Trias Southeast Asia

01/05/2026

Mabuhay ang mga manggagawa!

This Labor Day 2026, we honor the hands that plant, harvest, build, and sustain our communities. We celebrate the dignity of work—especially the everyday labor of small farmers, cooperative members, and grassroots workers who keep our food systems and local economies alive.

Their contributions are often unseen, yet they are at the heart of resilient and inclusive growth. Through care for people and the planet, their work advances social justice and economic progress for all

Today, we stand with them—because decent work is not just a livelihood; it is leadership, solidarity, and hope in action. When we uplift those at the roots, we grow a fairer future for everyone.

💬How do you support local workers, farmers, or cooperatives in your community? Share your story or drop a comment below 👇

30/04/2026

29/04/2026

🏆We are proud to announce the Grand Winner of the WOMED Award International 🏆

Congratulations to Joecel Palacios of the Fair Trade Producers’ Network-Philippines, representing the collective enterprise Dama Farm Workers and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (DAFWARBA)!

Chosen from an inspiring pool of 65 applications and selected as the Grand Winner among 18 semi-finalists, Joecel stood out for her leadership, meaningful impact, and unwavering commitment to empowering her community. This recognition honors both an outstanding collective enterprise and the resilience that drives women’s economic empowerment.

The awarding ceremony was made even more special with the presence of Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium, who personally presented the award.

SIDLAK reminds us that illumination is not only about success, but about inspiring others and building networks that uplift women despite systemic challenges and barriers around them.

Congratulations as well to the two other finalists and the 15 semi-finalists. Being part of this journey already makes you winners. Your courage, dedication, and stories shine a light on what Filipino women entrepreneurs are capable of and inspire many more to follow. 🕯️

We look forward to seeing your enterprises flourish and your impact continue to grow within your communities. 💫

28/04/2026

The Top 3 finalists of the WOMED Award International – SIDLAK are in Belgium for their week-long learning visit!

Last Saturday, the WOMED Award International finalists met their fellow Flemish WAI finalists for a collective intelligence session, where they shared experiences, insights, and inspiration as women entrepreneurs.

On April 28, the grand winner will be announced during the awarding ceremony, where Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium will personally present the award. 🏆⭐

27/04/2026

Internationale inspiratie, gedeelde ambitie en sterke vrouwelijke ondernemers: de toon voor de WOMED Award International is gezet. 🚀

Met de ontvangst van de Filipijnse delegatie op het hoofdkwartier van Trias ging een boeiende week officieel van start. Directeurs Marieke Poissonnier (Trias België) Claire Selis () en Stephanie Eeckman (managementteam Trias) onderstreepten het belang van internationale uitwisselingen, waar onderneemsters elkaar versterken en samen bouwen aan duurzame impact.

De komende dagen staan volledig in het teken van vrouwelijk ondernemerschap, leiderschap en maatschappelijke verandering. 🌍 hashtag

24/04/2026

On April 21, we were honored to welcome H.E. Ambassador Vladislava Iordanova of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Manila during her visit to our MBO partner, Gubat St Anthony Cooperative - GSAC, in Sorsogon. The delegation held courtesy meetings with the Provincial Government of Sorsogon and the Local Government Unit of Gubat, emphasizing the importance of aligning GSAC’s initiatives with local priorities. With support from Trias and the Belgian Embassy, these engagements helped in strengthening partnerships and advancing local climate actions such as GSAC’s planned multi-species mangrove nursery to support mangrove reforestation, enhance coastal protection, and sustain nature-positive livelihoods of its members and communities. 💚

The visit also included engagement with GSAC's enterprise, providing a closer look at how the cooperative integrates enterprise development, financial services, and coastal resource management, in practice. These efforts reflect the importance of ensuring the active participation of women and youth, strengthening inclusion within community systems and supporting resilient, sustainable and nature-positive livelihood pathways. These efforts are complemented by GSAC’s integrated member services (credit and savings, healthcare services, and access to basic goods through marts and pharmacies) that support members’ resilience, well-being, and ability to adapt to climate and economic pressures.

