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CAGAYANLifestyle TIMES Weekly DE ORO
Volume 9 | No. 4 | Cagayan de Oro City | Aug. 30 - Sept. 5, 2021
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
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ARLO Paalam returned to where it all started as he went back to his hometown of Cagayan de Oro following his success in the Tokyo Olympics. The 23-yearold boxer visited his hometown for the first time after capturing the silver medal in the men’s flyweight division of the Summer Games, and went to Italpinas Development Corporation's Primavera Sales Office where he received his newest condominium unit from the company. "IDC is proud of Carlo's achievement, we are grateful to him for bringing honor to Cagayan de Oro. The company has also been a believer in the city's sports program, especially for the youth," said Arch. Romolo V. Nati, IDC Chairman & CEO. "His success comes at a particularly significant point in Philippine's history when we are facing a pandemic, his fellow Filipinos struggling to find hope; his
win at the Olympics inspires the country to believe and cope with today's difficulties," he added. Since 2018 Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC) has been an immense supporter of Mayor Moreno's Amateur Boxing Program where Carlo Paalam molded his boxing skills. "Everything that is happening to me now is beyond my comprehension, I
am beyond grateful to the Almighty for all the blessings that I am receiving. And to IDC, thank you for recognizing my hardships, and for supporting the boxing program of the local government where it all started for me. Without your support from the previous years, my dream wouldn't be a reality. Again, thank you IDC. " said Olympic Silver Medalist Carlo Paalam. Cagayan de Oro
is the second home of the Talakag, Bukidnon-born Paalam, where he was discovered and where he received his first training in boxing as a 10-yearold boy. Paalam is one of four Philippine medalists in the Tokyo Games, along with gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz and teammates Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial, who bagged silver and bronze medals, respectively.
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO
Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam receives house and lot unit from Cebu Landmasters Aug. 30 - Sept. 5, 2021
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EADING Vismin developer Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI) welcomed Olympic Silver medalist Carlo Paalam to his new home during a turnover ceremony of the CLI-gifted P3.6
million Velmiro Uptown CDO house and lot unit September 1st at Cagayan de Oro City. In an intimate ceremony, CLI Chief Operating Officer Franco Soberano personally turned over to Paalam
and his family the house and lot unit in Velmiro Uptown CDO. This was followed by a house blessing officiated by Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan President Fr. Mars Tan, S.J. Also present during
CLI turns over a house and lot unit at Velmiro Uptown CDO.
the turnover were Cagayan de Oro Vice Mayor Hon. Rainer Joaquin “Kikang” Uy, Councilor Jay Roa Pascual, CDO Sports Official Stephen “Pong” Dacoco, with CLI Chief Finance Officer Beauregard Grant Cheng, and AVP for Strategic Landbanking, Permits & Records Management Mark Chang, Soberano toured Paalam in his new 2-floor and 3-bedroom Velmiro Uptown CDO home, a sold out subdivision and CLI’s third residential project in CDO. It surrounds a beautiful community located at a prime spot in Upper Canitoan in Cagayan de Oro City that offers impressive views, efficiently designed homes with generous space and premier amenities for a serene family life. PAALAM/PAGE 7
Amidst the shower of blessings following his silver medal finish in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, appreciative Kagay-anons were quick to acknowledge his unprecedented and unexpected feat with blessings of their own. Metro
CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO
DANTE SUDARIA Publisher MIKE BAÑOS Editor-in-Chief SUSAN P. DENNIS GEAN T. CESAR RANDY FAMACION MAI MAI SISON KLAUS DORING ANNIE GORRA RAGO WENDY RAMOS-GARCIA Contributing Editors CLIFFORD SANTILLAN Layout Artist PINKY DOMINGO Marketing KHRISTHA RIVA FELICILDA Advertising
It wasn’t only big time sponsors who showered Carlo Paalam with gifts to show their appreciation. Here are only two of the local businesses which came forward to acknowledge the local hero. Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medalist Carlo Paalam with coach Elmer Pamisa reccieves 2 yr free 100 Mbps Parafiber + HD Cable subscription from Parasat HD CEO Elpidio Paras.
