WHWise: i B L E n D N I C E 4WomEn

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙀𝙣𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙒𝙃𝙒𝙞𝙨𝙚 #𝙒𝙊𝙈𝙀𝙉𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙤𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙡𝘽𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜.

Meet 𝘿𝙚𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙝 𝙂𝙖𝙮 𝘿𝙖𝙮𝙧𝙞𝙩, the visionary behind Actions Hub Philippines (AHP). AHP isn't just another social enterprise; it's a force for change, partnering with local communities to tackle poverty, environmental issues, and social injustices head-on.

One of AHP's standout initiatives is the LunchBox Project Superfoods, born from a spark of innovation inspired by army foods. They saw an opportunity to revolutionize school lunches to nutritious food packs, ensuring that every child has access to nutritious meals to fuel their minds and bodies, reducing absenteeism and boosting academic performance.

But AHP's impact goes beyond just feeding hungry minds. They're empowering communities, involving everyone from farmers to homemakers in the process. With the firm support of partners like DOST-PCIEERD, who recognize the importance of AHP's work and have stepped up to make it happen, they're not just providing meals; they're nourishing futures and paving the way for a brighter, healthier tomorrow.

To know more about Actions Hub Ph, follow them on their Official page or Check their Official Website: actionshubphils.com.

Actions Hub Ph is a Social Enterprise under the Cohort 1 of the WHWise Program.

𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠
Meet 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙚 𝙉𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙡, the Founder of Empath.

Having navigated her own challenging journey seeking mental health support, Stephanie now stands as a fierce advocate for accessible mental healthcare solutions. In 2019, she founded Empath, driven by a vision to break the stigma surrounding mental health in our country. Through Empath, Stephanie is transforming communities by partnering with schools, workplaces, and non-profit organizations committed to offering cost-free or fully covered accessible mental healthcare services to their communities.

Empath's online platform, launched in 2021, breaks down barriers such as distance, financial constraints, and societal stigma. Its significance has been particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With invaluable support from the DOST-PCIEERD WHWise grant, Empath has extended its reach to serve over 50 organizations and expanded its network of professionals from 4 to 20. Looking ahead, Empath is dedicated to enhancing its services through a more comprehensive and inclusive approach. This includes the integration of regional languages, sign language support, an online pharmacy feature, gamification elements, and more.

To know more about Empath, follow them on their Official page or Check their Official Website: empath.ph.

Empath is a Social Enterprise under the Cohort 1 of the WHWise Program.

𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝
𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙁𝙇𝙌’𝙨 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧, 𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙢𝙖 𝘼𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧.

Meet Wilma Alvester, a proud farmer and the owner of FLQ Foods and Panciteria in Tabuk, Kalinga. Drawing from her experience in farming, Wilma noticed that cassava, a resilient crop requiring minimal inputs, thrived abundantly across Kalinga's rugged terrain. Despite its prevalence, there was little demand for it in the market. Wilma saw it as an oportunity to help her community by turning cassava into flour, perfect for her pancit business and local homes. She knew its nutritional value could compete with other flours.

However, traditional cassava processing proved laborious and yielded low-quality results. As chair of the Manggagawa Farmers Environmental Development Association (MFEDA), Wilma spearheaded the BALANGKOY project, funded by the DOST PCIEERD WHWise grant. This initiative aims to streamline cassava flour production by procuring modern machinery and standardizing processing methods.

With 259 MFEDA members, 70% of whom are indigenous women. Moving forward, she hopes to forge partnerships with noodle processors and bakeries, expanding their plantation to 40 hectares, and adopting crop rotation practices for sustainable farming.

FLQ Food and Panciteria is a Social Enterprise under the Cohort 2 of the WHWise Program.

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𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐛 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 🚀✨

Yesterday, March 25, 2024, the WHWise: iBLENDNice 4Women held Learning Lab Sessions on Valuation and Financing.

✨ Session 1: Stephen Fajardo (Faculty Coordinator of iDEYA at Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology) facilitated the lecture on 'Valuation for Social Enterprises' to help SEs in the process of determining the value of their ventures through different valuation methods. The facilitator further emphasized that founders should consider several social and market aspects in valuating.

✨ Session 2: Eloisa Pamatmat-Isip (Corporate Executive Officer III, Communications Department, Small Business Corporation) discussed 'Financing Opportunities' through the RISE UP Program of Small Business Corporation. RISE UP aims to sustain the gains of MSMEs in the past two years of the pandemic by providing multi-purpose loans to multi-sectoral microenterprises and MSMEs.

