A family of “balikbayans” from Toronto, Canada communicated with the PhilSEN Secretariat and expressed their intention to be involved in the promotion of social enterprise products in the international market. They were Evelyn and Dale Pagkalinawan; the mother-and-son tandem owns a marketing company in Toronto, Canada called 3d+e Marketing (www.3demarketing.com). They are currently distributing Bazura Bags/recycled tetra-pack bags in Canada.

They were first invited to attend the HPC COP Planning last February 18, 2010 to get to know some network members and see the products of  the HPC COP members. They were delighted with what they saw and became more interested to market SE products such as the herbal medicine, essential oils and muscovado sugar. Hence, they asked PhilSEN Secretariat to help them schedule visits to KINIPAN, AIDFI and TFM.

PhilSEN organized a visit to KINIPAN’s office/clinic per request of Ms. Evelyn Pagkalinawan on March 8, 2010.

The visitors were welcomed by Ms. Edna Nakar-Ruzol to the KINIPAN Herbal Clinic/Office/Production compound for presentation of various products. The prospect partners are interested in marketing the herbal medicinal products of KINIPAN.

Ms. Nakar-Ruzol showed their various herbal capsules/products and explained its many benefits. She also introduced some non-herbal products that they showcase in the store/clinic such as walis tambo and banig bags which are crafted by Agtas/Dumagat tribe members. Ms. Pagkalinawan bought several capsules so she can try them herself.

In order to maximize the prospect partner’s visit, PhilSEN coordinated with another partner-member, TFM to showcase their muscovado production for a possible marketing tie-up.
Mr. Norlitz Ibanez of TFM facilitated the orientation and Muscovado Sugar processing plant visit for the guests on March 10, 2010. After a brief orientation on the services of TFM at their Bacolod City office, Mr. Ibanez led the group to La Castellana where the processing plant is located.

The processing plant supports the La Castellana sugarcane farmers’ cooperative. Upon the group’s arrival, muscovado sugar is almost ready for cooling at the mixing/cooling vat. The guests were excited to witness an actual muscovado production that some of them joined in the mixing of sugar. After an hour, the muscovado sugar has already been cooled and ready for packaging. Ms. Pagkalinawan bought twelve (12) kilograms of muscovado sugar while Ms. Alocilja, another prospect partner, bought ten (10) kilograms. They intend to sell these to their friends in Toronto and observe the muscovado sugar market in the area.
Possible Marketing Tie-Up Option:

Ms.Pagkalinawan expressed that she will coordinate with Filipino and Asian stores in Toronto to introduce TFM as a muscovado sugar producer. Furthermore, she offered to be the TFM’s distributor of its product in Toronto. TFM, on the other hand, will continue to improve its packaging design and material to prepare for demands and standards of the international market. PhilSEN will maintain coordination between the two groups for monitoring and documentation purposes.

AIDFI’s Ms. Cynthia Laurente facilitated the April 11 tour at MEOPA’s Lemongrass Plantation in Cauayan City and AIDFI’s Techno Park in Bacolod City.
The group went to the lemongrass distillery plant operated by MEOPA, AIDFI’s community partner in the production of lemongrass essential oil. The group arrived just in time for boiling of freshly harvested lemongrass. Prior to showing the group how the boiling process takes place, they were invited to visit one of the lemongrass plots to see how the farmers harvest lemongrass plants. The farmer showed that lemongrass harvesting is very easy; he even asked one member of the group to harvest some clumps. The group together with some MEOPA members ate lunch together while savoring the refreshing aroma of boiling lemongrass in the distillery. The group went back to Bacolod City before the distillation is complete as they still had to visit AIDFI’s Techno Park.


AIDFI’s Techno Park showcase locally-designed and produced alternative technologies to support agricultural production and basic needs of rural communities like water, sanitation and energy. One of the guests is Ms. Margie Alocilja, also a “balikbayan” from Canada. She is interested in an irrigation technology particularly a bush pump for installation in her farm in Nueva Viscaya.
Ms. Laurente and AIDFI’s engineering officer showed the group around the Techno Park and demonstrated all their technologies to the group. All in all there are around 15 technologies exhibited to the group. Ms. Alocilja asked Ms. Laurente to send a technical person to her farm in Nueva Viscaya so they can finalize details of the project.

AIDFI also has a café and store in their office compound. The visitors bought samples of AIDFI’s Health and Personal Care products such as Hydrosol and Lemongrass Essential Oil for introduction to their friends in Toronto.