PASSION. HARDWORK.
These are the values deeply imbedded in the heart and soul of carpenter’s son that propelled him to achieve huge success in business, not only for himself, his family, but to all the people whose lives were touched by the character of the man behind NIG Marketing.
A HUMBLE BEGINNING…
Nestor I. Gabalda (NIG) was a man of faith, dedication, hard work, and a strong sense of integrity despite being born poor, on February 26, 1942.
His father, Raymundo Gabalda was a carpenter and musician, while his mother, Rita Inventor, was a homemaker.
At seven years old, Nestor knew how difficult life was and helped the family by selling pandesal, and became a farmhand when his back can withstand the harsh labor of the sugarcane field, and later become a houseboy.
This reality served Nestor well when he went to college working odd jobs at Marapara Golf and Country Club and as a bookkeeper at his cousin’s accounting firm until he graduated, where he became the golf club’s manager.
He married Resty Lamig Custodio and they were blessed with Ronnie, an only child.
EARLY YEARS…
NIG Marketing was founded in 1975. Seeing how backbreaking it was for sugarcane farmers to work on the fields, Nestor sold tractors and farm implements to cater to their needs and became a farm equipment dealer.
With the declining sugar industry, he shifted his focus on selling Japan-made Kaneco Rice Mills to farmers in Negros, while looking for ways to diversify.
It was in July 1980 when he first experienced a breakthrough when NIG Marketing was accredited by Radiowealth Corporation and Radiowealth Finance as its official franchise dealer, paving the way for the company to open its doors to Dumaguete City clientele. That year they also opened a new branch in La Carlota City while making their Burgos-Lacson Branch in Bacolod City as the head office, and a year later its Ortiz Branch in Iloilo City was opened by November 1981.
The next year, NIG Marketing received an invitation from Singer Sewing Machine Corporation and Singer Finance Corporation to be their franchise dealer, which resulted in the creation of RG (Singer) Marketing, which distributes exclusive Singer products, becoming a consistent Top 10 sales performer for several years.
Nestor, being a visionary, did not stop from delving into further innovations and partnerships. NIG Marketing carried new brands such as General Electric, White Westinghouse, and Winner Refrigerator & Freezers through its partnership with Philippine Appliance Corporation.
However, it was in 1983 when NIG Marketing experienced a strain on its cash flow following the receivership of Radiowealth. Despite the challenges along with the economic and political uncertainties, it added 5 more branches in Binalbagan, Kabankalan, and Victorias City in Negros Occidental, and in Sara and Iloilo City in Panay.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES…
As business climate improved, NIG Marketing had 13 branches in 1989 with Philacor Credit Corporation (PCC), the financing arm of Philippine Appliance Corporation having accredited the company and its branches, as they expanded in Region VI. This extended the financing coverage to new brands apart from the ones the company originally carried.
KOPPEL Phils. Inc. in November 1989 gave the company an authorized dealership status to innovative and state-of-the-art appliances.
In 1994, Nestor’s only son, Ronnie joined the company after four years of work experience in Manila, and was assigned to Iloilo and its branches with his aunt, Ma. Elena. The year also paved the way for NIG Marketing to carry Suzuki motorcycles, as Philacor and Radiowealth expanded their product portfolio to include motorcycles.
With all the branches carrying Suzuki motorcycles, NIG marketing retained its Top 10 status in motorcycle sales nationwide.
As more branches opened in Negros and Panay, the company ventured into the furniture business, ensuring a reliable supply of upholstered sala sets and wood products, also starting the 3E Furniture manufacturing in Iloilo by 2008 and by 2012 in Bacolod City.
Additional branches were put up, and the remodeling and relocation of older ones propelled the company’s growth in that decade, with the increasing demand for computers and electronic gadgets during and after the pandemic.
PANDEMIC ERA AND THE GOING FOR GOLD!
Numerous lives were claimed by COVID-19 including that of NIG Marketing’s visionary founder on August 22, 2021.
The loss left a deep scar not only on the family but all the people whose lives were touched and inspired by Nestor I. Gabalde. He is survived by his wife, Resty, son Ronnie and wife with their four children, Ma. Elena, and 300 loyal employees.
The void may never be filled, but Ronnie picked up the baton and bravely embraced the responsibilities his father left.
Ronnie took over as President of NIG Marketing and vowed to continue his father’s legacy of providing excellent products and services for the community. His eldest son, Elijah joined him in August 2023 to help continue his grandfather’s brand of business by going beyond customer expectations and provide an extraordinary experience.
As NIG Marketing moves toward its 50th year in the industry, its 36 branches and its employees promise to only give the best products that will bring the gold standards in terms of customer experience, customer service, and high level of professionalism in what they do – for NIG Marketing would not have been here if not for family, friends, employees and partners.*