Sunday, December 28, 2008

GPS

Nope. It doesn't mean we got Grand Parent Stocks!

GPS means global positioning system :)

That is my new found toy since yesterday. I had been going around, stopping, parking and SAVING my locations.

It tells you where you are. You indicate intersections and addresses, and it tells you how to get there. They talk to you, sways with the road and keeps you company. Not boring company as it nags you literally to turn left, go right, stay on the left etc. Of course it hasn't met BF's u turn slots, so it asks you to make a turn and it quite shouts at you that you missed your turn. She knows who the boss is and sighs, then recalculates and asks you to please make a u turn in the next intersection. BF of MMDA of course didn't have the GPS maps in mind, or intentioanally teased the mappers..... Of course you make a U Turn and the GPS gets frantic and recalculates again.

Great stuff.... it thinks differently if you are behind the wheel or on foot. Amazing gadget. It is worth it, specially for someone like me who always gets lost and laughs it off.

Road maps are now a thing of the past.

Naked Necks

This batch of Certified Parent Stocks are now mature and will be ready to give us back the naked necks. Our new addition to our Sunshine Chicks will be ready February.

After consultations with our growers and SASSO of France, we added the naked necks to our existing line. This is sturdier for the Philippine conditions. The gourmets say that this is better tasting as the skin is very thin.

This is part of our commitment to give you better products and marketing tools.

Friday, December 26, 2008

The 26th

Five more days and its 2009.

I took it upon myself to make those three chicken roasts. Better to not volunteer it, lest the expected happens and it turns out the usual bad :) Rush rush, that I had to prepare and take a shower during the last 30mins of cooking the 3rd (I only used a turbo and an oven). The two I used a turbo on, was preferential for my eyes. The 3rd one cooked on the oven, inside a dutch, was screaming to peel itself from the bones. It was so tender and juicy!

Anyway, I promised myself to take pictures as the aroma and slow browning was pushing the juices from the chicken and my senses. Came the bell to alert me that the roasts were done....rush to pack...

20mins later, as the spread was prepared...the buffet looked gorgeous for let's say 5mins? The pinches on my chickens drew reactions that made me feel I was made up by my favorite make up artist. The words of appreciation from the male out-laws, were IT! I know I had a winner.

At this point, even if I remembered to take photos...I'd be embarassed to click on my chickens. Nevermind, the words and the mere fact that it made to the pulutan table, was enough for me.

Pate...yes the pate I asked Elena of Manna Specialty Bakery to make for me was such a hit too!

Did I say 5days to go to 2009? Most households recreate the chaos of December 20 too :)

We head back to Manila....I love doing my booths at the weekend markets. See you at Sidcor Market at the Green Street tomorrow.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Loco Over Coco

Whenever we are in our home base Santiago, we have pure buko juice as our water. So when the sourcing of products for Organika brought my attention to non dairy coco milk and ice cream, i lost no time in trying it out.

For several days I conjured the taste and texture of the coco milk in my senses. Initially, I thought coco milk...gata. It was explained that the coco milk derived is the one where the virgin coconut oil is removed, so you don't have that VCO taste. It is chemical free and healthy for us.

Yesterday, I had their ice cream as dessert and brought home coco milk. This morning, after my wheatgrass juice, I had to have the first taste of my non dairy, low fat coco milk.

HEAVEN for me. The sweet buko juice is there, creaminess with a hint, or ok...a slight taste of gata. It is coco milk, it should taste like coconut :) Refreshing, creamy....sarap. You don't have that aftertaste associated with the VCO.

I will definitely have this in my Organika roster.

Start With Your Circle

Often been asked where is the market if he was to raise the Sunshines.

Yes we do advertise and market, but we do the bigger picture. Ours is marketing on the consumer awareness level.

I will always say start with the people around you, friends, relatives, co-workers, neighbors....that is the best initial market. They will be the ball of the word of mouth and your circle builds its outer size little by little.

In August, to make sure we had dressed Sunshines available for Agrilink, I asked one of my staff to take care of 100 heads. Another 200 was commissioned to a relative and I bought back close to 100 from Daily Dose Farm. So our Agrilink safely had close to 400 sold. Had to make sure, as hard to get from growers as they have their own markets developed and I understand when I can't be served. I like that problem for them :)

Right after that October, my staff decided to grow another 100. Now on their own, unlike the 1st batch that I financed and paid them a grower's fee. Today I asked her how she is doing, because it was targetted for harvest this season.

1.9k in 60days. Who was she selling it to? I wondered as our live chicken sales was not being affected. Loyalty prevails :)..... Her husband drives a tricylce during the hours he has after feeding his chickens and pigs. His ready market? Tricycle drivers too!

Don't even think about how many each tricylce driver purchases. I saw the larger picture...how many men with their jackets worn the other way and caps facing you do you see on the road? Ok, let's even just talk about the terminal where he parks.

His 2nd batch of 100 sold today.

Don't look too far beyond. I guess that is why people stumble, they don't watch their steps :)

How Do I Cook It?

I took out three (3) capons to season and roast for tonight. Three...yes you read right! When there are ten (10) children in the family, spouses and grown up children, three capons might not even be enough :)

Salt, fresh black pepper from the mill, just pinched Rosemarie from my pots. That's it for my capons tonight. Will let them sit on marbled potatoes, and let their juice season the marbles as they bake with the Sunshines.

I can't stress enough: low fire, slow cooking :)

Sunday, December 21, 2008

SIDCOR Market at the Green Street

Yes, we will be there starting next Saturday. For the whole of December, it was open Saturdays and Sundays. Starting January, it will be Saturdays at 7am-8pm.

You know the Capitol Hills Golf Clubhouse? Ayala Heights, Celebrity Sports Plaza area? The Green Street is how that area is now called . You walk down to the putting green...that is where you find the SIDCOR weekend market.

I used to play golf at Capitol at least once a week, so this venue is close to my heart.

Go and visit. Safe parking, open air, nice view, several options for eating places...a weekend market in a literally, green setting.

Step Back, Sit Down And Relax

We need those.

So does almost everything.

Trivia questions are thrown weekly to listeners of Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura over DWWW 774, for a prize of 10 Sunshine Chicks.

Today's question was : Bakit kailangan na nakakapahinga ang pag gamit sa brooders? (Why is there a need to rest the use of brooders?)

The winning answer was from Marie Almodavar of Binan, Laguna: Para ma break ang cycle ng life cycle ng bacteria and virus still present in the poultry house. After cleaning and disinfecting them, allow about 2weeks. ( So that you are able to break the life cycle of the bacteria)

True, the brooders have to to rest, sit back and relax. Let them sun bathe also :) Sunshine is great for them too.

I was texting with a client who had tried two batches of growing already in Gen San. He wants to start to raise 100 chicks a week. I suggested to have six brooders ready, so he has resting ones.

Actually, I think I will talk him into 200 every two weeks, or 300 every three weeks. Less personnel, less biosecurity risk...

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Merry Capons


In the rush of things and time, I forgot that I had to prepare my own treats for special people. Good I still remembered to make a call to Joey for his special Sunshine Capons. What was left for me to take were 20 unreserved ones.

Before it goes fast today....let me take a final picture.

My recipients are all so excited to cook their capons.

Long Round Trip

After Tuguegarao, we took the northern tip to make a U Turn to get to Ilocos Norte then to Ilocos Sur.

We do weekly trips to the project of Gov DV. Christmas season is no excuse.



You better watch out for the Developed Vigorous and Bountiful ilocos Sur chicken!

We Can't Complain


For the past week, almost everyday was a scheduled product presentation for the different provinces where a partner cooperative/foundation, is actively doing work. Yes, in just one week, we covered Aurora, Tarlac, Bulacan, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Cagayan and Nueva Ecija.

We can't ASKI for more.....thank you for all the support and welcome you have given Sunshine.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

DAVAO Seminar UPDATED

Since the 76th PVMA Convention and Technical Conference will be in Davao for 2009, we will schedule a seminar on Feb 19. Contact us for exact details. Most likely, in the vicinity of Waterfront.

