by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 24, 2021 | Business
The pandemic has resulted in volatile market conditions, and it’s during these times when diversification of investments is especially important. Investing globally is one of the best ways to diversify because it spreads out one’s investment to other markets, thus lowering risks while also capitalizing on growth in other countries.
So why are many Filipinos still reluctant to invest globally? It’s possible that some still find the idea abstract, or may not be familiar with available options, while others may just want to stick with what feels comfortable. However, if we don’t overcome these barriers, we lose the opportunity to take advantage of the growth that global investing offers.
Rahul Hora, President, and CEO of AXA Philippines
In its bid to equip more Filipinos with the knowledge and the confidence to venture into global investing, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, has collaborated with Wealth Arki for a new five-part YouTube webisode series on global investing. Wealth Arki is a Philippine-based company that aims to help people achieve wealth through proper financial planning and money management.
“Online video content channels are one of the most effective social media platforms to capture a wider audience and educate them on how to be more financially secure and independent. We hope to continue our financial literacy education and empower Filipinos through this content partnership with Wealth Arki,” said AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora.
Featuring AXA Philippines investment solutions director Dexter Agcaoili, the five-part video series can be streamed on AXA Philippines’ YouTube Channel. Each episode was produced to explain fundamental concepts that are relevant to global investing. Experts will give concrete examples and talk about their own investing experiences to further enrich the audience’s knowledge and simplify complex topics.
Episode 1: Difference between local and global investing
Episode 2: Reasons to invest in international markets
The first two episodes discuss the prospects of investing in international markets and the benefits and risks associated with it.
Episode 3: Tips on choosing the right investment
Episode 4: Importance of time horizons
The third and fourth episodes delve deeper into the importance of risk profiling, asset allocation, and the concept of the time horizon to determine what is the appropriate investment solution for each investor.
Episode 5: Different ways to invest globally
Lastly, the fifth episode tackles not only the different strategies to enter the global markets, but also gives valuable advice on how to get started the right way.
If you want to make the most of your money and aspire to invest globally, be sure to check out and subscribe to AXA Philippines’ YouTube page to watch all five episodes discussing global investing. And to stay up-to-date on AXA’s upcoming financial literacy initiatives, follow @AXA.Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 22, 2021 | Technology
My world for air conditioning! This oppressive heat is making me wilt. 🙁 I don’t know if it is normal weather, menopause, or global warming. All I know is, for the first time in a long time I am seriously considering getting air conditioning for my room.
Our house has high ceilings and tall windows so in the past air conditioning was not a big consideration. All I had to do was part the curtains and, voila! A cool breeze comes in. Another effective method has been to put a basin of water in front of the fan. Lately, though, the air itself is warm so parting the curtain, having two fans pointing at me … all that is for naught when the air blowing towards me is not refreshing. This makes working from home difficult.
Air conditioning technology has improved dramatically in the last few years. So, if you’re buying a new unit, make sure you get the most out of your purchase by looking for elements that will give your family not just the best cooling solution but also carries features that provide protection, comfort, and convenience.
One of the newest cooling solutions that provide the most advanced cooling solutions is the new Midea Pinnacle Highwall Inverter Series. Check out the 5 features that make it a great option when buying a split-type inverter aircon.
Super-efficient filters for better protection
UV Pro
Air-condition units are not only meant to keep the room cool but they should also provide better air quality to ensure protection from environmental contaminants that can harm the family.
The Midea Pinnacle gives peace of mind because it improves indoor air quality with its five stages of purification including UV Pro, which removes up to 86 percent of bacteria and viruses to leave only clean and fresh air, Dual Filters, 56 C Sterilization, and Air Guardian. This is an important consideration these days when we are in the midst of a pandemic and respiratory health is a major concern.
Energy-saving technology for cost efficiency
Traditional air conditioners can be costly because their power consumption trumps most appliances in your home. While it’s true that most inverter aircon features energy-saving technologies, Midea’s Pinnacle Highwall Inverter Series is equipped with an Energy Chip with SmartSave algorithm that lets users save up to 70 percent energy versus conventional air conditioners. That’s a cost-efficient way to keep the family cool for long hours with less than 2kilowatt-hour.
Self-cleaning for maximum comfort and savings
Air conditioners need regular cleaning and maintenance for them to function efficiently. But now, you can cut down on maintenance and cleaning expenses as Midea Pinnacle also features the iClean, a self-cleaning function that minimizes maintenance and maximizes your comfort and savings.
