Think You Know Coconut? Discover 5 Ideas That May Surprise You

A coconut may be familiar, but what Filipino entrepreneurs are doing with it is anything but. A college feasibility study has become a Gen Z-run coconut milk business. Surplus coconut shells are being transformed into handcrafted bags while helping provide livelihood to more than 100 workers. And one entrepreneur has developed around 40 products by finding new uses for virtually every part of the coconut.

Around 300 Filipino coco-preneurs are transforming the country’s “tree of life” into fresh ideas, innovative products, and businesses ready to grow.

These are among the ideas and founder stories waiting to be discovered at the DTI-Bagong Pilipinas COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair 2026, now underway at SMX Convention Center Manila until August 30.

“Over the next five days, we bring our coco-preneurs, our buyers, shoppers and partners together under one roof here in SMX as we celebrate National Coconut Week,” said DTI Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista during the opening ceremony.

Mounted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA) and supported by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), the fair brings together around 300 coconut MSMEs nationwide. With SM Supermalls, through SM for MSMEs, providing a marketplace that gives entrepreneurs greater visibility and access to more customers, visitors get an early look at fresh ideas—and perhaps the next great Filipino brands waiting to be discovered.

Coconut, reimagined. From food and beverages to fashion, home, and lifestyle finds, Filipino entrepreneurs transform the “tree of life” into innovative, market-ready products—showing there’s still so much more to discover from one coconut

Here are five discoveries worth making before the fair ends.

1. One coconut. More possibilities than you imagined. For Elmer Marbello, General Manager of Marbello’s Processed Foods Manufacturing, virtually every part of the coconut can inspire another product. He has developed around 40, including coconut liniment and coconut bagoong made from coconut remnants.

“Mahilig po talaga akong mag-develop ng products. I have about 40 that I have developed. Lahat po ng parte ng coconut, ginamit ko na… Tree of life po talaga ang coconut.”

Adrian Ramilo of Ayanas is also pushing coconut in unexpected directions with coconut wine. “Hindi po siya tuba—and masarap po siya,” he shared. More importantly, demand generated through trade fairs is helping create jobs in their community: “Marami po kaming produkto na nabebenta sa trade fair kaya may mga trabaho na sa amin.”

One crop. Dozens of possibilities. And hundreds of entrepreneurs finding new ones.

2. A Gen Z school project can become a real business. For Dehusk, the business began with a college feasibility study—and a very personal problem. One of its founders is lactose intolerant. At the same time, the young entrepreneurs saw an opportunity in the country’s surplus of coconuts. Their solution was to develop drinkable coconut milk as a milk alternative, rather than coconut milk traditionally used for cooking. That school project eventually became a Gen Z-run business.

“We are very proud to have come up with this product, being the only one in the market locally producing drinkable milk from coconut—not for cooking. It’s a great alternative to other milk alternatives. Our company is also proudly run by Generation Z!” said Chloe De Ocampo, Marketing Lead of Dehusk.

From feasibility study to trade fair floor, Dehusk shows how a personal need, a local resource, and a fresh idea can become a promising Filipino business.

3. What looks like waste can create livelihoods. For Virna Morales of Venice Rose Integrated Farms and Johnalyn Lamprea of Lampre’s Integrated Farm, surplus coconut shells weren’t something to throw away. They saw raw material—and opportunity. The partners transform the shells into handcrafted bags, alkansya, and other useful products.

“We believe nothing from the coconut should go to waste. We transform surplus shells into handcrafted products—creating new value from what could have been discarded. Today, this innovation helps provide livelihood to more than 100 workers.”

Morales, a nurse by profession, returned to help with her family’s farming business. Their coconut-shell bag venture is only in its first year, and with DTI Iloilo helping expand their market linkages, their first showcase at SMX opens another opportunity to connect with potential buyers. Less waste. More value. More than 100 livelihoods.

4. The right opportunity can turn a skill into a growing business. Juvy Crusina of Crusina’s Handicrafts in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte began her entrepreneurial journey by learning the craft through DTI’s Kapatid Mentor ME Program. She eventually moved from being part of a cooperative to becoming a sole proprietor in 2024. Then another turning point came when she joined DTI’s National Trade Fair at SM Megamall.

“I learned the craft through DTI’s Kapatid Mentor ME Program, and today I have my own business. Joining the National Trade Fair at SM gave us so much exposure that orders became overwhelming. Now at my first COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair here at SMX, I’m excited to be discovered by even more customers.”

Her story shows how opportunities can build on one another—from learning a skill, to starting a business, to finding a bigger market. Learn. Build. Be discovered. Grow.