We will be in Davao, from Feb18 am until Feb20 pm. Contact us at (0917) 847-2639 if you want to meet up for your questions.

Durian, hope to see you there :) This looks exciting as some friends from the agriculture world may join us to meet up with growers there.

Radio Parties

Sure, today, 14th of December is the last weekend before the Christmas week. It follows that there were a lot of parties the week the passed, if you are a social butterfly....officemates, your partner's officemates, your friends, partner's friends, relatives, their relatives. Next weekend will be for the closer circle of friends and family :) Actually the week starts as the wedding day of a dear person :)

Today, we had two Christmas parties, both for radio programs. First on the agenda was the breakfast party of DWWW's KSA's (Kaularan sa Agrukultura) Agri Kapihan and then lunch at DZMM's TeleRadyo Sa Kabukiran.

Save for a handfull, the two parties had totally different crowds and listeners/audience base.

It is nice to have a face to texts that you receive from readers and listeners alike.

Friday, December 12, 2008

What Grass Should We Plant?

We have always been asked this, what one has to plant for the Sunshines to eat.

They eat anything that is soft :) No need to plant, as when you rake an area, new life sprouts. If you have tall and matured grass around....cut them and see the new stems and leaves will attract your Sunshines.

And as for food? Let's work with what is abundant in your area. There will be no clear cut feeding programs nor materials.

I suggest though, that while they are ranging....let them have feeders with their grains, adlibitum. Just like a green buffet, let them walk around, poke and sniff. Give them choices and liberty to eat whatever at will.

By experience, they love the range more than their feeders.

Adobo

This afternoon, Elena of Manna Specialty Bakery texted me this :)

My sis' comment abt your adobo - Parang adobo version ng chicken soup, soothing
That made me smile and happy. When Elena tasted it, she said "it was not salty. it was neutral". I asked what her neutral meant. I forgot what her reply was verbatim, but it meant that is was not outstanding nor was the taste different...it was home cooked taste.

That moment, whether her opinion was supposed to be a negative remark, it meant I got the taste for the home cooked food I wanted in the first place.

Our adobo has the old taste, dry, minimal soy sauce just for color. Vacuum packed, so people just let it sit on water to thaw, then heat it in the microwave, toaster or fry it a bit :)

Naku...where is that saucer of kamatis, sibuyas, bagoong, and wansoy....give me that chicharon for topping!

My View

We're still fixing around, so for now, this is what you see when you turn from the freezers.


As you are ready to step out Organika, you see SM Fairview.


This is my view from my temporary working area. I haven't taken a picture of my cove, but its pretty cozy :)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Think About The Gifts

As I was reading my online newspaper tonight, I came across Dreaming of a Green Christmas.
I always thought that one should give a give that they themselves would want to have :)

For about a week now, I had been emailing with a lady who asked me about the benefits of eating grass fed chickens, pricing, availability etc.

Today, she ordered more than an ordinary household would consume in one week. Why? She may have read my mind and advised me that she was giving some as gifts to her friends. She was actually gifting her friends and me too. For her friends, she wanted to give the gift of healthy and tasty chickens. And why did I say she was also gifting me? Because she said that if her friends liked it, they will contact me for their chickens :)

But she already gave me a good time for her emails are so straight and no corners.....she was so funny in her candidness.

Roadshow

A media partner hooked us up with a foundation that is extensive in Northern Luzon.

December 9 Tuesday, saw us in Baler, next day we were in Tarlac City. Today Doc Rey went alone to Bulacan because I can't pass up on the opening of the AANI Christmas Bazaar. I was asked today by a visitor if I was happy with the turnout of people. My reply was "Am not here for the numbers, but for the friendships" :)

Anyway, back to Kwentong Negosyo matching, on Monday the 15th, we will be in Pangasinan. 16th-18th finds us in Solano, Cauayan and Tuguegarao, all in Cagayan Valley (our home base).

The last leg will be in Cabanatuan on the 20th.

When we were invited for product presentations for this foundation, we walked into the agreement blindly and did it for our media partner.

So glad we did it. The members showed interest. The officers and staff were so welcoming and you know you are in good hands.

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Facebook

Ada (my sissy who started as a cyber friend in the early 1990s) led me to Facebook, w/c led me to find some high school friends from Maryknoll.

Logging into Facebook is to kill time for me, in the beginning. For about 2weeks now, I find taking time to see what's happening to them while not really chatting. Karin is still the mother hen. Nenette...oh bless Nenette is still the same! Reactive, cutely naive. And of course ADA! Ada with her baliktad pic and always fidgetty about her court schedules. Yes, she is a liar!

Anyway, today....I decided to edit my status and talk about my drinking wheatgrass juice :)

Soon after, Caress Banson messages me and we chat about the benefits I was getting from wheatgrass. One thing let to the other and she was surprised I was at Market at the Hills, since she lived at Corinthian Gardens.

Ok...so she orders 10 chickens. If her kids ate one chicken each, that will be for just one meal. Yup, she has 10 beautiful children. 10! My kids had a Banson classmate always, since Caress' kids were in all batches wehehehe.

Why did I write about Facebook? Because chatting with Caress led me to a wonderful site.

Mothers/wives and if you want to understand them should read this site from a Waldorf Mom. The real reason for the blog is about conscious parenting...but depending on where you are coming from, it will surely touch you.

Ilocos Sur Visit


Gov DV Savellano is targeting two birds with Sunshine :)

Vaguely over breakfast meeting yesterday, Gov DV mentioned that he saw Sunshines as the continuing program for the two awards Ilocos Sur got. They were merited for poverty/hunger alleviation and another citation was for the livelihood programs they have gone into. By introducing the livelihood of free range chickens, he sees that he will be able to merge the assets of the province into a strong focus.

All 700 barangays will be enjoined....as he said, Ilocos Sur wide.

The provincial government is very supportive. Recipe developments and marketing has started to be planned this early.

Since brooding in late November, Doc Rey is on his 2nd farm visit. I decided to tag along on this 2nd visit, as the option was I drove to Manila alone. So it was Manila for me, via Baguio and Ilocos Sur :)

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Time And Work

This morning, we found ourselves waking up at 8am! We are such morning people and so used to waking up at dawn to attend to various engagements. Are we too tired?

So many things are cropping up: opportunity for Shangri-la Mall booth (who will man it?), series of Northern Luzon seminars (almost daily in key cities), guestings, shows etc etc.

I thank the blessings that problem is scheduling orders, rather than finding buyers. We will be increasing our Parent Stocks for next order.

Thank you that we are seeking how to clone ourselves for time and manpower needs...rather than being idle and getting bored.

For all these, we are maintaining our commitment of giving you only certified F1 Sunshine Chicks to you. Our records of importation, periodically replacing our certified Parent Stocks from France, and visits by BAI to our farm is proof of our goal to give you quality.

Monday, December 01, 2008

Respite

The whirlpool of the trade shows, seminars etc has taken its toll on me. Actually, might be the thuds of the base in the sound system? The waves of people at the Noel Bazaar? When I was asked what show I will be on next week...I replied "rest, am tired already".

What is rest in the next few days? Sitting, napping and eating junk food in the car! Will be taking Northern Luzon, east and west, all in a matter of few days. Farm visits, almost daily seminars and the likes.

Longer times spent in the car means time for ourselves and just pouting weheheheheeh.

Although Noel Bazaar spent me, I had fun shopping too. Got hair extensions, that makes me look like Mulawin :) Got these cotton do-a-lot scarf, cap, mask..got it in many colors. Drank a lot of fresh wheatgrass juice from the Merit booth across me. Deliberated on this colon cleansing drink which I will try and let you know.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Solraya's ORGANIKA

Yes, we got the name :)

Short, easy to recall..Like it?

Aircon had been installed, freezers stocked, we are in business...though waiting for the signs as we can't act without our DTI approval.

Solraya's ORGANIKA, Regaldo cor Quirino Hway, right across the Regalado entrance of SM Fairview.

