When we were young, our Mom was whom we base our world around. But back then, when we could not really fathom that our Moms are a force for good to be reckoned with.  The things they do on a day-to-day basis make the world go round, and so much would not get done if not for them. 

Moms these days wear several hats, taking on many roles; and at times expectation can be high to have it all. Between businesses and parenting, moms have to balance so much, so here are two moms who have some of it figured out: Iya Villania- Arellano and Marian Rivera - Dantes!

Iya Villania - Arellano is an actress, singer, model, and TV presenter (what can’t she do?) Known for her work as a VJ on Myx, this multi-talented multi-hyphenate is a mother of four. She somehow finds time to be a parent on top of everything she does.

Iya gets her strength from her children. She says: these days, their opinions matter more than anything else. he wants her children and her children’s children to experience Mother Earth in all her beauty. That’s why she tirelessly pursue sustainable living so her children can live in a better world.  In her advocacy, she found a reliable and like-minded partner in Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation.  The company has launched in the market the first-ever seasoning product in paper packaging, the AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning 45g which is made from natural and renewable paper material that can be planted, grown, harvested, and replanted

She believes that women’s month is more than just about celebrating women’s beauty and strength, but also their voices. She is using hers to build a better world for her children. She’s not the only one who is giving her all for what she believes in. Another mom to highlight is Marian Rivera-Dantes!

Marian Rivera-Dantes needs little introduction. This celebrity powerhouse wows us again and again with acting, modeling, hosting, and running a business! On top of all that, she’s even a mother of two. Becoming a mom has made Marian hyper-aware of her children’s health, and she knows that other women all over the Philippines are just as concerned about their children. 

She is big on education and explaining. She gently and patiently includes her own kids in her cooking. She talks to them about how to incorporate veggies rather than fighting with them about it. According to her, it’s not just about telling them not to eat sweets; it's about incorporating them into the cooking. We should be teaching them what ingredients are for and how flavors interact. She’s been involved with nutrition education advocacy, and she lives it every day.  She and Zia leads the “I Love Veggie-Licious” campaign introducing new era of cooking for kids to enjoy vegetables made delicious with Aji-Ginisa® Flavor Seasoning Mix.

Both these women are a shining example of creating a positive impact with their passion and influence, and Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation has been a long-time partner of these two Moms as  “Eat Well, Live Well” ambassadors.

They are a powerful force with platforms to reach millions, and they use that to do as much good as they can, not just for themselves but for the children who will take over after us.

Marian and Iya both understand what Mom used to make. It’s not just the dishes that make us feel comfortable; it's not just the lessons she taught us. It’s also the change moms make in the world. Moms make change by teaching us how to be good citizens and they start by modeling how to live well, and eat well. 

Let’s celebrate women this women’s month, not just the literal moms but all the dog moms and the aunties and all women. Let’s join them in making a change and making the world better, everyone doing their part. Marian and Iya are doing theirs, what can you do?

Sustainability is everybody’s business.  Mother Earth is our home and we need to pull together to take care of it.

One concrete step we can take is to reduce our plastic waste. Plastic is a major pollutant and cutting down on it makes a difference. Iya Villania Arellano understands this problem and advocates responsible earth-friendly consumption, “We cannot go through a single day without having an impact on the environment.  Let’s be part of the solution by being responsible consumers.  One small step at a time can make a big difference.”

Iya is very strict about bringing reusable bags and containers to minimize her dependence on disposable plastic. She has even opted to put purchases or groceries in her purse or backpack if it means one less bag gets used! 

Another important thing that Iya does to integrate sustainability into her daily life is to teach her children about it. She says that with her kids it’s, “Monkey see, monkey do!” So she is mindful of how they view waste.  

Every day she is providing a good example of how her children should care for the planet. Instead of buying water when they’re out, Iya and her family do their best to bring reusable water bottles they can refill. At home, they take the time to separate their trash for proper recycling. These might seem like small steps, but more people building good habits like these can make a big impact on our landfills. 

Not only does she make sure her kids grow up with sustainable habits, but she also supports companies like Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) that are doing their part reducing its environment impact.

Iya shared, “I am glad that other than making delicious and healthy food for my family, I am also contributing to the reduction of plastic waste with AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning in paper packaging.”

AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning 45g paper packaging is made from a natural and renewable paper material that can be planted, grown, harvested, and replanted. The paper packaging is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a leader in sustainable forestry. As a company, Ajinomoto is taking responsibility for its product and is innovating with the planet in mind. This shift to paper packaging provides consumers with an alternative to plastic.  

The Ajinomoto Group is a global company with specialties in the business of food and amino acids, guided by our leading-edge bioscience and fine chemical technologies.

Based on the corporate message “Eat Well, Live Well.”, we have been scientifically pursuing the possibilities of amino acids in supporting the healthy lives of people all around the world. We aim for future growth and continuous contribution to greater wellness by creating value through sustainable and innovative solutions for communities and society.

The Ajinomoto Group has offices in 36 countries and regions, and sells products in more than 130 countries and regions. In fiscal 2021, sales were 1.1149 trillion yen (8.73 billion U.S. dollars). To learn more, visit www.ajinomoto.com.