From High School Dropout to a Local Clothing Brand Owner

Photo by Gio Jaralbio

Many things have happened when COVID- 19 entered the Philippines and the state of pandemic officially started.

The society was forced to shift onto total lockdown due to rapid increase on infections. It affected the lives of many Filipinos in drastic ways.

One of examples that the pandemic has done, is going by far forcing some students to stop schooling, in order to provide for their family’s more demanded needs due to the given circumstances.

And one of them was Gio Jaralbio, a 21-year-old call center agent from Makati City.

Even beforehand the pandemic, Jaralbio's educational status was already in uncertainties due to him being a breadwinner as well. Applying for sideline jobs, became one of his main priorities alongside to help provide sustenance to his family.

However, his decision was completely solidified after the pandemic's occurrence that made him stop for good and focus on his responsibilities first, and hopefully his aspirations along the way.

In compensation to his postponed education, Jaralbio decided to joined a BPO Company as a call center agent full-time, and use his income to strive creating a local clothing line over time, under the brand name of ‘CYSTM’. Selling mainly graphic-designed shirts, face masks and tote bags based in Makati City.

On an interview, Jaralbio introduced the meaning of his brand name: “Cystema talaga siya. Negative yung meaning n’on pero contradict sa message nung mga designs. Yung designs kasi more on showcasing awareness sa mga negative na nangyayari sa society natin.”

Considering the rigors of physical and mental rigors of him being also a breadwinner and the sole proprietor and manager of his business, we asked him too if he ever felt challenged or tired by his responsibilities. His reply was: “Kung gusto mo ginagawa mo balewala ang stress.”

The selling price for his products are P650 on a standard, and racking estimately P20,000 per product batches.

When asked about how his income is being splitted from his business line, Jaralbio revealed that it was simply being divided into two partitions: “80% sa clothing funds, para makapag reproduce ulit ng bagong batches. Tapos 20% sa income. Yun yung ambag sa bahay, pangkain, etc.” He explained.

Gio’s growing business became quite well-known within his based location, having also roughly a thousand of followers in his Facebook Page. On a statement, he revealed that one of his aspirations was to continuously develop his brand name’s popularity and title. “Five years from now, sana maging global brand s’ya.” referring to CYSTM.

He also shared that he wanted to continue pursuing to make his business grow. But he elaborated that not just solely in clothing line category, but in others as well, such in Food and Visual Arts wherein he finds interest for himeself. “This pandemic, tatlong business nasimulan ko, hindi mo masasabi kung ano ang para sa’yo kung hindi mo susubukan.” He said.

When asked if he wants to go back to school someday, he replied: “Kung babalik sa normal yung mundo tulad nung bago ang pandemya, bakit hindi? Pero depende pa’rin kung san may mas malaking mga oportyunidad. Yun yung susuungin ko.”