Open 8am-6pm, daily. We are ready to serve the wholesale customers anytime of the day, for their convenience.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Classmates

Surprise....led me to to the Philstar website and saw THIS! Maricel didn't tell me when it will be published so I was just reading my online newspapers.

Of course we know Maricel is married to one of the boys in the Pangilinan clan. I don't know the boys there, but the girls, or rather ladies, all came from the then Maryknoll College. Beauty, brains and such well rounded achievers...from sports to academics! I guess I don't have to tell you where the men are also today.

Their genes are super strong. You know a Pangilinan when you see one wehehhehe.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Thesis It

We are very supportive of students who have elected to use Sunshine Chickens for their studies.

Proud that Benguet State University have chosen us, when they encouraged some Vet Med students to make a study on experimental feedings for the manners that most farmers in highland conditions will apply.

This is how they look now on the range. Nice small cages...look like watch posts for chicken coops :)


Commercial feeds have been totally withdrawn after 21days, when they were started to be ranged.

They have become some sort of attraction as awareness for healthy eating is increasing in the region. BSU also decided to range them in the organic garden area :)

Look Around

The other day, I was having a conversation with some people about having a flea market/swap meet.

I really love going to real good swap meets. You see real fresh farmers' produce. Families selling their used tools or other white elephants.

Surely, every one has something stashed that they don't know what to do with it, but will be a treasure find for another one. One vendor at MATH was lugging an old Kitchen Aide mixer, bought from another vendor (who wasn't really into baking).

As I was reading yesteday's Panorama online version, today...I got a text from Gov DV, ordering the 2nd batch of another 5000 Sunshine Chicks.

Doc Rey makes a trip to Ilocos Sur and Baguio this week to check on growers in the area. Of course with Ilocos Sur's 1st batch for ranging and 2nd batch to brood, he wants to check on the site at BARang-gay Demo Farm located at San Juan, Ilocos Sur.

That property was dormant for so long. Past leaders of Ilocos Sur had an elephant hidden. Great that Gov DV saw the tusk :)

Sourcing

Solraya's ORGANIKA, Regalado cor Quirino Hway, right across the Regalado entrance of SM Fairview. Daily 9am-6pm.

As mentioned, we will only sell products that we ourselves use.

To date, 08 December 2009, this is what we have:

1) Of course our banner product, Sunshine Chicken
a. dressed PHP200/kg
b. adobo - home cooked, comfort food PHP150/pack
c. roasted, great for your soup stocks &/or pulled meat for salads and sandwhich fillings PHP150/pack
d. eggs from grass fed Sunshines PHP300/30s tray

2) Pork from pigs that are naturally grown - We are calling it HERBaboy. Brought to you from an alliance of two women, Jojie and Sandy. Jojie Lim from Davao, practices what Andry and she preaches in seminars, in their own farm. Since the pigs are fed fruits based juices and given plants for snacks, the name HERBaboy fits us :) PHP300/kg

3) Coconut products
a. sugar - may be used by diabetics. Has this very pleasing caramel flavor, not bitter. PHP100
b. vinegar - comes in plain and spiced variants PHP60

We will be adding selected products for you.

WE DELIVER to key Metro Manila areas.

Name That Store

I have already approved store signages, freezers delivered, stainless counters there, vacuum packer transferred to its new nook....

As I was filling out DTI etc....I sort of had a sudden change of heart in store names. I will try to switch it to a shorter and non tongue twister.

It took a long time before people can recall and even pronouce "Solraya"...I can't think why! This time, I will play it short name game....won't say it yet, as am not sure to get approval. I won't count the chicks till they are hatched :)

Today, my 3tonner gets delivered and if the universe loves me big, it gets intalled today. But I will understand if I get timed for tomorrow. Can't be too pushy, it was just ordered late Saturday.

Madre de Agua

Have you tried feeding your Sunshines with Trichantera Gigantica...commonly called Madre de Agua.

Ruminants love them too and is easy propagate as you only need cuttings.

Gerry of AANI excitedly told us yesterday that he and Arsie had been experimenting on his Sunshines and have fed them with Madre de Agua.

1kilo in 30days... supplemented with feeds.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

AANI Christmas Bazaar

December 11-14, to be held at the AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center, East Ave Gate, Quezon Memorial Circle.

Various agricultural products will be made available as this will be in partnership with Department of Agriculture and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

This may be the last grand activity for the year in this location, as come January 2009, we move to the other side. I actually like the new site better. Coming from Commonwealth Ave, you enter the Commonwealth entrance of Quezon Memorial Circle. You will see the AANI to your right, with perfect parking. If you are driving around the Elliptical Circle, you will find it at the tip of Commonwealth Ave, across Philippine Coconut Authority.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

One Morning

Does the title sound like I am here to write a novel? One Morning. Its actually the title of the morning TV show simulcast over Channels 4, 9, 13 and Radyo ng Bayan on radio. The hosts are Niki Jimenez, Bobby Yan, Clauding Trillo and JM Rodriguez.

Yesterday, at lunch, I got a call if we may guest on One Morning. When I was talking with Lorna, one of the producers, it wasn't apparent to them what the theme for today will be. I guess when we agreed to guest, that's the time the organic and clean up theme was conceptualized because the other guests said they were called later.

On the way to the NBN studios, as we were tuned in, I heard that the theme was now organic and cleaning up of the Pasig River.

As I was waiting for Doc Rey to park, I thought who the other guests may be. Guess who drives by and gets off? Lina Tan of the OPTA Cooperative. YES! She herself thought the same way and said she was glad she saw me.

As usual, I can't have photos of ourselves being interviewed, but I got pics from behind cameras.


They may do a photo shoot at our AANI Urban Farm site...that will be fun.

Peep

After they started work on my soon to open store, Organikasyon, this morning was my first time to peep.

Partitions in place. Walls have been painted, we are still awaiting delivery of our other stainless working tables, glass top freezers and air conditioning units.

You want to peep too?




I am pretty excited!

Last night, I approved store signages etc.....Hope to see you there :)

Monday, November 17, 2008

Natural Healing And Alternative Medicine

Last week we were exhibitors at a convention that focused on alternative medicine.

Totally different market than other trade shows we have joined. Consumers that really needed it were there. Doctors who prescribe clean food were there.

The questions were not how to raise Sunshines, but how it was raised :)

I myself tried this herbal tonic called St. Vincent's. Liked what it did to me the first night, so got several more bottles the next day.

The very good feedback we got, reminded me about the spot I had to check at Shangrila Mall.

Shangrila Mall

My quick morning errand to pick up a rotisserie for Santiago was derailed. There was only one staff and no one may carry the unit to my truck. Haayyyy..so sad that I can't drive back and meant to kill time at Shangrila. Really a bore...

Shhhhh...it isn't a bore to someone who has no time to shop :)

Last week I was at ATC....shucks, I can't remember that last time I was awed wehehehhe. Anyway, as I entered Shangrila, I remembered to check out a space being offered to me to set up a naturally grown/organic store.

Walked around both entrances from 11am when the mall opened. Had lunch nearby...walked around the site again.

At 1pm, got the call to pass by my rotisserie again.

Shangrila is one place I will go to. I like quiet places My favorite before was the old Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center, Rockwell and this mall.

Most people will discourage me about low traffic. But again, I want to get the attention of people like me.

Will see how the universe takes us here.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

When Eating Is Work

I had been so excited about November 13. Always felt that 13 is my lucky number, this is one instance where it proves it.

About mid October, my good friend Margie said that Nana Ozaeta, Editor in Chief of F & B World magazine, wanted to feature naturally grown products. Margie said we should hook up together. Nana was leaving for the US the next day, but we started exchanging emails. She said she will want to do a story when she gets back in early November.

I didn't want to get my excitement up...as it seemed to me like "we'll call you".

Lo and behold, I did get again an email from Nana for an interview and shoot for the 13th. Just about the time we were setting that date, was when I had taste testing at Zucchini's, and Didi was also supposed to be in touch with Nana. Perfect timing huh????