ATTY. MARIO T. JUNI Legal Counsel The Metro CAGAYAN de ORO TIMES newspaper is published weekly at Tanleh Bldg., Abellanosa Street, Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City. It is registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 with Certificate No. 01801884, and with Business Registration Plane No. 17211 with Business License Certificate 2014-00691. TIN No. 311-982-549-000 Tele/Fax #: (088) 856-3344 Find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CagayandeOroTIMES email us at thecagayandeorotimes@gmail.com Member: Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber)
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Carlo Paalam, Silver Medalist 2020 Tokyo Olympics, receiving his prize of P50,000.00 worth of food from Bigby’s Quality Food Corp.
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ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH | EVENTS | TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE
CAGAYANTIMES Feature DE ORO
Aug. 30 - Sept. 5, 2021 Page 3
A German Expat in the Philippines
WITH BEETHOVEN UNDER PALMS
By Klaus Döring
Chapter XXX: The Last Chapter
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EGINNING with a decree of the German Foreign Office dated October 17, 2016 the Federal Republic of Germany called me as Honorary Consul for Mindanao. After the Philippine Government accepted my appointment through the Department of Foreign
Affairs, then German Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. JanChristian Gordon Kricke arrived in Davao City on June 20, 2017. I took my oath and served Filipino and German nationals until my retirement as consul in December 2020. My administrative district
encompassed all of Mindanao except Sulu Archipelago, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan. It was a challenging job especially acting as notary public: issuing Legal Capacities to Contract Marriage in the Philippines or Philippine Driver's Licenses, urn/ cadaver certificates,
certified true copies of German and Philippine documents, consultations - the list would all be long. It was one of the greatest honors that I, as a German national in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao, received. Being a member of the diplomatic family opened many new opportunities for me. Retirement means very often the end of everything. The last chapter in life. Not for me. After leaving the diplomatic stage and the University of Southeastern Philippines, suddenly other interesting tasks didn't make my "old age" seem boring. Teaching (again!) German at Ateneo de Davao University, Language Center and a lot of translation works - my home office keeps on booming. One of
my hobbies, exploring German-Philippine relations and the differences between both countries' culture and tradition and writing about, takes up most of my free time now. And another hobby that I have neglected very often recently is to be revived: Classical Music. Myself at the piano or some other audio carrier.
The last chapter - here. But I pray to our good and Almighty Lord, that He might allow me some more chapters on earth - together with my wife Rossana, to whom I dedicate this 30-part biography and together with our awesome Philippine family, to whom I owe a lot if not everything! MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS: Hon. Consul Joji IlaganBian (Bangladesh), Consul Yosiaki Miwa (Japan), Acting Consul General Mohd Jafri Bin Mohd Sharif (Malaysia), Asec. Romeo Montenegro (MinDA), Hon. Consul Maria Lourdes GarciaMonteverde (Mexico), Madame Elisabeth Napitupulu, Atty. Zuleika Lopez (City Administrator), Hon. Consul Peter Faistauer (Austria), Consul General Berlian Napitupulu (Indonesia), Asec Robert Ferrer (DFA for Mindanao), Consul General Li Lin (China), Hon. Consul Edgar Ang (South Korea) and Hon. Consul Klaus Doring (Germany)]
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Aug. 30 - Sept. 5, 2021
DOST-SEI, Gokongwei Brothers Foundation back youth innovation plum
