GMA NETWORK
 
Philippine officials this week wooed the Japan market for coconut products with a campaign promoting the coconut as the "tree of life."
 
The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo's trade and investment unit and the Philippine Coconut Authority held the Coconut Promotion Seminar at the Embassy grounds.
 
Around 97 Japanese importers or buyers of coconut products, manufacturers, pâtissieri, restaurateurs, and culinary journalists attended the seminar organized by the Office of Trade and Investment Tokyo and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in coordination with the Embassy.
 
Philippine Ambassador to Tokyo Manuel Lopez said the Philippines "dominates the world as one of the biggest, if not the biggest supplier of coconuts.”
 
For his part, PCA Administrator Romulo Arancon Jr. said that every part of the coconut tree and nut can be used.
 
Among the products derived from the coconut are the extra virgin coconut oil and coconut water with tender coconut meat.
 
Other products include cooking oil, certified organic coco products, coconut flour; and personal care products such as the new Laurin; dessicated coconut, activated carbon from coconut shells; coco coir/nets/mats; household and kitchen wares.
 
“There is a great awareness of the health benefits of coconut especially for anti-aging and the prevention of Alhziemer’s disease,” Arancon added.
 
He also noted processing the coconut tree is environment-friendly because the entire tree produces many products.
 
For his part, Cocowell Corp. vice president Kousuke Azuma discussed the process for the production of extra virgin and virgin coconut oil. Cocowell Corp. is a major importer of Philippine virgin coconut oil.
 
Aquacocos Japan Co. Ltd. president Isao Nakagawa said their signature product in Japan is the “Aqua Cocos” or coconut water, for rehydration especially for athletes.
 
Meanwhile, Yoko Uchida of the Hilot Therapy School discussed hilot or body massage using coconut oil.