Great Trip

From Vigan, we were off for La Union.

The moment we checked our bags, we decided to go up to Baguio for dinner. Met with our long time dealer in the area, Doc Karen. Discussed schedules for deliveries and talked about marketing her growers' produce. We also asked a friend to join us for some coffee and talked about future projects.

We went to Gilligan's in Legarda. You have to go see the group Smooth, that is at Gilligan's Mondays and Wednesdays. I was so enamored with their music. The selection and the blending of voices....really my type!

Meetings, dinner and music done...it was time to leave Makati, errrrr Baguio (it was so crowded and the faces you see are the Manila group too). It was fresh oxygen, when the thought of driving down to La Union was started.

Holy Week is not my time to travel. I prefer that these days are taken in solace. This year was different. One of my friends, Mitos, is celebrating her 50th. So, it was agreed to be all together. Good that La Union was the meeting place, as it was near my work appointments for the week.

Great opportunity to practice my new Canon DSLR! After all those clicks done, I think I want to take a course in Photography :) My friends are just so happy now that they have tons of photos.

Watching the sunset...

Later on, Doc Rey comes back and said we should stay a little more on the beach as a floating Stations of the Cross will start as soon as the Sun sets....it was a sight. Simple but it made you pray in the calmness. By that time the Churches were busy with the Visita Iglesia.

Last day for Mitos' 49th. In transit....not dragged, but moving and getting there :)
You wouldn't want to see her 1st photo as 50...

Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point. It was like an Oasis. A refreshing site in the middle of the dessert. The Blues and Whites all around was calming and you are transported to a time in Greece.

Doesn't my friend Jessica make a double take for Jackie O?

View from the Resto/Bar of Thunderbird Poro Point. If you want peace and quiet from it all, this may be a place for you. No beach area in front, you have to walk to the right side a bit for a swimming area, or you may enjoy the resort's swimming pool.

A very productive week indeed....Next stop...search for Mark Floro!

Patrons

My mom had a constant companion for some Eight (8) years before she passed some months ago. She has had several changes of nurses, but a constant was her Flowerhorn. Another companion she had, long before I came to life was an image of Jesus with a Sacred Heart. She transferred residence in her later years. This was one of the very few things she took with her. She practically changed all furniture, but brought the Sacred Heart with her. I grew up with this image in the corridor leading to bedrooms. As a child, I thought it was God looking at us from Heaven. The original had clouds and angels in the background.

Devotees of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are promised of a peaceful death. My mother had that. She decided the "when". The "how", was peaceful and quiet. After which, one of the things I inherited was Flowerhorn. It was so interactive and would almost do cartwheels for us. The times we are out of town, Benny the feeder will say it was sad and was always alarmed. When we got back, we don't see any problem as she always greeted us with splits and head turns.

Last Thursday, we decided to hang the Sacred Heart above the aquarium. This photo was taken Thursday late night. We had a party....maybe she wasn't used to the crowd? The last photo taken of her in the background, as we were wrapping up "to go" for guests....

This out of town trip was no different. Benny told me yesterday that she was sad again. I wasn't alarmed as it was always the case. I knew that when we got home Saturday, she will greet us with hugs.

This morning, Tita Pilar called and told me the bad news. Flowerhorn died. They walked into the living room to feed, but found her dead. I hope the Sacred Heart also gave her a peaceful death. She was really part of the family. When you visit Mommy or Lola, you were also like visiting the Flowerhorn. We saw how she grew!

I really felt so bad. Even Doc Rey felt inutile as a veterinarian. We have pet shops and we should have seen the signs. But, no, there was none!

Over breakfast, we were discussing. Much like a meeting with our vets as we discuss cases as a group. Doc Rey was thinking out loud...hybrid...new...no real known data...he asked me to search on lifespan. I did "8-10 yrs" :(

There are patrons and companions in life. Much like sponsors. Mommy had the Sacred Heart and Flowerhorn.

My patron is St Jude. Ever since I was a in High School, it was St Jude who assisted me in desperate cases. I had been visiting an image in the Cathedral in Vigan. I am glad I was able to visit my St Jude today, as I have so many blessings to thank for.

My post has no chicken...but there will be no chickens in my life if I didn't have my patrons.

Region 1

Headed for the week, to Ilocos Sur and La Union.

If you want to meet up for questions, you may text us at (0917) 847-2639.

3rd Quarter

I got notice that my Leo Rat horoscope for September is ready for viewing.

There had been no vacant time, with so many things going the past weeks and months even. We just didn't realize how busy we were because we were seeing friends, farms and travelling a lot. But inbetween and through cellphones, yes, now I realize that we did a lot.

My horoscope reads now (I rarely read, I am just waiting for a download that I decided to surf) that we will be more busy! I guess its about turnover of previous work done.

