Coca-Cola Foodmarks has launched Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan held on December 10, 2024 at Cafe Evelyn in La Casa Blanca De Vigan Hotel, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan is the first Coca-Cola Foodmarks Philippines in North Luzon, another world-class food capitat, historic city of Vigan.
With the invitation of Ms. Erica Atonito, Brand PR Director of REDTORCH COMMUNICATIONS, the PR agency of Coca-Cola Philippines, I joined to celebrate Vigan’s rich culinary heritage and highlight its iconic dishes through Coca-Cola’s Foodmarks in Vigan.
Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan is mission to refresh the residences and tourists in the community, promote tourism and uplift the livelihood in Vigan City and beyond.
Walk the cobblestones and step in Vigan’s rich heritage. Bite into the best of Vigan: Bagnet, Pakbet, and other Ilocano specialties, great with Ice-Cold CoCa-Cola.
Who else want to trade in your used clear PET plastic bottles for Coca-Cola products?
Coca-Cola’s mission to refresh the Philippines and make a positive impact in the diverse communities and beyond.
Coca-Cola Philippines has been engaging closely with various communities nationwide through the Tapon-to-Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo! PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottle collection and recycling program. Every diverse persons in the diverse community has a story to tell or share about inspiring stories of collective community action as we pursue our goal of building a world without waste.
Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo! is Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc.’s (CCBPI) nationwide collection program for used clear PET plastic bottles of any brand. The goal is to direct all collected bottles to PETValue Philippines for recycling.
How to participate?
Together with Coca-Cola network of MSMEs (sari-sari stores, distributors and wholesalers), they set-up Tapon to Ipon collection store hubs across the country to collect used clear PET plastic bottles, regardless of brand.
Polyethylene terephthalate or PET is a form of polyster used to make packaging for food and beverages, and many other consumer products. PET is 100% recyclable an is one of the most sustainable materials for packaging!
Plastic bottles that can be exchanged via Tapon to Ipon:
PET-CLASSIFIED BEVERAGE BOTTLE – any beverage brand drinking bottle with ♲.
CLEAN – no residue, no dirt, no smell.
CLEAR – colorless and transparent.
DRY – No remaining liquid inside.
DRINK and be sure to empty your bottle.
CRUSH your bottle and seal with cap.
RECYCLE your bottle by dropping them off at our booth or collection hubs.
Acceptable criteria for PET bottles that should be separated from other plastics.
Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo is Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc.’s (CCBPI) nationwide collection program for post-consumer clear PET plastic bottles of any brand. Their goal is for all collected bottles to ultimately end up in PETValue Philippines.
PETValue Philippines is the country’s pioneering food grade bottle-to-bottle recycling facility and CCBPI’s joint venture with Indorama Ventures – a global sustainable chemical company.
Let’s continue working together of Coca-Cola’s global World Without Waste commitment this day & beyond. #WorldWithoutWaste! #TaponToIpon #BastaKlaroPanalo
The creation of Coca-Cola Foodmarks Philippines is with a purpose to advocate Tourism and Uplift the Livelihood in the Diverse Communities. Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Philippines have the intention to Refresh the Filipinos and making a difference in the Philippines in every diverse communities and beyond.
Coca-Cola Foodmarks Philippines advocates the diverse persons in the diverse communities in every diverse nations and beyond, to discover the best-kept favorites, uncover rich, flavorful stories, and diverse recipes through the Coca-Cola Foodmarks.
Coca-Cola Foodmarks Philipines has recently unveiled Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan, the first Coca-Cola Foodmarks in North Luzon of the Philippines. The launch of Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan was held on December 10, 2024 at Cafe Evelyn in La Casa Blanca Vigan Hotel, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.
Currently, Coca-Cola Foodmarks Philippines had established Coca-Cola Foodmarks Binondo, Coca-Cola Foodmarks Iloilo and Coca-Cola Foodmarks Boracay to discover the best kept favorites of the Coca-Cola Foodmarks near you.