5. Big ideas go further when the right partners open doors. Behind these individual success stories is a bigger ambition: helping promising Filipino ideas become sustainable businesses that create jobs and reach wider markets. DTI and DA-PCA help develop coconut farmers and enterprises, while SM and SMX provide a highly visible marketplace where entrepreneurs can showcase their products, meet shoppers and buyers, and explore new opportunities.

As DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque emphasized during the opening, “Our challenge is turning good products into lasting and sustainable businesses that can provide income for our country and provide jobs for our people.” She also called for stronger collaboration between government and business to create more Filipino success stories: “Let us now continue to create more Filipino products and more superstars through stronger coordination between private sector and government as we continue to build better lives for our farmers and for our communities.”

Where style meets purpose. SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and DTI Secretary Cristina Roque celebrate Filipino creativity and enterprise at the COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair 2026—championing the coco-preneurs turning local ideas into Filipino brands.

For Joaquin L. San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing of SM Supermalls, SM’s long-standing partnership with DTI is about helping those ideas reach the market. “Some of the most exciting Filipino brands begin with a simple idea and an entrepreneur willing to pursue it. Through our long-standing partnership with DTI, we help bring these ideas closer to the market—giving MSMEs opportunities to be discovered, connect with customers, and grow.” There’s still more to discover.

A school project turned into a Gen Z business. Surplus coconut shells turned into livelihoods. A craft learned through mentoring became an enterprise. And around 300 coconut MSMEs are showing just how many possibilities can grow from one of the Philippines’ most familiar resources.

A marketplace for Filipino ingenuity. COCONUTPhilippines brings hundreds of coconut MSMEs under one roof, giving homegrown businesses greater visibility and opportunities to connect with shoppers, buyers, and new markets.

The coco-preneurs are here. Their ideas are ready to be discovered. Come meet the founders, try something unexpected, and proudly support Filipino businesses. Somewhere on the trade fair floor could be the next great Filipino brand waiting for its big break. The DTI-Bagong Pilipinas COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair 2026 runs until August 30 at SMX Convention Center Manila, Pasay City. FREE ADMISSION.

See it. Discover it. Experience it.

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About SM Supermalls – SM for MSMEs SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia's largest mall developers and operators with 90 malls nationwide—continues to champion Filipino entrepreneurship through SM for MSMEs, creating opportunities that are relevant, inclusive, and designed around what entrepreneurs need most. As the country's most loved retail destination, SM supports MSMEs across different stages of growth by providing market access, greater visibility, strategic partnerships, and platforms that help local businesses thrive. By connecting communities with proudly Filipino brands, SM continues to empower entrepreneurs while building stronger, more resilient local economies.

SM Megamall Becomes Part of Metro Manila’s Transit Backbone with Busway Link

MANILA, Philippines, 28 August 2026 - Every day, over 170,000 commuters board the EDSA Bus Carousel to get to work, school, and everywhere in between – and this passenger count continues to climb. As more Filipinos turn to the EDSA busway as their daily mode of transportation, the infrastructure around its busiest stations is being pushed to keep pace, with one of the initiatives being a direct walkway linking the bus station to SM Megamall.

The SM Megamall EDSA Busway Concourse, which opened to the public on April 2026, is an elevated, weather-protected walkway that connects the EDSA Bus Carousel’s SM Megamall station to SM Megamall Building A, eliminating the need for commuters to traverse the lengthy stretch across EDSA. It houses escalators and elevators to ensure convenient access for all, including commuters with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women.

The concourse was developed by your most loved SM Supermalls in collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), as part of joint efforts to improve the commuter experience. The link provides direct access to the bus platform that serves northbound trips to Monumento and southbound trips to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

This development reflects a broader shift in how Philippine malls are evolving in design – being positioned not only as shopping and leisure destinations, but also as functional nodes within the country’s urban mobility network. SM Megamall’s busway link builds on a similar model previously introduced at SM North EDSA, signaling a pattern that may be replicated across other SM Supermalls strategically located along major transit corridors.

Under the My SM campaign, the mall operator highlights its larger commitment to enhancing and reenvisioning how daily activities – like commuting – can be made more seamless, comfortable, and safe for every Filipino. For more information, visit @smmegamall or https://www.smsupermalls.com/. 

Also check the youtube video:

https://youtube.com/shorts/UdF2XBF_M2A?si=UYjyRAuWf-QtvTdu

GAC'S ALL-NEW GN6: THE ACCESSIBLE MPV MVP FOR FILIPINO FAMILIES

MANILA, Philippines | 27 August 2026 - Filipino families today have a wider range of mobility options than ever before. While some prioritize space and everyday versatility, others place greater importance on comfort, technology, performance, or accessible pricing. Ultimately, the right vehicle is one that responds to a family's particular needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Recognizing these different priorities, GAC Philippines recently introduced its expanded MPV Family, comprising the All-New GAC GN6, GAC E8 HEV, and GAC GN8 PHEV Executive. Together, the three models provide distinct mobility solutions for families at different life stages and price points.

