Spreading Light and Happiness Through Varacco Coffee: A Mission for a Future-Proof Agriculture in the Philippines

By Ariestelo A. Asilo MATIBAY 2006

Mentoring with Upsilon

As an alumnus-fellow of Upsilon Sigma Phi, I began my career with a thirst for mentorship and guidance. Fresh from graduation in 2007, I sought out the wisdom of esteemed individuals such as Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Dr. Romulo Davide 1954 of UPLB, Dr. Hans C. Groot 1963 of the US Peace Corps, and Atty. Javier P. Flores 1989 of the then Catindig Flores and Palarca law firm. These mentors provided invaluable insights into agricultural development, volunteerism, networking, and entrepreneurship. Their guidance shaped my vision and laid the foundation for my concept of Nutrition Entrepreneurship.

Former PCCO Undersecretary Atty. Kris Ablan 2000, in his letter of reference for my “The Outstanding Young Men 2021” award, stated, "His various social enterprises have contributed significantly to the growth and betterment of the local farming community in the Province of Batangas."

Hans Groot '63, was my sponsor for joining the Upsilon. I first met Hans in 2004 as a Peace Corps Scholar. A year later, I encountered him again at Anest Tower, owned by the Nocon family, and noticed he was wearing an Upsilon shirt. I asked Hans if he was an Upsilonian and mentioned my desire to join but explained that I couldn't afford the necessary attire and other expenses. Hans then took me to the conference room at Anest Tower, where I was introduced to brods Ruben Villareal 1957, and Rey Velasco 1974. That marked the beginning of my journey with Upsilon Sigma Phi. The rest is history.

ThinnkFarm: Empowering Farmers

I spearheaded the establishment of ThinnkFarm (formerly Minndmap) with a group of young professionals from diverse fields such as economics, food technology, and law, with the support of Atty. Javier Flores ‘89. ThinnkFarm aimed to provide business development services to farmers and farming communities, particularly in Lobo, Batangas. The organization focused on making local agricultural enterprises more competitive and market-friendly, targeting crops like vegetables and coffee.

My approach focused on working together and harnessing the power of information and data to tackle real-world problems and find solutions. Through this effort, I had the opportunity to interact with various youth groups and farmers, including Col. Katy Katigbak, who owns one of the oldest and largest coffee farms in Lipa City. Engaging with these communities deepened my understanding of coffee, a subject that has fascinated me since 2008 when I first encountered coffee beans scattered in the mountains of Lobo.

Varacco: A Visionary Coffee Brand

Varacco, also known as Circa 1740 Coffee, emerged as a testament to our dedication to promoting heritage and sustainable livelihoods. With a vision to become a thought leader and a digital-first brand, Varacco introduced its patented dip coffee product and a Buy One Take One Iced Coffee, and was recognized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as the Grand Winner of the UNLAD Award for Outstanding Utility Model in CALABARZON. This innovation symbolized Batangas heritage by reviving Barako coffee and providing a convenient, COVID-adaptive coffee solution.

The company's backward integration model, which builds on our previous initiatives, incorporates manufacturing, digitalization, space design thinking, and production. Varacco's unique product, premium taste, and commitment to heritage and livelihood have garnered support from notable figures such as Batangas Governor Dodo Mandanas, Vice Governor Mark Leviste, and Mayor Eric Africa of Lipa City.

International Recognition and Impact

Varacco's success extended internationally when the United Nations recognized it as one of the 50 Best Small Businesses in the world in 2021 and a Conservation Optimism Southeast Asia Award for Climate in 2022. This accolade highlighted the company's contributions to healthier, more sustainable, and equitable food for communities. ThinnkFarm's use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology revolutionized farming practices, providing real-time data and recommendations that improved coffee productivity and quality while minimizing environmental impact.

Sustaining Coffee Demand and Production

At Varacco, my team and I are committed to making a difference by balancing cultural, economic, and environmental needs. With support from USDA/ACDI-VOCA and GGGI-Korea, and in partnership with Packetworx Inc., we've introduced climate-smart practices to help coffee farmers boost their post-harvest quality and productivity. I'm also researching sustainable coffee production to extend these benefits to farmers across the Philippines, ensuring they enjoy better livelihoods.

A Growing Business

Under the leadership of myself (CEO) and Javier Flores (CSO), Varacco has evolved into a thriving business. We've opened a café in Batangas, SM Lipa City, and SM Batangas, and set up kiosks in popular malls like SM North Edsa and SM Megamall. Our goal is to unite farmers, enhance local coffee production, and offer consumers top-quality, heritage-rich coffee.

Our Values

My work with Varacco and ThinnkFarm is driven by a deep dedication to integrity, excellence, and service. Our vision and innovative methods are transforming agriculture in the Philippines, empowering farmers, and fostering sustainable growth. Inspired by the spirit of Upsilon Sigma Phi, we're spreading joy and community through our coffee and service.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ariestelo Asilo of Batangas, Philippines, started working at the age of six by selling sweepstakes tickets to make ends meet. He finished BS Nutrition and Master of Business Management at the University of the Philippines through the scholarship of US Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development. He worked for a UNICEF project on Anemia at UPLB and eventually taught food courses in college at the age of 21. Aries pioneers nutrition entrepreneurship through coffee production and research, and foodservice management. His interest in coffee started in 2012 when he saw coffee beans just scattered in the mountains of Lobo, Batangas. He co-wrote the feasibility study for Lobo’s Farm to Market Road that won a grant from World Bank to create an 8-km road benefitting 9,000 people of Lobo. He is the CEO and Co-founder of Varacco Inc., that focuses on coffee as a global commodity and a Filipino heritage icon. His goal on nutripreneurship is sustainable foodservice systems by progressive value addition leading to an increased productivity, profitability, and product quality. He is Speaker for both national and international conferences for his innovative model on Nutripreneurship. In January, 2020, Aries was selected as one of the 4 Filipinos who was awarded the Young Southeast Asian Leader Professional Fellow for Economic Empowerment by the American Councils for International Education and US Department of State. Asilo is 2020 UPLB Distinguished Alumnus for Nutrition Entrepreneurship and Community Nutrition. In 2021, Aries won a grant from ACDI-VOCA for his coffee research funded by USDA. His company Varacco also won as one of the 50 United Nations’ Best Small Business: Good Food for All out of 2,000 companies from 135 countries, given by United Nations Foods Systems Summit 2021 held in July, 2021. He also won as the winner of Conservation Optimist Southeast Asia Awards for Climate given by Eastwest Center USA. He is also one of the Swedish Institute Management Asia Fellows sponsored by the Swedish government. And finally, he is recognized as the The Outstanding Young Men Honoree for Social Entrepreneurship 2021 in the Philippines. (Source: LinkedIn)