The Philippines was Coca-Cola’s first market in Asia to begin local bottling operations and Coca-Cola continues to Go Beyond Good *GOBEYONDGOOD as a business by continuously supporting safe water access programs in over 250 communities, empowering around 250,000 women entrepreneurs through training and peer mentoring, and accelerating packaging collections and recycling under its global World Without Waste initiative.
Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), Coca-Cola and partners has roll out Tatak Matatag na Negosyo (TMN) to empower MSMEs. TMN is a sustainable stores movement which aims to assist micro, small, and medium enterprises in becoming future-proof, resilient, and sustainable.
Find Foodmarks near you to discover these best-kept favorites great with Ice-Cold Coca-Cola this day & beyond.
Coca-Coca Foodmarks has launched another world class food capital in Vigan City. On December 10, 2024, I attended the launch of Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan that was held at Evelyn Cafe in La Casa Blanca Vigan Hotel, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Region 1 (Ilocos Region), Philippines.
Coca-Cola Foodmakrs Vigan is considered as the first Coca-Cola Foodmarks in North Luzon of the Philippines. The event was themed: “Coca-Cola Foodmarks, Historic Streets, Authentic Eats, Ice-Cold Coca-Cola”. The team of Coca-Cola Philippines is into mission and advocacy to promote not only tourism but the local cuisines and delicacies of Vigan. To support and promote the best of Vigan: Bagnet, Pakbet and other Ilocano Specialties in the diverse communities in this nation and entire world.
The partnership of The Coca-Cola Philippines thru Coca-Cola Foodmarks, Local Government Unit (LGU) of Vigan and residences in the community are necessary to achieve its goal to uplift the livelihood and tourism in Vigan City.
Coca-Cola Foodmarks will transform all local food maps in the global landmarks. Sharing the rich’s people of Filipino meaning in the world, from Vigan’s iconic dishes, to other regions by the foods this day & beyond.
Let’s support and visit the Coca-Cola Foodmarks of the Historic Streets in Vigan and experience Authentic Eats of the best of Vigan: Bagnet, Pakbet and other Ilocano Specialties, great with Ice-Cold Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola Foodmarks Philippines has launched another world class food capital, the historic city of Vigan.
The Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan Launch was held on December 10, 2024, at Cafe Evelyn in La Casa Blanca Vigan Hotel, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines organized by Coca-Coca Philippines in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) and local restaurant owners in the community.
Mr. Ancher Cua, a freelance wedding and event host (emcee) in Ilocos Region and Metro Manila, Philippines, hosted the launch of Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan attended by the Coca-Cola Team, Vigan LGU, media and guests.
Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan is the first Foodmarks in North Luzon, according to Mr. Josh Montales, Franchise Operations Manager for North Luzon of Coca-Cola Philippines. He mentioned that the vision of Coca-Cola Foodmarks, is transform all local food maps in the global landmarks. Sharing the rich’s people of Filipino meaning in the world, from Vigan’s iconic dishes, to other regions by the foods.
The Coca-Cola Team want every corner of the Philippines to shine on the global stage. On behalf of Coca-Cola Philippines, Mr. Montales extend the heartfelt gratitude to the City of Vigan for embracing the said event. Together we are celebrating the best of Filipino culture and of course our love for good food. He was also grateful of the pilars of Vigan Culinary, the restaurant owners.
During the event, Ms. Joane Gutierrez of Coca-Cola Philippines stated that Vigan is more than just a Unesco heritage site. It is a living testament to the harmonious value of Filipino, Spanish, Chinese and indigents influences. A cultural mosaic that continues inspire in the life visitors from around the world. And the sanctuary of this vibrant heritage is food. Our universal language that brings people in the world.
Coca-Cola Foodmarks is being launched in the City that has mastered the art of flavor and hospitality. This initiative is not only the joy of eating, but also the stories, traditions and hard work behind every dishes.
