Coco water in a pack

 By Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

Coconut water, locally known as buko juice, is a favorite drink among many of us, not only for its refreshing flavor but also for its nutritional benefits. This is why international personalities such as Madonna, Rihanna, Demi Moore and other well-known celebrities are now hooked on coconut water, and the coco fever has started to hit the globe.
In the Philippines, where coconut trees are abundant and endemic, especially in the provinces, this water from the "tree of life" is a familiar treat. But in some cities, it has become difficult to find. You have to look for buko vendors or go to the market to buy this refreshment. Apart from this, sometimes the coconut water that you may have bought on the street or in the market contain unidentified particles, and even the coconut skin or husks are mixed in the juice.
So is it possible to obtain pure, clean coconut juice easily?
Seems like Tropicana got this idea as it launched recently its newest beverage product, the Tropicana Coco Quench, made from 100 percent fresh and real coconut water.

This thirst-quenching drink is now considered the new, must-have beverage and the best alternative to soda — health and lifestyle enthusiasts of all ages and all walks of life will definitely like it.
"Tropicana Coco Quench brings the natural goodness of coconut water closer to local consumers, infusing 'fun' and 'freshness' into the lifestyle of Filipinos," Beverly Po, product manager of Tropicana, said. "Unlike the one that you purchase from magbubuko (vendor) where sometimes you will carry the whole husk or the coconut shell, this product is easy to carry. The packaging is also made of recyclable materials."
The Tropicana Coco Quench is the first locally-produced drink with an eight-month shelf life. It capitalizes on the advanced technology of Tetra Pak packaging to replicate the protection of coconuts, which "sealed it like nature did." This allows Tropicana Coco Quench to stay as fresh as the real fruit without the need for preservatives and added flavors.
It is also the only drink that utilizes a hip, octagon-shaped packaging for easier grip. The 330ml pack comes with a pull-tab mechanism and enables consumers to conveniently drink the coconut water straight from the pack.
This 330ml healthy beverage can be consumed for only P30, while the one-liter pack is also available with a 100 percent resealable cap for P50.
According to Po, one of the reasons everyone likes the coconut water because of the benefits it brings to our body. "Coconut water is known for containing electrolytes similar to the human plasma, making it naturally hydrating with less sugar and calories. Coconut water is also a rich source of iron, calcium and magnesium. It has four times higher potassium content than bananas. The regular drinking of this amazing juice from nature can significantly help reduce food cravings and flush out toxins to boost health and aid in weight loss," she added.
And because it has less sugar, Po said Tropicana Coco Quench is ideal for persons with diabetes and those who suffer from high levels of uric acid or kidney problems.
Perfect to become the brand ambassador of the Tropicana Coco Quench, supermodel Charo Ronquillo was tapped as the product endorser given its proposition as the beverage for consumers who lead an active lifestyle.

With her natural beauty, Ronquillo has walked the runways in New York and Paris fashion shows. She also appeared on the cover of international fashion and beauty magazines such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, Cosmopolitan and Glamour.
"The upsurge in demand for coconut water is remarkable. This phenomenon has drawn global attention to the Philippines as one of the leading sources of coconut water in the world. Tropicana Coco Quench leverages the expertise of Tropicana to come out with a revolutionary product from locally-grown coconuts that addresses the need for better and healthier choices for consumers," expressed Partho Chakrabarti, president for Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PPCPI).
Chakrabarti stressed the company's growth because of the continuous support from Filipino consumers and he promised that more products will be produced.
"Just recently we introduced to you the Sting product with Manny Pacquiao as the endorser.... and after that, two more products were launched... and now this September we proudly welcome the Tropicana Coco Quench... this is the proof of the PCPPI's big expansion, we introduced four products in just one year. I think no other companies here can do that," said Chakrabarti.

Yeon Suk-No, CEO; Beverly Po, brand manager; Partho Chakrabart, president; Jika Dalupan, EVP; and Jin-Pyo Ahn, VP Corporate Communications

The Tropicana brand is under PCPPI, along with other popular beverage products such as Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, 7-Up, Mirinda, Mug, Gatorade, Lipton, Sting and Premier.
The PCPPI is the exclusive bottler of PepsiCo beverages in the Philippines, with a relationship spanning 65 years. Lotte Chilsung, one of the biggest beverage companies in South Korea, is the lead shareholder of PCPPI as an independently-listed company and co-manages it with PepsiCo.
--  Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon