By: the GO NEGOSYO team

More than seven decades ago, the Dy Family put up a Chinese herbal medicine store in Naga City. From a humble beginning, this entrepreneurial venture grew to become one of the largest drugstore chains in the country, the South Star Drug Incorporated.

For 70 years, the management of the company has been passed on from parents to siblings.  Presently, Dahlia Dy, the youngest, leads the company as the new President and CEO. Her exemplary leadership brought South Star Drug to the frontier in the field of retail business of medicines, with their commitment “to serve and not to sell”.

The company’s focus has always been on customer satisfaction through reasonable prices, quality service, and shopping convenience. The business also transformed from a simple drugstore to an establishment that is a source of fresh medicines and other consumer and household products.

South Star Drug is aggressive in its expansion to more and more cities and municipalities in the Philippines. It has created employment and contributed to the local economic growth. At present, it has 130 stores with a work force of more than a thousand. The company intends to sustain its operation in various areas by strengthening its automated operation systems and reliable workforce. South Star Drug likewise provides a work environment that encourages personal growth and development of its manpower.

With due hard work, dedication, perseverance and commitment of the Dy Family, the herbal medicine store grew to be one of the largest drugstore chains in the country.  It has now more than 130 stores in Southern Tagalog, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga and Mindoro.

The Ben’s Bakers Corporation is also a decades-old business. The patriarch of the Pacres family created a simple bakery back in 1981 by. As the business progressed, in February of 1994, it was officially established as a family corporation.

Similar to South Star, Ben’s Bakers Corporation is presently managed by one of the daughters, Alice Pacres Esquela. Aside from Alice, who is the eldest, four more siblings manage the family business.

Ben’s Bakers produces a variety of bakery products; such as bread, cakes, cookies, and pastries. It caters to all markets from different localities. Presently, it has five branches strategically located in Daraga and Legazpi City. The business also includes a bakeshop, restaurant and mini grocery.

Alice and her siblings continuously strive to improve its standards. Presently, it aspires to become the pioneer producers of healthy options in the bakery business in the locality. In the process, the bakery hopes to be able to send the message across to the rest of its clientele that “healthy options pay health-wise”. For some time now, Ben’s Bakers have been using organic ingredients such as malunggay, ampalaya, and herbs in most of their products. They have been making their own variation of bread by mixing ground malunggay into the flour. To its credit, the market apparently appreciates the health factor, as what they observe in their market sales. The Department of Trade and Industry in Albay also recognizes their efforts in promoting healthy living through their products

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Dahlia Dy and Alice Esquela 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.