With Coca-Cola Foodmarks, we aim to shine the spotlight on the culinary items in its establishments that define the kind of experience across the Philippines. She also mentioned her heartful gratitude to the visionaries, collaborators and everyone who made this project possible. Not this last as serve as a symbol of started commitment to preserving the culinary heritage.
To celebrating excellence and to create the moments of joy, one meal and one Ice-Cold Coca-Cola. Let’s toast this partnership to the continued success of culinary scene and to the joy of food the bring us all together.
Mr. Mr. Maverick Tan, Commercial Unit Director for North Luzon Coca-Cola Philippines stated that they are in Vigan City to promote not only tourism but the local cuisines and delicacies of Vigan. This is not just putting bagnet or your favorite local delicacies in the mouth of the Philippines but in the entire world.
He also mentioned that this is us really making difference as we promote the culture authentic food tourism and everything. So, really have to be the partnership of the local government unit, the residences in the community and to uplift the livelihood and tourism in Vigan. According to Mr. Tan, hoping that this is not just the first and the last, but the many collaboration we can do. He also encouraged the guests in the event, to really enjoy, have a meal, not just get in with friends or the people together, but to make memories unleash the real magic of Coca-Cola and make this day extra especial.
Lastly, he invited the guest and attendees of the Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan Launch, to go out, walk the entire streets and try the authentic food, especially for local restaurant owners in Vigan and enjoy it, and make it extra special with Ice-Cold Coca-Cola.
The Launch of Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan themed dubbed as “Coca-Cola Foodmarks, Historic Streets, Authentic Eats, Ice-Cold Coca-Cola”.
Coca-Cola Foodmarks has launched another historic and world class food capital in Vigan City. With the historic city, walk the cobblestones and step into Vigan’s rich heritage. Bite into the best of Vigan: Bagnet, Pakbet, and other Ilocano specialties great with Ice-Cold Coca-Cola. Mangan tayon! Coca-Cola Foodmarks Historic Streets Authentic Eats Ice-Cold Coca-Cola this day & beyond.
Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. has launched Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan held on December 10, 2024 at Cafe Evelyn in La Casa Blanca Vigan Hotel, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Region 1 (Ilocos Region), Philippines hosted by Ancher Cua, a freelance wedding and event host (emcee) in Ilocos Region and Metro Manila, Philippines.
Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan Launch was led by Mr. Josh Montales, Franchise Operations Manager for North Luzon of Coca-Cola Philippines, Mr. Maeverick Tan, Commercial Unit Director for North Luzon, Coca-Cola Team and Vigan LGU Team.
According to Mr. Mr. Maverick Tan, Commercial Unit Director for North Luzon Coca-Cola Philippines. they are in Vigan City to promote not only tourism but the local cuisines and delicacies of Vigan. This is not just putting bagnet or your favorite local delicacies in the mouth of the Philippines but in the entire world.
He also mentioned that this is us really making difference as we promote the culture authentic food tourism and everything. So, really have to be the partnership of the local government unit, the residences in the community and to uplift the livelihood and tourism in Vigan. And hoping that this is not just the first and the last, but the many collaboration we can do, according to Mr. Tan.
He also encouraged the guests in the event, to really enjoy, have a meal, not just get in with friends or the people together, but to make memories unleash the real magic of Coca-Cola and make this day extra especial. Lastly, he invited the guest and attendees of the Coca-Cola Foodmarks Vigan Launch, to go out, walk the entire streets and try the authentic food, especially for local restaurant owners in Vigan and enjoy it, and make it extra special with Ice-Cold Coca-Cola.
Coca-Cola Foodmarks has launched another historic and world class food capital in Vigan City. With the historic city, walk the cobblestones and step into Vigan’s rich heritage. Bite into the best of Vigan: Bagnet, Pakbet, and other Ilocano specialties great with Ice-Cold Coca-Cola. Mangan tayon! Coca-Cola Foodmarks Historic Streets Authentic Eats Ice-Cold Coca-Cola this day & beyond.
