BPI Foundation takes BPI Art Collection Online

BPI Foundation, the social development arm of BPI, in partnership with the Ayala Museum, launched its first-ever virtual exhibit titled BPI: Banking on the Arts as part of the Bank’s 170th-anniversary celebration this August.

 

The “BPI: Banking on the Arts” virtual exhibit features over 50 artworks from the BPI Art Collection.

“This museum-like virtual reality experience aims to create better arts awareness and appreciation, reinvent the way people see local art, and more importantly – help boost the Philippine art scene,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo. “With the recent surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases and the reimposition of stricter lockdowns, allow us to bring this unique museum experience to you all, while you remain in the safety and comfort of your homes.”

 

 

 

NCCA Chairman Arsenio Lizaso shows his support for the virtual exhibit.

 

 

 

With the help of Ayala Museum’s Curatorial Team led by Senior Curator and Head of Conservation Kenneth Esguerra, BPI: Banking on the Arts was conceptualized to depict BPI as a banking institution through six key virtues: celebration, tradition, relevance, resiliency, creativity and innovation, and growth. It features over 50 pieces from the BPI Art Collection including works of Juan Luna, Justiniano Asuncion, Oscar Zalameda, Justin Nuyda, and Arturo Luz, among others.

 

“As we aspire to be at the forefront in championing Philippine art, rest assured that we at BPI group will continue to push for more meaningful activities like this to promote our cultural wealth and history as we continue our journey to banking excellence anchored on trust and the best digital offers,” said BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco.

 

Recognizing the vulnerability of our cultural sphere amid these challenging times, National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Arsenio Lizaso said, “This virtual exhibit is an excellent opportunity to showcase our cultural heritage to the world. May these works of art and the access they provide to our cultural heritage continue to be a unifying force for the society as we move towards a stronger and more resilient future.”

 

The virtual exhibit is part of Yugto ng Sining, or Stages of Art program, which aims to preserve Filipino culture and heritage through awareness and appreciation of the arts. Under the program, BPI Foundation also organized an art-making contest for BPI employees to recognize and amplify their artistic abilities, and launched #KulturaSerye, a social media campaign that features the life and works of various Filipino visual artists in the BPI Art Collection.

 

BPI: Banking on the Arts is available for public viewing online until September 24, 2021, via: www.bpifoundation.org/page/banking-on-the-arts.

 

Modessa Island: My Pre-Birthday Getaway

Life begins at 40 as they say. But for me, I am already living the life I wanted! Not so perfect but just fine. Been through a lot as a solo parent. But thanks be to God for the great support system I've got, a very loving and supportive set of parents and wonderful sets of friends.

This year, I as turned 40, there are still a lot of things to be thankful for. I am alive, I have a decent regular work, I have my girls with me, both parents still alive, a supportive and loving partner and a lot more!

A few weeks back, my best friend and I planned of celebrating our 40th on an island getaway. SO, saved up a few bucks to bring the whole family at the Modessa Island to spend the weekend there. 

It was one great experience for my kids and parents! As you all know, my girls loves the sea, the beach and they sure had fun along with my parents.

It was one great experience for my kids and parents! As you all know, my girls loves the sea, the beach and they sure had fun along with my parents. 

 

We left Puerto Princesa at around 7am arrived Roxas proper passed 9am. Our boat to the island will be available by 11am so we headed to have our late breakfast. Had some Lomi and Burgers. Good thing was we consumed almost 2 hours by having our meals. hahaha

Shortly after arriving at the island, my kids indulged in an outright swimming at the shore. Good thing the cottages we had are just fronting the swimming area. 

 

We all enjoyed the swim, but the weather was gloomy a few hours after arrival.  

Sunsets are one of the best thing here in the island, too bad it was too cloudy that only a few hues of orange and yellows to be seen.. 

 

The next day was the best part, tides were high and I get to dip in the water too with the kids! I so loved the sea water.. 

 

We also enjoyed the great food they served us during our stay at the island. It was like a feast all the time! Oh by the way, the package rate includes the full board meals (dinner, breakfast and lunch). Kids love the sea foods that was served (Adobong pusit, Fried Fish and LATO)

It was indeed one great experience for the family to get to enjoy the serenity of nature and the beauty of the island. Planning of going back again after a few months.. 

 

JGF’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program: Enabling Growth, Sharing Joy

Jollibee Group Chairman and Founder Tony Tan Caktiong, decided to pursue a bold and valuable idea back in 2008. He thought: what if the company were to buy directly from farmers so they can have a regular and stable market to sell to? This comes from a recognition that even if agriculture is one of the country’s key sectors, farmers remain to be among the country’s most vulnerable, and their lack of opportunities and resources prevents them from earning a higher income. 

