang mga tao e. We took advantage of that opportunity,” Den revealed as he shared that Primals allow businesses and products to have a stronger social media presence, specifically on Facebook, where the majority of the market thrives.

“With all the hard work and sacrifices we made, we believe na may mangyayari sa negosyo na ito. Then one day, naging successful siya, nakita namain ang tamang pattern, and lahat ng debt namin, nabayaran. Tapos ang clients, left and right!”
—Fidencio Balauag II

Meanwhile, as the company he founded five years ago has mastered the rhythm of its business, Den consistently looked for ways to open opportunities for others. Then, he started Noir Ph, which aims to introduce a line of street fashion. But more than just a rising apparel brand in the fashion industry, Fidencio Balauag II held a deeper purpose in building this company.

“More than that, sa business talaga, ang hilig ko ay tumulong at magturo sa mga tao kung paano nga ba magnegosyo,” he shares as he talks about free professional training programs on marketing and updated business strategies that they offer to their resellers, equipping them to become the next big business leaders in the industry.

While managing two businesses that exist in complicated spaces of their respective industries, Den still strives to live his purpose in serving and helping the people around him. As a single father of two, he is in full support of his children while also allowing them to learn the essence of life in the art of hard work and perseverance in reaching their goals.

At the same time, he helps his siblings, relatives, and even the individuals he works with in his businesses. Looking at the vast extent of his purpose and responsibilities, a day would surely not be enough to fill every cup. But through taking little steps at a time, he made his rise to the top, running everything like running the world for a day with the people he trusts.

“Sa araw-araw ko ngayon, I just let the day flow. Kung ano ‘yong lalabas na kailangang i-solve, iso-solve. Kung ano ang gagawin, gagawin one step at a time. Kasi sa totoo lang, the more na nakaka-achieve ka ng small step, the more na nagkakaroon ka ng mga taong tutulong sa iyo in the future.”
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—Fidencio Balauag II

Heart Down the Depths

While his faithful soul and visionary eyes have become constant forces that catapult him to the top of every game he enters, his humble heart continues to dwell in the depths of his story, recalling the moments of struggles and pain he had to endure and reminding himself of the greater purpose he was destined to fulfill in the present. Fidencio Balauag II serves as a business leader who inspires the people he leads through his narratives and becomes a symbol of hope for those who find themselves in similar situations where Den once was.

“Ang maganda kasi sa pagnenegosyo is nakakatulong ka sa mga tao na mamulat sila na anything is possible.”
—Fidencio Balauag II

With his years of experience industry, shaping individuals to become the next faces that lead others in different fields, Fidencio Balauag II has witnessed beautiful stories of transformation where he humbly took part. “Nakaka-motivate sa sarili and nakaka-happy rin once na may mga tao akong natutulungan at natuturuan, at nababago rin ang buhay,” he narrates as he recalls the moments when the people he once worked with become successful in their own course of life. “May mga tao ako na ngayon, business owners na rin, na dati, talagang makikita mo rin ‘yong sari-sarili nilang hardships,” he added.

“Being a good businessman, for me, wala naman sa galing o working hard. It’s about being a human being—how we are designed at kung paano tayo maging tao.”
—Fidencio Balauag II

Holding onto this principle, Den has learned to brave whatever challenges that emerge along the way, especially recognizing the tendencies of some people to subject him to betrayal. “You should always be ready for those kinds of things, kasi kung magpapaapekto ka sa mga gano’ng bagay, baka masira lang ‘yong plano ng nasa taas for you,” he shared while emphasizing his gratitude for this people who caused him wisdom in life and on people.

Through his ways of leading others in the present, he has surely inspired individuals to brave life like he did—an inspiration and motivation he never had a child exploring the harsh reality of the world at an early age. Given every chance, his heart would speak to that child, he brings with him at the top, running the world as Fidencio Balauag II.

“Damahin mo lahat ng paghihirap mo ngayon kasi diyan tayo gagaling. Kung ano ‘yong naging galing at attitude natin ay dahil sa process na pinagdaanan natin—iyong mga pinaghihirapan mo ngayon. Kung nasasaktan ka, naiiyak ka sa mga bagay-bagay, napupuyat ka, ginagawa mo kadalasan ‘yong mga bagay na di mo naman gustong gawin pero kailangan, keep it up. Gawin mo lang. You are doing the right job.

There’s always God beside you. Kaya lahat ng pagdadaanan mo, nagsisimula ka pa lang. Namnamin mo ‘yan—lahat ng sakit at paghihirap, dahil ‘yan ang magiging dahilan kung bakit ka successful, and most importan thing, ‘yan ang magiging dahilan kung bakit marami kang taong matutulungan.”
—Fidencio Balauag II

Photographer | Raymond Cauilan
Hair and Make Up | Jona Selistino
Stylist | Elle Reyes