From being a small trader family enterprise now a major industry player

CEBU, Philippines - From being a trading company dealing with safety products and bathroom fixtures, a Cebuano family enterprise is now a major player in the local business industry with interests in agro-builders, development, holding, food chain, manufacturing, properties, construction, educational institution, foundation, recreation and real estate.

With 14 companies to date, San-Vic Duros Group headed by Rafaelito and Fe Barino celebrates its 25th founding anniversary this September 29 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. 

Rafaelito, who serves as the chair of the board in all companies, said that the family enterprise continuously innovates and tailor fit its products and services to the varying needs and demands of customers.

Fe, on the other hand, shared that the inspiration of the various business ventures of San-Vic Duros was primarily inspired by her large family of eleven siblings.

With the desire to live a life out of poverty, Rafaelito and Fe started out selling safety products and bathroom fixtures in 1987 under their first company, San-Vic Traders. Incorporated.

It was then followed with other business ventures such as San-Vic Agro-builders Inc. supplying limestone to Cebu Energy Development; Cebu Eco-thermal Horizon Inc. supplying insulation materials; San-Vic Food Chain Corporation, a franchise distributor of Pancit Malabon Express; Cebu Green Peaks Development, Inc., developer of The Padgett Place; and Duros Development Corporation, a general contractor and construction company.

They also established San-Vic Allied Foods Manufacturing Corporation, Divine Life Institution of Cebu, Inc., Kaalam Foundation Inc., Duc Mine and Beach Resources, Inc., Liloan Golf and Leisure Estate, Inc. and Goldcoast Construction.

With more than 12 companies owned and operated, Fe revealed that they felt the need to have an umbrella company of companies thus forming the San-Vic Holdings Company, Incorporated.

They will also introduce its newest business venture, the Duros Land Properties, Inc. as the real estate arm of San-Vic Holdings.

Fe further noted that their faith in God, unity in the family, love, perseverance and respect serve as the foundation of values towards the continuing legacy of the company.

She even described such values as “secrets to success”.

“We did not have educational preparation. We haven’t dreamed to be like this. We owe it all to God. Success in business also depends on the unity of the family. We would like San-Vic Duros to be known as a Cebuano family enterprise in any field of business with family values as our strong foundation,” she stated.

Launching its first flagship project to be called as Woodland Park Residences, she said that San-Vic Duros is hopeful to excel in the real estate and property management as they see a booming industry in the province. 

Catering to middle-class and high-end markets, Woodland is the first subdivision project envisioned to be a 12-hectare wooded residences in Yati, Liloan. 

San-Vic Duros is also working out on an 80-hectare golf course which will be introduced sometime by yearend or early of next year.

Aside from its latest venture, Fe added that the company ensures stability in its existing companies and will leave further expansion to the younger generation of the family.

Serving as one of the major players in the northern part of Cebu, she said that San-Vic Duros does not have any plans for expansion yet to other parts of the province as they want to initially focus on Liloan and maximize their resources. 

San-Vic was derived out from the name of San Vicente who is the patron saint of Barangay Vicente, Liloan. (FREEMAN)