INFARMCO Group Christmas Party 2015

by Gary D. Veloso

The INFARMCO Group held its Christmas Party last December 23 at the North Greenhills Clubhouse.  The highlights of the evening were company Christmas presentations, a singing contest, raffle prizes, employee service awards and the Chairman’s Award for the best performing company.

Chairman’s Award 2015

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ESGI wins the Chairman’s Award 2015. From left: Jimmy N. Chua, President; Leo T. Apostol, OM for ESGI; Natalie C. Teng. GM for Schippers and Tony N. Chua, Chairman.

Europhil Swine Genetics Inc,. (ESGI) wins the Chairman’s Award 2015.  The award is given to the company which garners the highest points in performance parameters such as net income, accounts receivables, and the like.  This is an annual award which comes with a winner-take-all cash prize of P100,000.

 

Employee Service Awards

The INFARMCO Group also gave recognition to employees who have their shown loyalty and dedication to the company.  The awards were given those who have served 10, 15, 20 and 30 years in the INFARMCO Group.  Each employee was given a plaque of appreciation and a cash gift.

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Antonio M. Asiñero of NBCC, 30 year awardee.
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Dennis M. Arzaga of NBCC, 30 year awardee.
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Raul B. Corocoto of NBCC, 30 year awardee.
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Leonida M. Santos of NBCC, 20 year awardee.
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Mesael R. Sabalza, 20 year awardee.
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Marissa F. Cruz of Wonderzyme, 20 year awardee.
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Febian P. Panuelos of Primevet, 15 year awardee.
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Ruth L. Lanario of Schippers, 10 year awardee.

In Recognition of Butch Peralta

In remembrance of Mr. Serafin “Butch” Peralta also known as 1BP, a special moment of recognition was given by the INFARMCO Group in his honor.  As Mr. Tony N. Chua said, “1BP has made immeasurable contribution to the growth of the INFARMCO Group in general and to the farm based companies in particular.  And I know, he is up there looking after us.”

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Mrs. Tess Peralta and her son, receive a special certificate of appreciation from Mr. Tony N. Chua.

 

Christmas message of the Chairman

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First allow me to wish everyone and your family a Joyful Christmas.  As the year 2015, comes to a close I’m pleased to let you to know that this year, despite the challenges, has been good for members of INFARMCO Group.

This is largely due to you, the family spirit of the INFARMCO Group.  Everybody, from employees, the farm-based companies, the staff here at central office, the account executives and metro based companies have contributed to the continued to good image and growth of the INFARMCO Group.  The management of INFARMCO Group is proud to have such a dedicated and efficient team.

This year, we wish to recognize and give commendation to our staff who have been with us this many years.  The recognition will take place during our Christmas party.

We also like to take this occasion, to remember a dear friend and colleague, who has departed us to join our Creator.  Butch, has indeed left a lasting legacy in Infarmco.  The growth of our Company, can partly be attributed to his dedication and zeal for work.  I’m sure Butch, continues to watch over us.

As 2016 approaches, old and new challenges await us.  I enjoin you to continue your dedication to be part of the INFARMCO family as we embark on new endeavors.

The Chairman sharing blessings with children of INFARMCO employees.

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INFARMCO Service Awardees

No.      Name                                     Date hired                    Years             Company

1          Ruth L. Lanario                    May 19, 2005              10 yrs.             SCHIPPERS

2          Roy  J.  Padilla                      July 26, 2000              15 yrs.             ISGI

3          Febian  P.  Panuelos            February 24, 2000     15 yrs.             PVP

4          Mesael  R.  Sabalza              October 1, 1995           20 yrs.             NBCC

5          Leonida  M.  Santos             June 15, 1995               20 yrs.             NBCC

6          Marissa  F.  Cruz                  March 16, 1995            20 yrs.             WZI

7          Raul  B.  Corocoto                 February 1, 1995         20 yrs.             NBCC

8          Dennis  M.  Arzaga               February 11, 1985       30 yrs.             NBCC

9          Antonio M. Asiñero              July 1, 1985                 30 yrs.             NBCC

A Christmas Wish

By Danilo S. Venida

By tradition, Christmas is a time for giving and receiving, a time of loving and being loved, a time of great expectations and meeting them. Christmas is a celebration of fulfillment. Yet, in this season, many are empty and wanting.

