A visit to Filipina-Bruneian agribusiness of Cinta sauce products

A visit to Filipina-Bruneian agribusiness of Cinta sauce products in Brunei Darussalam  

by Elmer R. Esplana, May 17, 2011

In my last day in Negara, Brunei Darussalam I got the chance to visit with BFAR-Region 12 Director Sani Macabalang to a Filipina (Hjh. Khadijah Mangate) who married with a Bruneian, Mr. Hj. Ilias Bin Matusin. Khadijah Mangate originated from Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur.  She has been in Brunei since 1984. She has been about 26 years in Brunei. They have seven children, six girls and one boy. Mrs. Mangate and her husband is now an owner of a chili sauce business establishment which they called as Sahamada Corporation Sdn. Bhd.

Their corporation has been producing eight classes of chili sauces with the following names: 1) Sos Chili (Chili Sauce), 2) Sos Cili Pedas (Extra Hot Chili Sauce), 3) Sos Pencicah Serbaguna (Multi-purpose Dip Sauce), 4) Sos Pencicah Ikan Tahai (Dip Sauce with smoked fish), 5) Sos Cili Nasi Ayam ( Chicken Rice Chili Sauce) and  6) Sos Lobak Merah Bersama Cili (Carrot Sauce with Chili).  Their two latest products include Sos Halia Bersama Cili (Ginger Sauce with Chili) and Sos Bawang Puteh Bersama Cili (Garlic Sauce with Chili.  Their brand name is called as "Cinta" which means "love" or "sinta" in the Tagalog word. The success of their business is product of the love of this couple.   They have started  their chili sauce company in 2003 as a cottage industry business at the residence of Haji Ilias with only one small blender.  His family members are the workers of the business.   At that time, there are only three types of Chili sauce products namely Sos Cili, Sos Pencicha Serbaguna and Sos Cili Pedas.  The bottle filling is done manually at that time.  They are just using a small cooking pans before in processing their sauce products. During that time, they are using computer-made stickers in their company brand name "Cinta". Around 50 bottles are sold each day to friends and relatives. The small family business started a capital of only B$1,000.  After 7 years (in 2009) of their operation, the company had already been employing 12 personnel.  There production output have reached 20,000 bottles per day.  Their capital have increased to B$600,000.  In August 2009, Ho Tai Company Sdn. Bhd. was declared as the sole distributor of Cinta Chili Sauce products.  The company was awarded as "Progressive Entrepreneur 2009" during the Agrifood Expo 2009 held in Tungku, Gadong, Negara Brunei Darussalam. In 2010, they have already made a trial export to Czech Republic.  The have new distributor for Brunei market, the Malar Setia Sdn. Bhd.  In 2010, they also started to supply Cinta Chili Sauce to Royal Brunei Catering (RBC).  For this year, they are targeting going into the the global market by exporting more of their products. The have also aimed to be more competitive both in local and in the global market. They also would like to improve the quality of chili sauce by establishing effective GMP, HACCP Food Safety System and having an ISO 22000. 

Aside from an award in 2009, the company had an Halal Certificate  from Majlis Ugama Islam Brunei in 2008.  There is also an ongoing ISO 22000 program under the National Standards and Accreditation Centre Brunei Darussalam.   In the interview with the couple the vision of the company is "to produce healtheir and highly quality products." 

My picture with the couple Haji Ilias Matusin, Khadijah Mangate, Dir. Sani Macabalang



The company brand logo for "Cinta"



The eight different chili sauce that they are producing in their sauce processing plant

The Chili sauce which they market for the food service establishments

Matusin receiving an award from Brunei Sultan Hasannal Bolkiah

His Majesty Sultan Bolkiah signing guest book in one of the exhibition in Brunei with Ilias Matusin

