Posted: 28 November 2011
Being green seems to be the trend lately. But not everyone is living to its fullest definition though some are just not yet fully aware how to live green.
I accidentally dropped by a new store in Serendra yesterday. The name of the store is echomarket. The store manager, I believe she was, told me that they’ve just started about 2 or 3 weeks. No wonder I haven’t seen the store before, especially when we still lived in Fort Bonifacio.
My first thought of echomarket was just a store that sell fruits and veggies and others, but in a sophisticated place. But echomarket is not just a store.
*echomarket sells natural and organic products.
Ms. Christie, the store manager (I believe), told me that they have visited the farms where they got their vegetables to make sure that these farms really sow, grow, and harvest their produce the green way. Some of the farms she mentioned were Cavite (though it’s just a really small farm), Tagaytay, and another in northeren Luzon, which I forgot.
Since most produce are from small farms, it’s not uncommon to only have few supplies in the store. The farms also supply to others.
They also sell meat and poultry that were not fed with (commercial) feeds. I was told that the chickens were fed with farm fruits and vegetables leftovers, especially dahon ng sili (chili leaf) to avoid sickness. Of course, it is understandable that these meats’ prices are not common in our usual market. They may be expensive, but if you really care about what you feed your children, or just yourself, you understand that it’ll pay off in the long run.
When I found out how the animals were fed, I said, “If that’s how they feed the pigs then I don’t mind eating pork.”
There were different dried fruits, jams, chips, teas, and coffees (rice, corn, and soy). I actually didn’t know, until yesterday, that there’re such thing as corn and soy coffees. They do not contain caffeine, which is good for me. They also sell organic rice: brown, red, and black. Again, I didn’t know until yesterday that there are red and black rice. What a shame.
By the way, they also sell dairy products (cheese and ice cream) and siopaos and siomais though I wasn’t able to take some pictures. They also have wines and vinaigrette.
*echomarket helps and promotes small Filipino entrepreneurs.
I remember browsing their products, I noticed that most of them are locally grown. I’ve actually seen a lot from Negros Occidental, which made me miss Bacolod. I’ve only been to Bacolod once and only to watch a Football game, but I’ve enjoyed my overnight stay and their food. I am also aware that Negros is like the Philippine sugar cane capital. Seeing Negrense products, especially Muscovado, was inspiring.
echomarket saw and utilized the potential of our farmers and entrepreneurs. We should really support our own although most of the certified products, I mean those with seal, we see in the market are mostly imported ones. I think we still don’t have a solid governing body that certifies if the raw ingredients and the finished products are indeed organic or just plain natural. There is a difference between the two. This is where echomarket comes to help the producers and consumers verify that the products are indeed organic, otherwise stated.
*echomarket encourages local entrepreneurs to create and produce products with international quality.
Though most of their products are locally produced, they also have imported products but only to encourage (and while waiting for) local manufacturers to do the same. For example are these (net-looking) bags made in India.
Also, these Bambu products (sorry if they’re not so visible from the pic), right side of the cabinet. Some are from Vietnam.
They also have some confections. One caught my attention, the dark chocolate with chili. I wonder if this was the chocolate my 19-year old friend, who refuses to eat commercial chicken, was talking about.
From left to right: Milk Chocolate with Barako, Milk Chocolate with Calamansi, Dark Chocolate with Siling Labuyo, Milk Chocolate with Toffee, (I haven’t checked what’s with the ‘Kisses Love Chocolate’), Dark Chocolate with Green Mango and Sea Salt
One of the things, that caught my attention was the huge upo in the counter. I don’t know what’s upo in English, so I hope non-Filipinos will forgive me. But you might recognize it. I should’ve asked if they sell this giant upo. Haha.
I was told that echomarket can be found online, which is good especially to those who want to order. Ms. Christie told me that they have customers who would call earlier then just drop by to pick up their orders. That makes marketing sound convenient. Expect these nice ladies to assist you, either by phone or in person:
I just remembered the baskets I saw in their store. One of them was made from corn husks. How clever. I wonder though if the other baskets are also made from corn husks.
If you are interested, you may contact echomarket through:
http://www.echostore.ph
http://www.facebook.com/echomarket
http://twitter.com/#!/echomarket
Phone: 02-576-3703
E-mail: echomarket@gmail.com
Location: Ground Level, Serendra Piazza, McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
I’ve taken more pictures than I’ve posted here, so if you want to check them all, please feel free to visit my Multiply account.
I was supposed to hang out in FullyBooked while waiting for the kick off of Philippine Air Force vs. Green Archers in UFL QuarterFinals, but I’m glad though that I spent most of the time in echomarket. I’ve learned a lot and have been inspired. Thanks to their nice staff, especially to Ms. Christie.
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