When there is so much hate in the world, Christmas seems meaningless. And amid terror and counterterror, in the depths of poverty amid plenty, it is time to go back to the first Christmas and know that in that silent night, when the Child was born, the greatest wish came to be: Peace on earth, goodwill to men. Gloria in excelsis Deo!

The first Christmas was not about religion; it was about presence. It was not about power and might; it was about empowerment of the lowly, the poor. It was about encountering: shepherds and kings. There were conflicts and human dynamics centering on power play, including the denial of a room in the inn for a family in dire need of a place to stay. The images of contrast project light and darkness, a chiaroscuro. But by and large, peace and joy were the overriding messages on that first Christmas night.

And the Child grew up. A “kingdom not of this world” He proclaimed. There is constancy in the message. The true reality of being human transcends the conditions that manifest in the world. Being human is never an excuse for deprivation or greed. Being human presumes intrinsic and boundless greatness in every person. There is power in the Person of Jesus, not power by conquest but power by affirmation. The universal salutation: Peace! Shalom! As-Salaam-Alaikum!

The wish for peace continues for this Christmas. This is a perpetual Christmas wish for the country and for the world, for all generations.

Election campaign 2016 is the primary concern in the Philippines going toward the first six months of next year. It is opportune to wish that peace rule the duration of this political exercise. The challenges going against peace are great. The accusations among the candidates are getting very deep and personal. High stakes are building up on the table. Vested interests are actively in play. Appeals to emotion are being pursued, getting the contending camps riled up. The dominant determinant of action: surveys and spin.

For peace to have a chance, going back to the basics, to the truth of the candidates and their supporters, is called for. The foundation of peace is deeply personal. The song hit it right on the head: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” Authentic peace can be realized only when every person finds personal peace. And how can this happen? Through self-awareness. Knowing who one really is inevitably brings peace. The Child in Bethlehem, in the manger, knew who He was. He was whole, not wanting, and He shared the good news that all are as He is. For this, the world crucified Him. And He proclaimed that He and every person are One, He is the vine and we are the branches.

And the world crucified many who believed, and continues to crucify believers.

The world misses its real identity when it defines itself in terms of power and wealth, pleasure and fame. The crisis in the world is one of identity. If only every person can proceed from the Truth of the Child that is the reason for the season, that we are all one under and in One God, the world will be at peace. War becomes meaningless.

John Lennon’s imagery of “all the people, sharing all the world” becomes real.  Elitism is the root of all conflicts in the world. Haves and have-nots, powerful and powerless are distinguished, and social classes established. Structures that abet the differences that seem to define peoples create blinders. They hide the real identities that otherwise will show: that we are all equal, circumstances notwithstanding. All men and women are created equal. It is a sad twist of fate that inequality has become humanity’s dominant preoccupation since time immemorial.

Last Dec. 12, I traveled to Nakar, Quezon, with Bernardo Villegas, Jesus Estanislao, Florencio Orendain, Ciriaco Reyes and Ricardo Pascua in a bus along with other professionals and experts in coconut, livestock, bamboo, township development, management, and social engineering, among others. We met with close to 1,000 coconut farmers who, with about 5,000 more, own 15,000 hectares of coconut land in the area. We were joined by Quezon Gov. David Suarez and Nakar Mayor Leovigildo Ruzol and community leaders. Together, we provided the faces that will form The Nakar Initiative, the Experimental Living Community of Tomorrow (Elcot). Together, we will work and beat poverty, first in Nakar, then in the province of Quezon, and then in the country. We will partner with overseas Filipino workers as investors for the Initiative.

