Visual Storytelling for Organic Food

Case Study: International Trade Centre ITC

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Maureen plans to invite coconut farmers from other provinces who are not making ends meet to work at her farm. Pasciolco Agri-Ventures has more than 100 farmers.

Chemist Maureen Pasciolco started her business in 1996. The growth of the company has uplifted the farming community, with children now focusing on education instead of worrying about meals. 

©Alecs Oncal/ International Trade Center/ Fairpicture

Brief

The International Trade Centre ITC is a multilateral agency for world trade with a joint mandate from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations (UN). Their team needed a freelance photographer and videographer to be involved in creating a multimedia feature about Pasciolco Agri Ventures, a company that produces organic coconut products. The assignment was for a people-based story, accompanied by photographs and a short video, showing Pasciolco Agri Ventures’ history, challenges, and successes.

Client

International Trade Center ITC

Visual Creator

Alecs Ongcal

Theme

Coconut Manufactory

Locations

Philippines, Quezon

Date

November 2021

philippines
Paolo Maido, 18, watched his family harvest coconut sap at a young age. He is now a skilled and agile worker in the farm, who can swiftly move across the bamboo bridges connecting the coconut trees. Maureen talks about moving coconut farmers from other provinces who are not making ends meet, and inviting them to work at their farm with their families. Pasciolco Agri-Ventures has more than 100 farmers.

Paolo M. has watched his family harvest coconut sap since he was a child. Today, he is a skilled and nimble worker on the farm who can move quickly across the bamboo bridges between the coconut trees. More than 100 farmers are contracted with Pasciolco Agri Ventures.
©Alecs Oncal/ International Trade Center/ Fairpicture

Building connection

The company, which started 25 years ago with a simple production facility on a coconut farm, now exports 50% of its products to international markets. At first, this seemed unattainable. But with her entrepreneurial spirit, Maureen Pasciolco has made it happen. “Be open-minded and be guided by organisations that can help you grow further,” Maureen advises today. We at Fairpicture took note of her advice. 

We work with Fairpicture because of their ability to engage local talents in various regions of the world, with a check on quality and coordination carried out in Switzerland.

Waqas Rafique, Public Information Officer, International Trade Centre ITC

A business owner started a family business with her husband in 1933. The company manufactures coconut-based products such as coconut jam, coconut vinegar, coconut oil, and more.

Maureen Pasciolco in her factory shop. She is working to strengthen her brand, Quezon’s Best, turning it into a household name by capturing markets from North Luzon to Mindanao.

©Alecs Oncal/ International Trade Center/ Fairpicture

Why work with locals

For the International Trade Centre, cooperating with Fairpicture is a promise for the future: “Our clients have been impressed with the quality of the material. We receive top quality content, delivered on time,” says Waqas from ITC. In describing Fairpicture’s services, he went on to say, “This is a rare combination of local and international talent that promises a spectacular product.”

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