Before Toby’s Sports existed, its founder was climbing the corporate ladder at one of the largest multinational companies in the Philippines. Bobby Claudio’s first job placed him on a path many young professionals aspired to—structured training, steady promotions, and long-term security.
“I used to work for a large multinational company, where I was hired as a management trainee,” Claudio says.
It was 1972, and his role exposed him to the inner workings of a major consumer goods business.
“As a management trainee, I was trained in the commercial aspects of the business, particularly in marketing, and they moved me around to the different sections of the operations.”
The experience was formative. Over the next few years, Claudio progressed steadily.
“After about five years in that role, I was promoted twice and reached middle management.”
By most measures, his career was on track. But outside the office, he was building a different kind of network.
“During that time, I also got involved with the Junior Chamber, or Jaycees.”
His intention was practical, not idealistic.
“My intention was just to widen my horizon and increase my business network.”
That decision would unexpectedly put him at the center of a global event. The Philippines won the bid to host the Jaycees World Congress in 1978, and Claudio’s background in marketing made him a natural fit for a key role.
“Since I was working in the marketing department of a large multinational, I was tasked with handling the promotions for the Congress to attract participants.”
The assignment came with opportunities that went far beyond his job description. The team secured support from airlines, hotels, and government agencies.
“We got the support from different airline companies and hotels, which sponsored our travel expenses worldwide for delegates to come.”
The work required constant travel, which soon collided with corporate expectations.
“But during the process of promoting it, my boss at the multinational company told me, ‘You’ve already used up your vacation leave, and it’s only February.’”
The situation forced a confrontation.
“Sabi niya, ‘Ano ba? Gusto mo ba magtrabaho sa amin? Or you want to work with Jaycees?’”
Claudio tried to explain his position.
“I told him that I enjoyed working with the Jaycees but it was just civic work.”
But the ultimatum remained.
“But then sabi nya, ‘You’ve used up your leaves, so you need to decide whether you want to continue working with us or not.’”
The choice wasn’t easy. On one side was a stable career; on the other was a rare opportunity.
“After a week, I told him, ‘Sir, sayang naman yung opportunity that I can get to see the world because we were asked to promote the event.’”
The scale of the opportunity was extraordinary.
“Libre ticket namin anywhere in the world na binigay sa amin ng PAL, with hotel and pocket money yun from the DOT.”
The itinerary spanned continents.
“We were going to travel to Central and South America, the U.S., and Europe, and may tickets na kami.”
For Claudio, the decision came down to timing and age.
“So sabi ko, ‘Sir, I don’t want to miss this opportunity to see the world.’”
He was clear-eyed about the risk.
“Bata pa ako nun. I was only 24 years old.”
And with that, he chose experience over security.
“So I resigned from the company and worked for the conference.”
Throughout 1977, the team traveled continuously to promote the event.
“We had the whole year of 1977 to promote the conference. We kept on traveling.”
The effort paid off.
“So ayun. We were able to bring 5,000 delegates to the Philippines for that conference, and everything went smoothly.”
At the time, Claudio couldn’t have known that this decision—to leave a multinational job at 24—would eventually set him on a path toward entrepreneurship. What he did know was that some opportunities don’t come twice.
Before Toby’s Sports became a household name, its founder made a defining choice: to prioritize learning, exposure, and experience when it mattered most. That decision didn’t come from ambition to build a business—it came from refusing to let fear dictate his future.
This article includes quotes from an interview originally published by Esquire Philippines, authored by Henry Ong.
