Ajinomoto Philippines supports 1st NDAP Food & Nutripreneurship Summit

“The reality we’re seeing from DOST-FNRI data is that there is a gap between nutrition and sustainability in the country now. While millions of Filipinos are not meeting their daily energy needs, household plate waste continues to rise, and vegetables are among the most wasted. Vegetables should be at the center of this conversation because increasing consumption supports nutritional goals such as providing essential vitamins and minerals, and fiber. At the same time, it contributes to sustainability as plant-based foods have lower environmental footprint.” ~Bea Menorca-de Jesus, APC’s Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian

In photo from left: Lawrence Kyle Dela Cruz, RND Program Chair, NDAP National Board Director for Food Service; APC RND Bea Menorca-De Jesus; APC Director for Marketing, Sales and Public Relations, Mika Makino, APC Food Service Division Corporate Chef Manager, Chef Glenn Dino; Shaylendra Andres, RND - NDAP National Vice President; Maria Eloisa Villaraza, RND, MSCN – NDAP Immediate Past President

Recently, on July 3–4, 2026, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) participated in the first Food & Nutripreneurship (FUN) Summit of the Nutritionist-Dietitians' Association of the Philippines (NDAP). Industry leaders, innovators, aspiring entrepreneurs, and nutritionists from across the country came together for this historic event. 

With “Fueling Innovation in Food Service by Uniting Nutrition Advocates and Entrepreneurs and Nurturing Sustainable Ventures for Health and Wellness,” as its theme, the summit offered a platform for talking about emerging problems and trends, sharing ideas, and strengthening bonds with other advocates dedicated to shaping the future of food service and nutrition in the Philippines.

Glen Dino, Corporate Chef Manager of the Food Service Division, and Bea Menorca-de Jesus, APC's registered nutritionist-dietitian, led a lunch symposium emphasizing the significance of boosting vegetable consumption as one of the best strategies to enhance human and environmental health. 

Chef Dino gave a quick and entertaining cooking demonstration of basic vegetable recipes like Chopsuey Salad with CaterServe® Sesame Dressing and Mango Shrimp Salad with AJI-MAYO® Professional Style Mayonnaise. Both had a savory or umami flavor that enhanced the vegetable dishes' "linamnam" quality and made them more enticing.

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) continues to strengthen its partnership with the Nutritionist-Dietitians' Association of the Philippines (NDAP) in advancing nutrition, health, and sustainability initiatives. Shown are NDAP Adviser Zenaida Velasco (center), flanked by Mika Makino, APC Director for Marketing, Sales and Public Relations (left), and Bea Menorca-de Jesus, RND, APC Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian (right)

This theme is also central to APC's flagship nutrition campaign, I Love Veggie-Licious®. Through cooking demonstrations and hands-on nutrition education, APC has been encouraging Filipinos to eat more vegetables since 2023 in a number of schools and communities throughout the nation. In keeping with APC's corporate motto, "Eat Well, Live Well," the program aims to give families, particularly mothers, the skills and information they need to include vegetables in their everyday meals and develop a healthier eating habit.

“NDAP recognizes the value of multisectoral participation in promoting safe, sustainable, and evidence-based public health nutrition education for Filipinos. This event provides a platform for the exchange of knowledge and practices among nutrition professionals, businesses, food service organizations, and other stakeholders in support of shared public health and nutrition goals.” ~Lawrence Kyle Dela Cruz, RND Program Chair, NDAP National Board Director for Food Service

I Love Veggie-Licious® is one of the major ways APC continues to contribute to the Ajinomoto Group’s 2030 outcomes — help extend the healthy life expectancy of one billion people and to reduce its environmental impact by 50%. 

Likewise, APC continues to support organizations like NDAP, that share the company’s commitment to promoting nutrition, health and sustainability.