Heat from the ground up

There’s a new sauce in town vying for attention among the other commercially available condiments, and while it's a very new product—it was only launched last January—Aeta Organics' Aeta Hot Sauce: Nature on Fire is already garnering attention for the interesting story behind the brand.

Aeta Organics manufactures and sells spicy, vegetarian-friendly organic products. The brand was founded and developed by young entrepreneur Bianca Mabanta, in part to help create livelihoods for members of an Aeta community in Zambales.

On a small, 300-square meter portion of land in Pastolan, a village inhabited by displaced Aetas, the residents grow siling labuyo, herbs and other produce using traditional ways of planting and harvesting and without the aid of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

"I chose this area and the Aetas among other Philippine tribes because I once lived in Subic and I would see them around. Their having no livelihoods or income on their own land urged me to do something," Mabanta said.

Turning to the community to help her source the materials for the product by growing it themselves from the ground was her way of giving back.

"I came home to the Philippines after living in Spain with a renewed sense of patriotism and purpose," she said. "Doing Aeta Organics alone proves that change can be done any time, anywhere, even on a small scale."

But of all things, why sauce—and a hot and flavorful one at that? "I am a vegetarian, and we often smother our food with sauce for flavor, but we also want our sauce healthy," said Mabanta. "And locally, I noticed that there’s none. So I created the chili sauce."

She oversees the entire process, from farming with the tribe to product research and development, to branding, marketing and sales.

This social enterprise has helped out members of the community, providing them with livelihood skills, sanitation practices and healthcare.

Aside from profit-sharing, Mabanta also allots a portion of the proceeds to improving learning resources and renovating classrooms and other educational facilities for younger members of the community.

The hot sauce is currently sold in select restaurants, and on the company's Facebook page and website. Mabanta also often joins organic markets and food fairs like that of Salcedo Village in Makati.

Aeta Organics will soon have other condiments to offer, but right now, its hot sauce continues to spice up the industry not only with its flavor but also with its story. — BM, GMA News

Photos courtesy of Aeta Organics