Dreaming makes sense. This is a Christmas wish: that men and women of goodwill can join hands, in peace, and uplift one another. Coconut farmers are among the poorest in Philippine society. By our first encounter in Nakar, that has changed. The Nakar coconut farmers are no longer alone. A diversified communal enterprise based on coconut will be worked out with and for them by professional groups motivated by the message of the first Christmas: presence, empowerment of the lowly and the poor, encountering one another in the spirit of our one humanity.

The Child in Bethlehem constantly challenges every human being to do as He did: to go and share of oneself and spread the message of peace. That is the only call that matters. A blessed Christmas to all!

This article was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer on December 17, 2015

Project ’32 Growing the INFARMCO Group for the long haul

by Danny S. Venida

The INFARMCO Group will turn 50 in 2032 or 17 years from today. That is not too long away from now. Time flies so quickly. But that time is long enough to use and make INFARMCO the leading company in swine genetics in the country and in the ASEAN Economic Community. Dreams precede reality. Project ’32 is this dream. Swine genetics will be spelled INFARMCO going towards 2032.

The launching pad for Project ’32 is more than 30 years of genetic development for the INFARMCO Largewhite and Landrace breeds by natural selection. Time is the primary asset of this development and it is the unique competitive advantage of the business. Over time, the INFARMCO breeder pigs acquired what is required to become the pig farmers’, small and big, breeders of choice.

The nucleus farm in Cabuyao, Laguna is sustaining its breeding program to maintain and continuously improve the qualities and the character of the pigs. The multiplier breeding farms in Candelaria, Quezon; in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; in Malaybalay, Bukidnon are in high gear development mode. The artificial insemination (AI) farm in Ibaan, Batangas is gearing up for market expansion.

Discussions with prospective partners have been initiated. By the first quarter of 2016, the INFARMCO breeder pigs will be undergoing intensive actual market tests by leading industry players to further validate the inroads that have been made towards the consistent acceptance of the pigs by small and big farmers. All the elements that make the breeders perform as they do will be under close scrutiny by those looking at the INFARMCO pigs’ great potential to be the leading breeders in a full supply chain for pig production.

Milestone periods are being defined. Turning the dream to reality will happen in stages leading to the big celebration the INFARMCO Group will have on its golden anniversary.

ESGI shares Yuletide blessings in Ibaan school

by Gary D. Veloso

Christmas is about sharing your blessings.  This is the message that Europhil Swine Gentics, Inc. wished to convey when they dropped in at Sto. Nino Ibaan Elementary School in Ibaan, Batangas to give a Yuletide surprise to the young students.

ESGI sponsored a gift activity by donating hundreds of Christmas Packs to the pupils of the school.  ESGI was led by INFARMCO Group President Jimmy N. Chua; Natalie C. Teng GM for MS Schippers, NBCC, NBC Exim and Primevet; and Leo T. Apo, Operations Manager, Europhil accompanied by several employees of the INFARMCO Group.  To welcome the Europhil Group was the principal of school Ms. Gina Cayetano and the rest of the teaching staff.

Children lining up to receive their Christmas package from Europhil.
Children lining up to receive their Christmas package from ESGI.
Europhil OM Leo, expressing the importance of sharing blessings.
ESGI OM Leo Apo, expressing the importance of sharing blessings.
Europhil Group receiving plaque of appreciation from Principal Gina Cayetano.
ESGI Group, led by Jimmy N. Chua with Leo Apo and Natalie C. Teng  receiving plaque of appreciation from Principal Gina Cayetano.
Many happy pupils!
Many happy pupils!
ESGI and teachers of Sto. Nino Ibaan Elementary School.

