The beginnings of Bahay Pangarap can be traced way back in 1971 through the apostolic work of Sister Valeriana Baerts, an Immaculate Conception Missionary (ICM) of Belgian nationality with the National Orthopedic Hospital in Quezon City. The first home for the permanently disabled established in 1965 is the Sinag Tala that accommodated 11 disabled residents. The missionaries also set up other smaller home for the disabled. In 1971, Bahay Pangarap (BP) was established to serve not mainly as home for the disabled but as a place where they can be productive and regain self worth.
The first beneficiaries of BP were seven disabled who were trained in weaving through the assistance of Mrs. Sofia Zaragoza and was earning P 2.00 - P 4.00 per day. Their first products were placemats, belts, wallets, ring (made of carabao horn), and napkin holder and were on a per order basis. The entry of BP into woodcraft may well be established in the periods 1972 - 1974 where various donors infused basic technologist for wood base craft. It was also on the year that they were able to receive technical assistance for the Don Bosco students. The markets for their products were mainly philanthropists and religious institutions. In 1975, BP engaged in producing items. Dyed products and kamagong based woodcrafts. From the said period to 1980, BP was doing business as subcontractor or on job order basis. This period 1080 to 1984 was challenging and difficult one for BP. This is due to the attempt of the sisters to give the beneficiaries bigger role in managing their operation. The result of such was not satisfactory and necessitated the assistance of Mr. Jose Pineda in the mid-80's who was then a retiring professional with a background in fine arts and business management. He devoted more than two years of his time in products designing and development, marketing and in the installation of basic management systems. This years 1985 and 1986 was highlighted be the construction of a dormitory for the disabled and a residential house for the Sisters who are assisting the home. In 1987 Mr. Pineda's unwavering assistance began to bear fruits. The business operation of BP began to flourish. Markets for their products were not only limited or remained with individual buyers or sub-contractors and religious institutions by also expanded to commercial establishments. There were no records of exact number of worker-beneficiaries at this period but based on the testimonies of the original worker. It was also at this period when BP began to accept able-bodied personnel due to the increasing demand in production output. It was also on the said year that BP began to hire full time management staff and the number of residents significantly increased. It as in 1990 that BP was linked up with Saffy through Sister Julianne. The tie up with Saffy gave BP bigger opportunities for their products began to be sold outside in the Philippines in bigger volumes. It was also an opportunity to further develop their technologies and craftsmanship with the complementation of Oxfam-Great Britain's support in the mid-90. This year 1996 may be considered as the peak period for BP. This is characterized by the increase of personnel to 82 and the increase of the market to shopping malls and other educational institutions not only in Metro Manila but also in other provinces of the country. |
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