The Learning Lab sessions were part of the extended support and assistance to the social enterprises under the WHWise program of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST PCIEERD) and Research Information and Technology Transfer Division (RITTD).

𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝
Meet Dulche Chocolates’ sweetest Founder, 𝙀𝙫𝙖 𝙍𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙙𝙪𝙖.

In 2017, Eva Ritchelle Padua transformed her passion for sweets into a thriving "bean-to-bar" business called Dulche Chocolates. Known as Ritch to her friends, she recognized the untapped potential of Cordillera cacao, aiming to revolutionize the region's chocolate industry. With a dedication to learning every aspect, from farming to post-harvesting, Ritch invested in elevating the quality of Cordillera cacao.

Supported by the DOST-PCIEERD WHWise grant, Ritch has played a crucial role in setting industry standards for Cordillera cacao. Serving as the chair of the 300 Cacao Growers and Processors of Benguet-Baguio Federation, she leads efforts in proper farm maintenance and post-harvesting practices. Additionally, Ritch shares her expertise with cacao processors, helping them adapt techniques for standardized processing suitable for Benguet's cold climate.

Through her leadership and dedication, Ritch is not only shaping the future of Cordillera cacao but also empowering local growers and processors to thrive in the industry.

Follow Dulche Chocolates Facebook to check their latest products.

Dulche Chocolates is a Social Enterprise under the Cohort 2 of the WHWise Program.

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𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝
Featuring 𝙇𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙂𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙤-𝙑𝙖𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙯, the Founder of RLGV Fruit Wine Industry.

Lorelie's journey into wine-making began with a simple desire to find healthier alternatives for her diabetic husband. Inspired by the abundance of Bignay berries in their Isabela community, she embarked on a mission to create RLGV fruit wine. Starting small, Lorelie learned the art of winemaking and began selling her products to colleagues. As demand grew, so did her business, expanding from bottles to boxes.

Seeking to empower her community, Lorelie partnered with Rural Improvement Clubs (RICs), teaching locals the wine-making process and providing them with Bignay seedlings to cultivate. Today, RLGV produces 12,500 bottles yearly, available in supermarkets, trades, and bazaars.

With support from a DOST-PCIEERD grant, Lorelie plans to enhance production by investing in machinery, aiming to supply larger supermarkets in Luzon. This advancement not only benefits her business but also provides RICs with access to facilities, fostering economic growth and sustainability in the community.

To know more about the Products of RLGV Fruit Wine, just visit their Official page.

RLGV is a Cohort 2 grantee of the WHWise Program of DOST PCIEERD.

DOST PCIEERD RITTD iDEYA Upgrade Innolab Inc. M C - T B I

𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 & 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
Featuring 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝘽𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤-𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝙀𝙭𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙧 of Panublix.

In a world where local woven textiles are gaining recognition in modern fashion, the challenge for designers lies in accessing the local textiles, often tucked away in remote corners of the country. Inspired by Iloilo's rich woven heritage, Noreen Bautista recognized the disconnect between the fashion industry and rural artisans. Together with Claire Juanico, they co-founded Panublix.

Derived from the Hiligaynon word, 'panubli-on,' meaning heritage, Panublix aims to revive and sustain the local weaving industry by transitioning from fossil-fuel-based materials to regenerative fibers, fabrics, and practices. Panublix serves as a platform bridging the gap between the country's woven textiles and artisan crafts and both local and global designers.

Their innovative app, PWEDE (Panublix Weaving Enterprise Digital Enabler), facilitates connections between textile makers, artisans, and sustainable international business practices, empowering them to embrace the digital economy. Their innovation serves as an empowering digital tool, promoting heritage preservation and driving environmental sustainability while responding to the evolving needs of designers and consumers.

To know more about the Products and Services of Panublix, just visit their website: panublix.com or Official page.

Panublix is a Cohort 2 grantee of the WHWise Program of DOST PCIEERD.

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𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 & 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞
Featuring Catherine “Therine” Diquit, the Founder of Maragondon.

Driven by the sustainable tourism initiatives she encountered across Visayas and Mindanao, Catherine “Therine” Diquit felt a stirring within her. She found it as an inspiration to embark on a mission to empower her own community, the Maragondon. Thus, Likhang Maragondon was born—a social enterprise infused with passion and purpose, dedicated to promoting sustainable development and to blend heritage with innovation.