As the most accessible model in the lineup, the All-New GN6 is thoughtfully designed for family life. From easier cabin access and comfortable three-row seating to flexible cargo space, connected technology, and advanced driver assistance features, the GN6 brings together the qualities families use and appreciate every day.

Built on GAC's more than 10 years of MPV engineering experience and over 880,000 MPVs delivered worldwide, the GN6 brings together the space, comfort, versatility, technology, and safety that Filipino families value. This well-rounded combination earns it a place among GAC's "MPV MVPs."

Here are five ways the All-new GN6 provides more care and value for every family:

1. Space designed around the whole family

A family MPV must accommodate more than passengers. It needs to adapt to school runs, daily commutes, family gatherings, grocery trips, weekend activities, and long journeys out of town.

Measuring 4,792 mm long and built on a 2,810 mm wheelbase, the GN6 provides comfortable seating for seven across three rows. Its cabin is arranged to give each passenger a more considered space, whether seated in front, in the second-row captain's seats, or in the third row.

The independent second-row captain's seats feature individual armrests, giving passengers a more comfortable and personal seating area. Easy cabin access also helps children, elderly family members, and passengers with limited mobility enter and exit the vehicle with less effort.

When more carrying capacity is needed, the third-row seats fold completely into the luggage floor to create a flat and practical cargo area. This expands cargo capacity from 324 liters to as much as 1,100 liters, allowing the GN6 to accommodate luggage, sports equipment, shopping, and other large items without requiring families to choose between passenger comfort and usable storage.

Dual-zone automatic climate control helps keep the cabin comfortable, while a PM1 air filter supports cleaner air circulation for everyone on board. A power sunroof adds to the open and welcoming feel of the interior.

Together, these features demonstrate how the GN6's space is not simply measured in dimensions. It is designed around the different people, routines, and responsibilities that make up family life.

2. Family-focused Features

The GN6 gives Filipino families access to a combination of three-row space, comfort, technology, performance, and safety features in one vehicle.

At the center of the cabin is a large 14.6-inch touchscreen display, complemented by a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The two displays give the interior a clean, contemporary appearance while placing essential vehicle information and connectivity functions within easy view and reach of the driver.

Families also benefit from features that make everyday travel more comfortable and convenient, including the second-row captain's seats, flexible fold-flat third row, dual-zone climate control, PM1 air filtration, and power sunroof.

Rather than focusing on equipment for its own sake, the GN6 brings these features together to support real family needs: keeping passengers comfortable, helping the driver stay informed, and allowing the cabin to adapt as plans change.

With 270 Nm of torque, the GAC GN6 delivers smooth, responsive performance for daily commutes and family road trips alike. The actual unit may vary from the photo shown.

3. Turbocharged Performance for City and Highway Driving

Powering the GN6 is a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 176.7 HP and 270 Nm of torque. It is paired with a seven-speed Wet Dual-Clutch Transmission, or 7WDCT.

This combination gives the GN6 the responsiveness needed for daily city driving, carrying a full complement of passengers, merging into faster traffic, and travelling on provincial roads. Its 270 Nm of torque provides useful pulling power when the vehicle is loaded with family members and cargo, while the transmission supports smooth and confident progress across different driving conditions.

The GN6 has a WLTC combined fuel-consumption rating of 7.22 liters per 100 kilometers, balancing its turbocharged performance with the everyday efficiency expected of a family vehicle.

4. Level 2 Advanced Assistance Safety for Greater Family Confidence

For a family vehicle, care also means supporting the driver and helping protect everyone inside.

The All-New GN6 GX is equipped with a comprehensive Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance System, or ADAS. Its suite of driver-support technologies includes:

- Adaptive Cruise Control

- Traffic Jam Assist

- Integrated Cruise Assist

- Automatic Emergency Braking

- Forward Collision Warning

- Lane Keeping Assist

- Lane Departure Warning

These features assist the driver in monitoring traffic conditions, maintaining the vehicle's position, and responding to potential hazards. They are complemented by a high-definition 360-degree panoramic camera, which provides greater visibility when parking, navigating narrow streets, or maneuvering in confined spaces.

The result is added confidence not only on highways and long journeys, but also during the everyday driving situations Filipino families encounter most often.

5. Straightforward and Convenient Everyday Ownership

The GN6 is designed to fit easily into established family routines. Its gasoline powertrain allows quick and accessible refueling, whether the vehicle is used primarily within the city or for longer trips across the country.