F & B World crew met up with me to go to AANI Urban Farm in Antipolo. We went around the two ranging areas there, and Nana, Betty, Gold and Christian enjoyed the farm. Chickens, native pigs, and organically grown vegetables. Pol and Tita were gracious hosts and even cooked Sunshine Tinola and Fried Chicken. We had home cooked food and the sweetest, freshly picked salad vegetables. It was good to have our fill as Zucchini's is fine dining and we didn't want to go hungry.

After a hearty lunch, we hopped to Sct Tuazon cor Sct Castor for a shoot of the Grass Fed Chicken Confit. When we got to Zucchini's, I sort of wondered where we were going to be as it seemed there was no table for a big group. We were led to the function room. Gilbert Lee was going out and yikes, he knew Nana again. Did I mention in an earlier post that this guy knew all of my real high school buddies, individually at that! We didn't know we all knew him. He must be taken as consultant by the likes of Facebook.

As we entered, Christian immediately set up for photo shoot. Hey, when he was taking my pictures at the farm, it was kidstuff. Not here...weheheheh he took the liberty of using bottles around to prop his aluminum foils for lighting effects. He dropped a bottle and the waiter instantly gushed "that's the most expensive bottle of wine". Nope, Christian didn't lose his car today, but decided to use steak sauce bottles as props.

Why did i say that eating is work???? We had lunch already, right? And now, from 12pm...until the time we decided to tour the office and kitchen...was 5pm already! What did we have? Almost the whole new menu of Zucchini's. You will not understand when I say that I got tired by all that lifting of forks to eat. Appetizers to deZZerts. AANI to Zucchini's....we ate all, A to Z.

When you want to eat good food, well thought and done with care...partake of Chef Richard's creations. I told the F & B World crew they had to see the kitchen. I go through a lot of backdoors in delivering. This is one kitchen that will tell you the washrooms are surely sanitized. The office upstairs show happy employees. What I saw for the first time today was the staff room of the restaurant. Didi knows how to take care of her staff. I sort of saw that when I had part of employees' meal last week. But seeing her staff room with double decks, airconditioning, well stacked kitchen, lockers that look like they were for a coat room...you see how she cares about the personal details. What caught my eye more? A note on the door that sort of went what to watch out for during a storm or a flood.

The good food is just the Cherry on top of the ice cream....today was super good company and values seen.

Let me show only these pictures taken. I will not preempt Christian's work for the day. You can see more in their Jan 2009 issue.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Philippine Food Expo

We're now looking at our 1st Quarter 2009 schedules. In terms of our new batch of Certified Parent Stocks due in January, farm visits for Vizmin, trade show schedules etc etc etc.

During exhibitor's meeting today for the Noel Discovery Bazaar, we signed up for the Philippine Food Expo to be held on Mar 06-08, 2009 at SM Megamall.

Food from all regions....see us there!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Exhibit, PCAM Convention

November 14-16, 8am-pm, Aberdeen Court along Quezon Ave.

That is where the Natural Healing convention of The Philippine College for the Advancement in Medicine will be held.

There is an exhibit area, and we will be there.

If you are interested in the complementary and alternative medication, listen and learn from them.

Friday, November 07, 2008

Unoy Rice

Upland rice is a premium for us. We like the nutty taste, the health benefits from being pesticide free, aromatic....slow development and patience does things :) They look healthy too..being pinkish, short and plump.

During meetings and trade shows, I get myself some for our use. When I was planning Organikasyon, I knew I wanted to have organic, naturally grown rice. The Kalinga lady is always pictured in my mind.

Last night, over dinner that Sen. Manny Villar hosted, good I saw my Kalinga lady! Of course she was meant to be there, as the Senator wanted inputs about Agriculture.

So tomorrow, at Market At The Hills....I have a new product. My Unoy Rice, harvested last month. We vacuumed packed it to keep freshness, and keep off the bugs.

How to cook: Use 1 cup Unoy with 2-3 cups water.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Ilocos Sur Seminar

Remember when I wrote about a public official who acted fast and straight forward? That is Gov DV Savellano of Ilocos Sur.


Sunday, after radio, we motored to Ilocos Sur. Next day, our relaxation is a short walk before breakfast. After that, we went to the seminar venue and was surprised to see the province well represented by the key people . Doc Rey was well accepted as the seminar was done in the dialect.

Gov. DV and his farm manager, Doc Soller, toured us around the demo farm.

Am sure you will want those grass fed pigs too!

Brooding areas are being prepared now for their coming Sunshines.

Incidentally, catch a trade show featuring the products of Ilocos Sur, ongoing at SM Megamall. Gov. DV does know how to market his province.

Zucchini's

I first met them at IFEX 2008, they got one dressed Sunshine to have their chef try. They forgot all about it and remembered to try it out after about two (2) months in the freezer. Thank you it was still good and merited their approval.

Then Gilbert Lee, friend of Zucchini's started to drop by Market at the Hills. Talking about his passion about food, our chicken. Soon after...

They planned for menu revisions and ordered for taste testings. Last week, though not yet in their menu, they had been offering it to clients, and it faired well. Today, we got around for lunch to taste test again before it finally gets printed on their menus.

I may not be a good taste tester, but I see what others don't and that gives you a good critic.

I liked what they did to our Sunshines and pork. It may look like your ordinary fried chicken and lechon kawali! After you taste it, you know how much care went into raising them and the several steps Chef Richard did to give you simple great food.

Honestly, by now you will know I am a dessert person. The dessert tasting was WOW for me. There was a sampler of ice creams..I liked the Gorgonzola Cheese and the Basil flavored ones. Among the cakes offered, the apple/ginger/raisin/nuts was very good. You knew Christmas was around, and I will have that anytime over the usual fruitcakes.

The food was very good. But I found the company enjoyable. You know how you go to business meetings half heartedly? This one makes you hope they invite you again. Not for food, but for the company.

You know they really plan to make your meals an enjoyable experience for you. They plan new menus, make sure their staff is educated on the ingredients so they can explain and offer. They take the extra steps, I like that.

Zucchini's is fine dining in Quezon City. That is at Sct Tuazon cor Sct Castor. Across the original Max's Restaurant.

Thank you Didi.

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Hayop Sa Timing

When we shot for Hayop Mag-Alaga, we knew it will be shown in November.

Last week, they asked for some additional materials...so I knew it was coming up near.

Today at about 1:30pmish...I got so many texts inquiring about Sunshine chicks. Hmmmm..I texted staff of Hayop Mag-Alaga and asked if it was shown today. Didn't I get notified? Well, yes and not really :)

Anyway, they split the shots they took into two shows. So next week, I get to watch half. That is at 1:30pm, Channel13, Saturdays. I know they start also on ABS-CBN, for a Saturday morning slot, showing the same.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Merry...

Holiday schedule for Market At The Hills' night weekend market...I can't just be there and sell dressed Sunshines!

Elena of Manna Specialty Bakery, gave us Liver Pate that she made from my chickens' livers. It was heaven. Pure liver, no additives, no other meat ingredients. We finished our bread and 2 packs of pate, between three ladies..,and taste tests to Mary Ann and Candy. We can't get over how delicious it was, simply liver pate.

Pricing was discussed. It will be pricey compared to others. We walked over to the deli and bought a jar of what was labeled as liver pate. Just reading the label we knew already why it may be priced as such, being not pure liver. Opening it, they took a sniff and knew... we had a good product coming up from Elena. We still did a taste test among the 5 of us, and voted that we should pack some of our own :) I should tag it.. Pina-MANNA!

I want to come out too with viands from our naturally grown chicken and pork. Vacuum packed, ready to be stored, easy to pack in luggages for pasalubongs, ready to be heated and eaten!

In all the frenzy of my activities: seminars, opening Organikasyon, Christmas season...am like a merry go round! Hmmm which brings me...I want a rotisserie!

Getting several for the stores now. Excited to have a Merry Chicken wehehhehe.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

We Are at PHP30 Pick Up. But...

We encourage you to pick up at day old.

We want to simplify our flow of work, both paperwork and manual labor for our staff at our own outlets

How do we do it?