Media Contact:
Erica Atonito
Brand PR Director
REDTORCH COMMUNICATIONS
2nd Floor, The Strip at Circulo Verde, Calle Industria, Bagumbayan, Quezon City
For most Filipinas, the phrase ‘Kababae mong tao…’ is a statement that they have probably heard at least once in their lives. It’s a seemingly harmless remark that aims to put them in their place, a reprimand that tells them what they should and should not do. And while society has over time become more progressive, we still have a long way to go in addressing this deeply-ingrained and unconscious discrimination – one that inhibits women from realizing their full potential.
Coca-Cola Philippines believes that the place of a woman is anywhere and anything she wants to be. And this Women’s Month in the Philippines, Coca-Cola is reappropriating ‘Kababae mong tao…’ by re-telling and re-casting the narrative in an inspiring way. Coca-Cola’s simple yet powerful online film advocates for uplifting women and fighting against gender biases. The film features women from different walks of life who choose to challenge societal norms by showing how their perceived ‘faults’ are actually their strengths. As such, the film celebrates the very traits that make them who they are whether it is a ‘brusko’ drummer, a ‘palaban’ photojournalist, and more.
One of the women in the story is the ‘loud’ carinderia cook, a woman who tirelessly calls to passersby as she sells her dishes to provide for her family. The carinderia owner represents many other women with untapped entrepreneurial potential whose ventures are sometimes seen as small and insignificant. Within their homes, they are also oftentimes relegated to the role of housekeeper and caretaker because of the outdated belief that it’s their duty as women.
Sari-sari store owners, one of the featured women in Coca-Cola Philippines’ Kababae Mong Tao film, represent the women micro-retailers whose efforts are seen as small and invalid. These women are supported by Coca-Cola Philippines through STAR program, as aligned in the 5by20 global initiative, that aims to economically empower more women through livelihood and financial assistance
Contrary to common assumptions, businesses like sari-sari stores and carinderias actually make up a whopping 88% of the total MSMEs in the country, with women contributing to 35%-40% to the Philippine economy.
Recognising the important role of women in society and in the economy, Coca-Cola set a decade ago its ambitious “5by20” global goal of economically empowering 5 million women entrepreneurs by 2020. Localizing this goal to the needs of Pinays, Coca-Cola Philippines partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to create the Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) program – a comprehensive program designed to unleash the potential of women micro-entrepreneurs.
The STAR Program begins with a gender sensitivity module designed to help women understand that they are free to go beyond the roles placed upon them by society or by their families. This important module shows them who they can be beyond ‘mother’ or ‘wife’ and inspires them to pursue their ambitions and aspirations.
Once this seed of confidence has been sown, the trainees flourish further with modules that tackle simple yet effective practices that allow their businesses to grow.
The 5by20 initiative of Coca-Cola also goes beyond the STAR Program, with off-shoot programs like Women’s REACH, a program created to assist overseas Filipino worker (OFW) women in their economic reintegration upon returning to the country; and STAR Rebuild, an initiative that focuses on supporting the rehabilitation of micro-enterprises in disaster affected areas.
With the pandemic’s impact on businesses and livelihoods across all sectors, Coca-Cola also launched its OFW Re-Integration through Skills and Entrepreneurship Program or OFW RISE program which equips repatriated overseas Filipinos with entrepreneurial skills and capital necessary to start their own businesses, and its Rebuilding Sari-Sari Stores Through Access to Resources and Trade or ReSTART program which provides safety educational materials, products and much-needed capital to help them recover and restart their businesses in the new normal.
