MEGA Sardines Goes Global: US Market by Storm via KROGER Stores

There's no stopping MEGA Prime Foods as they take homegrown Filipino brand Mega Sardines in more territories in the US as part of their global expansion efforts, and certainly, these are exciting times!

They've been concentrating in the US market and now they're rolling out their products into 2,750 stores of Kroger and their affiliates. This also includes Mariano's, Fry's, Dillon's, Pick and Save, to hopefully have everything in place by mid September.

That means a Filipino brand is competing, growing in the world stage and that is BIG news. Kroger has #2 market share and is a 180 Billion Dollar listed company. The products they have usually are in Asian stores are n various countries but this time, they're going to be in grocery stores US wide, and worldwide. 

Marvin Tiu Lim, MEGA Prime Foods Chief Growth and Development Officer says "As we look further ahead, our dream is to become the world's number one brand of sardines!".

CEO of MEGA Prime Foods Michelle Chan says "Today is an important milestone for us. The US is the biggest consumer markets in the world. There is a demand for healthier, more affordable brands. We believe the humble sardines has a better opportunity in America. Kroger has millions of customers around the US and we came there with a dream. We met with them and learned how to place our product in their shelves. That was in Cincinnati, and Alex Eala was playing in the tournament in the same state at the same time. Filipinos can compete in one of the US biggest retailers. We can only say "Thank you Lord!". Mega Sardines is a Filipino brand , and this is just the beginning."

International Market Partner of Turnaround Artists James Michael Lafferty says "The Philippines then was great, and I told my students to not put your head down with those that have a Harvard MBA. I tell EJ to think beyond the SEA Games, like him, this is a world class company. I flew to Cincinnati and introduced them Mega Sardines. A French lead said it was great, the best he's tasted. This is a great moment, I'm glad to be able to be part of it."

Founders William and Marylou Tiu Lim adds "It's very hard to penetrate the US, usually in the ethnic aisle, but now we can have our fresh catch sardines in the shelves from here on. We are the only ones who have their own ships, and the nutrition you can get is great. With your help, this will happen. When we started, we didn't know how we will introduce the Philippine brand to the US market. Now we have a low cost, sufficient raw materials, and is going to be available in the global market. We have the supply, thanks to Jim for telling us how we can be globally known. Having good sardines and being certified by the WMA, we are the fishing company that can catch, can and distribute quality products. We are exceptional, not just ordinary food, but health benefits are good. The direction is expanding worldwide, and we are proud to represent the Philippines."

Fresh fish, lovely sauce, that's what Filipino people want on their table. Now that there's a bigger opportunity in the US, this in turn will be a good thing and will supplement the price for production in the local market. They also have assured that there will be ample supply as they follow a fishing band made by the government agency. The only way is up, so congratulations to MEGA Prime Foods and Mega Sardines! You definitely are going to get that number one spot soon!

WILBERT ROSS and ERIC EJERCITO on Korean-Filipino Produced Film "THE GUARDIAN"

Good news to those who love KDramas, action flicks and worthy series as the film called "THE GUARDIAN" will be shown this September 2nd in cinemas nationwide. This film by Jeong Jang-Hwan stars KPOP Idol Nam Woo Hyun, Park Eun-Hye, Han Jae-Suk, our very own Yassi Pressman, Wilbert Ross and Eric Ejercito. 

This is produced by GV Labs and Will Studios of Korea, and Ovation Productions, Parallax Studio, Robosheep Studios and Viva Films of the Philippines. The film will be distributed by Noori Pictures in South Korea and Viva Films here in the Philippines. In a nutshell, this is BIG!

What's good is that this film is entirely shot and made in the Philippines which means we are more than capable of doing it. The film tells a story of a son (played by Nam Woo Hyun) who sacrificed going to the Philippines to be with his mom who then got kidnapped by Korean gangsters. He needs to save her within 48 hours, a feat that may prove to be difficult within that time frame.

Actor Eric Ejercito says "They work on Korean time and they accomplish everything they have on paper. It's a different system but Filipinos could adapt to it. I've done a few action films but we switched with Wilbert, I did the romcom part. We are both nerds and we got to bond off cam. I am also very organized going to this character because it needs a month long shoot, I prepared for it. We also had them try Filipino food, sisig. They had fun here "

Wilbert says "In the action role, I had to go to Davao but I couldn't because I had to train for it. I worked out and did training, had to push my self because I had no martial arts background. The action sequence went smooth. We went out with the Korean actors, even though there was a language barrier, we got to let them experience night life. The character was new to me, I always play dumb roles but being a villain was so much fun."

Here's the media conference on video:

Producers Wesley Villarica of Parallax Studio Inc. and  Micah Fernandez of Robosheep Studios just confirmed today that the film will also be released by Lionsgate for international distribution. They also shared some appreciation on both sides as they learned a lot on this opportunity to not only line produce, but become actual producers of the film. They also mentioned some issues regarding some issues with other LGU's (which they kept secret) who made the production experience miserable. Good thing Quezon City gave them help, a place to do their work more liberally, and an LGU that really cares when they needed it (permits and locations included) which they hope won't happen if they plan to do movies here again soon. Yes, they plan to do more of these productions now that it has been done. Hopefully, it'll be easier to do (with them in the cast maybe?) but who knows, they might be making one already. 

THE GUARDIAN will be out on theaters this September 2, make sure you watch and support them! 

Mentor Mike Launches Books on Life, Entrepreneurship with Purpose

Mentor Mike aka Dr. Michael V. Maranan, LCB, MMLSM, DBA, DHUM just got his books released. It's a collection of his experiences in the lines of building businesses, education and mentoring. He is the man behind Windfreight Express Total Logistics Incorporated and 88 Sunfreight Express Corporation, and is its President and CEO. He wears many hats as a licensed Customs Broker, Professor, Public Speaker and Entrepreneur. He also got his DBA in Thames, and his Master's in Logistics and Supply Chain in PCU. He also got his Honorary Doctors of Humanities from United College of Brazil, plus a recognition from Lyceum Batangas as an Outstanding Alumnus. It has always been his dream to have education accessible for all which is why he wants to educate, empower and inspire others especially those who are already good at their craft (professionals and leaders). 

His Books: 

From Eight to Infinity: Secret Stories and Lessons from the life of Dr. Mike Maranan is more of a memoir, where he explains his experiences from when he started to the time he was leading corps. 

Confessions of a Licensed Customs Broker is about how to weave through the complicated world of customs brokerage. He gives practical ways if you are doing a venture like his and will show you have leadership, perseverance, discipline and faith could help you make it a successful one. 

The Business That Fits You and the Tagalog version "Ang Negosyong Swak Sayo Challenge" on the other hand will give you excellent entrepreneurship advice, and how to sustain trend driven businesses so you can make it into a long term one through building practical plans and framework. He wants it to be understood and digested easily by Filipinos and dedicate it to aspiring ones including importers, exporters, pros and students across the country. It won't be just theoretical as he made sure to include his real life experiences, tells you straight what would be profitable or not. Show you the ropes too. 

Here's some clips from the event a few days ago:

The event was also graced by some of Mentor Mike's celebrity friends who swear by the practical tips they got from the books he put out. 

The books are currently available via his website mentormikebooklaunch.com or his social media channels. You can also expect the release to be done in digital shopping apps and platforms very soon. 

(Photos and videos on this article are from Rain de Ocampo of Raincheck, covering for KUMAGCOW.COM)