by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 8, 2021 | Business
77 Living Spaces, Inc. (77LSI), the local housing developer in the Visayas specializing in residential spaces, is all set for the construction of its mass-housing project for 902 Cebu government employees, amid the pandemic.
The housing project, which will be erected in the remaining 7.3-hectare property owned by Cebu provincial government in Barangay Tunghaan, Minglanilla town, is an initiative of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Cebu Provincial Government.
Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and DHSUD Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Tunghaan Subdivision Project. Minglanilla Mayor Elanito Peña who also graced the ceremony, expressed gratitude to the national government, particularly DHSUD, for the implementation of the project that will benefit civil servants from the Cebu Provincial government and Minglanilla LGU.
DHSUD Sec. Eduardo Del Rosario, Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, Mayor Elanito Peña (6th, 7th and 8th from left) with (L-R) Hon. Jenny Young, Hon. Jaime Caumeran, 77LSI COO Engr. Gionmaar Navaja, Hon. Atty. Rajiv Enad, Hon. Raul Bacaltos, Hon. Yolanda Daan, DHSUD Asec. Leira Buan, DHSUD Reg. Director Engr. Francis Ordeniza, and 77LSI AGM Jan Phillips Galo.
Joining them is 77 Living Spaces Chief Operating Officer Gionmaar Navaja. “We are grateful for this opportunity to work with the government and LGUs to strengthen the national housing program in the region and to promote resilient Filipino communities across the country,” Navaja said. “This is our way of giving back to the community as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility program.”
The mass housing project is an initiative to push the government’s whole-of-nation approach to give Cebu government employees who have served the government all their lives, the opportunity to enjoy the comforts of having a decent home that is both affordable and sustainable.
The P111-million project is the company’s first socialized housing endeavor in Cebu under the Balance Housing Actwhich requires owners and/or developers of the proposed subdivision and condominium projects to develop an area for socialized housing, at the option of the developer, equivalent to at least 15 percent of the total subdivision area or subdivision project cost. Most of the company’s socialized housing projects are located in Negros – some of which are low-cost housing like the Aldea Homes 1, Aldea Homes 2, Aldea Homes 3&4, and Marina Del Costa located in Sibulan Negros Oriental.
The company is the developer behind the three Aldea Premier developments: the Malibu Residences in Talisay City; Bali Residences which is located in Lapu-Lapu City; and Florence Residences in the Cubacub-Mandaue area. 77 Living Spaces Inc. was also dubbed as a top-performing developer for the Visayas by PAG-IBIG Fund in 2020.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 7, 2021 | Advocacy
Jollibee Group Chairman and Founder, Tony Tan Caktiong, decided to pursue a bold and valuable idea back in 2008. He thought: what if the company were to buy directly from farmers so they can have a regular and stable market to sell to? This comes from a recognition that even if agriculture is one of the country’s key sectors, farmers remain to be among the country’s most vulnerable, and their lack of opportunities and resources prevents them from earning a higher income.
Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the company’s social development arm, then took on the challenge of translating the idea into the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), which would eventually link small-scale farmers to their supply chain.
Today, the white onions, green bell peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables that the company uses in Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal come directly from small-scale farmers across the Philippines. JGF gives us a peek into how over 500 farmers from 17 farmer groups have Grown with Joy and earned their place in big markets in the video essay that the Foundation recently released.
Enabling Growth
Products grown with Joy. Jollibee Group Foundation’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program enables farmers to become entrepreneurs who supply big buyers such as the Jollibee Group.
At the heart of FEP is a stack of interventions that help farmers sharpen their technical skills and business acumen. JGF starts by partnering with organizations across the country to help farmers form clusters, so they can collectively meet the volume and quality requirements of big buyers and market their produce.
In 2018, JGF developed a training program to train Agro-entrepreneurship Facilitators who guide farmer groups towards becoming farmer entrepreneurs. This year, JGF brought this training program online in partnership with Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan entitled “Agro-Entrepreneurship for Inclusive Value Chains: An Introduction.”
As a group, FEP farmers can scale their operations, successfully maintain their status as Jollibee Group suppliers and find other markets. Growing and scaling means that farmer groups need to comply with standards such as the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) promoted by the Department of Agriculture.
A requirement of the Jollibee Group among its agriculture-based suppliers, PhilGAP guides farmers in addressing different aspects of on-farm production and post-production processes that result in safe and quality agricultural products.
Since 2009, FEP farmers have consolidated and delivered more than 7,000 metric tons or 700 truckloads of vegetables to the Jollibee Group, earning more than P300 million in total sales. Furthermore, 94% of FEP farmer groups are already GAP-certified as the others continue to work towards this milestone.
