Cirilo Salilican: World Class Filipino Craftsman Building ExtraordinaryBoats

This world class Filipino craftsman is building superb and amazing boats that already reach Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Cirilo Salilican was born and grew up in Baclaran. He comes from a family of fishermen and spent most of his childhood on the sea. He was fascinated with boats that he attached himself of being a boat maker.

His fascination with marine vessels gave birth to his inborn talent, drive and dedication that grew into his expertise in the boat building industry. When he got married and began to have children, he decided to go on his own and that was the birth of his company, Ces Craft Philippines.

His company started as a single proprietorship in 1957. The reputation as one of the premier and dominant boat builders in the country was inspired after entries made by the company started winning international powerboat races in different parts of the world. In a short period of time, he became legendary in the industry of boat making because of his expertise and passion.

Cirilo is a master of mathematical factors, ratios and numbers that is needed in building exceptionally crafted and durable boats, making a hull for speed by using his own designs and technology. In his business, he is the carpenter, architect, engineer, manager and designer. He is also the PR man because clients must be kept both happy when their boats are being built and when they are in use.

According to her daughter Corazon, who supervises the production, that with just one look of her father, he can tell if a hull is balanced or not. No need to measure, no need to calibrate. He just knows and he is always right about the balance. He is a specialist in pleasure crafts.

It is just by feel that Cirilo learned naval architecture and engineering. He affirmed this insightful knowledge with diligent reading and study. He reads naval textbooks and pleasure craft journals.

For Cirilo, a perfect pleasure craft are - it must be floating, beautiful, fast and sturdy. To achieve the four qualities, he is demanding of himself and his workers in all the steps of boat building. He asked for care and meticulousness and doesn’t care if long hours of work had been done or if the cost would increase because of changes as long as he makes the boat perfect and all set.

He needs 18 months at least to make a yacht and that is fast. He chooses to take his time and averages about six boats a year, each one given all the time and attention it needs.

In 70’s, Cirilo built his first racing boat, a hydroplane and his first Powerboat. They also started exporting boats which led to the birth of Ces Craft Australia making this period the smoothest sailing decade for him.

In the 80’s, his first ever 52 footer fiberglass boat cruised in international waters from Manila, Japan, all the way to the United States Exports to Japan started this time, as well as the continuing construction of boats for export in Australia.

And in the 90’s, even if Ces Craft Philippines was changed to The Boat Shop, its standing as the builder of world class marine vessels remain outstanding as ever. It was during this time that export of boats to the United Arab Emirates began, reaffirming the company's expertise on the international boat building industry.

From the year 2000 until now, the Boat Shop is steadfast in constructing world class quality boats to sail the seas here and abroad with grace.

With every vessel that he made, he was building his dream and for his family. It changed their lives for the better, providing comfort and financial security. His profound fascination for boats, fueled by his natural talent, drive and dedication has led to a remarkable legacy of boat making that has cemented his company as the leading boat builder in the country and his name as an institution in the boat building industry of the Philippines. And now, 50 years from the creation of his first boat, his legacy and his dream lives on through his children.