One particular achievement of the company is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with a  company in Japan in 2006 for supplying for the Japanese market.  They started exporting chili sauce to Japan for their Sos Pedas and Sos Pencicah Ikah Tahal.  They have also exposed the company in overseas product exhibition such as in Japan, Dubai, Uman, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.  For this year, for their participation to the International Food Expo and Exhibition this May 2011 and Agrilink this coming October 2011, they believed they would be able to get Filipino clients and be able to initially market their sauce products in the Philippines. They are also planning to have an alternative supplier of chili raw materials,  including the supply of bottle from the Philippines.  For more information about Sahamada Corporation, Sdn. Bhd. you can contact Hj. Ilias Bin Hj. Matusin at email address shahmada@yahoo.com or contact them at Telefax No. 673-2791348 or visit their office at Unit G4 & G5, Block G, Menteri Complex, Kampong Menteri, Jalan Kota Batu BU 1929, Negara Brunei Darussalam.   

Pagbabaliktanaw: Minanang Awitin Muling Pagyamanin, Isang Konsiyerto at Lektura

Title of the Event in Crossroad 77 with the picture of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal holding a guitar

from left  Dr. Mike Coroza with the Mabuhay Singers Emma Lucero, Cely Bautista, Peping de Leon, and Jimmy Salonga

Lorenzo, Miko, and the Tres Rosita, Dr. Mike Coroza

Infront duet singing, Raye Lucero and Peping de Leon

The Mabuhay Singers team

Willie Samson, Fanny Paragas, Bernie Berida Jr. and Sadi Yuro

At the middle Elder Fanny Paragas

,

Farewell presentation

Pagbabaliktanaw: Minanang Awitin Muling Pagyamanin,  Isang Konsiyerto at Lektura sa Crossroad 77 Convenarium

by  Elmer R. Esplana,  Mananaliksik at Ekonomista ng Sining, May 14, 2011

Ang katatapos lang na isang pagtatanghal na pinamagatang "Minanang Awitin Muling Pagyamanin, Isang Konsiyerto at Lektura" na inihandog ng historyko.org  at C Futures  ay tagumpay. Ito ay ginanap sa Crossroad 77 Convenarium, Bread of Life Ministries International, Mother Ignacia Avenue cor. Scout Reyes Street, Brgy. Paligsahan, Lungsod ng Quezon, Metro Manila, Pilipinas. Ito ay ginanap noong ika-7 ng gabi, Mayo 13, 2011.  Sa aking palagay, ito ay naging isang matagumpay na pagtitipon, pagpapakilala at pagpapakita ng mga likas at likha na mga awiting Filipino, lalong-lalo na ang Kundiman.

Isang lektura ni Dr. Mike Coroza, isang kilalang makata, manunulat, tagapagsalin, at editor ng National Language of the Philippines, Associate Professor ng Ateneo de Manila University na nagbigay ng panimulang pampagana na tulang pagpapakilala sa mga manunuod ng pagtatanghal na ito.

Sinimulan nyang ipakilala ang kanyang sarili sa pamamagitan ng kanyang tulang pagpapakilala. Sinabi nya ang ang Kundiman na syang tampok na "genre" ng gabing iyon ay hindi lamang kanta ng pag-ibig o awit sa panliligaw ng dalaga, kundi ito rin ay isang awit ng makabayang Filipino.   Kundiman ang mag-uugnap sa tunay na "Kalayaan" at ang ideyal ng naisin ng mga Filipino para sa bansang Pilipinas.   Ito ay awit ng mga bayaning Filipino, kahapon, ngayon at bukas. Sinabi nya na bagaman ito ay nahahawig sa awitin ng mga Europeo, ito ay dapat angkinin ng mga Filipino sapagkat ito ay nilapatan ng sariling salita na Pilipino or wikang katutubo, at marami dito ay Kundimang Tagalog. Ilan sa mga sikat na mang-aawit at kompositor or gumagawa ng mga awit Kundiman na binaggit nya sa kanyang lektura ay ang pambansang bayaning si Dr.  Jose Rizal, sina Joselina Baliwag, Antonio Molina, at maraming pang iba, na naging kabahagi na ng kasaysayan ng Kundiman sa Pilipinas.