Cavite, Dumaguete, Lapu-Lapu City Schools top 4th imake.wemake. Awarding Rites Schools from Cavite, Dumaguete and Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu topped the 4th imake. wemake. awarding rites hosted online by the Department of Science and Technology Science and Technology Institute (DOST-STI) on August 27, 2021. Following are the Youth Innovation Prize (YIP) Awardees and their respective team members who received P200,000 per team plus a trophy: Cavite Science Integrated School (Jimuel Clarence Z. Malimban, John Kenneth V. Sanchez, Aira Gayle A. Pugeda and Elain E. Malones (Coach). Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial – Dumaguete Science High School (Ericka Elaine Diputado, Anjeli L. Merecido, Shauna E. Tifora and Ryan Nove C. Huang (Coach). Science and Technology Education Center - Senior High School, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu (Johann Emir G. Margallo, Kate Ashley P. Liao, Ron Marc L. Cañete and Bryant C. Acar (Coach). The following students from their respective high schools were also recognized as GBF Young Scientist Awardees and will receive a conditional scholarship amounting to P85,000 per annum: Malimban, Jimuel Clarence, Z. (Cavite Science Integrated School); Sanchez, John
Kenneth, V. – (Cavite Science Integrated School), and Merecido, Anjeli, L. (Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial – Dumaguete Science High School). The imake. wemake: create. innovate. collaborate. competition has previously exalted nine (and soon to be 12!) Youth Innovation Prize (YIP) Awardees from some 200 promising idea pitches since 2016. But the DOSTSEI believes the competition is bound to get even bigger and better with the entry of Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) as a partner for the youth competition. The GBF, an affiliate of JG Summit Holdings, Inc., advocates the advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, in the same manner of the DOSTSEI, the S&T human resources development arm of the government. GBF Executive Director Grace Colet expressed her excitement over the partnership with how “there’s so much shared” in what both parties want to achieve during the virtual Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing last July 30, 2021. “One of the unique and powerful statements of our Foundation is our sole focus on one advocacy, which is education, particularly STEM
PARTNERSHIP SEALED. Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) signed a partnership deal with the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) for the 4th imake.wemake project via a virtual ceremony held on July 30. In the photo are GBF Executive Director, Grace Colet; GBF Program Head, Graciela Mendoza; SEI Director, Dr. Josette Biyo; and SEI Division Chief, Dr. Ruby Cristobal.
education. We are putting all stakes in education with the firm conviction that this is the best way for us to develop as a nation,” Ms. Colet said. She added that GBF aims to prepare Filipino learners to be digitallyadept workers, critical thinkers, and innovative problem-solvers who can contribute to the growth of their communities. “When we learned about the goals of the competition, it became evident to us how there was so much shared in what we want to achieve. Knowing these goals, the nationwide reach of
Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Exec Dir Grace Colet addresses the awarding rites for the 4th imake.wemake.
this competition, and the rigorous selection undertaken to choose the final winners, it is indeed a privilege that with this partnership, we have the honor to select the 2021
GBF Young Scientist Awardees (YSA) from them,” Ms. Colet added. “We aim to fully support our young scientists’ passion for applied scientific research and innovation, and their drive to serve our communities through a college scholarship grant for their chosen STEM courses. We will also be providing mentoring, training, and other immersion opportunities to enhance and elevate their STEM expertise with the help of our academic partners and business unit partners,” Colet said. DOST-SEI Director
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Dr. Josette Biyo thanked GBF for its generous support for the project. “We are very happy with GBF’s desire to partner with us because of our shared vision of improving Filipino lives through STEM. We look forward to more collaborations not just with imake. wemake project but in our many other line-up of programs. We highly appreciate your help,” said Biyo. The 4th imake. wemake conducted the Final Project Presentations on Aug. 25-26, and the Awarding Ceremony on Aug. 27 virtually.
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CAGAYANTIMES Lifestyle Weekly DE ORO
Aug. 30 - Sept. 5, 2021
JRBGH OIC Chief of Hospital Dr Ma. Magdalena Juan receives the donated medical supplies donation from the CDO Filipino-Chinese Community.
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Select officers and members of the Oro Filipino-Chinese Community turned over the medical supplies to JRBGH.