 

Products grown with Joy. Jollibee Group Foundation’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program enables farmers to become entrepreneurs who supply big buyers such as the Jollibee Group

 

 

 

 

Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the company’s social development arm, then took on the challenge of translating the idea into the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), which would eventually link small-scale farmers to their supply chain. 

 

Today, the white onions, green bell peppers, tomatoes, and other vegetables that the company uses in Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal come directly from small-scale farmers across the Philippines. JGF gives us a peek into how over 500 farmers from 17 farmer groups have Grown with Joy and earned their place in big markets in the video essay that the Foundation recently released. 

 

Enabling Growth 

 

At the heart of FEP is a stack of interventions that help farmers sharpen their technical skills and business acumen. JGF starts by partnering with organizations across the country to help farmers form clusters, so they can collectively meet the volume and quality requirements of big buyers and market their produce. 

 

In 2018, JGF developed a training program to train Agro-entrepreneurship Facilitators who guide farmer groups towards becoming farmer entrepreneurs. This year, JGF brought this training program online in partnership with Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan entitled “Agro-Entrepreneurship for Inclusive Value Chains: An Introduction.” 

 

As a group, FEP farmers can scale their operations, successfully maintain their status as Jollibee Group suppliers and find other markets. Growing and scaling means that farmer groups need to comply with standards such as the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) promoted by the Department of Agriculture. 

 

A requirement of the Jollibee Group among its agriculture-based suppliers, PhilGAP guides farmers in addressing different aspects of on-farm production and post-production processes that result in safe and quality agricultural products. 

 

ince 2009, FEP farmers have consolidated and delivered more than 7,000 metric tons or 700 truckloads of vegetables to the Jollibee Group, earning more than P300 million in total sales. Furthermore, 94% of FEP farmer groups are already GAP-certified as the others continue to work towards this milestone. 

 

 

Sharing the joy 

 

 

“It brings us real joy that We have helped hundreds of farmers embark on a journey to rediscover and even totally embrace farming. FEP has emboldened them to dream bigger and has given them the tools necessary to turn them into reality,’’ says Gisela Tiongson, JGF Executive Director. 

 

Ligaya Miras, a farmer leader of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Cebu City reflects on her journey. “Being an FEP farmer means I am not just a farmer, but also an entrepreneur.’’ She adds, “Farming is not just a source of livelihood. For me, it is a mission. If there are no farmers, who will feed people? I am proud to be a farmer.’’ 

 

From the white onions used in the Jollibee Yumburger, to the spring onions sprinkled on the Chowking Chao Fan, and the green bell peppers we enjoy in the Greenwich Hawaiian Overload Pizza—FEP farmers truly help spread the joy of eating among countless Filipinos every day. 

 

To learn more about the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program and to watch the video essay inspired by the growth of FEP farmers, visit the Jollibee Group Foundation official Facebook Page at fb.com/JollibeeGroupFoundationInc. OTHER PHOTOS:

 

 

To date, Jollibee Group Foundation's Farmer Entrepreneurship Program has enabled 14 farmer groups composed of more than 500 farmers to deliver over 700 truckloads of vegetables to the Jollibee Group since its launch in 2008.

Farmers who are part of the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program help the Jollibee Group spread the joy of eating by supplying the ingredients for some of the favorite products from Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal

 

 

 

About Jollibee Group Foundation 

 

As the social development arm of Jollibee Group, the Jollibee Group Foundation implements programs on agriculture, education, and disaster response with partner communities nationwide. 

 

About Jollibee Group 

 

Jollibee Group is one of the fastest-growing Asian restaurant companies in the world. It operates in 33 countries, with over 5,800 stores globally with branches in the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom, Italy, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Panama, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and India. 

 

Jollibee Group has eight wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger); five franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, and PHO24 in the Philippines; Dunkin’ and Tim Ho Wan in certain territories in China); 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee and PHO24; and 50% ownership in a joint venture established to operate and expand Yoshinoya in the Philippines. Yoshinoya is one of the largest and most recognized Japanese restaurant brands globally and is the company’s first-ever Japanese food chain. 

 

Jollibee Group, through its subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL) owns 100% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, a private equity fund that ultimately owns the Tim Ho Wan brand. It also has a joint venture with the THW Group to open and operate THW restaurants in Mainland China. Jollibee Group also has a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless for Tortazo, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States. 

 

Jollibee Group was named the Philippines’ most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for ten years. It was also honored as one of Asia’s Fab 50 Companies and among the World’s Best Employers by Forbes. In 2020, Gallup awarded the Jollibee Group with the Exceptional Workplace Award, making it the first Philippine-based company to receive the distinction. 

 

Jollibee Group has grown brands that bring delightful dining experiences to its customers worldwide, in line with its mission of serving great tasting food and spreading the joy of eating to everyone. 

 

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com 

 

For inquiries on this article, please contact: 

Abi Matsuzawa +639175585934 / abi.matsuzawa@fullcirclecomms-pr.com