As the Philippines and Belgium mark 80 years of diplomatic relations, we are deeply thankful for this meaningful exchange, which strengthens collaboration among communities, local institutions, and international partners toward shared development goals.

📷Photos courtesy of GSAC.

23/04/2026

On Earth Day, themed “Our Power, Our Planet,” Trias took part in a meaningful celebration in Bagacay, Gubat, Sorsogon led by MBO partner, Gubat St Anthony Cooperative - GSAC, together with the local communities of Bagacay and Kabuhayang Aagapay sa Tunay na Ikauunlad ng Grupong Mangingisda ng Bagacay (KATIG) Fisherfolks Association, and partners to show how collective action can protect and sustain our coastal resources. We were honored by the presence of Her Excellency Ambassador Vladislava Iordonova of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Manila, whose visit highlighted the role of Belgium–Philippines cooperation in supporting locally led climate actions that integrate livelihoods, governance, and ecosystem management.

As part of the activities, H.E. Ambassador Iordonova joined the local communities in Gubat on strengthening Marine Protected Area (MPA) management through the unveiling of Ragnas Fish Sanctuary information signage and the deployment of marker buoys for boundary demarcation and enforcement support. These are practical measures that contribute to compliance, improve spatial clarity, and support long-term fisheries productivity.

“Malaki ang naitulong ng MPA sa aming mga mangingisda dahil dumami ang mga isdang aming nahuhuli sa dagat. Mahalaga rin ang suporta ng mga members ng fisherfolks association at ng mga bantay dagat laban sa illegal fishing upang mapangalagaan ang pinagkukunan ng aming hanapbuhay.”
[The MPA is a helpful resource for us fishers because our catch increased. The support of the members of the fisherfolk association and the sea wardens is also important in protecting our source of livelihood against illegal fishing.] - Domingo Espeña, President, KATIG Fisherfolks Association

These local climate actions reflect how organized communities, supported by the local governments and partners, translate policies and management plans into implementation, linking stewardship, resource governance, and livelihood security in coastal systems. 🌏💚

📷Photos courtesy of GSAC.

20/04/2026

17/04/2026

🎥Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/_u8hPTZcn-4?si=0aCsuF7a6rBIofjJ

Rosana has been a trusted supplier of affordable, freshly prepared meat products for households, small shops, and food stalls for 21 years. Through her local brand, J-Anmos Homemade Products, she not only provides quality food products but also creates economic opportunities for resellers—many of whom are women—helping sustain the local economy.

Watch the full video about Rosana’s work on our YouTube channel! 🙌

Meet Rosana: Making Meat Products Affordable for Her Community | WOMED Award International 2026

16/04/2026

🎥 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/jE82B-pIlJg?si=FaeahyqorRSo9uOa

For 20 years, Joecel Palacios has handled the financial records of Dama Farm Workers and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (DAFWARBA), a large-scale agricultural collective enterprise specializing in sugarcane and rice processing. Under a cooperative management model, DAFWARBA provides stable employment to more than 200 community members, strengthening both local livelihoods and rural economic development. Their collective enterprise is a good model for agrarian reform community beneficiaries in the country.

Learn more about Joecel and DAFWARBA by watching the full video on our YouTube channel! 🙌

For 20 years, Joecel Palacios has handled the financial records of Dama Farm Workers and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (DAFWARBA), a large-scale ...

16/04/2026

🤝 Courtesy Call to Her Excellency, the Belgian Ambassador

We are deeply grateful for a meaningful courtesy call with Her Excellency Vladislava Iordonova, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Manila. We shared Trias’ work, the WOMED Award International and its top 3 finalists, and the itinerary for the learning visit to Belgium next week.

Inspired by this year’s 80th anniversary of Philippine–Belgium bilateral relations and Her Excellency’s support for our work, we look forward to further strengthening this partnership. 🇧🇪🇵🇭