In 1988, a wife of an overseas Filipino worker started with an egg production hobby. While Jerly Peyra was miles away from their home in Baao, Camarines Sur, he sent dollar remittances that served as the starting capital for the presently well-established J. PEYRA POULTRY FARM.

Josie (Mrs. Peyra) wanted to be productive in being a wife, at the same time take care of their family. She thought of a business that could unite her family and provide them with source of income. Since their hometown is known to be the “Egg Basket” of Bicol, she thought of venturing in egg production. Josie ran the business with Jerly, even though he was overseas.

Their initial investments covered 100 ready-to-lay-birds, a nipa-made housing, two helpers and a meager amount of rolling capital. While starting, Josie had a hard time coping with the demands of the poultry business. Aside from lack of basic knowledge in poultry production, his husband was in another country working as seaman. This did not prevent Josie to continue their business plan. She observed in nearby poultries, attended seminars, and obtained tips from her veterinarian friends. Jerly, although from a distance, also helped out.

In 1992, Jerly went home to his family and managed the business hands-on. Their poultry farm was doing well. He invested all his savings in the business so that they could go full blast in their operation. Like any other businesses, the J. Peyra Poultry Farm had its own threats, such as stiff competition, financial constraint and poultry diseases.  These did not weaken them. The couple prioritized research and development. They upgraded their facilities and improved their working area, production methods and productivity. All their efforts were rewarded with reduction in costs of production and increase in sales and income.

Today, after 20 years of operations, the J. Peyra Poultry Farm is considered a leader in the local industry. The business is now operating in Camarines Sur with more than 200,000 birds and equipped with 44 poultry houses, 2 warehouses, a feed mill, an office building, and a sales office with egg graders and classifiers. Their market also expanded. From vendors, stall-owners and bakeries, it is now supplying Bicol, Manila and covers about 50% of the Visayas market.

Bicolano Tycoon

Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co is known as one of the most formidable forces in Bicolandia entrepreneurship. He started out with a small construction firm in 1992. The Sunwest Construction and Supply is a sprout from his father’s Hi-Tone Construction.

As the company started to grow, Co renamed it the Sunwest Group of Companies. Presently the Chairman of the Board, his dedication to acquire bigger projects and desire to grasp new challenges never faltered. He later ventured and branched out into real-estate, hotels, eco-tourism, resort development, renewable energy, aviation, mining leasing and franchising, among others.

Co is also the brain behind other companies under the umbrella of Sunwest Group of Companies such as The Sunwestville Realty & Development Corporation (SRDC) – for real estate development and management such as Pristine Memorial Gardens in Legazpi and Ligao City and Renaissance Gardens in Legazpi City, La Venezia Hotel and Spa – the owning company of Hotel Venezia in Legazpi City, and Hotel St. Ellis, as the newest first-class hotels for business and tourism travelers in downtown Legazpi.
With all these accomplishments at a very young age of 38, Co is also a recipient of the 2007 Halyao Awardee as the most Outstanding Bicolano Businessman.

Co is also active in different foundations. A particular foundation that he has set-up is inspired by the ambition of his late father, Delfin Co. The Delfin A. Co Foundation was created to continue the mission and vision of providing scholarships to financially-challenged Bicolano youth who have the potential to pursue a baccalaureate degree.

Jerly Peyra and Elizaldy Co will be recognized as two of the Most Inspiring Bicolano Entrepreneurs on January 30, 2009 at the Go Negosyo sa Bicol Express Caravan at the Camarines Sur Convention Center. This is first for the year 2009, of the continuing Go Negosyo campaign spearheaded by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. Concepcion III.

Go Negosyo sa Bicol Express is presented by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with Camarines Sur Governor Lray Villafuerte, and the Micro Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Development Council led by DTI Secretary Peter Favila. The event will be graced by Senator Manny Villar and Presidential Management Staff Secretary Cerge Remonde, who is also the Chairman of the Cabinet Oversight Committee for MSME Development and recently inducted Press Secretary. Member agencies will also be present to reach out to the participants. Go Negosyo mentors and entrepreneurs will also be joining our forums to share their stories and business advice. Governors and local leaders from all the provinces in Bicol will be there as well.

Go Negosyo sa Bicol Express is also made possible with major partners: Camarines Sur Provincial Government, PLDT SME Nation, Smart Communications, Globe Business Solutions, RFM Corporation, National Bookstore, PAGCOR, The Philippine Star, San Miguel Corporation, Condura and Insular Life.

Go Negosyo also thanks event partners: V-cargo, Kettle Korn, and Select Media ; media partners: QTV 11, GMA 7, NBN 4, Philippine Daily Inquirer, ASPAC-LAW, Fullcircle Communications; government partners: Department of Trade and Industry - Batangas, Department of Science and Technology and Regional Operations Undersecretary Merle Cruz with Bicol Regional Director Joy Blanco, SBCorp Chairman Vir Angelo and President Benel Lagua, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Interior and Local Government, The President’s Social Fund.