Consul General Ferrer Meets Local Entrepreneurs During ‘VIP Tour’
PHILIPPINES, 18-22 July 2023 – Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank R. Ferrer met local entrepreneurs during the 2023 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour of the Philippines in July.
In Iloilo City, Consul General Ferrer, this year’s coordinator for the VIP Tour, took the lead in introducing VIP tour participants to local entrepreneurs. The aim was to provide the participants with valuable insights into the region’s entrepreneurial ventures and promote local businesses during the tour.
Consul General Ferrer, along with Consuls General in Honolulu Emil Fernandez and Senen Mangalile, Deputy Consul General Alnee Arugay, and VIP Tour participants were able to meet Ms. Lorlie Noblezada, founder of De Paul “Budbud” artisanal salt manufacturing based in Miagao. The Philippine Consulate in San Francisco and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center Silicon Valley have previously included De Paul among Philippine startups to support.
Previously, De Paul participated in the Dynamico Mentorship program, which is supported by the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Silicon Valley. Noblezada, a previous winner of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Moonshot Trabaho, Negosyo at Konsumer (TNK) startup competition, aims to revive and preserve the centuries-old traditional salt-making industry of Miagao town.
In coordination with the office of DTI Region VI Director Ermie Pollentes, VIP Tour participants were able to know more about the woman-owned small enterprise that works to preserve the artisanal salt-making industry.
De Paul is one of the local enterprises and startups supported by the government and local technology business incubators (TBI), such as Coastline 5023, which is supported by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development and University of the Philippines Visayas Fisheries TBI.
Other women-owned and local weaving enterprises were also able to showcase their products to the tourists, such as Hablon Hues and Styles.
VIP Tour participants were also introduced to local artisans, such as Marie through a pop-up shop at the Marriott Hotel in Iloilo City called the Iloilo Corner.
In Boracay, Consul General Ferrer along with Mrs. Miriam Ferrer and economic officer Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona visited a beach resort, bar and restaurant in Station 3 of the world-renowned island.
Owned by Donna Lavigne, a Fil-Am community leader and the Philippine Honorary Consul in Colorado, Cocoloco has become a beloved destination for foreign guests. Its popularity can be attributed to its beachfront location with pristine waters, laid-back atmosphere, and well-maintained natural surroundings.
Consul General Ferrer had the pleasure of enjoying Ube Cream liqueur served at Cocoloco’s bar. The liqueur, which received prestigious accolades such as the Best Cream Liqueur at the 2022 World Liqueur Awards in the United Kingdom and the Double Gold and Innovation Award at the SIP Awards in California, was created by Filipina entrepreneur Junalyn Alo. The product was launched in San Francisco in April 2023 and boasts a distillery located in Malay, Aklan.
In Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, VIP Tour participants were also able to interact with a fintech startup, renowned establishments and local enterprises. VIP Tour participants got acquainted with TANG app, an app that lets people abroad, mostly overseas Filipinos, send remittances to their loved ones in the Philippines in a seamless and cost-efficient manner, as well as Philippine Airlines, SM malls, Ayala Land and Filipiniana fashion house Cora DJ Manimbo in the course of the tour. END
Consul General Neil R. Ferrer with Fil-Am influencers, celebrities and entrepreneurs. L-R: Industry’s Finest: Kiyra Lynn Henderson, Christy-Anne Lopez, CG Ferrer, Tourism Attachè Soleil Tropicales, Anthony Schlander.
Consul General Neil R. Ferrer checks out artisanal salt De Paul “Budbud” salt. Near Consul General Ferrer is De Paul founder Lorlie Noblezada.
Consul General Neil R. Ferrer and Madame Miriam M. Ferrer enjoy Destileria Barako products at Cocoloco Resort Bar in Boracay.
TANG app’s Carissa Villacorta presents the story of fintech TANG app to VIP Tour participants.