This article was originally published in Agriculture Magazine of the Manila Bulletin, February 2016 issue written by Mr. Yap. I am writing it here again in first person and summarize it.
The mangosteen juice I started as a concept was originally not meant for commercial purposes but just for family and friends consumption. It was at first for fun and curiosity.
It was initially aimed for my father who retired last June 29, 1997 at the age of 65. He was the head teacher in one of the primary schools in Zamboanga del Norte. However, almost 10 years after retirement or at the age of 75 he went through a medical check up at Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City to check his health condition. The most severe findings were related to hypertyroidism disorder and heart problem.
When my father was diagnosed with hypertyroidism the manifestation was the lost of appetite and weight with low energy level. According to some experts, hyperthyroidism can also cause dangerous arrthythmia that leads to atrial fibrilation and lead to strokes and congestive heart failure. This maybe the reason why he had a heart problem.
Sometimes in 2004 I bought a commercial mangosteen juice “Xango” in Pagadian City at P2,000.00 per bottle through network marketing. I gave that Xango to my father but cautioned that this is only a health food supplement. And I told him that “ if you will feel better with this expensive fruit juice we will make a local version of this at less than half of the price since wild mangosteen is abundant in Zamboanga Peninsula region."
To make the story short, after he consumed that bottle for about three weeks there were sparkles in his eyes.
The rest was history.
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| Designed by my younger brother the late Athanasius |
To sustain the energy level, we started to make our own cheaper but healthier mangosteen juice but for personal consumption only. I processed my own mangosteen juice in Pagadian City and my father in Dipolog City.
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| designed by DTI-9 |
Then we compared notes from time to time.
However, to sustain the research phase we have to produce surpluses for sale at P350/bottle or 3 for P1,000.00 thus we decided to join a DTI-sponsored exposition and tested the market under the name Arcenal Food Industry. At that time I was still in the government sector when the Arcenal Fruit Industry was born and registered in Dipolog City
On May 23-25, 2008 the Department of Trade and Industry Region IX or Zamboanga Peninsula Region sponsored a Regional Trade Expo at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila. At the end of the expo the Arcenal Food Industry won as TOP SELLER in the Food Sector throughout the exhibitors in Western Mindanao known as Zamboanga Peninsula. The awarding was held at SM Mega Mall.
After the expo I noted that that there were two problems to be solved: (1) the supply of the mangosteen fruits to meet the demand, and (2) the requirement of the Food and Drug Authority (FDA); at that time, it was too complicated. In fairness now, it is made simple and direct to the dot, http://www.fda.gov.ph/industry-corner/downloadables/237-integrated-application-form-and-process.
My father continued the “trial and error” formulation and becomes an entrepreneur at his own right in Dipolog City. He even won as "Ulirang Ama."
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| Handog kay Itay |
I followed it through with “trial and correct the error” but in Pagadian City. I decided then to take risk by renting an FDA-compliant processing plant and took a great leap last February 29, 2016 that by effective March 1, 2016 I was considered a private citizen. I retired early in the government services. It was a cross to Rubicon.
...but i knew I can cross it because I have strong supporter from whatever terrain that will cross my way...
Now, as I am joining in the private sector I will focus for further improvement of the mangosteen beverages with my father. I humbly acknowledged, however, that without the help of three (3) government agencies, viz (1) Department of Agriculture R-IX, (2) Department of Trade and Industry (both Dipolog and Pagadian Provincial Offices), and (3)Department of Science and Technology (Provincial Office in Pagadian City) my present mangosteen product would not have been possible.
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| Not in the market yet...further tuning is needed |
Last Oct 15-17 the Department Of Agriculture invited HERBiO as exhibitor at the World Trade Center, Manila during the Agrilink, click for more info http://agrilink.org/. Also, last November 25-27, 2015 the Department of Agriculure invited HERBio as an exhibitor during the 12th National Organic Agriculture
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| 12th National Organic Agriculture Congress in Bacolod City, Nov 25-27, 2016. |
Congress in Bacolod City and last Dec 1 to 4 HERBiO was also invited to exhibit during the 5th Asean Organic Rice Conference which was held in Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur.
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| Sponsored by DA-9 with my son and my 'other son' |
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| Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur |
With these three (3) events I knew how promising our products would be. I will formally launch this product in Metro Manila area this June 2016. I was invited by Department of Agriculture to join an international exhibition this coming 31May-2June 2016 at World Trade Center, Manila. Please click
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