Isa sa tampok sa pagtatanghal na ito ay ang pag-awit ng Mabuhay Singers ng higit sa tatlongpung mga awitin at kaharamiran sa kanilang inawit ay mga Kundiman, katulad ng: Aawitan Kita, Bundok Banahaw, Kalesa,  Habang-Buhay,  Magbabakya, Dahil sa Iyo,  Pakwan, Hahabol-habol, Kung Ako'y Magaasawa, Pintasan, Lawiswis Kawayan, Mutya ng Pasig, Bol-anon, Hatinggabi, Lulubog-lilitaw, Bingwit ng Pag-ibig, Madaling Araw, Balut, Kuratsa, Pobreng Alindahaw, Pamulinawen, Pista sa Nayon, Ako ay Pilipino, Pilipinas, at maraming pang iba. 

Tatlo sa orihinal na mang-aawit ng Mabuhay Singers na nag-angat ng ating mga ikinararangal na awiting Pilipino ay kinabibilangan ng mga Reyna at Hari ng Kundiman na sina Cely Bautista, Raye Lucero at si Jose "Peping" de Leon.   Kasama rin sa mga umawit si Emma Lucero, anak ni Raye Lucero at ang kanilang mga kasamang mang-aawit-musikero-gitarista na sina Eddie Suarez at Jimmy Salonga.  Makikita nyo ang kanilang Facebook account nila na may pamagat na Mabuhay Singers kung inyong nais silang imbitahin upang magtanghal.

Kabilang din sa mga umawit ang sinasabing Tres Rositas na mga mag-aaral ng Conservatory of Music sa Universidad ng Pilipinas (University of the Philippines) na sina Janine, Roxanne, Charlene.   Kasama rin sa mga umawit ang anak ni Dr. Coroza na si Miko at isa pang sa nitong kasama na si Lorenzo.  

Isang rin sa espesyal ng pagtatanghal ang ginawa ng E4 (Four Church Elders) ng Bread of Life (BOL) na sina  Sadi Yuro, Bernie Berida Jr, Fanny Paragas at Willie Samson. Umawit sila ng mga Original Filipino Music (OPM) katulad ng Akoy Pinoy, Tayo'y mga Pinoy, Bakit Labis Kitang Minahal.  Isa sa hinangaan sa kanilang pagtatanghal ay ng awitin nila ang "Anak" na sikat na awitin ni Freddie Aguilar na isinalin sa ibat-ibang wika ng ibat-ibang mga bansa.

Pagkatapos ng mga awiking ng E4, nagbigay ng isang maikling mensahe ang tagapamahala ng Historyko.org na si Elder Willie Samson. Sinasabi niya na ang Kundiman ay "awitin ng mga bayani." Isa pa, "ito ay di pweding talikuran ng bawat Filipino." Ang mga awitin na nasulat at nalikha na Kundiman ay paglalarawan  ng pagmamahal sa ating bayan.  Nagbanggit sya ang apat na dahilan ng pagbagsak ng mga bansa mula sa dati nilang kadakilaan, kasama na rito ang Pilipinas. Una, ang pagbagsak ng kalidad ng edukasyon. Sa mga bansa sa Asya, walang universidad sa Pilipinas na kasali sa limampung pinakamagagaling. Naunahan na tayo pati ng bansang Indonesia na kasali sa ika-apatnaput siyam. Ikalawa,  ang pagkawala ng paggalang sa mga tradition,  tulad ng paggalang sa matatanda. Ikatlo, ang pagdami ng mga taong nahuhumaling sa materyal na mga bagay.  Isa sa halimbawa nito ang magdami ng mga Pilipinong paikot-ikot sa mga malalaking mall upang bumili ng mga bagay na pang samanantala lamang gayong ang Pilipinas ay isa sa mahirap na bansa sa Asya.  Kahit anong oras sa maghapon ay maraming Filipino ang nagpapaikot-ikot sa mga mall, para maglakwatsa at magpalipas lamang ng oras, samantalang sa ibang bansa ay hindi ganito ang ating makikitang kanilang ginagawa. 

