Anna’s proudly Quezon-made ‘Q’

She is a young housewife whose husband David is the youngest governor of Quezon province. She had the opportunity to go around 39 municipalities and two cities in the province. In the course of these visits, she noted the potential of using farm and sea harvest to increase the income of farmers and fishermen, as  well as to encourage the women to be more productive. Thus the birth of Kalipi (Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina – a group of native Filipinas), which produces food products that are proudly Quezon-made, under the label “Q” – for Quezon, of course. Anna is the group’s honorary chairperson

Initially, the women were doing their industry on a small scale. Anna initiated the formation of women’s groups and co-ops, bought the products, re-packaged and sold them. Today they are geared up for more production, with the hope that their market will expand. They envision the formation of a federation of farmers, fishermen and the women of Quezon.

Their products include milkfish in oil, a byproduct of an over supply of bangus (milkfish) in the area. With help from the DOST and the provincial government, the fisherfolk formed a cooperative through which they could get loans. This brought about the formation of the Rural Improvement club. The milkfish in oil sells for P112.45 a bottle of 240 gms. Their pickled garlic, P121 a bottle, produced by the Federation of Farmers, can be served as appetizer or as accompaniment to grilled/fried meat or seafood. Shredded smoked fish fillet, P90, using tamban and galunggong, can add spice as topping for pancit, mongo ginisa, pasta or rice. There also sell arrow root cookies, which even the kids are helping make, and corn coffee – a mild beverage costing P110.25 a bottle.

Of course longganiza, for which Quezon is famous; shrimp paste (bagoong); and yellow ginger tea are also in their product list, plus pancit habhab, which comes with the recipe, and crispy pata.  

The group needs market access. Their main goal is to establish a federation of Q producers and manufacturers to sustain production, promotion and marketing. At the moment, orders are accepted through cell phone 0998-484-2628 or landline (632) 779-9249. There are pick-up points in Makati and Alabang. Their products are also available at Echostore in Serendra and other parts of the metropolis. There should be more Annas to inspire the Filipina to be more productive.

We motored farther down Daang Hari to Imus, Cavite one day and discovered a new mall at the corner of Aguinaldo Highway and Anabu. We found our way, no thanks to the traffic enforcer who pointed us in the wrong direction. The District is what the new Ayala mall is called. It houses practically all the stores found in various commercial malls in the city.

Lunchtime found us in a Chinese restaurant called Kung Fu Kitchen, decorated no less with photos of Iron Chefs and the Martial Arts. Its tagline is “Feasts of Fury.” Indeed, lovers of dimsum will have a feast partaking of an eat-all-you-can merienda from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. They also serve the now very popular xiao long bao and roast goose.

Right beside the District is Metro Supermarket – huge. On another corner is the new Shopwise. In this Imus branch of Shopwise, do not use your ATM card to pay for your purchases. They check first if the “system is working” with your card before punching your bill. Very strange policy.  

Have a pleasant Sunday!

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