Lifestyle

Iya Villania and Marian Rivera shares their take on what it’s like being a woman of today

When we were little, our mother served as our inspiration. However, at the time, we were unable to truly comprehend that our mothers are strong agents for good. The world would not function as it does without the daily tasks they perform, which are what keep it turning.

These days’ mothers do many different duties and wear multiple hats, and often there are enormous expectations for them to have it all. Iya Villania-Arellano and Marian Rivera-Dantes are two mothers who seem to have some kind of harmony between their enterprises and motherhood.

Iya Villania – Arellano is an actress, singer, model, and TV presenter (what can’t she do?) Known for her work as a VJ on Myx, this multi-talented multi-hyphenate is a mother of four. She somehow finds time to be a parent on top of everything she does.

Iya gets her strength from her children. She says: these days, their opinions matter more than anything else. he wants her children and her children’s children to experience Mother Earth in all her beauty. That’s why she tirelessly pursue sustainable living so her children can live in a better world.  In her advocacy, she found a reliable and like-minded partner in Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation.  The company has launched in the market the first-ever seasoning product in paper packaging, the AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning 45g which is made from natural and renewable paper material that can be planted, grown, harvested, and replanted

She believes that women’s month is more than just about celebrating women’s beauty and strength, but also their voices. She is using hers to build a better world for her children. She’s not the only one who is giving her all for what she believes in. Another mom to highlight is Marian Rivera-Dantes!

Marian Rivera-Dantes needs little introduction. This celebrity powerhouse wows us again and again with acting, modeling, hosting, and running a business! On top of all that, she’s even a mother of two. Becoming a mom has made Marian hyper-aware of her children’s health, and she knows that other women all over the Philippines are just as concerned about their children.

She is big on education and explaining. She gently and patiently includes her own kids in her cooking. She talks to them about how to incorporate veggies rather than fighting with them about it. According to her, it’s not just about telling them not to eat sweets; it’s about incorporating them into the cooking. We should be teaching them what ingredients are for and how flavors interact. She’s been involved with nutrition education advocacy, and she lives it every day.  She and Zia leads the “I Love Veggie-Licious” campaign introducing new era of cooking for kids to enjoy vegetables made delicious with Aji-Ginisa® Flavor Seasoning Mix.

Both these women are a shining example of creating a positive impact with their passion and influence, and Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation has been a long-time partner of these two Moms as  “Eat Well, Live Well” ambassadors.

They are a powerful force with platforms to reach millions, and they use that to do as much good as they can, not just for themselves but for the children who will take over after us.

Marian and Iya are both aware of what Mom used to produce. Our comfort comes from more than simply the food and the wisdom Mom imparted to us. It’s also about the impact mothers have on the world. Mothers bring about positive change in our lives by modeling excellent living and eating habits. They also teach us how to be decent citizens.

This Women’s Month, let us honor all women, including dog moms, aunts, and real mothers. Together, let’s bring about a positive change in the world, with each person contributing in a different way. What can you do when Marian and Iya are completing theirs?

To learn more, visit www.ajinomoto.com

Coca-Cola Philippines and the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) gathered stakeholders in honor of World Water Day to talk about the pressing issues pertaining to the country’s water resource management.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), represented by Undersecretary Carlos Primo C. David gathered industry leaders, experts, and others for the Sip & Sustain: Water Security for the Philippines event on March 7th to talk about ways to guarantee water security for all Filipinos.

Participants shared their thoughts on the importance of sustainable water management practices and the need for collaborative efforts to tackle water-related challenges effectively. Topics ranging from data collection and planning to governance and accountability were explored, emphasizing the significance of transparent and accountable water management systems.

In addition to fostering dialogue among stakeholders, the event underscored the role of public-private partnerships in driving innovation and investment in water management initiatives, such as The Coca-Cola Company’s 2030 Global Water Security Strategy, where the company aims to:

• Achieve 100% regenerative water use across 175 facilities in different countries identified as facing high levels of water stress by 2030;
• Work with partners to help improve the health of 60 watersheds identified as most critical for the system’s operations and agricultural supply chains by 2030; and
• Return a cumulative total of 2 trillion liters of water to nature and communities globally, between 2021–2030.

