WENDELL RAMOS at the Launch of WenDeli Meatshop

He's got one of the most gorgeous faces in Philippine showbiz, has got a body of a Greek god and women adore him. He's no other than noted actor and hunk Wendell Ramos. He has been industry for a long time and has cemented himself in the comedy and drama genres and hasn't lost his good looks even after Fatherhood stepped in and brought equally gorgeous kids in this world too.

It was severely hard to work during the pandemic and a lot of actors and his friends have had to approach him and ask for money in those difficult times. He didn't want to plainly just give them money, but instead an opportunity to work for it. He saw his wife dropping off meat products sourced from friends to earn a living. If there's an advantage, Wendell knew he had the network to do this on a larger scale. So in 2020, he sought the expertise of iFranchise Business Services Corporation and Commissary Kitchen. This is when WenDeli Meat House was born.

Initially he just wanted to help a few friends, but the folks at iFranchise Business Services Corporation saw a huge potential with this business model and sought to expand this business to kababayans in other countries so they too could become dealers as well.

Here's our video coverage of the event:

Krizzia Ann Loyang the President and CEO of iFranchise says "Thank you for being here this evening. Almost 3 years ago, the world stopped and with iFranchise, it was my responsibility to move forward. We have a family and businesses to sustain. We all had struggles but we just have to believe. With WenDeli Meat House, we were able to give employment and give back to communities. Being an OFW, I personally saw how Wendell supported our efforts in different countries, we knew our business had a heart and has created an impact. Through this platform, it would hone and improve the lives of our fellow Filipinos and bring our products here and around the world. We want to let them reach their dreams. We know we still have a lot of places to go to, thank you for supporting us, Wendell's family, my family and the whole iFranchise organization."

Joel Pascual of Commissary Kitchen says "Tonight is a story of resiliency, one day a man called Wendell Ramos approached us in the kitchen to develop a line of products, and the rest is history. During the pandemic, this was a gamble. Tonight we are celebrating the new direction and business model together with the iFranchise family. From our kitchen, it is now going global. We recognize opportunities and now we are acting on it."

WenDeli Meathouse products currently include Wendeli Longganisa, Wendeli Beef Tapa, Wendeli Tocino, and Wendeli Burger Patty. They also have spicy variants to cater to other peeps who want it with a little kick too. 

You can be an official Reseller for as low as Pho 98K and a country Franchisee for Php 2.8M. It's got a lot of inclusions like use of trade name, ambassador and marketing collaterals, freezers, initial products, training and support, recipes, brand and marketing support for resellers. Country Franchisees on the other hand get the same perks plus operational help, training assistance abroad, a minimal 10% royalty/partnership fee and an 8 year contract with the company. It has already changed the lives of a lot of his friends, his family and OFW's based in Dubai, Africa, Japan, Portugal and others. If you want to be part of their growth, it would be wise to do it early so get in touch with them via wendelimeathouse@gmail.com or their social channels WenDeli Meathouse on FB or @WenDeli_Meathouse on IG. He's excited to be part of your journey!

ProPak Philippines Slated for February

The biggest processing and packaging event is going to happen this February 1-3, 2023 as ProPak Philippines will happen at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Philippines. It has been quite a good venue to promote products in packaging, processing, machinery especially for food, beverages, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics and more.

Arch Prakasvudhisarn the Events Manager for Informa Markets says "With the industry needs in packaging technologies, we listen and studies so we can contribute in SME's. No one is left behind. These are many partners we work with in the industry. We are expecting 250 exhibitors including those from Italy, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. For those looking for products and sustainable packaging, this is the perfect opportunity to see what could benefit your businesses and be part of the progressive solutions that can now be made here in the country."

Usec. Blesila Lantayona of DTI says "The pioneering edition of ProPak Philippines was very successful. DTI pushed for innovative packaging initiatives called Pak Pinas through seminars and trade fairs which is why we partnered with MSME Trade Council, DOST, and other private organizations to drive businesses to scale up by doing packaging, marketing, and certification through better technology. We will continue to support ProPak as we see huge potential, congratulations to ProPak Philippines!"