Sa madaling salita, sayang ang oras ng isang tao kung ang oras nya ay ginagamit lamang sa paglalakwatsa katulad ng mall, lalo na kung wala naman importanteng pakay dito or  kung may pakay man dito ay magwawaldas lang ng salapi sa halip na ipunin upang magamit na pang-invest upang lalo pang dumami ang kanilang pera o itabi upang magamit sa oras ng pangangailangan ng pamilya.   Sa mga bansa sa Asya, isa ang Pilipinas sa pinakamababa ang "savings rate" kada taon.  Kung ganito ang ating karanasan,  panahon na upang mag-impok tayo upang paunlarin natin ang ating mga likas na yaman katulad ng agrikultura at  magagandang lugar na pang turismo. Mangyayari lamang ito kung may pagbabagong magaganap sa ating pag-iisip, mananaw sa buhay, at magkakaroon ng pagdidisiplina sa paggamit natin ng pera, hindi upang ito ay waldasin kundi upang magamit sa mas makabuluhang bagay tulad ng gawaing pangkabuhayan (livelihood project), pagi-impok (savings), pag-invest sa pagnenegosyo (business or agribusiness venture).

Ikaapat, ay ang paghinga ng pundasyon ng kultura ng isang bansa dahil sa inpluwensya ng mga banyagang kultura katulad ng mga bansa sa Kanlurang Amerika, Europa, at marami pang iba.  Dahil maraming kabataan na hindi na nila alam ang mga panitikang Filipino na syang pundasyon ang ating pagkakakilanlan bilang isang bansa. Ilan sa mga halimbawa nito ang Kundiman, Epiko, Sarswela at Balagtasan. 

Isa rin sa mensahi at magandang pag-aambag ng pagtatanghal na ito para sa bawat isa ay ang pagpapa-alaala sa ating lahat na mga Filipino, upang ating muling sariwain at pagyamanin ang mga awiting ipinamana sa atin ng ating mga ninuno, isa na rito ang Kundiman. Kung mapapagyaman natin ang Kundiman,, ito ay isa sa magiging batayan ng ating pag-unlad bilang isang bansa, para sa ating pagsulong sa hamon ng ika-dalwamput-isa hanggang ika-dalwamput-dalawang siglo (21st to 22nd Century Philippines) ng lahing kayumanggi at sa pag-usad ng kasaysayan ng bansang Pilipinas.    

Sa aking pagmamasid at pagbabaliktanaw, ang pagtatanghal na may pamagat na "Minananng Awiting muling Pagyamanin, Isang Konsiyerto at Lektura" ay kinasiyahan ng lahat ng manunuod na karamihan ay mga miyembro ng Crossroad 77-BOL Ministries International. Ang perang kikitain sa pagtatanghal na ito ay gagamitin para sa mga gawain ng Meridian International Learning Experience or kilala sa tawag na MILE. 

Ang sabi nga ng Presidente ng MILE  na si Elder Bernardo Berida Jr. "Ang Meridian ay nagmula sa isang pangarap na magbubunga ng isang henerasyong may kakaiba, positibo at matayog na pananaw sa kanilang sarili at sa kanilang bansa. (www.themeridian.edu.ph)" Kasama na rito ang pagmamahal sa Dios at sa bansa upang magkaroon ng pagbabahagi ng sarili, maging halimbawa sa lahat, pagkakaroon ng kaibahan at pagsisikap para sa sarili, para sa pamilya, para sa ibang tao, at sa ating bansang Pilipinas sa kabuuhan para sa susunod na saling lahi ng mga Filipino, sa ano mang dako ng mundo.  

Mabuhay ang Filipino! Mabuhay ang lahing Kayumanggi!  Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!  

Mabait talaga ang Dios sa atin!