1) Make the pick up price of PHP30 only on Mondays and Fridays. Since we hatch Thursdays and Sundays, getting it from us at day old will be beneficial for you and us. You, for biosecurity reasons. For us, so we don't ask our staff to do additional work.

2) For that price, we will do it for the pre-ordered and pre-paid (may be done through bank) transactions. That way, we are able to fix our schedules and bookings before the busy delivery days. Paperwork is done in advance.

3) All other walk-in and telephone transactions, will be at php35. This will cover for the work our staff has to do in brooding etc

4) Delivered prices will depend on location.

5) Selling prices of our dealers are different. Most of our bigger dealers have very fair prices. Cheaper to get from them than to transact with us if you are outside Metro Manila anyway.

Actually we don't want to increase. We just want to make it easy for all. Pre-book, pre-pay and pick up to get PHP30.

Thank you :)

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Easy To Thaw

A restaurant ordered ten chickens from us this morning, for the first time. We delivered at 9am, frozen Sunshines.

2pm today, she was on the phone and said she was very happy with the lasang native chickens and can kiss her problems with the native chicken supply goodbye.

Asked how she was able to thaw and cook fast?

She said the vacuum packaging was perfect. They submerge it in water, without affecting the quality of meat. When thawed, that it the only time they take it out of the vacuum pack.

Tonight, we will have Sinampalukang Manok for dinner. We will try out her cooking.

Think Simple

The most asked when we displayed these Sunshine Chicks during Agrilink 2008, "What are those things for their water, mineral blocks?"

No sir/mam, they are stones, nothing more. Plays an important role though. In that picture, they actually need more stones for their waterer.

When day old chicks get to you, they are thirsty. They will rush to get their drink. In the process they get too excited and almost bury their heads in the water. We don't want that to happen, as they will get wet and will feel cold. When they chill, they will bunch up amongst one another to get the heat they need. They will end up pushing against one another and trampling on some chicks :(

Just this morning, on the way to work, I was telling Doc Rey about the question if the stones were mineral blocks or vitamins :) He shouldn't take it for granted that small matters need not be explained. What is natural for a veterinarian/farmer will be greek to a budding farmer.

Think simple, think practical. That was all our forefathers needed to do to survive and eat.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Contests

Every Sunday, over Kaunlaran sa Agrikultura, 4:30-7:30am, DWWW 774 khz, we run a contest for consumer awareness and education. Prize is 10 chicks, claimed every last Sunday of the month during the monthly Agri Kapihan forums.

Last Sunday, I like our question, didn't need poultry knowledge...it was sentido komon, common sense. Can't remeber exactly how I phrased it, but it somehow went like:

Bakit wala dapat mag claim na nauna sa pagintroduce ng free range na manok dito, at bakit hindi kailangan ng specialista sa pag aalaga ng Sunshines? (Why shouldn't anyone claim to be the first in introducing the free range chicken in the Philippines, and why you don't need a specialist to raise these Sunshines?

We got good, simple and true answers :)

1) Ganun naman talaga ang mga manok natin bago pa dumating ang commercial poultry.
2) Pagala sila at malakas sa mga sakit, at likas sa kanila ang paghanap ng sariling pagkain.
3) Pagala lang sila at simple ang pagaalaga
4) Talaga namang naka free range ang mga manok nung sinauna.

We always say, let us go back to basics and unlearn the misconceptions about poultry management. Go back to what is simple and common sense. In these cases, easier to teach the unlearned rather than specialists.

As I always say, if we have to credit anyone for opening the eyes of people to the free range chicken industry again, it is Bobby Inocencio. I'm glad we are very much in touch with him to this day.

Sundays Are Busiest For Us

Sundays are the regular radio programs, seminar schedules, weekend markets, 2nd hatch day for the week (other is Thursday), invoices preparations, and scheduling deliveries.

Yesterday was no other Sunday, plus plus.

At about 12midnight, we get a call, the 10 wheeler truck gets two (2) blown tires on NLEX. Good, no accident. Other drivers were off already, so who was left to service the truck to bring two tires? You guessed right Doc Rey hhahahhaha. By 4:30am he was back in Fairview.

We didn't get to the 4:30am radio program, but we were ready for the 9am appointment with a Governor for one of the Luzon provinces (just watch out for future posts). Got to Dulcinea 5mins before our appointed time. He was in another table with another group for his 8am meeting.

This post is for two points:

1) Action person: I have never met any government official of this rank to meet with us upfront for the initial talks. Most of them will send the assistant to meet with us for the first time then we get to meet them succeeding talks. This Governor had no assistant nor secretary around. He took down his own notes, thought out his own questions, created theories on the spot and scheduled us to go for a seminar for his key people next week. Yes, 7days after. If it weren't for the holidays, he might have asked for an earlier date. As soon as date was set, he was on the phone giving instructions to gather the key people of the province for a seminar, and going several steps ahead by what has to be done in the lower levels to prepare for the arrival of the chicks soon after.

2) Best referrals are from friends you knew as kids: Always thought that real friendships are the ones formed in school. You know one another, not because of business etc. You want their company, period. You don't need any favors to want to see the person. So most times, you trust referrals by your old friends.

I asked the Gov where we were seen. A magazine where Zac Sarian featured us for the Agrilink 2008, together with Joey Rigor, the Sunshine Capon producer. Turns out Joey was his classmate from high school and college. So he touched based again with Joey and that led to us.

Anyway....means....we do a seminar on Monday 9am, in a farm, by the beach...

I texted Zac Sarian after that meeting....asked if he wanted to go visit this Gov's projects...and YES he will join. See, work is never work for us :)

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Chefs

I never even entered kitchens, much more my own. Well things changed and in 2000 I started to read and cooked :)

When I got active in marketing the business, my cooking had to rest (am sure Doc Rey made sure I was more than busy to cook!).

Now, seeing, meeting and talking with chefs....makes me think what the hell did I feed at the table before ahahhahha.

The point of this topic really is....the chefs, I just got side tracked. Dealing with them is fun, interesting and you get to exchange energies from both sides' passion. The owner/chefs are the best. Profit is to be considered of course. BUT creativity and gameness is infecting. The profit issue is later when pencils are pushed...but that is after the fact that you have talked about the quality, taste, supply and they have liked having Sunshines.

I meet the chefs during trade shows...soon after you get calls...you initially think you got memory lapse as they sound like long lost friends. They are generally a happy lot.

I have changed my impression about persons who want to take up culinary arts. As parents you first think maybe they don't know what to do. Yes, I am from the 60s and now part of the old generation. The young will always think parents think arghhh. Not anymore....the people who take up culinary arts know what they want and are happy about themselves :)

What led me to this post now? I was just texting with the owner/chef of a much blogged resto in QC. He is excited over his finds today, as I delivered to him this morning. Next order didn't have to wait....

Fruitful Drive Around Town

Started the day by doing a delivery of our dressed Sunshines. Next was BAI for the required local shipping permits. Went to printer for my building wrap designs for the meat shop (she is in the hospital to give birth...looks like we are having two new babies). Louis of SASSO calls from China, a little chit chat :) Drove to check out other stainless kitchen equipments. Picked up a heavy duty vault. Had lunch by my happy self...."Grilled Unagi please and I'd like to start with my Salmon Sashimi". A large company had been calling about seeing us, so I decided to visit them. YES! Closed the deal and of course turned over sales to the growers who are capable of immediate supplies. Went to get additional freezers...geez....I thought before, one was enough. Now, I am on my 5th in one week's time! Rushed back when I realized the chickvan can't leave since I haven't printed invoices for deliveries and shipping permits with moi.

One paragraph, each sentence was not related to the other. Fruit salad style. They still blended well.

Tomorrow....I meet my best buddies. Margie set her bday lunch one week after. I called her two days ago to check where...she forgot about it. She calls today that we meet at 11am at Mitos' office. I asked if she was cooking. Replied "I am busy looking for the ingredients to give me good feng shui"! OH WOW....lunch tomorrow might me more interesting than my activities today.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Transformation: Emergency's 13th Anniversary

As I was driving home tonight from Guimba, Nueva Ecija - I was detailing the day, my thoughts, emotions...clearly, there was a transformation. I immediately sat down and downloaded the photos taken and searched for the GMA website. Surprise! TRANSFORMATION was also their tagline for Emergency's 13th Anniversary (read here). Their transformation is about aesthetics for the obvious meaning. But being with the crew when awaiting Anabel to come home and when she arrived...you know how important it is to her and you will feel blessed and transformed, even for that instant.