Sharing the joy
Gisela Tiongson
“It brings us real joy that We have helped hundreds of farmers embark on a journey to rediscover and even totally embrace farming. FEP has emboldened them to dream bigger and has given them the tools necessary to turn them into reality,’’ says Gisela Tiongson, JGF Executive Director.
Ligaya Miras, a farmer leader of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Cebu City reflects on her journey. “Being an FEP farmer means I am not just a farmer, but also an entrepreneur.’’ She adds, “Farming is not just a source of livelihood. For me, it is a mission. If there are no farmers, who will feed people? I am proud to be a farmer.’’
Farmers who are part of the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program help the Jollibee Group spread the joy of eating by supplying the ingredients for some of the favorite products from Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal.
From the white onions used in the Jollibee Yumburger, to the spring onions sprinkled on the Chowking Chao Fan, and the green bell peppers we enjoy in the Greenwich Hawaiian Overload Pizza—FEP farmers truly help spread the joy of eating among countless Filipinos every day.
To learn more about the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program and to watch the video essay inspired by the growth of FEP farmers, visit the Jollibee Group Foundation official Facebook Page at fb.com/JollibeeGroupFoundationInc.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 3, 2021 | Health and Wellness
Toshiba Low Sugar Multi-Cooker
Is rice your favorite food? You are not alone. It’s our staple food as Filipinos. But did you know that a frighteningly large portion of the calories and sugar that we eat comes from rice? Yikes!
However, making major changes to your diet can sometimes seem very overwhelming. But don’t worry, instead of making big changes, you can start by doing the simplest thing. Simply invest in this appliance that actually lowers the sugar in your rice: Toshiba, the world’s leading manufacturer of artisanal home and lifestyle solutions makes cooking healthier rice possible by its Low Sugar Multi-Cooker (SRP: P13,195.00).
“This is a great example of how technology can be utilized to make people’s lives not just more convenient but to also improve their health,” says Annalyn Devilles, Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines’ Small Domestic Appliances Product Manager. “Our Low Sugar Multicooker is proof of our commitment to creating innovations that are truly relevant to the needs of our customers. This product was developed to create an impact in improving nutrition and, in the long term, the quality of life of our customers.”
The Toshiba 1.0L Low Sugar Multi-Cooker is an innovative appliance that has a ‘Healthy Rice Function.’ This is certified to effectively reduce sugar in rice by up to 35%. This cooker’s optimal simmering process with a 58% increase in Healthy Digestive Resistant Starch, your rice is cooked at the right temperature enough to break down and drain its starch content.
Whether you want to cook congee, quick-cook rice, white rice, brown rice, Gaba rice, sticky rice, or mixed rice, this multi-cooker has got you covered. It allows you to have tasty and healthy meals and lets you enjoy a wide variety and healthy cooking options that are perfect for you and your family.
Its 24-hour preset timer function automatically cooks your rice in case you’d get your hands busy preparing other meals. You can also choose the “Keep Warm” 3D Heating Induction Technology Function, so your rice is always warm when you serve it. On top of its multiple functions, this Low Sugar Multi-Cooker is also made with Japanese Binchotan non-stick charcoal coated pot so you can be sure of the highest standards of quality and durability that go into each perfectly cooked pot of rice.
“We continue on our commitment of being a premier consumer electronics company which manufactures and sells innovative and technologically-advanced products as it endeavors to improve the quality of life within the global community,” Annalyn Devilles, Toshiba Lifestyle Philippines’ Small Domestic Appliances Product Manager.
Healthy eating can help you prevent, control, and even reverse health complications such as diabetes. While you really do need to pay attention to some of your food choices, you can still enjoy your favorite treats and meal as long as you plan properly, and limit hidden sugar. The secret key is moderation and using the appropriate and helpful tools or methods to keep your balanced diet on track and off the pitfall.
About Toshiba
Toshiba is the world’s leading manufacturer of artisanal home appliance solutions that cater to the lifestyle needs of today’s discerning customers. Boasting superior Japanese quality with uncompromising attention to detail, Toshiba’s diverse portfolio of products includes innovative solutions for kitchen, laundry, fresh storage, small appliances, and air care. To know more about Toshiba’s world-class home appliance solutions or avail of exclusive promos, visit www.toshibaph.com. You can also check out our official store on Shopee (www.shopee.ph/toshibaphilippines).
Whether you want to cook congee, quick-cook rice, white rice, brown rice, Gaba rice, sticky rice, or mixed rice, this multi-cooker has got you covered. It allows you to have tasty and healthy meals and lets you enjoy a wide variety and healthy cooking options that are perfect for you and your family.
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