THE family that farms together, stays together.
For Gerry Paglinawan, eating organic ingredients helps one become healthier and live longer, which is the main thrust of his family’s business, Agriko Multi-Trade and Enterprise Corp.
“We’re advocating organic products, as a lot of people are now health-conscious. They understand more about healthy living,” Paglinawan told SunStar Cebu.
As someone who spent 15 years being an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Paglinawan said their farmlands in Zamboanga del Sur, Mindanao called to him.
“I was an artist and a furniture designer who catered to customers in Cebu, Vietnam and China. I sold products in America, and being in that business was really good because it fueled my artistic ways,” he said.
But he soon found the calling to help other people during one of his outreach programs in Vietnam, where he was appointed as Philippine honorary consul general for 10 years.
“I saw that every time I did an outreach program in the community, I always asked myself how I can help them more, especially the cancer victims. I realized that the food is the major cause (of cancer),” he said.
Born to a family of farmers, Paglinawan had first-hand experience in farming.
“During my younger days, I helped my father in the farm. So I thought that if there is an innovation in farming, there is money there,” he said.
Agriko now offers a variety of organic products like black, brown and white rice and 3-in-1 turmeric teas.
Paglinawan encouraged everyone to eat organic food.
“If you love God, you need to protect your body and your environment, so don’t destroy it. If you love your family, don’t use any chemical that can be harmful to their body. I decided to go organic in 2010. This is now forever to me,” he said.
Agriko was awarded the Ocean (Open Collaboration with East Asian Networks) Summit Indiepreneur Award on Friday, Nov. 9, “in recognition of outstanding innovation in the global Filipino engagement sector. He was accompanied by his wife, Luzvisminda, theirdaughters Janice, who is Agriko’s marketing director, and Jan Christies, the vice president for marketing and distribution, and their son, Januarius.
Paglinawan said they have a stall in front of the Robinson’s Supermarket at the South Town Centre in Bulacao, Talisay City and customers can reach them through their Facebook page, Agriko.
Cebu-based “indiepreneurs” Marvin Viagedor of Silly Boy Hot Sauce and Genesis Raña of the UV New School of Art and Design were also awarded for innovation in the food and education sectors.
“This award for me creates a big impact to my business because Ocean 18 is on a national scope. We have captured the market in Cebu, so our next goal is to capture the national market,” Viagedor told SunStar Cebu.
The awardees were picked from among 300 “indiepreneurs” in the country.
Winston Damarillo, Ocean 18 co-chair, said the summit connected many “indiepreneurs” in the Philippines that can support thousands of small businesses.
“They have a goal. And we have a vibrant community of entrepreneurs so we have strategy and these startups are already thinking on global scale. So in a way, you can see the Philippines progress as a whole country,” he said.