We are working on plans for our move to the Araneta Center for a centralized location. Provincial bus terminals, buses to pier, major cross for train stations, variety of shopping around, accessible from all points and we will have a more secure and larger parking area.

Our shipment of new Certified Parent Stocks is arriving soon....and we can't wait for our new lines to be available some 6months from now.

Shows, seminars, travels...seems all are in September.

The last day of August, a holiday....I am sitting in the coffeeshop of the hotel I frequent in Vigan... earlier I was around walking and looking at trinkets :). Ilocos Sur visits are my time away from time.

Oh yes, aside from work....my social schedule for September is also full. Is it because of age that you decide you all want to see you kinder friends?????

Where Are You For Holy Week?

Normally I am around my "through sick and sin" friends.

Recollection and meditations is best when you are true to yourself and what better way than being with the people who may even know you better than you do yourself :)

Thinking about Ilocos Sur...La Union...let's see where the waves takes us for the next few days.

Ilocos Sur Weekly

We have to thank the coverage that Agriculture Magazine gives us, and their trust in our products. They feature our growers, announce our seminars to reach out to people who wants to learn for livelihood, and report on the different aspects of successful money making ideas.

One province that had supported the Sunshine endeavor is Ilocos Sur. By now, there are several independent growers (who no longer rely on government's dispersal) lechon manok vendors, doing the ready-to-range and food processing.

Why did the ready-to-range prosper? Because the people have compared the quality of those privately raised in comparison to those brooded under make-do-to comply scenario. Watch out for more features by Manila Bulletin on these growing industry :)

And yes, we are able to visit the growers often, because we have an outlet of Solraya there, for Sunshine day old chicks. To make it affordable and readily available.

So, when our friends asked if we wanted to meet up...it was an easy YES! Perfect time to document while doing farm visits. Great meals with friends...

See how uniform the harvest of Corn? The farmer used organic fertilizers. Durabloom in particular.


Side note: This is the image of Our Lady that is pasted in my mind now. When I talk to Her, this is how I see Her. Last Monday, while sitting outside Gov. DV Savellano's office, I saw this statue. Now I know why this is the image in my mind. I see her all the time :) She stands guard outside the Gov's office!

Heny Sison's HAManok

Wednesday, while waiting at the cargo bay of PAL for my HERBaboy from Jojie Lim, Heny Sison calls and says that she prepared chicken hams and wanted me to taste and get one. Ok then, it was past 3pm, no lunch yet, so the prospect was very inviting :)

Parked at her office at about 5pm, I just peeped my head to call on her girl so I can just drive thru for the ham.

Surpise, surprise! Heny was manning a class for Bars at her ground floor class and comes to me with a two (2) plates of chicken ham. Seems like she had been nibbling on it too weheeheh. One was her previous recipe, plain. The second plate was sugar coated. "I like this, the sweetness is there, but coy". She said, "OK, I will then give you the one that is sugared". She had her girl bring out two (2) hams, differently ribboned. She said one was for Gov DV...and if I can take it please :)


She wanted us to talk again for the marketing of chicken ham. Off to Naga the next day and on to Ilocos Sur and Baguio. When I get back to Manila then... yes we meet...and I get to open my ham too :)

Relating Things

Today was a sandy day. Nails, lunch, browsing around, calling new suppliers for new products, looking at the venue for Philfoodex even if actual ingress is tomorrow yet, picking up my new signs...in other words it was a different day and somehow the small things made me see new ideas :)

1) hanging my fascia boards - the printer wanted me to use the old and reliable double sided foam tapes. Ok I will, but I was adamant to want to hang it simply. Less hassle, and it will be more secure that way. The hooks may not be the perfect size and it will require that I be able to postion it on a straight line. Easier said than done! But once I do, even if the size was not perfect, the bottom portion should rest comfortably, even if at an angle. Which might be better actually! The horizontal line of the hooks should be aligned.

Got a call from a friend about making a trip to La Union and Ilocos Sur for farm visits, and if I had growers who were using certain products, who may be interviewed. Certainly, plus the fact that we really suggest using those products. The trip will not fit our schedules really as we will be coming in from Naga, but horizontal marketing flashed in my mind. I made quick calls...and yes, we can all meet in Ilocos Sur. We are not the focus for the farm visits, but hey, Sunshines will be featured.

2) I called a farm owner in Tarlac who was raising chicks for the color in the farm and the great taste it was bringing to his table. First 100, 200, 500 and about 2weeks ago 800. He said that it is almost gone, save for what he personally consumes. Town folks were happy seeing large native chickens, and they buy from him. I suggested the "ready to range" and he said yes perfect as that was the problem of others. We talked about a price and he said too much. I was surprised that he was selling the Sunshines at almost the same price he got it for. Apparently, he was just wanting to help and for the town folks to realized that they can grow their own food. The LGUs were starting to see his advocacy.