Dr. Jhino Ilano of the Export Marketing Bureau of DTI adds "January to September was a time when we increased imports compared to previous years. We are bouncing back compared to pre-pandemic values. We have seen 11% and continuously growing especially electronics, coconut oil and a lot of other products that have huge potential. We have shown huge export growth and can attribute it to improvement of Filipino products and sustainable ways of doing it."

Engr. Hignio Porte Jr. the President of Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association says "We partnered with Informa Markets and brought our members to Thailand and it has since made us the third biggest in SEA, but posting highest growth. From over the counter products, vitamins, minerals, immune boosting products including paracetamol was all sold out during the pandemic. There is still high demand and world market growth in the pharma industry. I envy Indonesia and Thailand as much of their products are locally produced before they get released in the country. I told congress about this and even DOH is getting medicine from India and China instead of locally doing it. We have world class distribution in the country, very comparable to products outside the country."

Antonio Tanael of Philippine Printing Technical Foundation also says "Packaging is going to be an important part of what's going to happen in February, we will be supporting ProPak Philippines and working with them hand in hand."

Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. President  Jeremiah Paul Morales says "In the Philippines, in every corner, there are franchise owners. We heeded the call of Franchise. ProPak Asia has helped us in learning more about packaging technologies especially in food where we are involved. Now that they are here, it is going to be more accessible for franchise owners this coming February."

Norman Camungol of Production and Operations Management Association of the Philippines says "This is the most important sector, with a higher multiply effect. It also affects supply chains, inducing demands for technology. We introduce changes and contribute to taxes. The manufacturing sector is now going digital, from web and email channels, it's challenging to make that experience better for the customer. Industries are using smartphones and do video conferencing. You also use apps, smart tech that are all here now. We also use analytics in lots of areas. Our lives are all connected on social media, and machines, systems, can also be like that. The diagnosis can be done quite fast. The ability also to connect to consumers is happening and it shortens sale cycles, delivering products at a faster pace. Before, it takes weeks to find customers but in Nueva Viscaya, there are a lot of farmers who already sell produce even before they get harvested. We need a holistic approach, and it shouldn't be one segment. We used to be a quarter of the economy and we want to have representation just like other countries parliaments. Our partners in packaging and we have partnered with ProPak and DTI in the field of manufacturing."

Anna Anastacio of GS1 Philippines says "We hope to be able to support local packaging especially our 116 member organizations around the world. Ours is the organization authorized to issue prefixes in barcode numbers. It allows products to be sold locally and internationally. It carries info on products, and GS1 Philippines will be in the ProPak event this February."

It's going to be a great place to see businesses and packaging professionals work together and level up your products. Make the trip to World Trade Center in Pasay. Get access in person, or visit informamarkets.com for more information.

BUYanihan Site and Music Video Launched

To help micro, small and medium enterprises, the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. just launched https://Buyanihan.shop and got several pros in the business hooked so they too could share their experiences and get PH back on track and be part of the running economy. Raffy Canare of AFFI hosted an online session to introduce the new website and their several partners who is part of their projects. AFFI President Jorge Wieneke says “This is important to handle employees, to benefit from it, this program is not a sales pitch but an offer to help MSME’s get through the hard times. These programs can be availed bu businesses and save a lot on operation costs, to help us all to recover. This is for all of us, we talk to them to help MSME’s.” They invited different groups and companies for the launch, and they all showcased their programs to help businesses weather this pandemic, hearing them optimistic amidst the economic slowdown felt so good to the ears.

LOCQ CEO Mark Yu (who also partnered with SeaOil) explained the concept of PriceLocq which is a mobile app to buy fuel for consumption later on. This gives the chance for consumers to purchase when oil prices when it’s low so you can save on fuel. This can be redeemed in 200+ stations. Aside from that, they also release exclusive offers and can be done on a fully cashless transaction. This has been launched in June 2020. Their mission is to provide certainty in uncertain times. This is part of the Buyanihan movement to mobilize msme’s amidst the COVID crisis.