Flash cooling power with high ambient cooling
Normally, traditional air condition units take a few minutes before you can set up the thermostat to the lowest temperature. But with Midea Pinnacle’s Flash Cooling feature, it’s possible to cool a room in just 40 seconds as the unit can automatically set the temperature to 23°C. Aside from the Flash Cooling feature, Midea Pinnacle can also, reach the coolest temperature of 14°C with a high frequency of up to 120 hertz so you can enjoy a maximum level of comfort even during hot, humid days.
Low noise for comfort
The buzzing sound of compressors from traditional aircon units can be quite bothersome. But fortunately, that is not the case for the Midea Pinnacle Series. Now you can enjoy maximum comfort and convenience every day with its quiet operation of up to 20 decibels, and the Sweet Dream feature, which automatically adjusts temperature while you sleep.
So, if you’re planning on buying a new inverter aircon soon, look for these features to be sure you are getting the best cooling solution for your home.
About Midea
Midea is the world’s largest manufacturer of home appliances, offering customers a wide range of surprisingly friendly products for day-to-day living at home, at work, and anywhere else they might be.
Midea provides high-quality home appliances for air treatment, refrigeration, laundry, large and small kitchen solutions, floor care, and fresh storage, recognized globally for their exceptional design and outstanding functionality. For more information about Midea’s home appliance solutions or to avail of exciting deals, visit www.mideaph.com. You can also shop for products exclusively available on our official stores at Lazada (www.lazada.com.ph/midea) and Shopee (www.shopee.ph/mideaphilippines).
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 18, 2021 | Food & Beverage
Yamang Bukid Healthy Products Inc. (YBHPI) opens the final quarter of the year with a major celebration as it formally welcomes veteran actress Carmi Martin into the family as the official brand ambassador of Insulin Plant Tea – the company’s latest healthy product. It is the company behind the country’s No. 1 turmeric tea brand, the Yamang Bukid Turmeric 10-in-1.
Yamang Bukid Insulin Plant Tea is made from the leaves of authentic insulin plants (costus igneus) grown in pristine farming conditions in Palawan. The all-natural wellness drink has no other ingredients aside from dried insulin leaves, so consumers are assured that it’s safe and is of nature’s best.
Yamang Bukid Insulin Plant Tea is the first of its kind to be given a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) by the Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The product has undergone revaluation and certification from FDA and passed various tests so the quality and safety of the product are guaranteed.
Aside from lowering glucose levels, the insulin plants (costus igneus) is also naturally rich in phytochemicals that function as antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. The insulin plant has long been consumed in various countries such as India, due to its anti-diabetic properties as it is also found beneficial to people with obesity, and other metabolic disorders.
Carmi Martin endorses Yamang Bukid Insulin Plant Tea
After much deliberation, the top executives of the brand unanimously agreed that Martin is the best personality to represent the product to the Philippine market as she is widely known and respected in the industry not only for her impressive body of work as one of the most respected and versatile film and television actresses but also her dynamic, healthy lifestyle.
For almost five decades, Carmi has been one of the enduring actresses in the landscape of Philippine entertainment as she is widely recognized as the First Lady Of Philippine Comedy after starring in the most iconic and legendary television series like Chicks-To-Chicks and Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata as well as her recent online hit series GVBoys.
“I have been a long-time user of the Yamang Bukid’s Turmeric 10-in-1 Tea and I am happy that the company has another healthy product that I could use in Insulin Plant Tea. I am very grateful for the trust of Yamang Bukid and I am honored to be the official brand ambassador of Insulin Plant Tea,” says Martin.
Yamang Bukid Insulin Plant Tea is a great development for many Filipinos, diabetes and other health problems caused by high blood sugar continue to be among the top causes of death in the country as health experts have raised concerns over this health problem, calling diabetes a silent epidemic. In 2020 for instance, diabetes-linked complications killed 37,265 Filipinos, up from 32,991 on annual average between 2015-2019, data from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.
Today, millions have a chance at improving their health with Yamang Bukid Insulin Plant Tea. Consumers may consult their doctor prior to taking any health and wellness supplements.
Yamang Bukid Insulin Plant Tea is available in Yamang Bukid stores and distributors, and in shopping malls nationwide.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 17, 2021 | Lifestyle
INAX, the Japanese brand is known worldwide as a pioneer of innovations, starting with Japan’s first advanced toilet and self-powered automatic faucet, unveils yet another masterpiece with the INAX 3-in-1 Jet Bowl.
