Business is good for Bulakeños engineer, doctor

MANILA, Philippines – Donald Esteban, a licensed engineer, and his wife Thelma began their denim glove-making business with P3,000 starting capital and retazos (excess cloth) as their main source of material.

Both started as employees in one of the biggest business conglomerates in the Philippines in the early 1980s.

At that time, the economy was highly unstable and investment and business confidence was at its lowest.

Thelma could still remember her swollen hands from manually cutting the denim fabric at the beginning of their venture.

While she was taking care of the business, Donald worked as a mechanical engineer in Saudi Arabia.

In 1987, Donald decided to come home and help run their business. Then they started developing designs under the brand Kristhel Gloves and Leather Products.

In 1991, Donald entered into another business venture – the production of safety shoes, under the company and brand name Proest. He started with one machine and an initial production capacity of 400 pairs per month. After barely two months, he had 200 rejects. Donald was so disappointed that he promised to do better and eventually become the best.

He studied the technical side of shoe design, wrote foreign counterparts and in 1995 put up a shoe factory.

Putting together everything he learned, Donald introduced the non-conventional steel toes – safety shoes that can be used as casual shoes.

His passion for quality ultimately yielded an ISO 9002 Certification for his company.

At present, Proest Philippines, Inc. is the first and only shoe factory in the Philippines accredited with an ISO Certification, recognized for safety and quality.

Pascual Laboratories

Pascual Laboratories Inc. was established in 1964 by Isosceles and Leonora Pascual, both licensed chemists.

With over 50 years in the manufacture and marketing of pharmaceutical products in the Philippines, the company’s initial years of operation focused on the formulation and manufacture of pharmaceutical products for the treatment of tuberculosis and vitamin deficiency.

As the company progressed in the early 1950s, Pascual Laboratories focused on the modernization of their plant and the expansion of their product line, which included antibiotics and cardiovascular medicine.

In the 1960s, the company sustained its growth and changed from single proprietorship to corporation.

Today, the company is owned and controlled by the children of the founders and their respective family members, headed by chairman Dr. Abraham Pascual.

In 2000, Abraham led the company on an aggressive thrust by upgrading their plant’s quality control and production capabilities.

By 2003, Pascual Laboratories was ranked by IMS Philippines as the 18th largest pharmaceutical corporate group in the Philippines in terms of drugstore sales and 2nd largest among Filipino owned pharmaceutical companies.

It is the recognized market leader in the Wound Remedy sector of the over-the-counter market and the Locally Produced Herbal medicine market.

It has also achieved a significant share in the branded ethical prescription market, particularly in the cardiovascular and pulmonary segments and the generics market.

At present, the company exports selected products to Hong Kong and herbal products to North America and Malaysia.

The growing awareness and worldwide acceptance of herbal food supplements has prompted the company to expand its market to Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Pascual Laboratories intends to continue developing new products through its own product development and research group.

Recognition

Because of these remarkable achievements, Esteban and Pascual will be given the Most Inspiring Bulakeño Entrepreneur Awards on Oct. 3 at the Go Negosyo sa Bulacan, the latest leg of the continuing Go Negosyo campaign spearheaded by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. Concepcion III, at the Centro Escolar University, Malolos City, Bulacan.

Go Negosyo sa Bulacan is presented by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Teofilo Rivera Jr.

Presidential Management Staff Secretary Cerge Remonde, who is also the chairman of the Cabinet Oversight Committee for MSME Development, will grace the occasion.

Member agencies will also be present to reach out to participants.

Go Negosyo mentors and entrepreneurs will also be joining the forums to share their stories and business advice, together with celebrity entrepreneurs Joyce Jimenez and Abbygail Arenas-de Leon.

The Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Micro Finance Council of the Philippines, and Department of Agriculture endorsed the awardees. – With Dino Balabo