“For Gariel May, success is not only measured by the level of sales an enterprise reaps. It is in the sharing of happiness through works of art that smiles are created and planted in the faces of their customers”
Spouses Guillermo and Gigi Peros, both architects and natives of Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, have a penchant for compiling building designs they personally made during their free time. This passion for design , innovation and wild creativity did not escape the attention of their neighbours and friends, that in due time they started ordering for customized furnishings for their houses, café’s, offices, resorts and the like.
Through time, the number of their clients gradually increased. This motivated them to achieve their long desired dream – to create jobs for their neighbors by venturing into the construction business.
On May 17, 2012, they formalized their construction business and registered the same with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the name “Big G Builders”. A few years later, the couple noticed that scrap materials, wood bits and metal cuttings have piled up in their warehouse. Hence, they became concerned with the disposal and treatment of the scrap items.
One day, out of imagination and curiosity, Mr. Peros converted the combinations of the scrap materials into functional stools, quote boards and sign boards. Satisfied with his work, he began to call them works of art.
In 2013, Mr. Peros was invited by the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya to participate in an exhibit to which he acceded. He displayed his collection at the Provincial Museum during the 2013 Ammungan Festival. Amazed by the positive responses from the prospective guests, the spouses opened “Silya Home Furnishings” or “Silya” under the management of their daughter, Gariel May Peros.
Recognizing the potential shown in the artistry and craftsmanship of their products, the DTI – Regional Office enrolled “Silya” in the Artisan Village (AV) Product Development Program of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), in preparation for their in the Crafts of Cagayan Valley-Manila FAME last October 2015 and April 2016 editions. They participated in the “2015 Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair” and enrolled in the “GREAT WOMEN Project 2” of DTI to keep them updated and assured of marketing prospects.
They further joined the Local for Global Exhibition of the Design Center of the Philippines at the Glorietta Mall, Makati City on March 3-4, 2016. Aside from the usual display and marketing of products, “Silya” was given the opportunity to undergo a one-on-one business consultation with design specialists who provided innovative solutions in improving productivity and marketability through materials management.
At present, “Silya” maintains a showroom in “Little Baguio” in Greenhills, Mandaluyong which caters to clients all over the Philippines.
The Peros family is immensely grateful to the opportunities provided by DTI. True enough, while the enterprise may have just joined the entrepreneurial race, they were able to penetrate a nationwide market.
For Gariel May, the measure of success is not only quantified by the level of sales an enterprise reaps. It is in sharing the happiness through works of art that smiles are created and planted in the faces of their clients.