Kwento Ni Toto: Ajinomoto

Showing posts with label Ajinomoto. Show all posts

2026/08/05

More Than Just Vegetables: Ajinomoto's I Love Veggie-Licious® Caravan Shows That Healthy Eating Begins at Home

Toto 8/05/2026 09:55:00 PM

When people hear the word healthy, many immediately think of bland food, strict diets, or expensive ingredients. But at the launch of the 2026 I Love Veggie-Licious® Community Caravan in Manila, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) proved that healthy eating doesn't have to be complicated, it simply starts with making better choices in the kitchen.

Held at the Dapitan Sports Complex, the first stop of this year's caravan gathered hundreds of mothers, homemakers, nutrition advocates, and community leaders for a day that felt more like a community celebration than a nutrition seminar. Through interactive activities, educational booths, cooking demonstrations, and engaging discussions, participants discovered that vegetables can be both nutritious and delicious.

For many Filipino families, mothers remain the heart of every meal. They decide what goes on the dining table, stretch the household budget, and make sure everyone goes home with a full stomach. Recognizing this, Ajinomoto's I Love Veggie-Licious® campaign continues to focus on empowering homemakers with practical knowledge they can immediately apply in their own kitchens.

One of the highlights of the event was a lively discussion that helped participants separate facts from myths about nutrition. including the often misunderstood topic of monosodium glutamate (MSG). Around 327 homemakers from the City of Manila actively joined the learning sessions, proving that the desire to provide healthier meals remains strong among Filipino families.

The learning continued with a live cooking demonstration led by family lifestyle creator Prax Yap and APC in-house chef Khyle Furigay, who prepared a creative "Kiddified Lumpianada", a vegetable-filled recipe designed to make children enjoy eating vegetables without sacrificing flavor.

Instead of forcing vegetables onto children's plates, the demonstration showed that creativity and the right balance of flavors can encourage healthier eating habits naturally.

The campaign addresses a growing concern. According to the 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) conducted by the Department of Science and Technology's Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), Filipino adults consume only about 58 grams of vegetables and 17 grams of fruits daily, far below the 400-gram combined daily recommendation of the World Health Organization.

Numbers like these reveal why programs such as I Love Veggie-Licious® continue to matter.

During his welcome remarks, APC President Daizaburo Koga emphasized that improving nutrition is not something one organization can accomplish alone.

"Over the years, we have had the privilege of working with local government units and communities in Quezon City, Lucena, Alaminos, San Jose Del Monte, Santa Rosa, and Pasig. Hand in hand, we have reached thousands of homemakers by sharing simple ways to prepare nutritious meals that every family can enjoy. These solid partnerships remind us that change begins when communities come together with a common goal," Mr. Koga shared.

His message reflected what the caravan has become over the years, not merely a cooking event, but a partnership among local governments, communities, and families working toward the same objective: making healthier food choices easier and more accessible.

The I Love Veggie-Licious® campaign also supports the broader goals of the Ajinomoto Group's 2030 roadmap, which aims to help extend the healthy life expectancy of one billion people while reducing environmental impact by 50 percent.

Yet beyond those ambitious goals, the event's greatest impact was visible in the smiles, conversations, and shared recipes among participants. It was evident that many attendees were leaving not only with new cooking ideas but also with renewed confidence that preparing healthier meals doesn't always require expensive ingredients or complicated recipes.

As the City of Manila becomes the first stop of this year's caravan before it visits four more communities nationwide, the campaign continues to demonstrate that changing eating habits starts with small but meaningful actions inside every Filipino home.

Healthy eating, after all, is not simply about serving more vegetables. It's about making nutritious food enjoyable enough that families will gladly come back for another serving.

And perhaps that's the real takeaway from Ajinomoto's I Love Veggie-Licious® Community Caravan: lasting change doesn't begin with grand promises, it begins with one family, one meal, and one vegetable dish shared around the table.

For Kwento Ni Toto, the event served as a reminder that every meaningful story often starts where every Filipino day begins, inside the kitchen, where love, care, and good food come together.

