Landscaping business blooms from Bulacan roots

MANILA, Philippines – In 1955, Bulacan Garden Corp. started in the small backyard of Tata Bato and Inang Rita Santiago in Hagonoy, Bulacan.

The business started as a simple hobby of Rita. Small flowering plants were first sold at the Hagonoy town market. Gradually, the business spread to neighboring towns and eventually reached Manila in 1957, selling on the sidewalks of Arranque, Blumentritt, Pritil and Dimasalang markets, and at the vicinity of the Redemptorist Church.

As sales and profits improved, they put up a store at Cartimar market in 1960 and another at the South Superhighway, Nichols Air Base in 1967 to meet the demands of their growing customers including garden supply dealers and landscapers.

In 1979, the business of the Santiago family was formally incorporated as the Bulacan Garden Corp. They also became the major contractor-supplier of government projects throughout the country.

In 1991, the Philippine Trade Training Center awarded the Bulacan Garden Corp. with the Golden Shell Award, the highest recognition given to any Filipino exporter.

Today, Bulacan Garden’s main store at P. Tuazon displays a wide variety of plants,, as well as garden chairs and plants stands, garden tools, garden chemicals and fertilizers.

Presently under the management of Tata Bato’s and Inang Rita’s son Nestor, Bulacan Garden Corp. strongly adheres to the value of honesty in their products and services and giving customers their money’s worth.

Their services include indoor and outdoor landscaping; turf and garden maintenance; tropical plant and garden supply; gardening consultancy; and their latest product line, ornamental pre-cast like fountains, balusters and other ornamental concrete products.

Bulacan Garden maintains four nurseries – all situated in Bulacan – with a total area of about 57 hectares, 30 percent of which is under a green house and 70 percent is allocated for outdoor plants, trees, and palms. Here various decorative plants from ixora, hibiscus, codiaeum to various species of hybrid palms are available.

Various designs of grottoes are available depending on space and availability and choices of accessories.

When asked why he continued the business of gardening and landscaping instead of starting another business, Nestor simply answered, “We cannot turn our backs on this business. This is where we started and we are happy with where we are now. I am happy with what I’m doing.”

Nestor also offers some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: “Keep in mind the value of hirap at tiyaga – never forget to practice hard work, patience and honesty. Remember that nothing is impossible. To the youth, they should also remember to plant and care for nature, specially trees.”

Centro Escolar University

Centro Escolar University was established on June 3, 1907 by Doña Librada Avelino and Doña Carmen de Luna for the instruction and training of the youth in all branches of the arts and sciences.

The university started with some benches, a single blackboard and a few books. The founders had a dream of establishing a nationalistic center of learning for Filipino women.

Beginning as the Centro Escolar de Señoritas, the school was granted university status in 1932. From there, it has steadily grown as an institution under the leadership of noted educators. Past presidents include Dr. Pilar Hidalgo-Lim, an educator and civic leader; Dr. Dionisio Tiongco, another renowned scholar and educator; Dr. Lourdes Echauz,, a distinguished philanthropist and educator; Dr. Rosita Navarro, an advocate of balance between globalization and Filipinization; and is currently under the leadership of Dr. Ma. Cristina Padolina, a former commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University.

Presently, CEU has 12 buildings that are used in catering to the educational needs of an average of 20,000 students per year. Considered one of the most stable institutions in the country, the university pursues academic excellence in its course offerings by continuously raising standards, upgrading facilities, updating curricula, and developing a highly professional and dynamic teaching and university staff.

The university is committed to enhancing the development of higher education in the Philippines through exemplar academic programs and practices, leadership in professional organizations, and participation in academic consortia.

Nestor Santiago and Dr. Ma. Cristina Padolina will be given the Most Inspiring Bulakeño Entrepreneur Award and Most Inspiring Bulakeño Entrepreneur Special Award, respectively, today 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. and Vice Chairman Antonio Tengco. Go Negosyo sa Bulacan will also be graced by Presidential Management Staff Secretary Cerge Remonde, who is also the Chairman of the Cabinet Oversight Committee for MSME Development. Member agencies will also be present to reach out to the participants. Go Negosyo mentors and entrepreneurs will also join forums to share their stories and business advice, together with celebrity entrepreneur Abbygail Arenas-de Leon.

Awardees were endorsed by the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Micro Finance Council of the Philippines, and Department of Agriculture.

Go Negosyo sa Bulacan is also made possible with major partners Smart Communications, PLDT SME Nation, Globe Business, RFM Corp., The Philippine STAR, Canon, and San Miguel Corp.

Go Negosyo also thanks event partners: Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Splash Corp., Condura, V-cargo, Kettle Korn, Centro Escolar University – Malolos, and Ateneo de Manila University Graduate School of Business – Center for Continuing Education; media partners: QTV 11, GMA 7, NBN 4, Philippine Daily Inquirer, ASPAC-LAW, Full Circle Communications, Select Media, Creativoices, and Idealminds; government partners: The President’s Social Fund, Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee – Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.