The journey of Parauma Agri-processing Ventures began long before we produced our first bottle. It started as a shared dream to build a social enterprise that could serve as a vehicle for real change, even though we were not sure where to begin at the start. The turning point came during the undergraduate years of our founder, Junald Mark Gan Olila, when a Special Problem research project at UPLB became the blueprint for our mission. This research allowed us to bridge the gap between academic study and the actual needs of the farm, helping us turn classroom ideas into practical help for our farmers.

Building this enterprise from the ground up has not been easy. We have faced many hurdles and moments of doubt, but we were never alone in this journey. With the unwavering guidance of our mentors and professors, the support of our colleagues, and the love of the people closest to us, we have been able to keep moving, learning, and growing. Our inspiration was deeply influenced by Ms. Cherrys Abrigo, the founder of SIERREZA, whose dedication to marginalized farmers showed us that a business can truly have a soul. Witnessing her heart for the community ignited our own desire to help others wholeheartedly.

We have so many dreams for this enterprise, and though we know we are still small, we are giving our absolute best every single day. Our goal is to build a strong foundation so that our team can help and empower even more farmers in the future. We know that we still have a long way to go and many more challenges to face, but we are ready to take them all on. We believe that there is something far more valuable than just earning money—and that is the empowerment of the people who feed us.

Parauma, named after the Bicolano word for farmer, is our lifetime commitment to this belief. We do not just build products; we build hope. By transforming every harvest into premium goods like our UMAVINO spirits, we are creating a lasting testament to the heritage, resilience, and hard work of the Filipino farmer. For the Filipino people, we are Parauma.