2026/06/30

Updates

Inside the World of Ajinomoto PH: What We Learned from a Factory Tour in Bulacan

Marco Polo Demo 6/30/2026 04:03:00 PM

There are factory tours that simply show how products are made. Then there are factory tours that change the way you look at a brand you've known your entire life.

Representing Kwento Ni Toto, our correspondent Maki recently joined the World of Ajinomoto Philippines Factory Tour at the Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) manufacturing facility in Bulacan. What seemed like an ordinary visit to a food manufacturing plant quickly turned into an eye-opening experience about science, food innovation, sustainability, and the people working behind one of the country's most familiar kitchen staples.

For many Filipinos, Ajinomoto has always been part of home cooking. But seeing firsthand how the company operates gave us a deeper appreciation of what happens long before a product reaches our kitchen shelves.

More Than Just a Factory Visit

From the moment guests arrive, it becomes clear that this isn't your typical factory walkthrough.

The experience begins at the World of Hygiene, where visitors are introduced to one of the company's most important values—cleanliness and food safety. Before entering the production areas, everyone is required to wash and sanitize their hands, reinforcing the company's strict hygiene standards.

It may seem like a simple first step, but it immediately sets the tone for the rest of the tour.

Every process inside the facility is designed with quality, safety, and consistency in mind.

Discovering the Science Behind Umami

One of the highlights of the tour is learning about umami, recognized as the fifth basic taste alongside sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.

Visitors are introduced to the fascinating story behind its discovery and the science of monosodium glutamate (MSG)—an ingredient that has long been surrounded by misconceptions.

Rather than simply presenting information, the tour includes a sensory experience that allows visitors to understand how umami enhances the natural savory flavor of food.

It's an educational stop that explains why Ajinomoto has remained a trusted flavor enhancer among Filipino cooks and food lovers for more than 65 years.

Inside the World of Innovation

Walking through the World of Innovation, visitors witness where Ajinomoto's dried products begin their journey.

The production lines showcase modern manufacturing technologies, automated systems, and stringent quality controls that ensure every pack meets the company's standards before leaving the facility.

Although certain production areas remain restricted for safety and quality reasons, visitors are given an excellent view of how ingredients are processed, packed, and prepared for distribution.

It is a reminder that behind every small sachet on grocery shelves is a carefully managed operation.

Precision at the World of Chambers

The tour continues to the World of Chambers, the company's warehouse and logistics area.

Here, products are tracked, sorted, and organized using a highly coordinated system where efficiency and safety go hand in hand.

Watching the movement of products throughout the warehouse highlights how much planning goes into ensuring that Ajinomoto products reach stores across the Philippines on time.

The emphasis on workplace safety is evident throughout the facility, with systems designed to protect both employees and products.

Sustainability in Action

Perhaps one of the most impressive parts of the visit is seeing how Ajinomoto is integrating sustainability into its daily operations.

The Bulacan factory has transitioned to using 100% renewable energy, helping reduce its environmental footprint.

Outside the facility, visitors also get to see one of the company's newest investments—a pioneering 40-foot Electric Vehicle (EV) tractor head and trailer wing van used to transport products from the factory to logistics hubs.

An EV charging station powers the truck and can fully recharge the vehicle in approximately one and a half hours.

These initiatives support the Ajinomoto Group's 2030 Roadmap, which aims to help extend the healthy life expectancy of 1 billion people while reducing environmental impact by 50 percent.

"Eat Well, Live Well"

During the media tour, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation President Daizaburo Koga shared why the company decided to formally open its Bulacan facility to the public.

Opening the factory, he explained, came after years of receiving requests from students, educators, organizations, and community groups looking for meaningful educational experiences.

"We realized that our factory has a story worth sharing. This led us to design a more structured and engaging factory tour experience."

More than showcasing manufacturing, the tour reflects Ajinomoto's commitment to nutrition, wellness, and sustainability.

Mr. Koga further emphasized the company's guiding philosophy.

"We designed the factory tour so people can see what we mean by our 'Eat Well, Live Well' philosophy. It is really about encouraging everyone to enjoy delicious, nutritious meals that positively impacts well-being. All our actions are directed towards contributing to a healthier, more sustainable society."

