It all started in 1965 when my great grandfather, Agustin Seguban, the first generation, opened up a family business named “Cabugao Planters Store”. He sold fertilizer and other agricultural products to the local farmers of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.
Being a family business, his children also helped run the business; one of them was my grandfather and part of the second generation, Jeremy Seguban. After my grandfather got married to my grandmother, Juliet Seguban, they continued the agriculture business by opening up their own business entity named “Seguban Enterprises” in 1974. They had a branch in Badoc, Ilocos Norte and Sinait, Ilocos Sur. They mainly sold Atlas fertilizer and various agricultural products. Seguban Enterprises later on became a distributor of the said company in the 1980’s.
In 1993, their children, now the third generation – Jerlie Cobangbang (my mom), Jannice Lacsa and Jeremy Seguban Jr., opened up a branch of the business in our hometown to continue my great grandfather’s business.
In 1995, we started to sell feeds from a multinational company but later on in 1997, we became the distributor of CJ feeds. As the years flew by, the business grew in terms of branches, customers and opportunities in Ilocos Sur. The company has a breeder farm and commercial farm for raising animals such as pigs, chickens and fish. On January 2013, Seguban Enterprises was converted and incorporated into a corporation named “5J Seguban Agri Ventures”.
Growing up as a kid, I spent a lot of time with both of my grandparents. On weekdays, I would have lunch with my grandmother and my siblings in her office and she would let me help her by letting me manage the cash register. And on the weekends, my grandfather would take me with him to work in the warehouse and he would explain to me the functions and operations in the business. He would also tell me stories on how he grew up helping his father run their business. Being exposed to the business at a young age, it became my interest.
My grandparents and parents saw my potential in becoming a businessman and because of that, they encouraged me to take up commerce for my college degree. After graduating from High School in St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur on March 2011, I went to De La Salle University-Manila and studied BS-Business Management. After 3 years, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management on October 11, 2014. Subsequently, I came back home to Ilocos Sur to help my family manage our business.
As part of the fourth generation, it is my responsibility to continue the legacy of my great grandfather by contributing to the business and by carrying out the mission and vision, which is to provide the best quality of agricultural products to our customers. I also envision our company to integrate technology for the convenience of our customers and provide more agricultural opportunities through alliances and corporate social responsibility.
We would not be here right now if it wasn’t for the support of many people and organizations. We would like to thank our great suppliers such as Atlas Fertilizer and CJ Feeds for giving us the opportunity to work with their great quality products; our loyal customers for their continuous support; our employees for helping us deliver and carry out the business’ mission and goals; and last but not the least, the Almighty God for more than 40 successful years in our business ventures and for all the blessings He has given us.