Yes, it was a confirmation and reiteration that we shouldn't lose our focus on the backyard farmers.

3) Instant orders - My paraphernalia for Philfoodex was ordered for pickup today. At the last minute, I wanted some stickers for use in the Naga dispersal. I had to wait the whole day for a measly 12 stickers. The printer had a lot of work scheduled. But they got fast printers, several of them, had a lot of personnel. Yes, but the line was still long.

Some volume customers do not understand that unless they have previous bookings, they can't be served pronto. Our regular, even if small quantities, can't and may not be disregarded in favor of a big order. If there was a regular schedule, then we can play with the irregular small orders, but not to sacrifice the regular ones. About 3weeks ago, a messenger told me "but they order volume, you can't set them aside" I replied, "I'd rather have 20 small ones than 1 big one". Chicks aren't like rice that you may stock the season's harvest. Our chicks are hatched 2x a week and we need to schedule the sale even before they are hatched. Pronto customers have to undertand that unless booked, they may not have any if they advise one day before. We have the numbers to supply, it is scheduling that we request you to respect.

4) bonding lunch with my bdayboy son - he had been seeing this nice girl who I have not yet met, but since he talks a lot about her, its like I know her.

Being true to yourself and others...saying things as it is.

5) Joining Philfoodex - It is for other people to see what is new in the market and maybe getting new suppliers.

That is what I also decided to do today, look at new products. That kept me excited and filled my time before Sunshine. I should set time again for opening my eyes to what is new.

6) People who know me, know I am a Crocs person, way before it was used here. I have it in all colors wehehehe. Today, I got myself a men's style, w/o second thoughts. I wanted it, my feet needs it and it was simply that.

Some say I have to bend because I am in marketing and sales. I don't. Even in my choice of products to sell, I maintain what I believe in. If I went for what is the norm and looked good to wear on my feet, I would have sprained my ankles by now, just like my younger son who sprained himself after playing basketball today. Stuck to what is comfortable for me, I know I will swim in land wearing what my feet needs.

7) Our HERBaboy will go on a shipment with our Durian friend, to save on freight costs. Won't our baboy smell Durian?

It won't, as it is packed well. The lighter or rather the serious side to relating things is...I am like Durian...you either like me or detest me!

Lemon Meringue Torte

Last night I remembered that I had to see Heny Sison for product development.

To share and for them to taste, I prepared two sets of Coco Milk and our organic salted duck eggs. One set for my mother and another set for me to share with the cooking group. That is how much I am confident about Organika's products. It is meant for my mother and a discriminate eating group. Anyway, it didn't get to the eating group as my mother liked it so much, she asked that whatever I had in the car be left with her :)

Off to get Mitos, part of my PR team..then we headed to Heny Sison's office. Such a jumpy place for a late morning meeting. Classrooms were full. Her office had several meetings going on, she was also on the phone. By the time she waved us in, she sort of had the cove already, ready for chika chika.

I was there for the product development for the marketing of harvest from Ilocos Sur. Initial samples were sent to Gov DV and he texted me this morning saying "masarap". Heny said she had to pinch in the area of the tail, as she can't resist to make a final taste, before it was sent to Gov DV.

Other chicken recipes had been discussed and they will do kitchen testings.

Meantime, thank God, Heny asked that we be served coffee and Lemon Meringue Torte. I spied on that cake as we were going up the stairs, passing by the chillers..seeing what was in the offering wehehhehe

It was a good coincidence that the working team for the coffeetable book on Ilocos Sur was there. Food styling was the initial discussion. Then the month long event at Intercon of Ilocos Sur in May. Chef Nick from Candon was there too.

Tagal ng cake and coffee.....Heny said they had all sorts of coffee available because she had a barista class going on...ok...so we wait more :)

Chika galore, as schedules are forced to be moved as an impromtu trip is being planned. Also a trip to Ilocos Sur with Mitos while Heny and I are there!

Finally the cake and coffee came. This is what I love about meeting with Chefs and foodies. The servings are substantial. You can taste every morsel. The icing and creams are there to compliment flavors and not just to act as washy color. I ate my Lemon Meringue Torte fast and stole some of Mitos', on the pretense that she was just letting it sit. Too late, I gulped it fast...she was saving the best for last, she said.

Hmmmmm, I know Gilbert Lee wanted to discuss somethings w/ Mitos....I hope to get called on to help them taste.

Look Around And Be Seen

Our visibility and trips opens us to other opportunities. From Ilocos Sur now we get the native garlic and onions. We load them on back to Manila and sell in Organika. The farmers are able to get some cash from us and dispose some of their stocks.