The brand, which originated in 1924 when Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the greatest American architects during that time, teamed up with highly skilled Japanese artisans Hatsunojo Ina and his son Chozaburo, once again harnesses its innovative spirit as it takes a closer look at the ritual of hand washing in public spaces.
Since the onslaught of the pandemic, hygiene is of prime importance. Regular hand washing is considered our first line of defense, but doing so in public places while minimizing contact with surfaces is a challenge as it involves multiple essential steps – from turning on the faucet, and pressing the soap dispenser to activate the hand dryer.
The INAX 3-in-1 Jet Bowl is a thoughtfully designed washbasin that integrates all these necessary steps to make handwashing a truly hygienic, efficient, and enjoyable experience
Intuitive design for comfort.
Thoughtfully designed for an intuitive and hygienic handwashing experience, the INAX Jet Bowl is a fully integrated unit that combines a soap dispenser, hand-washing function, and hand dryer in a single bowl. The sequential layout ensures fast, convenient, and efficient handwashing, while its deep bowl offers comfort as it effectively prevents water from splashing during handwashing.
This intuitive layout is perfectly suitable for high-traffic places where high standards of hygiene are of utmost importance, such as public dining areas, shopping malls, health clinics, and educational establishments.
Maximizing Space.
A harmonious combination of design and ergonomics, the INAX 3-in-1 Jet Bowl intelligently utilizes the space by having the basin, dryer, and dispenser integrated into one area. No need to separate a soap bottle, a hand dryer, or tissue dispenser – the washbasin has everything built-in. The unit also includes a shelf just above the washbasin, allowing more room for small items and belongings.
Easy maintenance.
The soap dispenser has a large capacity of 4 liters, hence reducing the need for constant refills. Cleaning is minimized to a single area and takes less time since there will be fewer instances of the mopping of floors or countertops.
The INAX-3-in-1 Jet Bowl is another masterpiece that embodies the brand’s design principle, combining functional simplicity, intelligent design with a deep understanding of the needs of its users.
For more updates on INAX, visit www.inax.com.ph and follow @INAXPhilippines on Facebook and @inax.philippines on Instagram.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 15, 2021 | Lifestyle
GARY Valenciano’s pure energy is being channeled towards a new endeavor. Pray.com, the world’s number 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content, has chosen the country’s top singer/songwriter and ultimate performer, to be Pray.com’s Philippine ambassador, focusing light on one of Gary’s most enduring passions: connecting to the power of God through prayer.
Known for his unwavering Christian faith and devotion, Valenciano is the ideal choice for this prayer app co-founded by Steve Gatena five years ago, now loaded with content featuring Gary V. Gatena explains the company’s decision to partner with the beloved Filipino-Puerto Rican artist: “Gary V is an inspiration to Pray.com and the world. The way he talks about his faith, his willingness to reach out to people directly and encourage them to pray, it’s special. With so many out there struggling with mental and spiritual health because of the pandemic, Gary has chosen to share his voice with all of us. Now you can pray with Gary V anytime on Pray.com,” says Gatena.
For his part, Valenciano, a living miracle, reveals he was honored to join Pray.com and introduce the empowering prayer app to Filipinos. “I want to encourage everyone to pray. I have survived so many health challenges. I am here with you today only by the grace of God. I am unashamed to share my faith in my Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful, first of all to God, and to Pray.com for giving me a platform to help others draw closer to the Almighty God who gave His only Son to save us,” says Valenciano.
Launched in 2017 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate a community, Pray.com now reaches more than 10 million people globally through its mobile app and website. It is the simplest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily prayers, pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. In this new venture, Valenciano becomes the voice behind bible stories like Joseph as well as meditation prayers that will inspire his millions of fans.
Prayer forms a vital part of Valenciano’s day. Whether he is working from home or at the ABS-CBN studios for his weekly ASAP Natin ‘To performances, an app like Pray.com on his mobile devices helps him seamlessly make time for quiet moments with God no matter how busy his schedule gets. Prayer has been Valenciano’s sanctuary and refuge, especially during this pandemic. During this heartbreaking season, no one has been spared from challenges, from grief, pain, and loss. Just recently Valenciano lost his photographer of 30 years, Raymund Isaac, to Covid19, who took his photographs for the posters of Pray.com.
“I want to encourage everyone – no matter what you are going through – to take a moment, stop, and pray. Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. Start a conversation with God who loves you, God who is everywhere, God who knows you and hears your every cry. The Word promises – we can approach His throne of grace and always, we will find help in our time of need; He who has promised is so much more than able,” Valenciano adds.