I got a call about 3days ago or so from our GMA kapuso (we have worked with her in some projects in the past) and she talked about Emergency's anniversary and that they want to give a patient, livelihood related to poultry. I don't really watch Emergency as I am not to keen about their format before of accidents, rescues etc. Sure I enjoyed "911" of before, but I guess I am over that format now.

Joy talked about prosthetics, 2yrs in UST Hospital, poultry etc. So I thought, OK so the patient got in into an accident and needed a leg or two, and now wants to go back into the mainstream. Wednesday, today, being the shoot day.... in Guimba (half way between Manila and Isabela), scheduled the same time as the seminar with Cong Gigi Aggabao....I wanted and was really tempted to ask one of my vets to attend this. The same way I asked another vet attend to Joy's other GMA event before.

I left Manila at 7am, half hearted, as I didn't have Sunshines to give as the previous hatches were sold out, plus the fact that the mid day travel will be terrible stress as they will take seat in the camper shell. Thought balloon led me to ask some from the farm and get the few that was set aside for Christmas :)

Actually, I looked more forward to stopping by a stainless kitchen supplies store, that was on the way and will be open as we normally go by the store midnight. Yes, saw the things I needed for my store.

Got to Guimba at about 1pm. From the provincial road, you see a welcome sign, meant for Anabel. Ok...so I was in the right track. Got to the site, met by Joy, who I meet personally for the first time :) Met the relatives of Anabel, brought down the Sunshines.

My attention started getting tickled, when I see these group of ladies...obviously not from the neighborhood, peeling and slicing veggies for the pansit. Joy of Emergency says they were from bobongpinoy organization, who took care of Anabel in UST Hospital for 2yrs. They were her family no doubt. You can feel that from the way they talk about her. Hey, this was more her family...you can sense how they love her.

That was when got interested in Anabel's case. No accident victim as I presumed, prosthetics wasn't for limbs. She has skin cancer. Felt shy and unloved before by family and friends. Felt that she can't face (no pun intended) the people around her. She opted to be alone in Metro Manila. It was the bobongpinoy group that filled her need for attention and love.

I was so scared that how she looked will draw "OHSSSS" from the people awaiting her return. I feared she will sense that from their voices even if they try to masque their reactions. She couldn't see anymore....but remember the telephone ettiquete lesson? "Smile as you speak, as it is felt by the part on the other end of the line". Why am I nervous? Because I myself kept asking, did she look like a doll? Will it make her perspire a lot? How is she?

They said the prosthetics technicians did their best. That wasn't a reassuring reply. But yes...Anabel is strong, very strong!

She has arrived! Wow, there was no need for the fixed smile and bright eyes of the prosthetics...you know that there was a strong woman! No tears, no quivering voice when she arrived and felt her family after 2 years.

The producer approached me about turning over the Sunshines to the couple. I said if it can be done off-cam? After all that emotion, I felt that going on cam was defeating the purpose. Besides, in all my taray glory, I was teary eyed and might breakdown on-cam. Producer understood, but since I was the only guest there, she explained I had to do it.

See and feel for yourself.


She sang a song...I didn't post it to save it for Friday when you watch Emergency, after Saksi.

Beauty is defenitely deeper than skin. But looking good makes you feel better. Seeing that also, make you rethink about what matters.

As I was typing this post, the Emergency teaser came out 2x already. The more I feel for her, and I was the most detached in that group today. I can just imagine how her Manila kids (bobongpinoy group) and Emergency crew felt. One cameraman even showed me how she looked without prosthetics. You can really see how strong she is.

Coincidentally, number 13 is my favorite :)

FREE Seminars At MATH

Reminder: Market At The Hills, starting Nov 08, will have extended hours, to night market. Saturdays, 9am-9pm. Sundays, 9am-6pm.

Activities have been lined up to make it interesting for the customers and booth owners.

Free seminars have been lined up. To kick off the start of the night market:

Nov 08, 2-5pm, Starting An Organic Garden by Raymond Rubia of Daily Dose Farm

Nov 09, 2-5pm, Raising Grass Fed Sunshine Chicken by Rey B. Itchon, DVM

See you at Market at the Hills, Corinthian Hills Clubhouse, Temple Drive

Monday, October 20, 2008

Santiago City Seminar

We didn't go through with our scheduled 3rd Sunday seminars in Santiago City Isabela, because a group close to Cong. Gigi Aggabao wanted one scheduled for Wednesday, when the Cong is around.

For those inquiries for yesterday's seminar, please feel free to join Doc Rey and the group on Wednesday, Oct22 at 2pm, at Cong. Gigi Aggabao's residence. No fee, it is for FREE.

Everyone is invited, even if you are not the Cong's constituent.

Topic: Raising Sunshine Chicken for Commercial and Backyard Farmers

Designing And Fixing

New ventures always excite me. Designing, fixing, merchandising, opening new branches.

My new baby, Organikasyon is specially a cooing call, because it is not a new branch. Organikasyon is a new business, a spinoff. More than a spinoff, it is more like a bigger stem to our previous marketing efforts.

Early morning we peeped into the stall. Seeing what are the immediate repairs and planning layout for store. By noon, I was looking at freezers and airconditioning. Afternoon, Pol Rubia came to feel the outlet. Surely, AANI will be around. Evening saw us shopping around for stainless counters and sinks.

Good vibes actually! Bus/jeepney stop. Good parking. Across SM Fairview. Before I sleep, I will visualize the signboards. Great corner location, visible...am thinking about a building wrap :) Those signboard stickers that wrap around the walls!

We hope to open up soon. Will keep you posted.

ORGANIKASYON: Purveyors Of What Is Good For You... Focused on what I want and will use myself.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Lipa With Great Company

When Zac Sarian (Manila Bulletin) mentioned that Chit Pedrosa (yes, the well known writer, Philippine Star) called him about chickens, I was thrilled to meet the writer of the "Conjugal Dictatorship". Have you read that book? I did as a child, barely teen. I vaguely remember then that is was supposed to be banned and wasn't supposed to be circulated.

So last week when Zac said Chit wanted us to go visit their farm in Batangas...it was a no thinking YES.

Baby showed us her Traveler's Palm. We never saw one with flowers and she says it is lucky. We were regaled with the siblings' life stories, and I will say luck was with them, aside from great genes!


Pleasant company. Chit Pedrosa, her daughter (photographer), her sister Baby, her friend Evelyn of Vazbuilt, Evelyn's daughters, Zac, Doc Rey (photographer) and moi :) We were admiring the thatched roof house that now has ferns. Zac explaining how it developed over the years.


Lunch was a great table spread of fresh and simple food. Yes it was delicious, but the company made it great. We ate so much...but the laughter that accompanied the meal may be an alibi that we burned the calories.

As I am typing this now, I searched on "Conjugal Dictatorship". Hmmmmmm, it was Primitivo Mijares who wrote it.

Wrong infos doesn't change the privilege that our job allows....meet interesting personas. Manila Bulletin and Philippine Star is another conjugal relationship among writers.

Go back to the picture above. Guess who is the 70 yr old lady there? I will say I look the oldest!

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Small Pesterings May Lead To Eliminating Pests

About 2 weeks ago, I had been emailing or texting with someone in Qatar who'd like Sunshines for his family in Palawan. Exchange of email etc.

