Last August 25-27, 2025, the University of the Philippines Institute for Small Scale Industries (UP ISSI) successfully conducted its mentorship session with five entrepreneurs in Zamboanga City as part of the GABAy-Agri-Aqua TBI SUC-ISSI Mentorship Program. The three-day visit marked the continuing of UP ISSI’s partnership with Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) through their Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation Program. A team of mentors headed by the GABAy’s Program Leader, Ms. Karen Kay C. Bravo from UP ISSI’s Business Enterprise Development Division, worked closely with the selected entrepreneurs from Zamboanga.
During the visit, UP ISSI also made a courtesy call with WMSU’s Dr. Joel G. Fernando, VP for Research and Extension, and Dr. Reynante E. Autida, Research Development and Evaluation Center (RDEC) Director, Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) Program Leader, and ATBI Project Leader. The WMSU officials welcomed the team and agreed to strengthen their partnership to uplift startups within their region.
The mentors worked with five innovative entrepreneurs (mentees) who have developed remarkable technology-based products. Ms. Julienne Stephanie Agapin of UNVAS shared her technology that ingeniously converts banana leaves into versatile craft products such as paper and accessories. The husband-and-wife team of Shaik and Richelle Ismurajid created Chicharoom’s healthy mushroom snacks, while Ms. Emie Varona has developed an odorless mushroom bagoong that is now sold in school canteens. Mr. Jeffrey Sereno transforms his backyard lettuce harvest into a healthy snack option called Cafelayan Chips, and Mr. Swidin Husin crafted a chili garlic condiment from his farm-grown peppers.
During the three-day visit, the mentors studied each business and examined their marketing, operations, and sales strategies. They provided specific tasks to each mentee to work on before their next meeting, which will continue through online sessions.The GABAy Agri-Aqua TBI SUC-ISSI Mentorship Program works with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to help these entrepreneurs solve problems in marketing, operations, staff management, and finances. The program also creates online marketing materials and provides new ways for businesses to reach more customers.
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What is GABAy?
GABAy is UP ISSI’s flagship advocacy program that aims to accelerate the growth and sustainability of MSMEs by providing online mentoring and online marketing support. It offers a comprehensive range of services to support MSMEs, including enterprise counseling (online and face-to-face) and online marketing support, for enhanced productivity and efficiency. Under this program, entrepreneurs can receive personalized advice to diagnose and resolve their operational issues. The program also assists MSMEs in the development of marketing collaterals and articles, business planning and networking.
To learn more about the GABAy Program and how it can benefit your business, organization, or community, reach out to UP ISSI’s Business Enterprise Development Division by phone at (+632) 8981-8500 (VoIP Local 4087) or email at enterprisedevt_issi.upd@up.edu.ph. You can also visit our office, at Room 403, 4th Floor, E. Virata Hall, E. Jacinto St., University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.