IFI celebrates 25th anniversary

by Gary D. Veloso

The Infarmco Foundation, Inc. celebrated its 25th Anniversary in a simple affair last October 30, 2015 at the Valle Verde Country Club.  A number of the Incorporators of IFI, as well as, selected guests from the swine industry and the INFARMCO Group graced the event

Mr. Vicente C. Mauricio III, General  Manager for IFI, made an audio visual presentation (AVP) which highlighted the past and current projects of IFI.  It also presented the future projects of IFI.

After the AVP, Mr. Tony N. Chua, Chairman of the INFARMCO Group of Companies, gave a short talk on the vision IFI.  Mr. Chua emphasized that IFI was formed to fulfill two visions.

“The first vision,” he said, “ is to help make agriculture viable for future generations.”  Mr. Chua, said while other industries such as technology, retail and telecommunications have progressed,  agriculture has fallen behind.  “Our aim is to make agriculture viable for entrepreneurs,” said Mr. Chua.

The second vision is, he added, “is be involved in regional cooperation.”  In the case of, for example, Mr. Chua cited, “the country’s active participation in the Asean integration.  Where we will have a chance to do business with our neighbors and offer them the best of the country.”  Mr. Chua expressed, “IFI will encourage and support synergism among cooperatives and other similar foundations, as this would help strengthen the agricultural sector.”

Next to speak was Mr. Danilo S. Venida, who shared The Nakar Initiative, a proposed Coco Estate that will benefit 6,000 farmers in Quezon owning 15,000 hectares of coconut land

The final speaker was Mr. Bien Nito, of University of Asia &  the Pacific, who presented the Pope Francis’ five points in bringing down poverty.  These five points are: (1) Do something to get youth involved or employed; (2) Help senior citizens especially in the areas of welfare and health; (3) Address the needs of the people in existential peripheries; (4) Make sure women are given the opportunity to lead work-family-life balance and (5) Work closely with Cooperatives.

As final words for evening, Mr. Tony said, “we should have no more excuses, if we   really want, we can eradicate poverty.”

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Mr. Tony expounds on the vision of IFI.
Mr. Mauricio presents the programs of IFI.
Mr. Mauricio presents the programs of IFI.

NBC holds seminar on Mycotoxicosis

by Nedy Santos

 NBC Exim Corporation recently held its first seminar which was entitled “Solutions to Mycotoxicosis and Stress in Poultry.”  It was held last November 19 at the Park Inn by Radison, in Lanang, Davao City.  The main speaker was Martin Enderink, Business  Manager of Palital GmbH & Co Kg which is a Germany based company and a partner of NBC.

The seminar sought to address the problems brought about by Mycotoxicosis which are diseases caused by the effects of toxins produced by fungal molds.  This disease is especially prevalent in tropical countries like the Philippines where the molds thrive in high temperature and humid environments.  The disease has a high mortality rate and easily spreads among the flock.

Mr. Enderink emphasized in his talk the importance of using Vigoral Liquid and Intest-Plus as additives to the feeds to help in preventing the Mycotoxicosis and, as well as, reducing stress in the animals.  This, he added, should be made a standard practice by poultry farmers.  He also cited the value of improving the storage conditions of feeds, particularly in reducing moisture levels and keeping them free from insect infestation.

The seminar was attended by several of the top poultry raisers in Davao.  It was well received by the attendees as they were very grateful to NBC for the enlightening discussions.

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Audio visual presentation on swine care.

Benefit from Perk Up Dietary Supplement

Perk Up Dietary Supplement (Regular and Premium) are liquid products manufactured for Wonderzyme, Inc.; which owned the formulation. The sole intent for developing these products is to aid the drinkers of alcoholic products from suffering the discomforts due to excessive drinking. Hangover, a collective term for these discomforts, usually happens the morning after the drinking bout.

In a state of hangover, the body has to metabolize an alcohol’s active ingredient; ethanol. Once digested, ethanol is converted into acetaldehyde and acetic acid by oxidation process. This causes normal body functions more difficult since it causes the body’s citric acid cycle to shut down.