CDO Filipino-Chinese Community donates medical supplies to JR Borja General Hospital
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HERE seems to be no end to the well of generosity and compassion outpouring from the Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Community for Cagayan de Oro City’s frontliners. On September 3, 2021, select officials from the group turned over to Dr. Maria Magdalena Juan, Officer-in-Charge Chief of Hospital, JR Borja General Hospital (JRBGH) various medical appliances and supplies including 450 sets of PPEs in 15 cartons, 22 boxes of N-95 medical grade face masks, 30 boxes KN95 face masks, 80 boxes of disposable face masks, 190 pcs. face shields, 10 units Sharp Air Purifiers, 20 Astron electric stand fans, 50 mosquito lamps, 6 Daimaru Insect killers, 3 Daimaru Swat insect killers, six pails of alcohol and 2 pcs. UV lamps. The FilipinoChinese Community of Cagayan de Oro includes 21 community organizations, including family associations, chambers of commerce, schools, martial arts, civic and religious fraternities. These including the following: Misamis Oriental FilipinoChinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc.; Mindanao Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China in the Philippines; Cagayan de Oro FilipinoChinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc.; Cagayan de Oro You We Tong Civic & Religious Fraternity, Inc.; Oro Christian Grace School; Misamis Oriental Liong Tek Fraternity Association, Inc.; SejoLim Family AssociationNorthern Mindanao Chapter; Cagayan de Oro Bell Church Foundation, Inc.; Kong Hua School; DONATES/PAGE 7
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Tuklas Lunas anti-dengue herbal capsule may soon be available as clinical trials wind down Aug. 30 - Sept. 5, 2021
Text by ALLYSTER A. ENDOZO, DOST-STII Photos from DOST-PCHRD
An anti-dengue capsule combining the best qualities of traditional herbal remedies may soon be available to the general public at an affordable price. Department of Science and Technology (DoST) Secretary Fortunato dela Pena recently disclosed Filipino researchers have hurdled Phase 1 of the three-phase clinical trials on a plant-based treatment against dengue with a drug estimated to be commercially available by the end of 2020. “The DOSTPhilippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOSTPCHRD)’s Tuklas Lunas Program (Research
for Cure) is proud to announce the latest developments in creating the world’s first antidengue medicine, made possible by our continuous support and collaboration with Filipino researchers,” De la Pena said. The randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of an herbal capsule when taken orally by adults with dengue fever showing no warning signs. Each fixed-dose capsule combines the qualities of tawa-tawa (Euphorbia hirta) and banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) to increase platelet count with the immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory
(Left photo) Tawa-Tawa Herbal Supplement (Right photo) Anti-dengue capsules developed by Pharmalytics Corporation containing ingredients from locally available plants—tawa-tawa, banaba, and luya.
properties of luya (Zingiber officinale). Pharmalytics Corp.’s Dr. Rita Grace Y. Alvero, dengue herbal clinical trial program leader, said the Phase 1 of the clinical trials covered tests on the drug on animals. “We are
now in the human testing. Based on our findings, there was no dose-limiting toxicity,” Alvero said. The study on Philippines’ first dengue drug, which is also a cheaper cure against the disease, was suspended due to the covid-19 pandemic, but received a go signal to proceed with Phases 2 and 3 clinical trials for the dengue medicine this year. Phase 2 would test safety in use in subjects infected with dengue, while Phase 3 will compare its efficacy versus existing treatments. “We expect the study to be completed by the second quarter of 2022,” Alvero added. “It is the very first in its class. No country, even the US, has an anti-dengue drug produced. We are looking forward to this,” said Dr Jaime Montoya of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) Herbal anti-dengue capsules being tested for efficacy and safety among study of the ground breaking participants in Cavite.
research. The nearly P12 million Phase 2 clinical trial to be conducted by the De La Salle University in Dasmariñas, Cavite together with health science startup Pharmalytics Corp. on 600 volunteer participants, will be funded by the DOST through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD). Dengue is a mosquitoborne infection whose incidence has been steadily increasing in tropical countries, particularly in the Philippines where it is considered as one of the top health problems. From January to November 2020, 79,218 dengue cases were recorded nationwide. Although 81 percent lower than the same period in 2019 – a phenomenon partly attributed by epidemiologists to the COVID quarantines – dengue still claimed 306 lives. With no direct cure
for dengue, treatment for the viral disease usually calls for hospital confinement, which can be costly except in state-run health facilities. Once proven safe and effective, the herbal capsule will be the first definitive treatment for dengue. It could pave the way for use in cases showing warning signs and even in severe types. On the economic side, farmers can benefit from cultivating any of the three medicinal plants, the increased demand for which may come from local pharmaceutical companies that could manufacture the treatment for domestic and even overseas markets. The Tuklas Lunas program trial on herbal anti-dengue capsule is one of the technologies and innovations that will be presented in the Big 21 in 2021 launch on 7 September 2021, 10:00AM, to be broadcast live at LUNAS/PAGE 7
DOST assists DOH in developing COVID-19 health care guidelines the chest of COVID-19 patients prevention of the The Department would often have highly infectious of Science and bilateral ground-glass disease that has Technology (DOST) opacities on their CT laid siege to the has funded a study scans. healthcare systems of Once it gets worse, to help the country’s almost all countries. health agency in COVID-19 cases may According to the identifying the lead to pneumonia, DOST, the most most common followed by an acute common reported symptoms that respiratory distress symptoms of should be watched syndrome. out for in monitoring COVID-19 are cough, The P9.7-million fever, headache, COVID-19 patients. DOST-funded shortness of breath, This study gave study “Clinical sore throat. Adding crucial inputs to the Characteristics and Department of Health to that are the loss Transmission Patterns (DOH) in developing of appetite, runny of COVID-19 in nose, diarrhea, the guidelines for Confirmed Cases muscle aches, loss of and their Contacts in case isolation, contact tracing, and smell and taste, and the Philippines” was disease control and fatigue. Meanwhile, implemented by Dr. By DAVID MATTHEW C. GOPILAN, DOST-STII, S&T Media Service
Mayan Lumandas of the agency’s Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), in partnership with the Ospital ng Muntinlupa in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Many of the DOST’s projects for the country’s R&D sector and fight against COVID-19, will be presented in the Big 21 in 2021 Launch live on 7 September 2021, 10:00AM, to be broadcast live on the DOST Philippines Facebook page.