Some of Valenciano’s most intimate conversations with God have found expression through songs of praise; many of his compositions have become timeless classics – multi-platinum hits like “Shout for Joy,” “Take Me Out of the Dark,” as well as his vocal renditions of “Lead Me Lord” and “I Will Be Here.” Prayer has taken many forms for the multi-awarded recording artist and these songs reflect this truth.
His timely ambassadorship with Pray.com becomes even more significant as he recently released yet another song of praise entitled “Make Us Whole Again.” Written in the summer of 2020, the song is Valenciano’s way of expressing his journey during the pandemic, grappling with hope and fear, life and death, frailties, and faith.
As a line in the song goes: “No, our hearts won’t tire / Our faith’s on fire,” Valenciano’s faith is resolute as it flourishes, despite the persistent suffering and perplexing tragedies that plague the world. This is a testament to the strength of his faith and the power of his connection to the divine. With prayer as his priority from the moment he wakes, Valenciano lives a life of faith that stokes inspiration and admiration among many of his fans.
The new Pray.com app aims to enable more people of faith to make prayer a part of their daily lives. The platform has multiple functions that can be accessed by registered users: daily prayers every morning, nightly prayers before bedtime, audio Bible stories, Christian meditations, prayer plans, podcasts of pastors from around the world including globally renowned Christian personalities like John Piper, TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Manny Pacquiao, and even Philippine pastors such as James Aiton of Favor Church, Paul and Shoddy Chase and Mylene Evangelista of New Life Church, and Bo Sanchez of Light Of Jesus Family. It also has inspirational music of different genres.
In a time of global crisis, prayer is a path to guidance, healing, and comfort. Valenciano and Gatena hope that Pray.com will become part of every Filipino’s life as we navigate the uncertainties of a world in great turmoil and persevere to overcome them.
For exciting updates and more information on Gary Valenciano, visit www.GaryV.com; follow @GaryValenciano1 on Twitter and @garyvalenciano on Instagram; subscribe to Gary Valenciano on YouTube, and like Gary Valenciano Official on Facebook.
Pray.com is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play; and check out “Make Us Whole Again” on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.
Help spread the word about Pray.com by posting it on your social media platforms using the hashtags #PrayPhilippines and #PrayWithGaryV.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 14, 2021 | Beauty
Blackwater BB Cream
Men need to look fresh and well-groomed too, especially now that our faces are on focus during virtual meetings, video calls, and even online classes. Having the right skincare products that are specially developed for men is important to maintain a well-moisturized, blemish-free, and smooth complexion.
For men who want to keep their skincare routine simple, Blackwater’s BB cream is a great option because it is a multi-functional product that has several benefits. Here are some great reasons why this BB cream is an excellent addition to your skincare kit:
It evens out skin tone.
Blemish Balm creams or BB cream have ingredients that help in seamlessly merging with the base of your skin tone, moisturize your skin and protect it from the sun. Blackwater BB Cream for Men is an oil control cream that helps out in minimizing uneven skin tone. Apply it gently to your face and leave it on for at least 10 minutes to achieve a glass skin look. Its matte-finish texture will also help you keep your skin smooth and shine-free for hours. You can choose the Beige or Tan shade that comes with this BB Cream depending on your skin tone. It’s lightweight too so you can always keep your fresh look on the go!
Conceals spots and blemishes.
A BB cream can act as a concealer and hide your pimples and skin blemishes. It can also control the production of excess sebum and control erratic skin breakouts.
Achieve those extra “pogi points” no matter where you go. Blackwater BB Cream is available in all leading supermarkets nationwide, at Lazada (www.lazada.com.ph) and Shopee (www.shopee.ph). Follow @blackwaterphofficial on Facebook or @blackwater.ph on Instagram to know more.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 11, 2021 | Business
Need to send money, buy prepaid load, or order food, but your GCash funds are running low? Now, it’s easier to cash into your GCash account as the country’s undisputed no. 1 e-wallet app, expands its network of merchants to a total of 60,000 active cash-in doors nationwide.
To reach more Filipinos nationwide, GCash has recently partnered with 9 more leading brands to establish additional cash-in kiosks at (number) of these companies’ branches: ExpressPay, DA5, Panalo Express, SouthStar Drug, Robinsons Supermarket, Shopwise, The Marketplace, Robinsons Easymart, and No Brand. In addition, customers may conveniently cash in their GCash wallets through top outlets, such as SM, Palawan Pawnshop, Villarica Pawnshop, Ministop, Puregold, and Cebuana Lhuillier.