Another is the ready to use powdered form Stevia, w/c my friend imports. I wasn't too keen on carrying that, but it is a good alternative to using name branded artificial sweeteners. Surprisingly, when we displayed it, caught a lot of attention.

In trying times...maximize time, effort and opportunities. You should be creative and be functional to and fro. Business and pleasure.

January is almost over....

Soft Opening Of Solraya In Vigan

I was in a rush to take this photo, so the Sunshine Chicken in the signboard doesn't show well. But...we are in business in Vigan City. Strategically located along Alcantara St., we have to our right Mercury, HBC, Metrobank and Jollibee to our left. Situated across the public market. We are happy about our neighbors :)

Just today, our staff reports that the fakes now have comparisons for the real Sunshine Chicks. Feedpro will be glad they used our pictures for the signboard that we displayed.

The soft opening sales far outdid our expectations. The opening crew from Santiago stores are just there to fix the stores to the layout we are used to....as our staff reshuffles. While fixing the store, they can't help but attend to customers already.

We opened this outlet because we can't find a dealer who will push the product with our passion and maintain fair prices.

Happy New Store!

Ilocos Sur Seminars

Since we are in Ilocos Sur every Monday, we will be able to schedule FREE seminars every Monday.

Contact us thru (0917) 847-2639 so we may schedule in your area, or at our Solraya Vigan branch.

Thank you sa Ilocos Sur!

Strengthening Links

For so many years, almost 10....we'd pass by Ilocos Sur area, to or from Ilocos Norte. Stopping by Vigan to sleep overnight and pass by the Cathedral...maybe the real reason was to eat empanada :)

I had a patron in the church...St. Jude. Out of the blue, Joey Rigor calls me as Gov DV sets an appointment and the rest is history. St. Jude must have found a way to make us visit him weekly!

The spillover sales of the project of Gov DV made some people interested to be dealers...but we didn't think it'll be effective since they were pricing themselves for short time deals. Meaning, they were selling the Sunshines too high.

Our former dealer in Vigan encountered health and eventually financial problems. They thought about having half of their store rented out and they get out of the poultry supply business.

AGP Poultry Supply store location is perfect and we lost no time in closing the deal. Doc Rey was there this morning. Signed, sealed delivered! Right across the market. Shakey's on the left and Mercury Drug on the right. That location will be good for an Organika Vigan too.

Now we have Solraya Vigan!

Don't Just Feel It. Taste It!

Remember that commercial for a shampoo? As I was reviewing photos taken in Ilocos Sur of this very pretty girl, I recalled that Alice Dixon ad :)

During the lunch breaktime during Monday's dispersal, we decided to hie off to Sinait. That is the last town of Ilocos Sur, boundary of Ilocos Norte.

Led to the recipients of the 1st dispersal in December, saw us looking at almost 2 kilo Sunshines :) It was 1.5k around Christmas time, but recipients thought that the project coordinators needed to check on it before they are able sell. Some other recipients were apologetic that they have started to sell.

That is the point! Gov DV and I chorused that "that is what we want"! Starting next week, recipients will start to give back eight (8) adults, so they may qualify to get 100 21day old chicks again.

Agriculture Magazine Jan 2009

Talk about great starts....

The latest issue of Agriculture Magazine by Manila Bulletin, has the editor writing about Gov DV Savellano's agriculture projects for Ilocos Sur.

Timely that we are making the trip tomorrow to IS, and bringing with us the gift of media coverage :)

Zac Sarian hopes to be back to Ilocos Sur very soon to check on the harvests and dispersals of Sunshine Chicken in that province. Dispersals are done weekly. They should be harvesting the first batch real soon.

Are you...

Looking back or forward?

Before, I used to want the new year to begin, even as early as mid November. Maybe I wanted to get over the year? Lack of anything interesting to do? Something new was like a promise or a door to something different.

2007 and 2008 was different. Seems I didn't feel 2007 and 2008 pass. It was that hectic! I wanted to halt the last days of 2008, as there were so many things to be done yet and I didn't want to enter 2009 without the planning and listing of TO DO. Before you can do so, you have to relax to have an open mind. You need to have the possible lose ends done before you can relax. That is a big circle :)

We can't stop time though....and YES, we are now looking forward. Reopen stores and weekends markets on Saturday. We go back to Ilocos Sur on Sunday as we work closely with the project of Gov DV for his Ilocos Super Chicken.

AANI gets relocated to a much better area inside the Quezon Memorial Circle. We attend the PVMA convention in Davao and will have a seminar for Raising Sunshine Chicken about Feb19.

Wait...am suppose to relax first. Will keep you posted.

Happy, fruitful and workful lives for all of us!

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!

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 :)

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.

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 :)