Likhang Maragondon isn't just about preserving heritage; it's about creating opportunities. With the vision of empowering their community, Therine saw potential in bamboo craftsmanship, specifically the woven bamboo panels, recognizing its appeal both locally and internationally. Through collaborations with various stakeholders, they established a bamboo facility and provided training to local residents, offering them alternative livelihoods. Through the support from DOST-PCIEERD, Likhang Maragondon modernized its production, investing in machinery to meet industry standards. Now, their focus is on reaching local markets and eventually expanding globally. Therine’s story showcases the power of entrepreneurship in uplifting communities and preserving cultural heritage for generations to come.

To know more about Likhang Maragondon’s Products and Services, just visit their website: likhangmaragondo.com or Official page.

Liking Maragondon is a Cohort 2 grantee of the WHWise Program of DOST PCIEERD.

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𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
Meet the Founder of HeySuccess Virtual Assistance Services , Paula Bayao.

Paula Bayao's journey shows how vision, determination, and compassion can transform lives. Her story began with a leap into the world of online freelancing, where she discovered the freedom and flexibility of remote work. In this context, Paula saw an opportunity to make a difference in her indigenous community in the Cordillera region. Together with her co-founder Katlyn Say-awen, Paula established HeySuccess, a platform dedicated to providing virtual assistance services with a mission to uplift the youth and persons with disabilities in the indigenous community.

To know more about HeySuccess, just visit their website: heysuccess.com.ph or Official page.

HeySuccess is a Cohort 2 grantee of the WHWise Program of DOST PCIEERD.

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𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
Meet another WomenPreneur on the list, Miss Rose Villamor of Virtualahan.

Rose Gersavas-Villamor, alongside her siblings Ryan and Josh, co-founded Virtualahan in 2015, pioneering a virtual eskwelahan dedicated to empowering marginalized individuals facing discrimination in traditional work environments. Virtualahan emerged from the personal journey of Ryan, whose chronic illness deprived him from landing a job as a medical technologist and eventually led him to give up in fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor.

Virtualahan eliminates barriers for People with Disabilities (PWDs) and other excluded communities through online training, life-coaching, and community building using cost-effective and transferrable social technology.

To know more about Virtualahan, just visit their website: http://www.virtualahan.com/ or Official page.

Virtualahan is a Cohort 1 grantee of the WHWise Program of DOST PCIEERD.

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𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
The second WomenPreneur on the list is Miss Leah Rasay of Husay.co.

Meet 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐡 𝐑𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐲, a 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐞 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬. Her advocacy led her to found Husay.co, an innovative online platform that offers comprehensive management services to creative professionals.

At Husay.co, Filipino artists learn to create impressive portfolio, effectively market their talents, and navigate the complexities of business compliance. Leah’s initiative cultivates an enriching ecosystem where artists are not just nurtured; they're celebrated and empowered to share their unique gifts.

To know more about Husky.Co visit their accounts through this link: linktr.ee/husay.co

Husay.Co a Cohort 1 grantee of the WHWise Program of DOST PCIEERD.
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𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
Meet 𝙆𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙖𝙣-𝙆𝙧𝙪𝙠𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙧, the brains behind EdukSine!

Karen saw the challenges independent films face in traditional cinema settings, where they often struggle to secure long-term screenings. Driven by her passion in bringing Philippine independent films on a a wider audience,the film major founded EdukSine. This innovative platform, accessible via both online and mobile app, offers block screenings to government agencies, private companies, and nonprofit organizations.

EdukSine has revolutionized access to quality independent films, particularly in remote communities without cinemas, providing affordable entertainment at their fingertips. With over 1 million viewers in and outside the Philippines, EdukSine serves as a vital platform for filmmakers to showcase their work to a broader audience and generate greater revenue.

EdukSine is one of the eight (8) Social Enterprises of the 1st cohort assisted by the DOST PCIEERD under the WHWise Program.

Follow EdukSine on Facebook to know more about their product and social enterprise.

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𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲
The fourth WomEntrepreneur this month is the founder ofWaste4Good.

𝐌𝐬. 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐏. 𝐃𝐚𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐨𝐚𝐠 is a mompreneur who specializes in “𝙏𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙!” This idea is inspired by her desire to provide her son a "livable earth." Engineer Daquioag wanted to address the Solid Waste Management problem by creating an adaptable and smarter solution through her agritech company called Waste4Good or W4G in established in 2021.

With her team, W4G developed the Compost Activator Solution or CAS using a cultured microbe that acts as a probiotic. Their products will utilize biodegradable waste with the help of CAS and reduce the waste 8x smaller. As of today, the W4G pivoted from Solar-powered & Automatic Bin into Waste4Good Planting Kit with the Compost Activator Solution (CAS) ready to use as a liquid fertilizer for vegetables and flowering plants.

Waste4Good is part of the Cohort 2 Social Enterprises funded and supported by DOST PCIEERD.

