Raisin Everyday Energy: Bringing Natural Sweetness and Nutritional Goodness to Everyday Meals

As Filipinos look for convenient and nutritious food options that can keep up with their busy routines, California Raisins is highlighting how a small addition can bring natural sweetness and nutritional goodness to everyday meals.

At its recent “Raisin Everyday Energy w/ California Raisins” event, California Raisins brought together James Beard Awardee Erwan Heussaff and registered nutritionist-dietitian Jo Sebastian to showcase how California Raisins can be added to familiar dishes to enhance their flavor while providing nutritional value.

Small sweetness, big possibilities

California Raisins are naturally sweet and contain no added sugar. A ¼-cup serving provides 26 grams of natural sugar and 32 grams of carbohydrates, making it a great source of energy for the body. The same serving also provides 2 grams of dietary fiber and 298 milligrams of potassium while being naturally low in sodium and free of fat and cholesterol. Together, these nutritional qualities make California Raisins a convenient ingredient to include as part of a balanced diet.

“California Raisins offer more than natural sweetness. They provide important nutrients that can contribute to the energy we need throughout the day,” said Thomas Wee, Regional Director, Lieu Marketing Associates (Raisin Administrative Committee). “Their versatility also makes them easy to incorporate into a variety of everyday meals, from breakfast and snacks to sandwiches and savory dishes.”

Putting this versatility into practice, Erwan showcased two recipes featuring California Raisins: a Raisin Tuna Sandwich, which combines California Raisins with tuna, eggs, mustard, calamansi, celery, onion, and herbs on sourdough; and classic Pininyahang Manok with California Raisins, which pairs chicken with pineapple, bell peppers, cabbage, and California Raisins. Together, the recipes show how California Raisins can complement both everyday sandwiches and familiar Filipino dishes with their subtle sweetness.

Making everyday meals more nourishing

Beyond the recipes, Sebastian shared practical meal-planning tips for building more balanced everyday meals. She highlighted how familiar staples such as bread, eggs, meat, vegetables, and fruit can be combined in different ways to create simple, balanced meals that can be prepared in as little as 10-15 minutes, making them suitable for different parts of the day, without requiring complicated recipes or hard-to-find ingredients. 

She highlighted simple ways to include California Raisins across different eating occasions—from breakfast and lunch to merienda and dinner—giving consumers more options when planning nutritious meals around ingredients they already enjoy.

From simple sandwiches to familiar Filipino dishes, California Raisins offer an easy way to bring variety and nutritional goodness to everyday meals. Available at major supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide, they are easy to keep on hand for everyday cooking and meal planning.

Heussaffs Show How Healthy and Money-Smart Habits Start Early at Home

MANILA, Philippines—For Anne Curtis and Erwan Heussaff, the habits that shape a good life are not learned all at once but built in the small everyday moments at home. In partnership with Manulife Philippines, the couple is sharing how they are guiding their daughter, Dahlia, through two lessons meant to stay with her for years: from eating well to managing money wisely.

Healthy choices, one baon at a time

Inside Dahlia's lunchbox is a small lesson in balance. There is something fresh, something filling, and a little something fun: fruit or vegetables for vitamins, rice or bread for energy, protein to help her grow, and a treat to make her smile. 

For Erwan, that perspective matters most when it is introduced early. "With Manulife as our family's health and wellness partner, we know how important balance is. Listen to your body and treat it well. It’s time to move today, because it’s never too early to start taking care of your health for the long run,” said Erwan in the video posted on his and Manulife Philippines’ social media pages.   

Money lessons made simple

Anne and Erwan also believe that a good life isn’t just defined by eating healthy. Anne’s latest video shows that at the age of six, Dahlia is being raised to be a "Peso Smart" kid, and the lessons are as ordinary as the coins she sorts into three small piles—one to save, one to spend, and one to give. In their household, prices are talked about openly, never hidden. A toy she wants becomes a lesson in patience: she can wait and save for it, or earn it through chores beyond her usual ones. Bit by bit, everyday moments at home become a child's first steps in learning to make responsible financial decisions.