Acetaldehyde is known to cause carcinogen in humans and is damaging to DNA and causes abnormal muscle development as it binds to proteins.

To correct the imbalance, the body diverts pyruvate from other important pathways. This, in turn, impairs the ability of the liver to compensate for a drop in blood glucose levels, especially for the brain. Because the glucose is the primary energy source of the brain, this lack of glucose contributes to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, mood disturbance, and decreased attention and concentration.

Alcohol consumption can result in the depletion of the liver’s supply of glutathione and other reductive detoxification agents, reducing its ability to effectively remove acetaldehyde and other toxins from the bloodstream. Additionally, alcohol induces certain enzymes which, in itself, can produce additional toxins an free radicals.

Ethanol is a diuretic and has a dehydrating effect by causing increased urine production which causes headaches, dry mouth, and lethargy.

Alcohol’s effect on the stomach lining can account for nausea and increase in gastric acid build-up. In addition, hangover grows worse as one ages; this is caused by declining supplies of alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme involved in metabolizing alcohol.

Perk Up Dietary Supplement is a processed extract from various plant fiber materials; mainly banana sap, rice bran and seaweeds. All these are rich sources of sodium and potassium. Other minerals and photochemicals are also present after processing. Prolonged cooking with water is done to release the chemical nutrients from the fibers, to dissociate the minerals into ions.

The properties of Perk up Dietary Supplements give them advantages to correct certain problems. The high alkalinity is the key in giving them disinfecting action. Being a reducing agent or anti-oxidant, it can remove foul odor rapidly because of its dissociated ions. Being organic in composition, they are less harmful to humans, animals and plant.

As a dietary supplement, the sodium and potassium as main elements, benefits the human body as an electrolytes and catalyst. During alcohol drinking, there electrolytes are likely to be lost in great amounts; such that the body is in a weakened state. PERK UP dietary supplements can help replenish these elements. Drinking is also known to induce acidity in the stomach; drinking water with a few drops of PERK UP dietary supplement can help to relieve this discomfort.

Even if not drinking alcohol, regular drinking of water with PERK UP dietary supplement can eliminate drowsiness due to fatigue.

Perk up, being an anti oxidant, helps to prevent the body to overcompensate and protects it from free radicals and toxins. Its alkalinity and electrolytic qualities ensures the body stays hydrated. This in turn helps the liver to regulate the acidity in the body and not overcompensate.

The Chairman Turns 70!

by Danny S. Venida

I learned that our Chairman’s age jumped from 68 to 70 years on his birthday last October 22. There is a unique way the Chinese makes the count. 70 years make a real milestone, indeed. If 90 were to be the terminal year for the male specie, we are in our last quarter when we hit 67, and moving on to 70 shows the clock is surely ticking. And we can only pray, we are not in the last 2 minutes yet.

I am privileged to be with Tony now as we plan to bring his creation, INFARMCO to the year 2032. I was privileged to have been with him when he started the farm in Cabuyao in 1982. We hope we will still be around and see what we will make of the company in 16 more years when Tony will be 86. Perhaps, Vitacel will become a longevity formula so he can get to be 100 plus.

It has been a great honor to be Tony’s friend for the last 46 years, a friendship made strong in the exuberance of youth with other close friends at CRC whom we continue to get-together with until today. I met my wife Amy through Tony. I am certain Amy has forgiven Tony for causing her to blunder marrying me. And when he visited Vancouver in 2013 for the wedding of my youngest daughter and as we emptied a bottle of whiskey, I got to share with him that at this stage of my life, I have found and believe in the constant Presence of our Creator in our whole being. God is in each one right now celebrating with us Tony’s birthday. This is Heavenly! And I don’t need alcohol to be able to share this Truth I live by.

I am specially blessed to have been received as family in the Chua home. Thank you, Mama Lekheng. And thank you, Tony. May you be blessed with many more happy years, with the love of your lovely daughter, Jenny.

Happy 70th Birthday!

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