Follow Waste4Good on Facebook to know more about their product and social enterprise.

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𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲
Our third WomEntrepreneur this month is the founder of Home Organic PH - Plantsville Health.

𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐨-𝐘𝐞𝐨 wondered why the country imported cinnamon when it had its own. With this curiosity, she embarked on a search for Philippine Cinnamon, leading her to discover kaningag, a locally and naturally growing tree in one of the towns in Negros Occidental.

Upon discovering that there are only 50 cinnamon mother trees left, she developed a business model that revived the Philippine Cinnamon's value chain. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝/𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡.

Plantsville Health is one of the Social Enterprises of the 1st Cohort of the 𝐖𝐇𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓.

Follow Plantsville Health on Facebook to know more about their social enterprise.

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𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲
Our second WomEntrepreneur this month is the founder of Ofamen Cacao Farming .

Miss 𝐉𝐨𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐚 𝐎𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧-𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐚 is the Founder of a Social Enterprise that aims to to establish a community-based biomass briquette production from organic waste as an alternative fuel that will eventually replace wood charcoal and firewood.

Ofamen Cacao farm is Part of the 1st Cohort of the WHWise Program that was assisted by the DOST.

Follow Ofamen Cacao Farm on Facebook to know more about their startup social enterprise.

DOST Philippines DOST PCIEERD RITTD iDEYA M C - T B I Upgrade Innolab Inc.

𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲
Our first WomEntrepreneur this month is the co-founder of AtoAni.

Miss 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚 “𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐞” 𝐀ñ𝐨𝐫𝐚 is the Co-Founder and the Innovation Lead of AtoAni. AtoANI, which means Our Harvest, is a startup social enterprise that advocates the use of natural and sustainable farming practices.

AtoANI is part of the first Cohort of the WHWise Program. They developed the AtoANI i-CROP, a tool that provides data-based recommendation to farmers on the type and amount of crop they should plant based on the demand from the orders of B2B customers.

Follow AtoANI on Facebook to know more about their startup social enterprise.

𝟏𝟓 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣'𝙨 𝘿𝙖𝙮!

Over the past two years, the WHWise program has been a beacon of empowerment. It fostered innovation and collaboration among women-led social enterprises. This month, we gather not only to celebrate the incredible achievements of its women-led social enterprises, but to illuminate the impact of these visionaries through the iBLEnDNICE 4WomEn project. ☺️

May they continue to serve as a testament to the power of women helping women, and the boundless possibilities that arise when passion, purpose, and community intertwine. As we commemorate the following days together for their endeavors, let us remember their collective strength for Pinay, by Pinay. ❤️

In Celebration of the Women’s Month, we bring you the 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣-𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜-𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣: 𝙄𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙨 (𝙒𝙃𝙒𝙞𝙨𝙚) 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙏𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮 - 𝙋𝘾𝙄𝙀𝙀𝙍𝘿.

𝐖𝐇𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 supports women-led social enterprises who have 𝙖 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙣𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮, 𝙛𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙯𝙚𝙙 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧-𝙛𝙤𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙪𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢. Under the WHWise Program, we have the 𝐢𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐧𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝟒𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐄𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭.

The 𝐖𝐇𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐞: 𝐢𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐧𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝟒𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐄𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 is designed to provide the necessary trainings for women-led enterprises, expand their scope of social influence, enhance their leadership and managerial skills, elevate their entrepreneurial skills with strong local and international perspectives and gender lens, and scale up their businesses.

It is a two year program funded by 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓-𝐏𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐃 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐒𝐔-𝐈𝐈𝐓 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐏 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 as co-implementors. The implementation of the program is also in partnership with Villgro Philippines, Bayan Academy and the Social Enterprise Academy in UK. The Project team also partnered with PeaceBuilders Community, Inc. and Coffee For Peace, Inc. for the Implementation of the Incubation Program with the Indigenous People.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐛 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 🚀✨

Yesterday, February 21, 2024, the WHWise: iBLENDNice 4Women held a Learning Lab Session in partnership with Villgro Philippines.

✨ Session 5: On Storytelling and Brand-Building with Amina Azad of Villgro Philippines, the Social Enterprises focused on personal brand exploration through reflection exercises. Through the discussion, the speaker encouraged the SEs to highlight the strengths that they have to further craft their personal brand. Lastly, Amina imparted effective storytelling strategies that the SEs will be adapting in their own diverse context.

✨ Session 6: The Social Enterprises did exercises to Understand Microaggression with Denise Dalusong of Villgro Philippines. In the session, the participants defined microaggressions through their personal experiences, and learned response strategies to address them. The session also included engaging in reflective exercises with fellow cohort members to deepen their understanding about biases and where they are coming from.