During Agrilink 2008, I get a call from him. Well, I was in the middle of the booth, talking to several people simultaneously, different topics...during trade shows, it might pay off for others to just listen first as 95% of discussions are FAQs :) Anyway, I may have snapped at him and directed him to my dealer in Puerto Princesa, w/c had been discussed in our emails already. Guys, most times, it is cheaper to get from our dealers :)

Yesterday, he directed me to using a map so he can spot where we are. Wehehehhe, I clicked on something wrong and looked like we own SM Fairview....I should blame myself. I jump on things, not taking time to read first. Complain before looking for EDIT buttons. Finally when I found how, it takes 3days to edit. Thankful for all those quirks....It lead to a very pleasant chat actually. He was happy he got from the Palawan dealer but can't find probiotics. I said he can just make it, but I had to go "BRB".

Next thing, he sent me this link on How To Make Your Own Probiotics.

We both would like to share this with you too :)

See, small pesterings do good. Just like GOOD BACTERIA!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Hill He'll Tear Down


The caretaker said he gave this flock a surprise meal for the day. We were wondering why he moved to another ranging area, when the other area was fresh. We can't doubt his move as the Sunshines were very enthusiastic at their meal.

When they got tired and moved away....see what they left of a mound of...........
nuno sa punso? :)


There was a group with Doc Rey that was on a field trip. They were amazed too at how the hill was devoured.

Eggs From Grass Fed Sunshine Chickens

I haven't been to our farm for a long time now...when I say farm, this is our small farm in Santiago, where we live and our main store is based.

We have some Sunshines here for our own consumption of eggs and meat. The demand and request for eggs from real grass fed chickens have gone up and we started sharing our small harvests for the week.

I get to sell our produce at Market At The Hills, and it excited me to see the producers again. They are just a few, but seeing them graze, makes me proud of the eggs I sell.

I remember one known seller before who is supposed to be selling free-ranged eggs. Inquired from us about the reject eggs from our hatchery. Oh sure we do have them, but they are not sold by us, as they are not eggs from grass fed, free ranging chickens. Surely she knows that, and feigned memory lapse :) Well, I added that memory to my character gauging bank.


Few minutes later, guess what Doc Rey found amongst the bushes.


I had the freshest, warm, healthy, just out of the cloaca, egg...I eat our eggs raw. Threw back the empty shell to them. I should have taken a picture of the raw egg and how they fought for the egg shell. The calcium is good for them.

Keep In Touch

They started with 10 Sunshines to try. Then loaded 300 towards the end of September.

During Agrilink 2008, we had the pleasure of meeting them and discussing about marketing.

Nice to market new growers. You learn from one another and then they step on their own little by little. Never ending as new groups come into the picture and you guide them again :)

They took this video of their brooding house. That always happens, the Sunshines are camera shy first an run around when you take their video from inside the brooder!

Very important to keep in touch. Videos are helpful. Seems the walling is high if done on all four (4) sides. They might not be getting enough fresh air? If you will notice, the flooring are bamboo slats, so fresh air comes from below.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Opening Up A Store

First came the name: About 4weeks ago or so, the name ORGANIKASYON was toying up in my mind. From way back, I had a bond with PURVEYOR, so I used the tagline PURVEYORS OF WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOU.

At that point, I just had labels printed, but nothing concrete yet. Except that products I opt to sell and carry will have my labels. Things and food I will want to use myself. That is my focus!

Two weeks back, I jumped on the opportunity of this corner space with parking, right across SM Fairview. Been very busy with shows, but now after AGRILINK 2008 over, I can sit and visualize my store.

Finally, my store. I can direct wholesale/retail clients to a store. We can serve them 24/7 for pick ups by the wholesalers. I can sell what I want to consume for myself. I can stay put and focus on my niche market :)

Am so excited to spruce up the place with my kind of interior designing. Shop for freezers. Best thing is plan ORGANIKASYON's merchandising.

Will keep you posted when we are ready to open our doors!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

How To Take Care Of Your Sunshine Chicks

During last week's Agrilink 2008, I was able to sit down a while with Louis Perrault of SASSO and assessed the new improved lines' acceptability.

Several factors make us smile:

1) The market loves the new colors: We are using a pure heavy farmbreed. Our Sunshines are now in dark brown-red with stripes, brown, greyish and black. Our favorite is the dark brown-red with stripes. This favorite grows to have black feathers with brown-red burgandy tips. The eyes....they have burgandy eye liners....yes, like Cleopatra!

2) Slow developing chicken: That is what the market likes. No rush, no pressures....and leads to a....

3) Great tasting grass fed chickens: Well SASSO isn't the industry leader for nothing.


HOW DO YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEWLY HATCHED SUNSHINES?

The following is our new guide for Philippine conditions, based from the average growths from raisers. Some growers have done better than this table.

Poultry raised on open grass are high in beneficial fats and other factors that lower cholesterol and greatly reduce degenerative disease in the consumer! Eating large proportions of living green plants, while foraging for insects and seeds and myriad other natural commodities that science hasn't identified yet, and with minimal need for medication, grass-fed animals create more vibrant health than other poultry. Moreover, the meat and eggs are incredibly tasty compared to general market chicken.

1. Better Food. Substantial increases in nutritional value of pasture poultry, particularly in Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin A, and a significant decrease in total fat.

2. More Satisfying Flavor. Poultry raised on pasture, in fresh air and sunshine, taste superior to confinement raised poultry. Naturally raised poultry has a firmer texture and more satisfying "gamey taste".

3. Lower cost entry. Small-scale and limited resource farmers can start a profitable farm enterprise for a fraction of the cost of conventional, integrator-controlled poultry housing.


4. Fertility and Pasture management. Moving poultry across the pasture is a way to spread manure and fertility without using excessive equipment or labor.

5. Multi-Cropping. Poultry can be used to scavenge crop residue, and hog down weeds and grasses in multi-crop fields being used for horticulture and floriculture.

Getting started with your Sunshine Chicks (first 21days)

ALWAYS KEEP SURROUNDINGS AND PENS DISINFECTED AND CLEAN

Housing of Birds: Secure from predators, i.e., rats, cats, and dogs. Fencing wire may be buried below the surface to prevent any of predators from getting to the birds. You need light, heat, and water. As for temperature, birds (four weeks of age or older) are best suited for 70oF. Important to have shaded areas. Location should be well drained. Lay rice hull or wood shavings for absorbent flooring. Good choice for bedding materials during the wet season is sand, because it allows for excellent drainage.

Brooding the Birds: By practice, use one (1) watt per bird for heating bulbs. It is better to use several bulbs in smaller wattages (ten 10w bulbs, four 25w bulbs), rather than using a 100watt bulb when you brood 100 chicks. Temperature should be 70 to 75oF with the temperature at chicks’ level to be 95oF during the first week. The area assigned to these chicks should have some flexibility such that they can move through a range of temperatures (95 to 75oF). Monitor the birds for signs of stress; for instance, if the chicks are scattered around the area and chirping loudly, chances are they are hot; conversely, if you notice the chicks all huddled together in one area, they are likely cold . They should be comfortably scattered, moving around. That is your basis that temperature is right. The temperatures given are just guides. USE YOUR EYES to monitor them. At the end of Week 1, begin dropping the temperature by 5oF per week until you reach 70oF, and then try to maintain that temperature.

Water and Feed: The most neglected and overlooked nutrient is water. What appears to be a bowl of “clean water;” may contain millions of bacteria. The bacteria will stress the digestive system of the bird, such that it will not grow at the rate believed to be their potential. The waterers and feeders should be cleaned routinely daily. Leave under the sun to disinfect. Best to have two or three sets of equipments so you can disinfect/clean properly. Fresh water needs to be supplied everyday to insure healthy birds. During the periods of extreme heat, there is an increased risk of microbial growth.

We suggest using probiotics/vitamins in their drinking water, and adlibitum feeding of chick booster for the 1st 21days, prior to ranging. Make sure feeding trays are NEVER EMPTY. Medicate only when necessary.

Vaccinations: Day 7 - B1 B1; Day 14 - B1 La Sota

Ranging, Day21 onwards, till slaughter: Segregate by net, compartments for ranging area around their pen. That way, you are able to rotate ranging areas. When you rotate, the manure fertilizes the land and you move to another ranging area so as not to deplete a small section. You may also want to use movable pens, so they have fresh grass everyday and litter will not be a problem.

