About Us > History

The Story Behind UFM Cooperative
A Story of Cooperation, Community, and Vision

Good day to everyone.
Allow me to share with you a story.
Not just the story of an organization—but the story of a journey.
A journey that began with a simple question:
How can ordinary Filipinos work together to create opportunities for one another?

For many years, I had the privilege of working in the banking industry.
In that role, I saw how businesses grow, how investments are made, and how financial systems operate.
I witnessed the power of capital and the importance of institutions in shaping economic progress.

But I also saw something that deeply moved me.
I saw hardworking people—teachers, small entrepreneurs, farmers, workers—doing everything they could to provide for their families, yet many of them still struggled to access opportunities that could help them improve their lives.

Many had determination.
Many had talent.
Many had dreams.
But what they often lacked was a system that allowed them to participate more meaningfully in economic growth.

At the same time, my life was also deeply connected to education and community work.
Together with my wife Elizabeth, we helped establish The Master’s School of Muntinlupa,
where we worked closely with students, parents, teachers, and families who shared the same desire—to build a better future for the next generation.
Through education, we saw firsthand how communities can grow when people support one another.

Later on, through civic engagement, we also helped charter the Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Business Park,
where we worked with fellow Rotarians in community service, leadership development, and humanitarian initiatives.

These experiences—from banking, education, and civic leadership—gradually brought me to an important realization.
Real and lasting progress does not happen when people work alone.
It happens when people cooperate.

Cooperation allows individuals to combine their strengths.
It allows communities to share resources.
And it allows people to build institutions that serve not just a few individuals—but entire communities.

From that realization, a vision began to take shape.
What if there was a platform where Filipinos from different walks of life could come together?

Teachers.
Entrepreneurs.
Farmers.
Professionals.
Workers.
Community leaders.
Overseas Filipinos.

What if they could cooperate—not just in theory—but in practical initiatives that create sustainable opportunities?

That vision led to the establishment of the United Filipino Movement for National Transformation Consumers Cooperative—UFM Cooperative.

UFM Cooperative was founded on the belief that cooperation can be a powerful force for community development and nation-building.
The cooperative was not created simply to run businesses.
It was created to bring people together around shared opportunities and shared responsibility.

Today, UFM Cooperative is exploring initiatives that include:

Agro-forestry development
Community cooperative hubs
Sustainable agriculture projects
Farm tourism initiatives
Livelihood development programs
And partnerships with institutions that share the vision of inclusive growth.

One of the initiatives we are pursuing is agro-forestry development.
In many parts of our country, there are lands that remain underutilized. Yet these lands hold tremendous potential.

When developed responsibly, they can support sustainable agriculture, environmental restoration, and livelihood opportunities for communities.

Through cooperative participation, we believe that these lands can become productive ecosystems that benefit both people and the environment.

But more importantly, these projects demonstrate something deeper.
They demonstrate that when people cooperate, they can create opportunities that benefit everyone.

And that is what UFM Cooperative hopes to represent.
Not simply an organization.
But a movement of cooperation.

A movement where people believe that shared effort leads to shared prosperity.
A movement where communities support one another.
And a movement where Filipinos—both here at home and around the world—can participate in building sustainable opportunities for our nation.

The story of UFM Cooperative is still being written.
Every new member becomes part of that story.
Every community that participates helps shape its future.
And every act of cooperation strengthens the foundation of what we hope to build.

Because in the end, the success of this cooperative will not be measured only by projects or numbers.

It will be measured by the strength of the communities we help build.
And by the opportunities we help create for the generations that will follow.

Thank you very much for being part of this journey.
Maraming salamat po.