Coca-Cola’s commitment to gender parity also extends to its own associates. Since 2019, Coca-Cola Philippines achieved its goal of 50-50 gender parity across all levels of management, with 57% of the local senior leadership roles held by women. At the same time, an increasing number of women have been taking on previously male-dominated positions and departments in its manufacturing plants. This increase in female plant managers, engineers, logistics officers, and leaders is a testament to the commitment of Coca-Cola Philippines in enabling women empowerment, diversity and inclusivity in the Philippines. Recently, Coca-Cola was awarded with the Gender-inclusive Workplace and Community and Industry Engagement Award during the UN Women 2020 Asia-Pacific Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards. This award-giving body recognizes exemplary business practices for gender equality aligned to the UN Women, UN Global Compact’s WEPs, and the UN’s Sustainable Development goals.
To further its commitment to gender and diversity, Coca-Cola also recently signed the United Nations’ Women Empowerment Principles that offers guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace, and the community.
Since 2010, Coca-Cola Philippines has believed in the dreams of women and the company’s various 5by20 programs have helped to positively transform the lives of 244,207 Filipina entrepreneurs in 81 provinces. With Coca-Cola having now met and exceeded its 5by20 goals locally and globally Coca-Cola Philippines aims to go beyond and empower even more Filipinas in this new decade and beyond.
Join in the celebration of Women’s Month with Coca-Cola Philippines and see how these empowered women choose to challenge the #KababaeMongTao statements in society. Watch the film here and share your own story of how you broke away from unconscious gender bias.
Coca-Cola Philippines has always been a key mover of women empowerment, from providing more economic opportunities to micro-retailers to providing growth opportunities to its associates. Recently, Coca-Cola Philippines was awarded with the Gender-inclusive Workplace and Community and Industry Engagement Award during the UN Women 2020 Asia-Pacific Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards. This award giving body recognizes exemplary business practices for gender equality aligned to the UN Women, UN Global Compact’s WEPs, and the Sustainable Development goals.
Coca-Cola has been refreshing Filipinos and making a difference in the Philippines for 109 years. The Philippines was Coca-Cola’s first market in Asia to begin local bottling operations. Today, the Coca-Cola system in the Philippines has evolved into a total beverage company, offering a diverse portfolio of brands in its beverage portfolio and employing over 15,000 Filipinos in over 19 manufacturing facilities and more than 60 distribution centers nationwide. As part of its long-standing commitment to the country, Coca-Cola continues to #GOBEYONDGOOD as a business by continuously supporting safe water access programs in over 250 communities, empowering around 250,000 women entrepreneurs through training and peer mentoring, and accelerating packaging collection and recycling under its global World Without Waste initiative.
The company’s women economic empowerment programs have reached every region and province of the Philippines.
Coca-Cola believes that improving women’s economic conditions enables the creation of more empowered communities. In 2010, the beverage company made a global commitment to empower 5 million women across its value chain by 2020. Today, on International Women’s Day, Coca-Cola announced that it has surpassed its global goal, enabling more than 6 million women through 318 programs across 100 countries. Here in the Philippines, Coca-Cola announced that it has successfully supported the economic empowerment of about 250,000 women retailers all over the Philippines—this represents 21% of the total universe of small sari-sari store owners in the country.
An additional PHP27 million fund targets to help additional 5,000 micro-retailers through Coca-Cola ReSTART program. This program aims to provide financial support and educational resources to help and educate micro-retailers on how to safely operate in times of pandemic.
“Through this program over the last decade, we’ve seen women creating a ripple effect of change. As we move forward in this new decade, we will continue our commitment to fostering gender equality and support women as they challenge the barriers and the Kababae Mong Tao (Unlady-like) narratives in our society,” says Tony del Rosario, president of Coca-Cola Philippines and vice president for franchise operations of the East Region for Coca-Cola ASEAN and South Pacific. “This is good for society, good for business, and good for socio-economic progress.”