Let them range freely in open air, eating grass, insects, table scraps, or what is abundant in your area. Feed adlibitum even when they are already on the range. Have feeds in feeders, so they will be able to eat at will. Give probiotics/vitamins everyday in drinking water (optional).

You may get the marketable weight at 49-63days. For best tasting chickens, slaughter at 85-90 days. RAISED FOR MEAT & EGG PRODUCTION, NOT FOR BREEDING

AGE (days) WEIGHT (grams) FCR

21

485

1.37

28

725

1.61

35

935

1.79

42

1192

1.94

49

1499

2.03

56

1767

2.19

63

1976

2.36

70

2167

2.5







Solraya’s Sunshine Chicken – Grass fed, free ranged, naturally grown, raised w/ a lot of sunshine and fresh air…for a healthy back to basics lifestyle. http://solraya.blogspot.com info@solraya.com (0917) 847-2639; Mla (02) 417-1800; Solano (078) 326-7860; Santiago City (078) 682-3758

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Agrilink 2008



I only had time to take pictures when I was fixing up booth early before the opening, so no photos of the real life of the Agrilink 2008. Such a pity to miss documenting it...but it stays in us :)

Remember my post on thought balloons? How I was segregating my thoughts and calendars in my own "thought balloons" to sort of give comic relief and allow myself to see through a child's eyes? I had no idea yet how I was to spruce up the Sunshine booth. Then, it dawned on me...BALLOONS! Why the choice of colors? Those are the colors of our new improved Sunshine lines :)

As soon as the guard allowed me to enter World Trade Center, I prepped the booth. Then two men were walking up, talking, then stopped at their heels. I guess the booth was effective as an eye catcher :) I didn't know the man in barong, but the second man in t-shirt..hmmm...I realized after a couple of seconds was Sec. Arthur Yap. Soon after, Doc Rey arrived and started talking with the two men. Wehehehhe...it was much much later that he realized it was the Secretary of the the Department of Agriculture.

He will remember our unrehearsed booboos as he walked through with Pres GMA and stopped by our booth and explained to her about the Sunshines. They took pictures with the Sunshine chicks display.

I tell you, those scenes made the Secretary rememember Doc Rey, as he greeted Doc Rey as he was having coffee again later, "bata, madami ka na bang benta?". Doc Rey again didn't recognize him as he was now in barong :)

Louis Perrault, GM for SASSO arrived also. Dinner was a good time to unwind and have laughs outside work.

Next day, there was this man talking/laughing with us about our booboos with the Secretary (oh he was the other man in barong). I asked Pol Rubia who he was...Lydon Tan was the name.

Agrilink 2008 was so busy for us. We had an indoor booth under the French Pavilion, and an outdoor booth under the Friends of AANI tents :) Our outdoor staff was so busy with the retail sales of Sunshines and dressed chickens. It was so cute that people would inquire if the vacuum packed chickens were available. I guess that's our trademark now. Good decision to have a big freezer full for Oct 9-11.

Very successful! Not just in terms of sales. I will say far more than just income.

See you in my next thought balloons.

"Sec Yap, see you in Isabela"!

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Twist Of Fate

I've been wanting to have a nice outlet for the food items etc.

Proximity to me is important as we can always network to reach the customers. One of the tenants in the building signified that they won't renew. I grabbed it.

Along Regalado, facing SM Fairview, beside the bus/jeepney stop. I hardly have any renovation as it used to be a combination beauty parlor and dental clinic, and it was glass and aluminum partitions.

My new branding must have seen this to really have a reason to have nudged to be conceptualized and egged to start printing labels :)

I may have a meating place soon!

Comfort Blog

What are the first pages you open when you login?

Several pages are instant on my Firefox. My email, entrepinoy, and my site's statistics. Then I open my favorite food blogs: marketmanila, dessert comes first (Lori's not food...its nirvana), Connie Veneracion, table for three. Then I open my blog and bank at the same time, while wondering what to do for the day. Surely I had it sorted the previous night, but most times, emails derail your schedules.

There is one site that isn't on my daily "to visit". But I always remember Gay when I want to eat and read simple. Simple doesn't mean ordinary. She is far from that. Her recipes are doable, reachable, and tastable :)

A Scientist in the Kitchen

Monday, October 06, 2008

Thought Balloons

Here I am, stuck in a car dealer's lounge. Yesterday, was my first time to drive again the truck in maybe 2weeks. I was tired so driving slowly. When Doc Rey took the wheel, there was a marked change in his driving habits, I thought he was still uncomfortable from his operation, so driving slowly. Then I drove again and hmmmm, the engine was choked.

I didn't take chances and brought it to my favorite mechanic. Apparently, the car dealer that had been servicing this for the past 3x, hadn't been doing a good job on the filters. So here I am, decided to do the 35,000km preventive to save time.

Emergency breaktimes make you sit, ponder and wonder. Having a million things to do for the week, I was just happy that I got #1 errand for the day done before heading for the mechanic.

Thought balloons...I called my thoughts in compartments and sort of cartooned them...so easier to see what I have to do.

One is my ingress for Agrilink :) Then a cute idea formed in my thought balloon!

Let's see if my ideas will also look good in actual.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

We Planned To Have Sunshine

Two months prior to Agrilink, that was in early August, I had to make sure that we will have dressed chickens for display ready by mid October.

Due to the demand, I foresaw that the growers can't be relied on to supply our marketing needs. Of course, they have to fulfill their own commitments first, before they will give me. That is understandable. Besides, I was also the one to give them those clients. Surely, they had to be given priority.

How do I make sure I will have my dressed Sunshines? I encouraged one of my store managers to egg her hubby to grow. Also encouraged Raymond Rubia to load at that period to meet the October harvest.

We ended up having a mini competition :) Raymond and I would look forward to Monday mornings when we would compare weights.

Raymond harvested some already. I personally vacuumed them. Just two days ago, I had a big chest freezer filled, thinking it will be good buffer stock. Gone! I anticipated the shortage amongst the growers. But, I didn't forsee that even our stocks will be wiped out by the increase in demand by our own work during trade shows and Market At The Hills.

Good thing, I had a fall back position with my staff that we didn't harvest yet. Not that my staff lost in terms of weight, but we were just timing the dressing of her Sunshines to the schedule of the truck that heads back to Manila to bring me the products.

Two important things were brought by this planning. The stocks on dressed chicken turned out just the bonus...

1) Both Raymond and my staff grew it to almost uniformly, to about 1.4 in 42days, 1.7 in 49days. Shows that proper care and the improved lines of Sunshine did perform :)

2) My staff was able to sell the day old chicks better. The store that she handles, far performs compared to our other branches. Why? She had first hand experience in growing...and raising it carefully as she had profits at stake there. I can hear her explaining well to customers and talking with conviction.

The problem of shortage was answered, plus plus.

Purveyors

I like the ring to that word....

Sure it just means a trader, supplier, furnishes provisions...I still like the ring...like old world :)

Years ago, a colleague and I opened a store, half way around the world. It was situated in a very upscale, lake town area in Canada. We had handmade quilts, wicker furniture, 100% cotton lingerie, handmade place mats etc. We used the word "purveyor" in our tagline.

Our real work took both of us, traveling a lot. Opening up that store was our relaxation. We both enjoyed the shopping and selecting. It was our quaint little world. But, having a business 4hrs away from the city from where she was based, w/c makes that 4hrs away from a city halfway around the world for me...and remember, we were both traveling heavily....with a heavy heart we had to give it up :(

That was 20 yrs ago.

Now, as I was thinking of a new branding for a trading outlet....I closed my eyes and searched within my heart. I dug up the things that made me happy...and hey, I saw the word again.

"Purveyors Of What Is Good For You"


That's my tagline for ORGANIKAS....

As of now, I think the venture will focus on items I will use and want for myself. There won't be many options nor choices like in a supermarket . Just the way I am, some variety, but the quality and selection will be in a certain category. Am quite predictable :)


Not quite yet done :) Still a lot to do...

Will show you my initial products soon, together with the complete branding name....soon