Development in the Supply Chain of the Philippine Goat Industry: An Assessment

Development in the Supply Chain of the Philippine Goat Industry:An Assessment/1
Esplana, R. Elmer/2, Lary Nel B. Abao/3, Rolando M. Vasquez/4

ABSTRACT

The study documents the development of the Philippine Goat Industry within the supply chain.The study used triangulation method that comprising of archival research, key informant interviews, benchmarking, competitiveness and profitability analysis. The study indicates that there have been many improvements in the supply chain of the Philippine goat industry from input supply to consumption. There were also some best practices that can be emulated among the goat industry stakeholders. The study also suggests for more investment opportunities for the goat production. Also, it indicates that the Philippine goat meat (chevon) product is competitive compared with other countries, such as Australia, United States and Canada, in terms of price competitiveness and the goat production is a very profitable entrepreneurial project. This underscores for a better outlook of the industry, in terms of better prices and supply, and higher consumption for both the local, and potentially export market in the coming years. The study results support the goals and objectives of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) in contributing to food security, poverty alleviation, improved productivity and increased income and global competitiveness of the livestock sector, in general, and goat industry, in particular.

1/ Received the Grand Prize Winner for the Best National R&D AFMA Paper Awards for Socio-economics Research Category. 19th National Research Symposium (NRS), Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), Department of Agriculture, October 6, 2007. The 2007 NRS had a theme “Agriculture and Fisheries R&D Toward Agribusiness Development and Agro-Industrialization.” The main author can be contacted at email address: elmer.esplana@gmail.com or mobile no. +63 922-8117367.
2/ Agriculturist II, Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and President of the Club of Professional Researchers (CPR), with current organization name now as Corps of Philippines Researchers for Development, Inc. (CPR4DEVT).
3/ Agriculturist II, BAI, CPR Treasurer.
4/ Agriculturist II, BAI, CPR Member

A Supply Chain Assessment of the Philippine Fruits Industry: Towards Sustained Profitability, Improved Productivity and Pro-active Response to the Impact on Climate Change

A Supply Chain Assessment of the Philippine Fruits Industry: Towards Sustained Profitability, Improved Productivity and

Pro-active Response to the Impact on Climate Change

                                 Lustria, Jose Ulysses, Jr.[1] and Elmer R. Esplana[2]
                                                          

ABSTRACT

The study documents the development of the Philippine Fruits Industry within the supply chain. The study used triangulation method that comprising of archival research, key informant interviews, benchmarking, competitiveness and profitability analysis. The study indicates that there have been many improvements in the supply chain of the Philippine fruits industry from input supply to consumption. There were also some best practices that can be emulated among the fruit industry stakeholders. The study also suggests for more investment opportunities for fruit production particularly exotic fruits such as guapple/guava, durian, mangosteen, avocado, and watermelons, given the initially-developed export market for these fruits.  Also, it indicates that the Philippine fruits, specifically banana and pineapple, is highly competitive compared with other countries, such as Thailand, India, Brazil, and China in terms of price competitiveness. This underscores for a better outlook of the industry, in terms of better prices and supply, and higher consumption for both the local, and potentially export market in the coming years. The study results support the goals and objectives of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) in contributing to food security, poverty alleviation, improved productivity and increased income and global competitiveness of the high-value commercial crops sector, in general, and fruits industry, in particular.

---

[1]  Project Development Officer IV, DA, and Vice-Chair (External Affairs), Club of Professional Researchers (CPR).

[2] Agriculturist II and National Secretariat Coordinator, National Task Force on Price and Volume Watch, DA-BAI. Mr. Esplana received the Grand Prize Winner for the Best National R&D AFMA Paper Awards for Socio-economics Research Category. 19th National Research Symposium (NRS), Bureau of Agricultural Research, Department of Agriculture, October 6, 2007. The 2007 NRS had a theme “Agriculture and Fisheries R&D Toward Agribusiness Development and Agro-Industrialization.” He is the President of Corps of Philippine Researchers for Development, Inc.  and former General Manager of Andria's Taste Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila. 

