In 1922 before the Japanese occupation, the family patriarch Benito Co Acun or “Apo Benito” as he was fondly called by his customers set up a sari-sari store in Crisologo St., Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Accessories for calesa and grocery items were the ones to be found on the store, native chocolates made from pure “cacao” were also sold.

Japanese regime came and the unheartfelt killings in the locality had been a fierceful sight to behold. For this reason, Benito’s Store must stop its operation for the mean time. Benito Co Acun together with family members must find a certain place for safety and fortunately dwelt at Patong and Manzante, Magsingal.

When the Japanese left, it was then Liberation Time (Peace Time). In 1948 Apo Benito rebuilt his sari-sari store. In 1955 Apo Benito turned over the business to Asuncion, his daughter. Asuncion Co (“Nana Cion”) then named the store, “Cion Store”. Together with his husband Cipriano Javier or “Tata Sana”, they both ran the business with patience and perseverance.

Tata Sana had a 6x6 truck and every week would go to Manila to get stocks for the store. Tata Sana would also supply other stores in Vigan with goods from Manila. With this, Nana Cion’s store had been the pioneer “distributor” of most national products. Ginebra San Miguel Gin, Republic Flour, Darigold Milk, Nescafe and Cigarettes are to name a few of their best sought products. Despite the hardship and challenges of running the business Nana Cion still manages to engage in tobacco buying and selling as a sideline. It was 1970’s when a bakery (which Tata Sana supplies with bakery needs) had to close that Tata Sana and Nana Cion had to take over the bakery and renamed it “Breadwinner Bakery” also located in Crisologo St.

Nana Cion and Tata Sana are blessed with three sons John Reynold (Noli), Esteban Danilo (Steve) and James (Jimmy), who by that time helped in the family business. After school they often helped by delivering and transporting goods to their clients.

When Noli graduated from his studies in college, it was at this time (1980’s) when Nana Cion decided to name the outlet from Cion Store to Javier’s Trading and Grocery. It was in 1985 when Steve, the second son, graduated from (school) college when he took charge of Javier’s Trading and Grocery. In 1988 Javier’s Trading and Grocery was incorporated into New Javier Trading Corporation. In 1994 the second grocery outlet, JTC Supermart was opened in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. Javier’s Trading & Grocery in Vigan was later renamed as JTC Supermart-Vigan.

Through hard work, patience and cooperation the Javier family business flourished into different operations or JTC Corporations, which include JTC Distributors, Inc., JTC Food Corporation and Northern Pioneer Integrated Marketing Corporation. On February 15, 2003, JTC Supermart in Bantay was transformed into JTC Superstore, the most modern and complete supermarket in Ilocos. In December of 2004, JTC Mall- the first and fully air-conditioned shopping and entertainment mall was opened to the public. Middle of 2005, the JTC Vari-Ventures, Inc. (Shakey’s) has been established. On June 22, 2006, Noli who is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering ventured into general contractor business named JCJ General Contractors, which was eventually incorporated on June 19, 2015 to JCJ-JTC General Contractors Incorporated. The company’s supermarket business grew to the different parts of Ilocos Region: JTC Superstore Narvacan Branch (Narvacan, Ilocos Sur) opened in March 27, 2009; JTC Superstore Vigan Market (Vigan City, Ilocos Sur) opened in October 15, 2010; JTC Superstore Caoayan Branch (Caoayan, Ilocos Sur) opened in March 21, 2011; JTC Superstore Tagudin Branch (Tagudin, Ilocos Sur) opened April 4, 2014 and on the same year JTC Superstore Bangued Branch (Bangued, Abra) opened October 18; JTC Superstore Batac Branch (Batac, Ilocos Norte) opened November 26, 2016; JTC Supermart Vigan (Crisologo St, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur) re-opened in December 21, 2016; JTC Superstore Laoag Branch (Laoag City, Ilocos Norte) opened in January 31, 2019; and JTC Supermart San Vicente (San Vicente, Ilocos Sur) opened in April 22, 2021. The second shopping and entertainment center - JTC Tagudin Central started operating in April 2014. Along with the booming hospitality business in the heritage City of Vigan, the company opened its first hotel – Condotel Asuncion on July 15, 2010, and the second – Hotel Asuncion located in Laoag City started its operation in October 2017. And last 2022, the JTC Residences – a housing project for JTC Employees located at Bayubay Norte, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur formally opened.

Amidst trying moments, the Javier family have finally reaped the fruits of their sacrifices through teamwork, wherein family members would make it a point to meet and discuss problems whether work-related or personal ones. The family also upholds a good employee-employer relationship to make an ideal manpower structure. Customers are high priorities; through excellent customer service, they are regarded to be the lifeblood of their business. The Javier family together with their unwavering faith in the Lord will always be a living proof that.

“Everything that Starts Well Ends Well…

II. VISION

TO BE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL, RESPECTED AND SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE GROUP OF COMPANIESIN THE REGION

III. MISSION

• We seek to continually upgrade ourselves and the Company to bear the standard for excellence.

• We mold ourselves as an example for all other businesses to follow and aspire toward.

• We strive to earn the loyalty, respect, and admiration of our customers.

IV. OBJECTIVES

• Provide outstanding service to our customers through a cost-effective and efficient resale and replenishment system.

• Become the most preferred supplier in the region by ensuring excellent in-store presence in all our accounts.

• Be consistently sensitive and responsive to the needs of our customers.

V. CORPORATE VALUES

• We believe in our People and consider them as our most valuable assets. We take care of them and nurture their individual growths and aspirations. We reward them according to their merits and performance and take measures in monitoring their development as productive employees.

• We believe in Honesty, Loyalty, Integrity, and Professionalism, in our work, as well as in maintaining lasting relationships with our business partners, and fostering a trusting and progressive business environment.

• We are comprised of a highly motivated and trained corps, singularly minded to promote the Company’s Growth and Development.

• We faithfully commit to our social and environmental responsibilities in the communities we operate in.

• We do our part in making the Filipino Lives better.