"You don't need to wait for kids to learn about money in school. You can teach them young, and in your home," Anne says. "I've been preparing for Dahlia's future since before she was born, because the earlier you start, the more ready you are for life’s twists and turns. People are living longer now, and that is a gift—but it also means planning further ahead. Teaching her to save today is really about giving her the freedom to enjoy a long life on her own terms."

Small steps that last a lifetime

Behind Anne and Erwan’s lessons with Dahlia is a belief that well-being, whether in health or in finances, is rarely the result of one big decision. It grows from steady choices repeated over time. A balanced meal today powers a healthier adult tomorrow. A few coins set aside now evolve into a habit of financial preparedness in the long term.  

This is the idea at the heart of ManulifeMOVE, Manulife's holistic health and wellness program designed to help customers take charge of their well-being and enjoy a better, longer life. Through the Manulife App, it brings together practical health insights, exclusive perks from trusted partners across preventive care, treatment, and recovery—all backed by comprehensive health plans that protect families from early diagnosis to recovery. It reflects how Manulife sees its role: as a lifelong partner supporting Filipinos through every life stage. 

 "At Manulife, we believe better health and financial confidence are built through the everyday choices families make. Anne and Erwan show how healthy habits and smart money decisions can start at home, in simple moments that children can carry with them as they grow,” said Joy Concepcion, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Philippines. 

Concepcion added, “We want to empower Filipino families to take those first meaningful steps early, giving them the confidence to prepare for the future and develop habits that lead to better health and financial resilience. Anchored by the Manulife Longevity Institute, we are deepening our understanding of longevity and translating these insights into solutions that equip Filipinos to live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives.”

To learn more about ManulifeMOVE and Manulife's suite of health and life protection plans, visit manulife.com/ph or speak with a Manulife financial advisor.

for approval as well even if it's lifted from the video

@Joy F. Concepcion , Viva-approved. Thank you! 

Should we clarify that this program and the app is for customers only? When I read it, it seems like MOVE is accessible to all, which could be misleading.

Ambassador Carlson Joins Culinary Advocates in Reimagining Filipino Heirloom Dishes with California Raisins

Manila, July 8, 2025—U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson joined James Beard Award-winning food content producer Erwan Heussaff and renowned chefs Angelo Comsti and Don Baldosano in preparing a four-course menu to showcase traditional Filipino dishes paired with the premium quality and versatility of California raisins. 

“Our shared love for food brings Filipinos and Americans closer together.  It’s an honor to be among such talented and passionate culinary champions to celebrate the richness and diversity of Philippine cuisine,” said Ambassador Carlson during the media event held on July 8 at Offbeat Bistro, a newly opened modern-retro Filipino restaurant in Makati City.   “California raisins provide sweetness, flavor, and texture that perfectly complement traditional Filipino dishes.”

Ambassador Carlson joined Mr. Heussaff in preparing the main dish, “Steak Frites and Potato Pave with California Raisins and Roasted Eggplant Sauce,” pairing the richness of seared steak with a sauce made from talong, or eggplant—a staple in Pinoy households—elevated by the natural sweetness of California raisins.  Mr. Heussaff also presented an appetizer featuring malasugi, the local term for swordfish, complemented by coconut cream and a California raisins tapenade.

Chef Comsti’s recipe featured bacoco, a local term for sea bream, paired with a kusido-style California raisins sauce inspired by the traditional Filipino stew known for its rich, slow-cooked flavors.  For dessert, Chef Baldosano reimagined sorbetes, the iconic Filipino-style ice cream traditionally sold from street carts, using milk and California raisins, accompanied by a crisp milk tuile and bold burnt raisin oil.

The event was supported by the Raisin Administrative Committee, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila, and the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

California raisins are naturally sun-dried, free of additives, and rich in fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals.  They are a versatile ingredient that enhances savory dishes and adds sweetness to desserts, making them a perfect complement to Filipino cuisine.

In 2024, the Philippines ranked as the fifth-largest global market for California raisin exports, totaling Php522.5 million ($9.5 million).  During this year, the United States was the leading exporter of raisins to the Philippines, with an 80 percent market share.