Martha Sazon, GCash President and CEO
“Our goal is to make Filipino lives better every day,” said Martha Sazon, GCash president and chief executive officer. “Our cash in outlets is one of the essential solutions that GCash offers consumers, especially during the pandemic. With 70 percent Filipinos still unbanked, it’s always been our goal to expand our partner merchants to house more cash in outlets all over the Philippines, making topping up GCash wallets accessible to more Filipinos.”
With more cash in partners all over the country, GCash users will have lesser trouble in finding the closest outlets to them — allowing them to enjoy the many useful services on the app. For instance, for all their lifestyle and essential needs, they can browse through GLife, the e-commerce feature within the GCash app that allows users to shop exclusive deals from 35 brands across retail, food, gaming, entertainment, and transport.
GCash also aims to add more Cash In Doors in the future. Previously, GCash reached another milestone: GCash’s active user base is now at 46 million – a more than 20 million increase from January 2020. With more Filipinos shifting to digital wallets, GCash is continuously looking for more ways to best serve its customers while staying safe. For more information, visit www.gcash.com.
About GCash
GCash is the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines. Through the GCash app, customers can easily buy load; pay bills at over 600 partner billers in the app; pay at more than 7,000 online partners; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines; pay using QR codes at over 130,000 partner merchants nationwide, save money while earning interest, and invest money at local and global funds — all through the convenience of their smartphones.
GCash is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom, Inc. GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs impacting more than 40 million Filipinos in the country today.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 10, 2021 | Art and Science
BPI Foundation, the social development arm of BPI, in partnership with the Ayala Museum, launched its first-ever virtual exhibit titled BPI: Banking on the Arts as part of the Bank’s 170th-anniversary celebration this August.
“This museum-like virtual reality experience aims to create better arts awareness and appreciation, reinvent the way people see local art, and more importantly – help boost the Philippine art scene,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo. “With the recent surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases and the reimposition of stricter lockdowns, allow us to bring this unique museum experience to you all, while you remain in the safety and comfort of your homes.”
With the help of Ayala Museum’s Curatorial Team led by Senior Curator and Head of Conservation Kenneth Esguerra, BPI: Banking on the Arts was conceptualized to depict BPI as a banking institution through six key virtues: celebration, tradition, relevance, resiliency, creativity & innovation, and growth. It features over 50 pieces from the BPI Art Collection including works of Juan Luna, Justiniano Asuncion, Oscar Zalameda, Justin Nuyda, and Arturo Luz, among others.
“As we aspire to be at the forefront in championing Philippine art, rest assured that we at BPI group will continue to push for more meaningful activities like this to promote our cultural wealth and history as we continue our journey to banking excellence anchored on trust and the best digital offers,” said BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco.
NCCA Chairman Arsenio Lizaso shows his support for the virtual exhibit.
Recognizing the vulnerability of our cultural sphere amid these challenging times, National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Arsenio Lizaso said, “This virtual exhibit is an excellent opportunity to showcase our cultural heritage to the world. May these works of art and the access they provide to our cultural heritage continue to be a unifying force for the society as we move towards a stronger and more resilient future.”
The virtual exhibit is part of Yugto ng Sining, or the Stages of Art program, which aims to preserve Filipino culture and heritage through awareness and appreciation of the arts. Under the program, BPI Foundation also organized an art-making contest for BPI employees to recognize and amplify their artistic abilities and launched #KulturaSerye, a social media campaign that features the life and works of various Filipino visual artists in the BPI Art Collection.
BPI: Banking on the Arts is available for public viewing online until September 24, 2021, via: www.bpifoundation.org/page/banking-on-the-arts.
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.
Midea is the world’s largest manufacturer of home appliances, offering customers a wide range of surprisingly friendly products for day-to-day living at home, at work, and anywhere else they might be.
GARY Valenciano’s pure energy is being channeled towards a new endeavor. Pray.com, the world’s number 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content, has chosen the country’s top singer/songwriter and ultimate performer, to be Pray.com’s Philippine ambassador, focusing light on one of Gary’s most enduring passions: connecting to the power of God through prayer.
GCash is the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines. Through the GCash app, customers can easily buy load; pay bills at over 600 partner billers in the app; pay at more than 7,000 online partners; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines; pay using QR codes at over 130,000 partner merchants nationwide, save money while earning interest, and invest money at local and global funds — all through the convenience of their smartphones.
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