That philosophy extends beyond its products through programs like I Love Veggielicious®, which encourages families to eat more vegetables, and BawAsin®, a campaign promoting reduced salt consumption without sacrificing flavor.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

One thing that stood out during the visit was how educational the experience is.

Instead of relying solely on presentations, the factory tour combines science, history, technology, and sustainability into an engaging experience suitable for students, professionals, organizations, and even families interested in learning more about food production.

It answers many questions people often have about MSG, food manufacturing, and modern factory operations while showing how innovation can work alongside environmental responsibility.

Planning Your Visit

The World of Ajinomoto Philippines Factory Tour is open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday.

Tour schedules are available:

Morning: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Afternoon: 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

A minimum of 15 participants is required for each session, although larger groups may arrange special schedules with advance coordination.

Interested visitors may reserve a slot by emailing worldofajinomotoph.vc6@asv.ajinomoto.com, calling 0917-128-3858, or booking through the official World of Ajinomoto Philippines online reservation page.

Our visit to the World of Ajinomoto Philippines Factory Tour proved that there's much more to the brand than the seasoning found in many Filipino kitchens.

Representing Kwento Ni Toto, Maki witnessed how decades of food science, innovation, quality control, and sustainability come together inside the Bulacan facility. From understanding the science of umami to seeing renewable energy and electric-powered logistics in action, the experience offered a fresh perspective on a company that continues to evolve with the changing needs of consumers and the environment.

For anyone curious about how food products are made—or simply looking for an educational day trip—the World of Ajinomoto Philippines Factory Tour is worth adding to the list. It's not just about seeing a factory. It's about understanding the journey of the food we enjoy and the people committed to making it better, safer, and more sustainable for everyone.

2017/02/28

Sauce

Coco Martin and Ajinomoto Sarsaya Oyster Sauce, Oystra Sarsaya!

Toto 2/28/2017 01:44:00 PM

What happens when Coco Martin and Ajinomoto blend in together? Well, it's an interesting partnership as both Ajinomoto and Coco Martin makes simple things extraordinary. Coco and Ajinomoto brings a new sauce in town with an oystra Sarsaya oyster sauce.

We all know that Coco Martin began in humble beginnings and just like Ajinomoto's Sarsaya Oyster Sauce can make simple dish a flavorful one.

Sarsaya Oyster sauce is a concentrated sauce that comes from real oysters, complete with seasonings to provide a delicious blend of savory, sweet and salty taste to any dish.

According to Pen Alvina, Ajinomoto's Category Manager for Menu Seasonings, "Sarsaya Oyster Sauce is a unique brand of oyster sauce that is created to suit fFilipino taste and preference, making many Filipino dishes like Ginisang Kangkong and Adobo more flavorful and delicious."

Of course the event that Ajinomoto prepared wouldn't be complete without the Primetime Bida himself, Coco Martin, to grace the event. Armed with his signature jacket, smile and dimples made every mommies and ladies present want to have a picture with him. Of course everyone did get a chance for a photo opportunity and take note Coco Martin also judge the cook-off that happened.

There were also a cooking demonstration happened where Chef Mac did the flavorful Ginisang Kangkong and his Thai Style Stir Fired Chicken using Sarsaya Oyster Sauce. Guests were encouraged to participate in a cook-off, where Coco Martin judges the dish they'll be cooking. Participants did discover the convenience of using Sarsaya Oyster Sauce.

According to Ajinomoto, Mr. Coco Martin, the Primetime King, was chosen to endorse Sarsaya Oyster Sauce because aside from being popular among the masses, he is Coco Martin. And aside from being a big fan of his grandmother's cooking, Coco graduated with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. It was claimed by Coco that Sarsaya Oyster Sauce "Oyster na oyster!"

Sarsaya Oyster Sauce is available in 30g pack and 156g stand-up re-sealable pouch. Aside from the Oyster Sauce, Ajinomoto also got its Sarsaya Sweet and Sour Sauce which is available in 200g stand-up pouch.