Overall, the fruitful sessions were part of the extended support and assistance to the cohort 2 social enterprises under the WHWise program of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST PCIEERD) and Research Information and Technology Transfer Division (RITTD).

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐛 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 🚀✨

Last February 19, 2024, WHWise: iBLENDNice 4Women held a Learning Lab Session in partnership with Villgro Philippines.

✨ Session 3: The Social Enterprises explored the External Sources of Capital with Priya Thachadi, co-founder and CEO of Villgro Philippines. In this session, the SEs learned the different capital sources, from grants to investments, that can serve as an aid in their entrepreneurial journey. The founders crafted fundraising plans by mapping out strategic outreach and action steps to secure the capital needed for their success. In the last juncture, the SEs evaluated their current status with Denise Dalusong's self-assessment session on Village Capital Viral Pathway.

✨ Session 4: In Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Visualizing Success, the participants engaged in an in-depth exploration of imposter syndrome by understanding its manifestations and effects to the leader-manager and the organization. Through an open dialogue of shared experiences with Charlene Rodenas of Villgro Philippines, the participants reflected on the questions raised by the facilitator hoping to promote self-awareness. They then embarked on success visualization exercises by crafting actionable plans to mitigate imposter syndrome's impact while they visualize their paths to success with clarity and confidence.

Overall, the fruitful sessions were part of the extended support and assistance to the cohort 2 social enterprises under the WHWise program of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST PCIEERD) and Research Information and Technology Transfer Division (RITTD).

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐛 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 🚀✨

Last February 16, 2024, WHWise: iBLENDNice 4Women held a Learning Lab Session in partnership with Villgro Philippines.

✨ Session 1: The Social Enterprises delved deep into learning the Business Model Canvas with guest speaker Sofia Gonzalez of Villgro Philippines. The SEs navigated through defining target markets and crafting primary customer profiles, ensuring that every aspect of their business strategies was finely tuned.

✨ Session 2: In the journey of Effective Leadership and Developing a Strong Organizational Culture, Denise Dalusong of Villgro Philippines guided the social enterprises through insightful discussions about leading a team. The session highlighted the essential skills needed to become effective leader-managers. Moreover, the SEs took a reflective dive into their core organizational values and culture, reaffirming their commitment to their shared values.

Overall, the fruitful sessions were part of the extended support and assistance to the cohort 2 social enterprises under the WHWise program of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST PCIEERD) and Research Information and Technology Transfer Division (RITTD).

𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐀𝐏: 𝐃𝐫. 𝐄𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐭 & 𝐌𝐬. 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐢 - 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐬! 🚀

Revisiting the impactful Tens of Nets event, as we spotlight the noteworthy insights shared by our distinguished speakers last week.

Dr. Enrico C. Paringit's Address: In his role as the Executive Director of DOST - PCIEERD, Dr. Paringit delivered an insightful message. Focusing on the intersection of engineering and societal impact, he emphasized the transformative potential of innovation, exemplified by initiatives like the Disaster Risk Assessment, Exposure, and Mitigation-Light Ranging and Detection Technology (DREAM LiDAR). Dr. Paringit's leadership sheds light on leveraging technology for addressing pressing challenges.

Ms. Russel M. Pili's Discussion Premier - "Impact of Supporting Women Founders": Ms. Pili, Chief of DOST - PCIEERD, RITTD, led a crucial discussion on the role of women in entrepreneurship. With a comprehensive understanding of the startup ecosystem, Ms. Pili explored the dynamics of supporting women founders. Her insights delved into the significance of support systems, strategic commercialization frameworks, and government funding for the growth and success of women-led startups.

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 - 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭! 🌐

𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐇𝐖𝐢𝐒𝐄 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 - "𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐇𝐖𝐢𝐒𝐄 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬" 🌟

Immerse yourself in the unfolding narratives of remarkable women-led Social Enterprises as we unveil our Coffee Table Book. Their stories aims to share stories of innovation, resilience, and the impactful contributions of these enterprises, contributing to a collective narrative of empowerment.

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐮𝐳𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐛 🚀

Simultaneously, at the Performance Lab, the Miriam College - Women and Gender Institute - WAGI, is hosting a Parallel Session tailored for Luzon Incubators, centered on the "Training of Trainers - Gender-Responsive Incubation Program." This session is designed to enhance knowledge and expertise in fostering gender-responsive entrepreneurship, with a special emphasis on Luzon Incubators.

Stay tuned for updates and key takeaways from these informative sessions!