A health care worker in full PPE gear preparing the supplies and equipment before collecting samples from contacts in a home visit done in Metro Manila. (Photo from RITM)
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Paalam...
Aug. 30 - Sept. 5, 2021
Paalam’s extraordinary achievement at the Tokyo Olympics bringing honor to every Filipino especially the Mindanaoans.
from Philippine marine sponges, other marine from page 2 macroorganisms “You’ve given and their associated inspiration to millions microorganisms to be led of young children. This by Dr. Lilibeth Salvadoris the first ever house Reyes. that we’ve gifted – and Now on its 2nd year from page 6 we’ve given it to someone of implementation, who deserves it. We see the DOST-Philippines the program has the sacrifices that you Facebook page. accomplished the and your family have Interested parties following major activities: made and that’s why you may contact Dr. Josefino (1) Optimization of deserve it,” said Soberano Alvero, president large-scale synthesis during the turnover of Pharmalytics and folding of priority ceremony. Corporation, through peptides and Intraplantar From a young age, email at jralvero@yahoo. Hypertonic Saline Assay, Paalam worked as a com. (2) Sequencing of four scavenger at the city Tuklas Lunas Marine (4) priority Conoidean landfill to help feed his Component species, (3) Molecular family. He lived in a small Meantime, the docking and molecular and simple house in marine component of dynamics simulations, Barangay Carmen, where Tuklas Lunas program (4) Identification of he shares with his family. is being implemented priority bioactive peptides At age 10, he became by the University of the and conopeptides part of the grassroots Philippines Diliman for synthetic and boxing development Marine Science Institute recombinant production, program under the with funding from the (5) Purified three (3) aegis of then Misamis DOST- PCHRD Discovery priority compounds, (6) Oriental Governor and and Development of Determined the structure now Cagayan de Oro City Health Products (DDHP) for two (2) lufariellolide Mayor Oscar S. Moreno. program analogues and IC50 values “As a child, I could The ongoing DDHP for anti-proliferative, antionly dream of buying Marine Component inflammatory, and Nrf2 toys, bikes, and eating in program is comprised activation of lufareillolide decent restaurants but my of two projects. Project and 3 analogues, (7) parents could not give 1 studies anti-pain and Additional seven (7) that before. Now, I have anti-neurodegeneration priority isolates ready an opportunity to give drug candidates to be for batch 2 sequencing, back to my family with spearheaded by Dr. and (8) Optimization of this house, so thank you Arturo O. Lluisma while electro transformation of Cebu Landmasters,” said the second project is 2 DDHP Phase 1 priority Paalam in Bisaya. working on the discovery bacterial isolates. CLI joins the rest and development of Anti-dengue of the country in anti-infective and/or capsules developed by the celebration of anti-cancer compounds Pharmalytics Corporation
Lunas...
containing ingredients from locally available plants—tawa-tawa, banaba, and luya. Herbal anti-dengue capsules being tested for efficacy and safety among study participants in Cavite.
