CHIT JUAN

ECHO-WARRIOR

THE PHILIPPINES’ BIGGEST EXPORT IS ITS PEOPLE. That is, unless Chit Juan does something about it.

Coffee-lover, cultural emissary and champion of all things Filipino, these traits sum up Chit Juan but don’t quite do her justice. The founder of Echostore, an aggregator of Filipino organic produce, eco-ethical personal care and household products is as Chit puts it, “the best showcase for the Filipino.”

Over a hearty brunch at Echostore’s quaint café, Chit explains, “We sell everything local and everything good that the Filipino has.” The entire menu of our brunch has a source within the Philippines and imagining push pins on a map, we locate the origins of the mushroom burger (Tagaytay), sun-dried tomatoes (Nueva Ecija) and the tofu chips (Manila).

The physical face of Echostore may be a retail store and cafe, but the more important deal is the one behind the shelves. How the products are conceived, sourced, packaged and marketed all form the bigger purpose of Echostore.

Chit shares, “We’re continuing our mission to reach out to the indigenous communities and find great coffee, cocoa and coconut. We’re going as far as Sulu, Camiguin Islands, and even areas like Negros and Benguet.” This takes Chit and her Echostore co-founders Jeannie Javelosa and Reena Francisco all over the Philippines.

Echostore is currently representing the country in the World Expo in Yeosu, Korea. There is a purpose behind this showcase, Chit says: “To make the world know that Pinoys are not just great workers but they are great artisans and good producers.” And although the Philippines is well-known for exporting doctors, nurses, and construction workers to the world, with Chit and Echostore, the international will take notice of our local products as well.—MY