Please visit www.coca-cola.com.ph or follow @CocaColaPhilippines on Facebook and @cocacolaph on X (previously Twitter) and Instagram for additional information on Coca-Cola Philippines’ sustainability initiatives.

A pair of initiatives aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment and sponsored by Coca-Cola Philippines were on display during the 68th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW), which was held at the UN Headquarters in New York from March 11 to 22. These programs demonstrate Coca-Cola’s dedication to assisting women, giving them access to crucial business knowledge and resources, and fostering cooperative networks.

The Tindahan Extra Mile program (TEM): Balik PET Bottle Program, in partnership with Basic Environmental Systems and Technologies, Inc. (BEST) and the Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO), and the digital Sari-Sari Store Training and Access to Resources (iSTAR) program in the Philippines, in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and six reputable civil society organizations, are two examples of successful partnerships leveraging technology to drive women’s economic empowerment.

CSW is the UN’s largest annual gathering exclusively dedicated to the promotion of women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives around the world, and shaping global commitments on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

This year’s session tackles how the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women can be advanced by addressing poverty, and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective. The two-week event will be attended by UN member states, specialized agencies that work with the UN, and accredited non-governmental organizations across the globe.

iSTAR: Helping women entrepreneurs thrive through digital

For over a decade, the STAR program, a joint effort between Coca-Cola Philippines and TESDA, focused on providing entrepreneurship training for micro-retailers. In 2020, this initiative transitioned into the iSTAR program, a fully digital learning platform.

iSTAR aims to address key barriers that hinder the development of women entrepreneurs, such as limited access to training, resources, and mentorship. Through its expanded digital platform, iSTAR has empowered over 150,000 micro-entrepreneurs, surpassing its 2025 target of 100,000 graduates. The program is available and can be accessed for free nationwide.

Implemented in collaboration with six civil society organizations nationwide, the multi-awarded program equips micro-entrepreneurs with essential digital skills to leverage online platforms for business growth and sustainability.

In 2022, a group of entrepreneurs from individual businesses completed the iSTAR program. Using the skills and knowledge they gained, they formed the PASCO Producers Cooperative the following year. Their collaborative effort led to the opening of the Eco-Grocer Store in Muntinlupa City Local Government and their catering business. Since then, each member has been earning at least Php5,000 monthly from their cooperative business, in addition to their income from their own micro-retail stores.

TEM: Enabling micro-retailers for a World Without Waste

Building on the foundation of digitally skilled micro-entrepreneurs, Coca-Cola Philippines extends support through the TEM program by helping increase their income while helping promote environmental stewardship.

iSTAR beneficiaries are encouraged to join TEM. Through the program, micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners transform their stores into collection points for empty plastic bottles, which supports efforts to help reduce plastic waste and prevent pollution. With increased visibility and proximity to these drop-off bins, consumers are encouraged to dispose of their plastic bottles responsibly. Micro-retailers earn environmental points for collecting bottles, redeemable for cashback and products, strengthening their business. As of March, there are over 2,900 TEM members in the country. Earlier this month, Coca-Cola Philippines, BEST, PASCO, and the City Government of Bacolod launched the TEM program in Bacolod City.

TEM is a component of the “May Ikabobote Pa” consumer engagement campaign by Coca-Cola Philippines, which aims to inform, uplift, and encourage customers to recycle their empty bottles and cans. Customers may find the closest collection locations and learn more about Coca-Cola Philippines’ recycling programs by visiting the  Coca-Cola Philippines Sustainability Hub.

The global sustainable packaging ambitions of The Coca-Cola Company are being supported by this local endeavor. The company wants to make its major consumer packaging recyclable by 2025, collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle and can it sells globally by 2030, and utilize 50% or more recycled material in its packaging on average by the same year.