One Town One Product author Asec. Dempha Du Naga of DTI says “The Buyanihan initiative is giving hope to Filipinos, to aspire them to continue their business no matter how big they are. The platform promotes physical or online selling while giving the country support for products. This reminds us we can hope for a better future for ourself and our families. DTI will continue to support entrepreneurs in the new normal, I believe this platform will bring new hope for all, we are not alone. Thank you for supporting and the work you do for your Buyanihan project. We are grateful for your help too.”

Joy Anne Kapunan FVP of Pioneer Insurance also says “The state we are in is because of COVID, and this pandemic is a health crisis we are all facing. The cost of hospitalization is no joke, it heightened the need for insurance and several requests for MSME’s that is affordable and we have the insurance that tackles that. Hospitalization during this period is excluded in most insurance policies and we have Hospicash Lite to answer to that. This will respond on top of PhilHealth and HMO, because we want it to be affordable. Covid is covered, and other non pre-existing conditions. 18-60 yo can be insured and is used also by production/film outfits who needed to work even at these times. We also have MediCash that covers Dengue or Leptospirosis (350, 80 pesos respectively). We also have 10k cash assistance given to ICU confinement of COVID related cases. We hope we have given you answers that would help you and your employees.”

Emy Arcero of Security Bank says “We can provide Business Accounts for Payroll accounts, a free payment system via cloud based hris partner, business accounts that can be opened via Skype Video. We only require 50,000 for it.”

Globe MyBusiness Frances Caluya says “We are your trusted digital partner, our goal is to offer much more than the usual mobile phone business, so that so our SME’s can be more successful. We offer konsultamd at a discounted rate, we encourage return customers with Rush our loyalty platform, we also have fixed budget plans for employees, managers, for owners, free postpaid mobile plans and free Facebook ad credits. We also have speed up broadband plans so you can go back to business fast. Call 121 if you have inquiries.”

Unionbank VP for SME banking Jaypee Soliman says “We at Unionbank are grateful for AFFI for helping MSME’s, and what we do, we try to change the future, innovations in banking, we take care of our customers. We want them to bank the way you live. Now you can bank in your home, open an account via app and get your atm delivered at home. There are a lot of things you can do with the app. Our Unionbank Globallinker can connect you with 300k SME’s in the platform, even if you don’t have a Unionbank account. We also have a free website, to put up free ecommerce stores, have different suppliers worldwide. You can talk to peers, have quick access to accounts and borrowing funds. We have relationship managers to take care of you, even have a business Bizstarter Account with freebies like online banking, a fully featured mobile app, to do the banking for your businesses. You can even have Payroll Management with our digital banking solutions. Bux also does Online Payments, SeekCap for loans. This is to make SME’s get help they need, the future starts with U.”

PLDT Ka-asenso’s Patrick Tang says “The importance of SME’s in rural areas is part of a whole picture, to develop the country. To help to grow, there are 1.5 Million businesses registered as MSME’s, and this pandemic affected us. How do we adapt? We shifted from nation building to rebuilding. We have a new range of solutions in supporting our MSME’s and the strategy to go online and contactless is our goal. We are committed to support you 100%. More power to you!”

Pascual Group of Companies Loraine Mora of GoCab “We want to provide services for business continuity. We just launched GoCab express to improve delivery, in best and affordable rates and prices. This go much to our partner drivers, we are new players to improve this, have efficient services and help consumers get their products fast and efficient. You can download GoCab now on Google Play or the App Store.”

There are more companies that are part of the Buyanihan program, to visit http://buyanihan.shop to know more about their efforts.

AFFI wants this project to continue businesses, protect workers in the MSME sector. They also are partners with SM and their retailers inside malls. Raffy Canare remarked “We also want them to survive not just the pandemic, but the businesses too so they could provide for their families.” The Buyanihan program is just the start, there will be more, but the partner offers are already phenomenal. They also launched the official music video called Pwede Pang Mangarap (You can still dream) sung by Gary Valenciano. Check this out!

I hope they continue supporting Filipino entrepreneurs, these guys at AFFI are good people.