BUSINESSMAN Dioceldo “Deo” Sy is a firm believer that Filipinos deserve nothing but the best. Subscribing to this, he had persevered to make quality yet affordable products and services easily accessible to his countrymen.
Starting from just peddling nail polish along the busy streets of Manila, he took inspiration from such humble beginning to establish a locally owned beauty empire called Ever Bilena in 1983.
With his reputation for bringing a slew of makeup brands within reach of Filipinos masses, he is often referred to as the father of cosmetics in the Philippines.
In just a short span of two years, Sy managed to grow his business into a full cosmetics enterprise with seven brands under its umbrella, hundreds of product variants and retail outlets nationwide.
IT leap
AMID the success of Ever Bilena—with its fast-expanding portfolio of quality cosmetics—it has remained to be within reach of the consumers. In fact, its products are still reasonably priced to cater to various market demographics and classes, especially the C and D.
This is the same strategy that the owner has always adhered to in his other businesses, including his new venture—the BC Net. This Internet service provider aims to bring Wi-Fi, especially to far-flung remote areas in the country.
“Our guiding principle at Ever Bilena is ‘looking good is no longer a luxury’ because we want ordinary Filipinos to have access to our cosmetic products. This time, I’d like to take the same principle as I venture in wireless communications by making Internet access available to all Filipinos across the country, especially in the remote areas,” shared Sy.
BC Net has been leveraging on the strong demand for connectivity by expanding its prepaid Internet service that targets the unserved and underserved markets across the nation using satellite and very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system. It was a big help that it won the Free Wi-Fi For All bid conducted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
“This is in line with our stance that the Internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity especially to the education of Filipinos,” he said of their provision of free Internet to all public places in 20 provinces, including Aurora, Batanes, Camarines Sur, Guimaras, Maguindanao, Romblon, Samar, Southern Leyte, Agusan Del Sur, Bohol, Catanduanes, Davao Del Norte, Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Marinduque, Masbate, Northern Samar, Palawan, Sorsogon, Surigao Del Norte, and Kalayaan.
Connectivity in tough times
BC Net has been pivotal in giving much-needed signal for communication in devastated areas during some of the biggest calamities in the country—thanks to its being satellite-based.
Together with DICT Luzon, it offered free ICT services to include Internet connectivity utilizing VSAT system, free charging and free satellite phone calls for essential communications to Palaweños after typhoon “Odette” (international code name: Rai) late last year. The same services were extended to the victims of typhoon “Rolly” (international code name: Goni) in Catanduanes.
While it provides free Internet in remote areas, the firm’s core strengths also include Internet connectivity to companies for their offices and sites. It installs Wi-Fi in public places, such as coffee shops, fast food chains, dormitories, hospitals and school buildings, to serve their customers.
Aside from that, the company also offers voice over Internet platform or VOIP, subscription revenues from Internet customers, prepaid Wi-Fi cards, Internet installation contracts, sale of apps and hardware, and hosting Internet-related service demands.
With his latest venture, Sy has once again provided a new avenue to ensure that Filipinos are granted the essential services that they deserve.