A selfie captures three smiling individuals at an outdoor booth for "Agon C Honey Calamansi Juice," with samples and promotional materials visible.

“You do not give up when you fail, things do not go as you wanted it to be.”  This is a living advice from business owner Marishel Dizon, owner of T-Masipag Food Products Trading.

From the fallen fruits of the lemon plants in her garden, Marishel made lemonade drinks with cucumber for her family and as giveaways for her friends since there were so many lemons to extract. It was just a pure act of love for the people around her until she started receiving multiple requests from friends to make more and have them delivered for special occasions as their event drink.

Marishel is a returning Overseas Filipino Worker who never got the chance to work as an employee in the Philippines. Given the need to be self-sufficient in 2018, she bravely seized the opportunity to establish her concoction as a business because she had no other means of support for her family.   

As a startup with a capital of Php 4,000.00, Marishel, together with her five children, manually squeezed five kilos of kalamansi as a substitute for lemons since they were more readily available. This effort allowed her to fulfill her first batch of orders.

As the orders kept coming, Marishel recognized the potential of her venture and decided to take her business more seriously.  She formalized her business in 2022 naming it T-Masipag Food Products Trading and branding its product Aeon C.

In March 2024, Marishel went to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Tarlac Provincial Office to inquire about trademark registration.  She was introduced to Business Counselor Joanna Pagaduan who provided her assistance on intellectual property registration.

Apart from her concern, she was also invited to join the Kapatid Mentor ME (KMME) Program which she responded positively. KMME is a mentoring program of DTI which covers all the aspects of business.  It was a big help to her business especially the Business Model Canvas, as up to date, her team uses it whenever they have clients and investors.

T-Masipag Food Products Trading has evolved significantly from its humble beginnings as a simple hobby. It now escalated to a weekly production cost exceeding one million pesos.

Initially operating from a residential setting, the production process has since advanced to a dedicated production area equipped with machines, raising the production capacity. The initial customer base which comprised friends and relatives now expanded and reached across Regions 1, 2, and 3, as well as select provinces in both North and South Luzon.

Marishel has successfully achieved her objective of supporting the local community by providing employment opportunities. What began with her five children assisting to fulfill her first order has evolved into a workforce of 12 regular employees and 15 part-time workers.

T-Masipag Food Products Trading aims to expand its market presence into the Visayas and Mindanao regions and intends to offer franchises upon the successful completion of its IPO/Trademark registration.

Entering the business world demands tremendous resilience—it is a journey for those who persevere. Marishel’s inspiring story reminds us of the rewards that come from overcoming challenges and reaping the fruits of hard work. ♦

Date of Release: 16 April 2025

Business Name: T-Masipag Food Products Trading
Business Address: Don Basilio, Gerona, Tarlac
Name of Owner: Marishel Dizon Social Media Page/s: Aeon C Honey Calamansi Juice – Philippines

A selfie captures three smiling individuals at an outdoor booth for "Agon C Honey Calamansi Juice," with samples and promotional materials visible.
A vibrant promotional graphic advertises "AEON C" juice as an "Everyday! HEALTHY Every Day!" beverage. Four green-capped bottles of the yellow juice are arranged alongside fresh calamansi fruits, sliced oranges, and a glass with a dynamic splash of the drink. Social media handles and an "Order Now" button are featured at the bottom.
The interior of a truck is packed with numerous cases of yellow liquid bottles, possibly "AEON C" juice, stacked high and secured for delivery.
Four young women stand on a stage in front of a large screen displaying information about "T-MASIPAG FOOD PRODUCTS TRADING" and the "dti Negosyo Mentor Me Program KMME-MME ONLINE". The screen features a photo of a woman identified as the mentee, Marichel Cayabyab Dizon, along with details about her position, address in Tarlac City, Tarlac, and industry cluster (Food Processing). The women on stage appear to be holding certificates or awards. The setting suggests a graduation or recognition ceremony for participants of the mentorship program. Given the location context of Tarlac and the program's affiliation with the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI Negosyo), the individuals on stage are likely Filipina.

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