Mask Maker
Bacolod producer of papier mache masks grows his business with help from the Association of Negros Producers
By Mishell M. Malabaguio
The Vito mask has been doing really brisk business, so Vito was able to pay back his first loan from ANP after only six months. Then, before the end of 2006, he got a bigger loan—P100,000 this time—to finance the expansion of his production area. That same year, the Vito mask was awarded as the ANP Showroom's seventh top grosser of the year.
From only one artist and a helper, Vito now has two artists, three production assistants, one supervisor, and several subcontractors. Some of these subcontractors came from his printing press; now they and their families are working for the Vito mask business full time.
Even if he has more workers now, Vito still designs all the masks by himself. "I just make one design and then my artist will innovate on it," he says. "Painting is really my form of expression. I don't feel tired painting and I don't mind working overtime at night doing it."
Also under the Vito brand, he now produces other products and product variations such as mask key chains, clay masks, wooden masks, framed masks, masks with magnets, sculptures, bag jewelries, and fashion accessories. All of these products are being carried by the ANP Showroom, SM City Bacolod, and Gaisano Mall in Bacolod City and by the Market! Market! Mall in Taguig City in Metro Manila. "It was the story of Island Souvenirs that inspired me to expand the business this way, and I'm dreaming of making my company become like Island Souvenirs someday," he says.
To sustain the market's interest in the Vito mask, he produces only 20 pieces of each mask design at any one time, and allows several months to pass before making masks of that same design.
Because of the continuing growth of his mask business, Vito is now looking for bigger space for Vito Prints & Pieces. He also plans to explore the use of several other materials for his masks aside from fiberglass. At any rate, he is now gunning to be the ANP Showroom's second top grosser for 2007, up five notches from his seventh-place finish last year.
"I do think that passion is the key to our success," Vito says. "I was able to grow Vito Prints & Pieces this big because I have been plowing back my profits into the business and because we really work very hard at it. All of the workers in Vito Prints & Pieces work hard happily and give their best."
CONTACT DETAILS
JOJO VITO
Vito Prints & Pieces
ANP Showroom, Lourdes-C Bldg., 9th St. cor. Lacson St.
Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Mobile: 0918-9302556
Fax: (034) 433-5965
E-mail: jovito_intraspec@yahoo.com
