By Kimberly S. Miguel

A uniquely flavored alternative to carbonated drinks, the ToMango Juice of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has once again satisfied the thirst for food product innovation in the country. 

A healthy, perfect blend of tomato and mango, the ToMango juice qualified for the Department of Science and Technology’s Innovation Award 2022, having been recognized as one of the very promising technologies during the InnovEATS – Food Ideas & Creations at the Up Town Center – Ayala Malls from June 24-25, 2022. 

The Innovation Award is given to products in food science and technology that exhibit highly technical innovativeness and market attractiveness. 

“Our innovation paves for a new way to enjoy tomato and mango while we help increase farm productivity through value-adding,” said Dr. Felicitas P. Sanculi, chief of the MMSU Food Products and Innovation Center (FPIC). The juice can give opportunities for local tomato and mango farmers by adding value to their production surplus. 

Ms. Christine Quiapo, FPIC researcher, added the ToMango Juice has great potential as a beverage and a business, thus, is open for technology commercialization. 

Developed by MMSU-FPIC, in partnership with the Intellectual Property – Technology Business Management (IP-TBM) and Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (ATBI) Projects of the University, the ToMango Juice is one of the five products showcased by the Ilocos Region during the event. Four of which are from MMSU: tomato–mango ketchup, mango-kamangeg, and mango-choco powder mix, together with Pangasinan State University’s tomato salsa. 

These are among the 31 new innovations from the 12 DOST-supported regional FICs in the country. 

Last May, the ToMango Juice landed second place during the Food Innovation Center Marketing Academy: North Luzon Cluster Fair held at the Hotel Supreme in Baguio City. 
InnovEATS – Food Ideas & Creations is DOST- FIC Marketing Academy’s national-scale market launching under its Industrial Technology Development Institute. It is being monitored by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD). (StratCom/HLY/JVBT)