Their food also says much about them as they have the ideal combination of toughness and calmness to confront any obstacles that may arise. These characteristics have been well embodied by a homegrown entrepreneur from Iriga City, Arnold M. Lasay of AM Lasay Food Industry.
From Nostalgia to Business
Growing up, Arnold found himself living in Manila for work and missing the flavors of his homeland. To ease his longing, he brought Bicolano food with him every time he visited the region. However, the food had to be consumed quickly, or it would spoil.
After coming across pickled peaches in bottles, Arnold realized there must be another way to make his food last longer. This sparked a business idea in this young man’s mind. Why not sell easily accessible and longer-lasting Bicolano food to others who miss the flavors of home as much as he did? That’s when AM Lasay Food Industry was born.
In 2017, Arnold finally launched two products that would eventually become his signature goods — bottled Santol sa Gata and Libas sa Gata. To date, these products have reached more than 50 cities in 21 countries around the world.
COVID-19 Pandemic Brings a Different Level of Spice to the Table
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Arnold knew he had to make some changes. With people confined to their homes and businesses struggling to stay afloat, the company switched to ready-to-heat goods in microwaveable containers.
The response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. People appreciated the convenience of being able to reheat a delicious meal in just minutes.
Arnold then decided to expand his menu to give people more meal choices. Among their new offerings were Dinuguan sa Gata, Pork Laing, and Tinuktuk.
Arnold has made the most of social media platforms and e-commerce to sell his products, ensuring that his business remains afloat amidst the chaos brought by COVID-19. By utilizing Facebook to raise awareness of his product, he has been able to reach a wider audience and sell more than he ever thought possible.
When lockdown measures began to ease, and people started returning to work, AM Lasay Foods decided to open its doors to resellers. It was a risky move, but one that paid off. In 2021, their signature products received FDA approval, and they debuted their third bottle, Laing a la Pobre.
DTI Contributes to AM Lasay’s Growth
The assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been crucial in the growth and success of Arnold’s venture. First, DTI assisted his enterprise through capability building and product analysis, including NUTRIFACTS, chemical analysis, and microbiological analysis. DTI also helped with the company’s Branding Registration and the collection of Documentary Requirements for its Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) application.
When it comes to marketing and promoting his products, DTI has helped him in a big way. By placing his products on the OMGainza application and website, he has reached a wider audience and generated more sales. Online Market ni Bishop Gainza (OMG) is a collaborative project of Caritas-Caceres, the Department of Agriculture (DA), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Aside from online marketing, the DTI has also assisted him in making physical market connections through trade fairs. Though these were temporarily halted due to health restrictions, they have since resumed, and he has participated in various events, such as the Bishop Francisco Gainza Trade Fair and an International Food Expo. Through these activities, he has gained exposure for his products and built important relationships with potential buyers.
Recently, a Shared Service Facility in Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges opened up, and AM Lasay Food Industry was among the first to be granted access.
Serving Delicious Meals in a Bottle
AM Lasay Food Industry is a food company that started with the intention of crafting Rinconada-Bicol food that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. Thanks to Arnold’s unwavering belief in his products and the continued support of DTI, his business has been able to thrive and grow significantly.
Aside from online-based orders, Arnold’s enterprise supplies their ready-to-eat products at grab-and-go stores and restaurants. They will soon open their first physical store in Iriga City.
The venture is poised to continue growing in the years to come. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll see their products in supermarkets all over the country. Until then, we can always
purchase their products online. Just Google “Natúk” and the first ones you find are Arnold Lasay’s business and products — that’s how well this entrepreneur utilized his online presence! ♦