Onesimus is Greek for useful.

There was once a time in the Philippines clothing industry when a man had to go out of his way to his favorite tailor shop in order to have a decent suit or barong tagalog made. It worked just fine way back then when people were fewer, traffic was a breeze, time was abundant, and made-to-order rates were within every name's reach.

In the 70's and 80's however, the scenario gradually but progressively changed time became such a precious and limited commodity; vehicular traffic became daily nightmares and people who specialized in tailor-made clothes for men were a rare find that their rates have gone way above the means of the ordinary man.

These observations crystallized in the minds of a young married couple in 1991. Armed with a vision to meet this clear need in the RTW market plus a childhood and teenage experience of helping manage a family-owned tailor shop, they launched a garments manufacturing and retail company, which was later registered under the existing law of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company was named after a biblical character in the New Testament ( from the letter St. Paul to Philemon) who was once a runaway, useless slave but was dramatically transformed by Christ to live a life befitting his beautiful name “useful”.
Inspired by the beautiful sound and meaning of this name, Onesimus Corporation was founded and since then has continuously adhered to the vision of useful elegance in Filipino man's formal wear.

Innovation particularly in its Barong line has made Onesimus stand out form the rocks the very first time its first collection was launched. Dyed and beaded barongs, geometric and abstract designs, lodge and comfortable fit, and prices that are very reasonable for its quality. These are just the hallmarks of their suits and barong which made them a talk of the crowds in weddings, conferences, and other formal occasions,

Consequently, even without any advertising budget for many years, Onesimus has spread out into all the major department stores and now has over seventy (70) retail stores in Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao areas. At present, there are four hundred (400) employees from the three (3) started with 1991. With profound thanks to God and faith in him, plus a firm commitment to the principles it has been founded on, Onesimus Corporation intends to stay and to continue being positive force in the Philippine apparel industry.