(Source:www.elrondconsultancy.multiply.com, August 29, 2009)

Volunteerism by Elmer R. Esplana

Volunteerism
by Elmer R. Esplana, November 1, 2007

Volunteerism  is what  we need today;
Volunteerism to express our  basic human rights;
Volunteerism to express  our  civil responsibility;
Volunteerism  to  participate actively
      in  the lives of other people.

Volunteerism is what God's people can offer;
Volunteerism that becomes supplementary;
Volunteerism that becomes alternative;
Volunteerism that fills the gaps  of
      both government and for-profit sector.

Volunteerism is the reason "I thank you";
Volunteerism that touches the hearts of His people;
Volunteerism that shares victory and hardship;
Volunteerism that edify friends, officemates,
     acquintances, and loved ones.

Volunteerism is my challenge to everyone;
Volunteerism that will mold our values;
Volunteerism that will improve our quality;
Volunteerism that will benefit the lives
     of our community and our countrymen;

Volunteerism should be our common goal;
Volunteerism that is capable to reach out to our brethren;
Volunteerism that is capable of reaching out to the unsaved;
Volunteerism that will advance the Kingdom of God
     in our own country and the whole world.

(Source: www.elmer2007.multiply.com)

Ilaban Natin ni Elmer R. Esplana

Ilaban Natin
Ni Elmer R. Esplana, November 4, 2007

(A poem inspirationally written from the
corporate slogan of the Land Bank of the Philippines in 1997,
"Lahat ay kakayanin, Lahat ay gagawin. "  This slogan is related to the
vision of Philippines 2000 of former President Fidel V. Ramos.  The poem was delivered by the author during the closing  program of the three-day
Orientation/Re-orientation Seminar-Workshop  held at the Philippine
Animal Health Center Conference Room,  Bureau of Animal Industry, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, October 6, 1999).

Lahat ay kakayanin,
Lahat ay gagawin,
Dahil sa pangitaing,
Kay Kristo nanggaling.
Puspusang paghahanda,
At pagsasanay gawin,
Alang-alang sa Inang Bayang,
Kinamulatan natin.


Ang  magsilbi sa bayan,
Dapat nating isaisip at gawin,
Upang ang natatanging talento't kalooob,
Ay  maibahagi natin,
Upang sa araw ng pagtutuos,
Ay maialay natin,
Sa Dios na lumikha,
Sa bawat isa sa atin.

Ang aking paalaala,
At hamon para sa bawat isa,
Ang ating  bahagi ay mahalaga,
Kung kayat, ito'y
Dapat nating ikasaya,
 "Ilaban natin,
Ang panawagan natin,
Kasama ang Dios natin."

(Source: www.elmer2007.multiply.com)

Ang Buhay:Isang Tula ni Elmer R. Esplana

Ang Buhay:Isang Tula  


Sulat ni: Elmer R. Esplana, November 4, 2007
(This is a poem in "Tagalog" that expresses the importance of life and how to use it to the fullest for the glory of God -the Mighty Creator - for the Filipinos.) 

Buhay, ano nga ba ito?
Ang buhay ay  pinahiram lang sa atin,
Sa pamamagitan ng ating mga magulang,
Nagmula sa Dios na may akda nito.
Buhay ang regalo ng Dios sa mundo,
Upang alagaan, pagyamanin at ingatan ng tao,
Buhay na walang maaaring umako,
Kaibigan,tanging ikaw lang ang tagapamahala nito.
Ang buhay ay parang isang gulong,
Minsan nasa ibabaw, minsan nasa ilalim,
Sino nga ba ang makapagsasabing,
Siya lang ang buhay mo at buhay ko.
Masasabi mo bang ikaw ay may buhay?
Buhay na may kasayahan at kalungkutan,
Buhay na may kasaganaan at kasalatan,
Buhay na may katagumpayanan at kabiguan.
Sayang lang ang buhay sa araw-araw na lumilipas,
Kung di ito nagagamit ng husto,
Kung di ito nagagamit ng wasto,
Lalo na kung ang buhay ay di mahalaga sa yo.

(Source: www.elmer2007.multiply.com)