Santiago Castillo Limited Celebrates 100 Years of Serving Belize
A Century of Building on Tradition
Today’s episode of Open Your Eyes celebrated a major milestone in Belize’s business community as Santiago Castillo Limited (Sankas) marks 100 years of service to Belize.
Joining the conversation were Aisha Trapp, Marketing Manager at Santiago Castillo Limited, and Dennis Zelaya of Bravo Motors, who discussed the company’s century-long journey, its contribution to Belizean communities, and what lies ahead for the next generation.
Founded in 1926 by Santiago Castillo Sr. at just 19 years old, the company began with an initial investment of $500. Trapp explained that from its earliest days, the business was driven not only by commerce but by recognizing and responding to the needs of the Belizean community.
Resilience Through Challenging Times
One of the stories highlighted during the conversation was Santiago Castillo Sr.’s determination to keep providing essential goods during some of Belize’s most difficult periods.
After the devastating 1931 hurricane, which severely affected Belize, Castillo rebuilt his business and continued serving the community. Years later, during World War II, disruptions to shipping made it difficult to bring basic food and necessities into Belize.
According to Trapp, Castillo took significant risks to address the shortage, including chartering ships to bring essential goods into the country. His willingness to respond to the needs of Belizeans became an important part of the company’s legacy.
That spirit is reflected in the company’s longstanding slogan: “Building on Tradition.”
More Than a Business
The conversation also explored Santiago Castillo Sr.’s contributions beyond the company itself.
His involvement extended into entertainment and sports, including ownership of cinemas such as the Majestic Theatre, as well as the Louisiana Racetrack in Orange Walk. He was also credited with introducing thoroughbred horses to Belize and bringing international entertainment and sporting personalities to the country.
These contributions helped make Santiago Castillo Limited a familiar name across generations of Belizean families.
Trapp noted that the company has remained family-led through the decades, with members of the second and subsequent generations continuing to play leadership roles.
Celebrating 100 Years with a Big Giveaway
To commemorate its centenary, Santiago Castillo Limited has partnered with Bravo Motors and PepsiCo for the Sankas–Bravo Big Drive Promotion.
The grand prize is a brand-new, fully loaded 2026 Isuzu D-Max pickup truck, supplied by Bravo Motors.
Zelaya explained that the D-Max was selected because of its versatility and suitability for different Belizean lifestyles, from farmers and business owners to professionals and families.
The raffle promotion runs from October through January, with the drawing scheduled for January 30, 2027.
To enter, shoppers must purchase $75 or more in participating Santiago Castillo Limited and PepsiCo products at Save-U Supermarket or The People’s Store. Customers can then take their receipt to the customer service desk to receive a raffle ticket and enter it into the designated box.
Participating products include a range of household, food, snack, and beverage brands, including Quaker, Ovaltine, Gatorade, Frito-Lay products, Gamesa, Pearl Milling Company, and other participating Sankas products.
Looking Toward the Next 100 Years
While the centenary provides an opportunity to reflect on the company’s history, the conversation also looked toward its future.
Trapp shared that Santiago Castillo Limited has succession and mentorship plans in place, with the current leadership continuing to guide the company while preparing the next generation.
The company also has plans for further expansion, including an upcoming San Pedro branch, alongside its existing operations and warehouses in Cayo and Orange Walk.
As Santiago Castillo Limited celebrates a century of service, the milestone represents more than longevity. It reflects generations of Belizeans who have grown up with the company, worked alongside it, and interacted with its products and services.
With new expansion plans and another generation preparing to carry the legacy forward, Santiago Castillo Limited is looking beyond its first 100 years and toward the next chapter of building on tradition.