A decade ago, the Philippines was selected as one of a handful of global lead markets to pilot the 5by20 initiative. Realizing that the full potential of women can only be achieved by investing and creating an enabling environment where women can succeed, Coca-Cola Philippines has made incredible strides in empowering and advancing women across its value chain. Over the last decade, the 5by20 program has reached all 17 regions and 81 provinces of the country, which includes sari-sari store owners, carinderia owners, repatriated OFWs, artisan women, and women in operations. For those in Coca-Cola’s external value chain, the company provides business skills training, financial services, and peer mentoring support.
Women as the best investment to spur economic growth
The journey of Coca-Cola towards women economic empowerment here in the Philippines started in 2011 with the pilot program of the 5by20 Sari-Sari Stores Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program. In partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the STAR program for the past decade and until today helps women overcome barriers to achieving their full potential.
Through Coca-Cola Philippines’ OFW Re-Integration through Skills and Entrepreneurship Program or OFW RISE, 10,000 returning OFWs can make their dream of having their own business and staying with their family come true. Currently, 2,743 OFWs are enrolled in the program.
Globally-referenced as a case study on effective business-sustainability initiatives and identified as one of the country’s first business training modules that provides Gender Sensitivity Training, the STAR program continues to emphasize the critical role women play in their families and communities, at the same time, in fostering economic growth.
A 2020 report of the program’s impact revealed that 97% of the women participants found the women economic programs beneficial in their business management.
“Coca-Cola Philippines wouldn’t be where it is today without the strategic role that women play as a key pillar of our business success,” says Jonah de Lumen-Pernia, public affairs and sustainability director of Coca-Cola Philippines. “Supporting women and small retailers will always be a priority for us. When women are empowered, their valuable contribution is not only seen within their families nor in the communities; but in the vibrancy of the economy as well.”
Since its inception, Coca-Cola has built many partnerships and engagements anchored in women’s economic empowerment. The STAR Program has evolved into several other initiatives in response to the prevailing needs of women and sub-sectors—working closely with various government agencies, civil society organizations, and micro-finance institutions. To date, the STAR Program has expanded to sub-initiatives such as iSTAR, STAR Ka-Asenso, ReSTART, Women Artisans of Tondo, PASCO, STAR Rebuild, Women REACH, and OFW Rise, which continue to advance the gender equality agenda.
The success of Coca-Cola Philippines’ women economic empowerment journey helped change the lives of many women, allowing them to achieve their full economic potential.
Coca-Cola and women towards a better shared future
Even after a decade of active participation in the sphere of women empowerment, Coca-Cola Philippines understands that supporting women and communities continues to be essential for economies to thrive into the next decade and beyond.
“Since last year, we have pivoted some of our women economic initiatives to support small retailers in restarting and recovering through the pandemic,” del Rosario further added. “Though we have surpassed our 2020 goal here in the Philippines and globally, the story of resilience and empowerment will continue, and we remain committed to helping women and communities thrive in line with our purpose of refreshing the world and making a difference,” he concluded.
Last October 2020, Coca-Cola Philippines and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) launched the STAR program’s digital roadmap, iSTAR. With this program, Coca-Cola Philippines is expected to reach more Filipinos to become economically empowered as entrepreneurs.
The initiatives of Coca-Cola Philippines have produced positive results and unlocked the full economic potential of women through the support of like-minded organizations from the government: TESDA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – OWWA & NRCO, the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) – an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Local Government Units (LGUs); civil-society organizations: Small Business Corporations, and USAID; and micro-finance institutions: Tagum City Council of Women (TCCWI), the Negros Women for Tomorrow Foundation (NWTF), First Community Cooperative (FICCO), Alalay Sa Kaunlaran, Inc. (ASKI), and ASA Philippines.
To learn more about the women economic empowerment vision of Coca-Cola, visit https://www.coca-colacompany.com/shared-future/women-empowerment.
REFERENCE:
John Paulo Ondra Caparros
Public Relations Department
Strategic works, Inc.
+638937472 | +639173068591
john.caparros@stratworks.ph
2nd Floor Zaragoza Building, 102 Gamboa Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City PH
