Save Our Coconuts Project: A Day with Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo at a Coconut Farm in General Santos

From the kitchen to everyday essentials, the humble coconut is a true gift of nature. It not only nourishes us with its health benefits – from coconut oil and coconut milk  in cooking to hydrating coconut water – but also plays a vital role in supporting our hardworking farmers.

By choosing coconut-based products like Coco Mama, we empower local communities and sustain livelihoods. Let's continue to support our farmers who nurture these trees, bringing the benefits of the coconut to every home.

On September 2, we found ourselves in the middle of a coconut farm in Sarangani, General Santos City, South Cotabato standing alongside Coco Mama’s brand ambassador Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, ready to plant some coconut trees. 

 

It was World Coconut Day, but more than just a celebration, it was a call to action as Coco Mama launched the ‘Save Our Coconuts’ Project-- Plant Trees, Help Farmers.

 

The day was dedicated to planting trees and raising awareness about the importance of saving our coconut trees. The coconut tree, hailed as the "Tree of Life" for its incredible versatility, provides everything from nutrient-rich meat and hydrating water to fibers and materials used in everyday products.

 

The Philippines is one of the world’s biggest producers of coconuts, ranking second largest exporter in the industry across the globe. 

 

However, despite its role in the economy and the entire ecosystem, the coconut industry is facing significant challenges today. According to the Philippine Coconut Authority, 20% of the country’s coconut trees are senile. 

 

To help address these issues, Coco Mama, the leading gata (coconut milk) brand in the Philippines, has launched the “Save Our Coconuts” project. This initiative aims to restore the country’s coconut farming industry by distributing 100,000 high-quality coconut seedlings over the next five years. The goal is to replace aging and unproductive coconut trees, ensuring a sustainable income for smallholder Filipino farmers. Through this initiative, Coco Mama also aims to play a significant role in restoring the health of the Philippine coconut industry while providing better livelihoods for farmers.

 

“Through the ‘Save Our Coconuts’ project, we are taking actionable steps to provide quality seedlings to smallholder farming communities,” said Bryan Lingan, Marketing Director of Coco Mama. “Our mission is to bring joy to Filipino households with our beloved gata products, and part of that joy comes from knowing we’re giving back to the hardworking coconut farmers who sustain the industry.”

 

The tree-planting activity was led by Coco Mama’s brand ambassador Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo in partnership with the Philippine Coconut Authority, City Environment and Natural Resources Office – General Santos City, the Local Government Unit of General Santos City, and coconut farmers, the event was a symbol of the brand’s dedication to the cause.

 

Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo expressed her pride in being part of the initiative, saying, "Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that the things we consume daily, like gata, come from the efforts of our hard-working farmers. With the ‘Save Our Coconuts’ project, I am not only able to promote our traditional and nutritious gata dishes to Filipino households but also to make a difference in the lives of the people who help harvest the food we put to the table for our families.”

Coco Mama’s “Save Our Coconuts” project aligns with the Philippine Coconut Authority’s broader mission to rehabilitate the coconut industry and uplift the lives of Filipino coconut farmers. By distributing high-quality seedlings and engaging local communities, the initiative promises to have a lasting positive impact.

 

For more details and updates, visit Coco Mama on Facebook at /CocoMamaPhilippines or follow @cocomamaph on Instagram.