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Donates... from page 5
Cagayan de Oro Volunteer Fire Brigade, Inc.; Phil. Wushu Federation-Cagayan de Oro Chapter; Phil. Kim Mun AssociationMisamis Oriental Chapter ; Cagayan Gospel Church ; Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Amity Club; Cagayan de Oro San Lorenzo Filipino-Chinese Catholic Community; Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.-Misamis Oriental Chapter; Philippine Chinese High School Alumni AssociationCagayan de Oro Chapter; Misamis Oriental Progressive Mason Temple, Inc.; Kong Hua School, Inc.; and the Chee Kung Tong Chinese Free Mason Misamis Oriental Branch. (RMB)
Consumers can find some of Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) products outside of the Philippines as the company exports to areas in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, North Asia, Oceania and the Pacific Islands
URC... from page 8
in the commodities market. URC expanded its beverage lineup with its C2 ready-to-drink tea in 2004, a pivot that happened after Gokongwei saw brewed tea being sold widely in China and Japan in PET bottles. URC sold 100,000 bottles a month after it introduced C2. Three years later, it was selling over 30 million bottles a month. URC’s first foray abroad was via a small factory it set up in Hong Kong to produce Jack ‘n Jill Potato Chips. The company eventually set up operations in six countries, with presence in 10 markets
in the region. It’s Fun-O and Tivoli brands are currently the market leaders in Thailand’s biscuit and wafer categories, while C2 is a strong player in the ready-to-drink segment in Vietnam. It also exports to areas in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean Islands, North Asia, Oceania and the Pacific Islands. URC remains a cornerstone of the Gokongwei group of companies, with a market capitalization of over P300 billion. “Thanks to Mr John’s constant innovation, entrepreneurial zeal and strong desire to please the customer, URC has risen to become one of the largest branded
consumer food and beverage companies in the Philippines, with a significant and growing presence in the ASEAN markets,” said Lee. URC’s people-first approach has helped the company weather the difficult period shadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the past year, the company has pushed boundaries to ensure the well-being of employees, customers and communities. It has kept its factories and mills up and running despite the rolling lockdowns and quarantine restrictions to make sure millions of Filipinos can stock their pantries with essential food items they need while working or sheltering at home.
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ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH | EVENTS | TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE
CAGAYANTIMES Feature DE ORO
Aug. 30 - Sept. 5, 2021
Page 8
URC marks 65th year with hope amid challenges
U
NIVERSAL Robina Corp. (URC) is marking its 65th year in business, still focused on its customers while taking stock of new challenges and opportunities ahead. “As we celebrate our 65th anniversary, we are also acutely aware that millions of people have had to navigate a very difficult period shadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic. This strengthens our commitment to marshal on, so that we can help our nation, as well as our other markets across the globe, come out of this darkness better and stronger,” said URC president and CEO Irwin Lee. Built from a humble trading business that John Gokongwei ran on his bicycle, URC has
Universal Robina Corporation (URC) expanded its beverage lineup with the release of C2 ready-to-drink green tea drink in 2004
grown into one of the largest food and beverage companies today, with market-leading shares in the Philippines in snacks, candies, chocolates, and ready-to-drink tea. It also has a strong market position in instant noodles and powdered coffee. It now has presence in Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia,
Myanmar, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Laos and Cambodia. URC traces its roots to 1956, when Universal Corn Products, a company Gokongwei put up through a loan from China Bank chairman Albino Sycip, introduced Panda Corn Syrup. With his eyes always on the future, Gokongwei quickly expanded to
Jack ‘n Jill snacks are some of the many best-selling products of Universal Robina Corporation (URC)
other segments of the food business to ensure his company would flourish and later have a presence abroad. In 1961, he and his brothers put up Consolidated Food Corp. (CFC). Two years later, CFC introduced Blend 45, which became the best-selling coffee brand at the time. After Blend 45, CFC
diversified into candies, wafers and other food products. URC was officially born in 1966. It quickly dominated the snack food business, rolling out products that have become staples to this day – Chiz Curls, Chippy, Nips, Jack ‘n Jill Potato Chips, among others. Later best-sellers were Nova, Pretzels, Piattos,
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Maxx and Payless. In the 1970s, URC entered the agro-industrial and commodities business, with its foray into hog farming and flour milling, as well as sugar milling in the 1980s. These were vertically integrated with existing businesses and allowed URC to weather volatility URC/PAGE 7