By Abigael Mei M. Yaokana
MAUREEN Pasciolco has been in the coconut-product processing business for over 23 years now. She started her nata de coco business during its boom in 1993, and officially founded Pasciolco Agri Ventures in 1996.
After the popularity of nata de coco declined, Pasciolco started processing natural coconut vinegar, then went on to making coconut jam, which became its most salable product.
“We started exporting in 2000. Our first market was Japan, then later the US, Europe and other Asian countries, like the Republic of Korea and Singapore,” she said.
Their company continuously expanded its product offerings, which eventually included processed tropical fruits and vegetables and virgin coconut oil.
Being a working mother also proved a challenge for Pasciolco, especially during the 2008 global financial crisis. “We had a business loan from the bank at that time, and it was difficult for us to pay the interest.”
To help out, her husband decided to work in the United States for seven years, and she was left alone to manage the company and take care of their four children.
Those days proved to be very difficult for her, but she made sure those challenges did not hinder her from accomplishing her tasks as a mother and a businesswoman.
“Taking care of my children and making my company bigger was hard, but I managed to make it work,” she said. Determined to succeed, Pasciolco asked her husband to return, while managing to send their four children to college. She also continued to develop and innovate new products out of coconuts.
Pasciolco actively participated in different government trainings and joined international trade fairs organized by the departments of Agriculture and Trade and Industry.
“The government made a very big contribution to the success of my business; they helped me get where I am right now,” she said.
With her new products, her buyers and market grew even bigger. Pasciolco takes pride that, as a woman, she was able to provide jobs to other Filipinos. In fact, most of her factory workers are comprised of single, young mothers.
“I was able to help around 100 families in the coconut farm where we produce our products,” she said.
At present they have four new small factories. She considers her organic-certified products known globally as her greatest achievement.
Pasciolco said perseverance and hard work are a key to a successful business.
“Being a woman should not be a hindrance to success,” she said.