Ownership is supported by GAC Philippines' nationwide network of 30 dealerships, dedicated local parts warehouse, and two years of free roadside assistance. The GN6 also comes with a five-year or 150,000-kilometer vehicle warranty, whichever comes first.

GAC's local parts warehouse helps maintain a stable supply of genuine components and supports faster service turnaround times. GAC dealerships also operate according to GAC Global Sales & Service Way standards, providing customers with consistent technical and aftersales support throughout the vehicle's lifecycle.

Equipped with a comprehensive Level 2 ADAS suite and a 360° HD camera system, the GAC GN6 provides total driving confidence and active safety for the whole family. The actual unit may vary from the photo shown.

The Bottom Line: An MPV that Puts Family Needs First

The All-New GN6 expands the choices available to Filipino families by offering a spacious, adaptable, and well-equipped seven-seater at an accessible price.

Its value is found not in any one feature, but in how its features work together: captain's seats that make passengers more comfortable, fold-flat seating that creates room for changing family needs, a turbocharged engine that provides confident performance, and Level 2 ADAS that supports the driver on every journey.

Within GAC Philippines' broader MPV Family, the GN6 provides a compelling choice for households looking for everyday versatility, useful technology, thoughtful comfort, and advanced safety features from P1.198 million.

It is an accessible MPV designed to deliver more care for every family member.

Pricing

Reservations for the GN6 MPV are now open at GAC dealerships nationwide. The following Introductory pricing is available for reservations made until September 30, 2026.

ALL-NEW GAC GN6 | GX Variant

SRP | PHP 1,298,000

Intro Savings | PHP 100,000

Intro Price | PHP 1,198,000

Powertrain | 1.5L Turbo Gasoline

Body Color | Pearl White, Classic Black

Interior | Black (with Black ceiling)

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-264539 Series of 2026

The GN6 is available in Pearl White and Classic Black colors and with all-black interiors.

GAC has leveraged 20 years of collaboration with Toyota and Honda to emerge as a dominant force in automotive tech. A legacy of world-class manufacturing and hybrid expertise ensures that every GAC vehicle adheres to the most stringent quality and performance benchmarks. By harmonizing international engineering with localized precision, GAC delivers high-performance durability tailored specifically for the Filipino driver's peace of mind.

GAC Philippines supports its owners through a nationwide network of 30 dealerships, a dedicated parts warehouse, two years of free roadside assistance, and tailored warranty coverage. ICE models (GS4, GS3 EMZOOM, EMKOO, GS8, EMPOW, M6 Pro, GN6, and M8) include a 5-year or 150,000 km warranty, whichever comes first. EV models (AION Y, Hyptec HT, AION UT, AION V, and AION ES) carry an 8-year or 160,000 km basic warranty, along with an 8-year or 200,000 km plan for the traction battery and electric drive, applicable up to the specified milestone. PHEV and HEV models (GS4 Max, E8, GN8, and GS8) offer a 5-year or 150,000 km basic warranty, complemented by an 8-year or 150,000 km policy covering the power battery, driving motor, and motor control unit.

Visit a GAC dealership near you or explore the new energy lineup of GAC Philippines gacgroup.com/en-ph/test-drive. For the latest news and updates, follow @gacmotorph on Facebook and Instagram.

About GAC International Philippines

GAC International Philippines, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAC International, the global arm of the GAC Group—a Fortune Global 500 powerhouse ranked No. 181 in 2024. As a key market in GAC's global expansion, GAC International Philippines, Inc. serves as the official steward of the brand's commitment to delivering world-class, intelligent, and sustainable mobility solutions to Filipino consumers. Moving forward, the brand will place an even greater focus on enhancing customer experience at every touchpoint.

Under the "ONE GAC" strategic framework, GAC International Philippines, Inc. integrates a premium multi-brand portfolio including GAC MOTOR, AION, and HYPTEC. The company offers a versatile lineup that balances the reliable performance and fuel efficiency of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) models with the cutting-edge technology of new energy vehicles, such as the ultra-safe Magazine Battery 2.0 and the ADiGO intelligent ecosystem.

GAC International Philippines, Inc. is dedicated to providing a "zero-anxiety" ownership experience through a localized and responsive support network. To better and faster meet the specific needs of Filipino consumers, a dedicated local spare parts warehouse has been established in the country, ensuring a stable supply of genuine components and significantly reducing service turnaround times. All operations adhere to the GSSW (GAC Global Sales & Service Way) standards, guaranteeing that every Filipino customer receives world-class technical support and high-quality service throughout the vehicle's lifecycle.

Official Website: https://www.gacgroup.com/en-ph