Benson Dakay, "The Seaweed King"
Summary
TLDRIn this video, online professor Romell highlights the remarkable story of Benson Dakai, the 'Seaweed King,' who revolutionized the seaweed industry in the Philippines and globally. Born in 1955, Dakai turned his childhood fascination with seaweed into a thriving business, establishing the first carrageenan refinery in Asia in 1979. His efforts led to the Philippines becoming a major seaweed producer, with carrageenan being a key ingredient in various food and pharmaceutical products. Dakai's legacy includes not only his entrepreneurial achievements but also his significant contributions to the acceptance of carrageenan as a non-toxic food additive in the US and EU. His work has had a lasting impact on coastal communities, transforming them into successful seaweed farmers.
Takeaways
- 🌊 Benson Dakai is known as the 'Seaweed King' for his significant impact on the seaweed and carrageenan industry globally.
- 💡 His interest in seaweed began at the age of 11, which eventually led to the establishment of a global business.
- 💼 He started small by borrowing money from his father to send seaweed samples to potential clients, showcasing early entrepreneurial spirit.
- 🌿 Seaweed farming in the Philippines, particularly in Sibolo Island, Western Visayas, became a lucrative alternative for coastal fishermen.
- 🌍 The Philippines, under Dakai's leadership, became one of the largest seaweed producing countries in the world.
- 🏭 In 1979, Dakai established the first carrageenan refinery in Asia, marking a significant milestone in the industry.
- 🔬 Carrageenan, derived from seaweed, is a versatile ingredient used as a binding, thickening, and gelling agent in various food and pharmaceutical products.
- 🌐 Dakai played a crucial role in lobbying for the acceptance of carrageenan as a non-toxic food additive in the US and EU.
- 🏆 His contributions to the industry earned him recognition, including being one of the 10 most outstanding young men in aquaculture and agriculture.
- 📉 Despite the industry's growth, there were challenges such as a 21% drop in seaweed export value, highlighting the need for continuous advocacy.
- 👨👩👧👦 Benson Dakai's legacy continues through his family, who now lead the business, ensuring the sustainability of the seaweed industry.
Q & A
Who is Benson the Seaweed King?
-Benson the Seaweed King is a Filipino entrepreneur who had a significant impact on the seaweed and carrageenan industry not only in the Philippines but also globally.
What was Benson's contribution to the seaweed industry?
-Benson helped establish the seaweed industry in the Philippines, turning it into a lucrative business for coastal farmers. He also led efforts for the acceptance of carrageenan as a non-toxic food additive in the United States and the European Union.
What are the two major varieties of seaweed good for local consumption mentioned in the script?
-The two major varieties of seaweed mentioned are red and green seaweed.
What is carrageenan and where is it commonly found?
-Carrageenan is a binding, gelling, and thickening agent derived from seaweed. It is commonly found in many food and pharmaceutical products, such as milk, meat products, toothpaste, and even ice cream.
How did Benson's business start?
-Benson started his business by borrowing ten thousand pesos from his father to send samples of seaweed to prospective clients after learning about its potential.
What was the first carrageenan refinery in Asia?
-The first carrageenan refinery in Asia was Benson's own manufacturing plant, which started in 1979.
At what age did Benson earn his first million?
-Benson earned his first million at the age of 19.
What are some practical uses of seaweed besides food additives?
-Seaweed is used in animal feed, fertilizers, biofuel, cosmetics, and medicines. It also serves as a source of hydrocolloids for food processing.
How significant is the seaweed industry to the Philippines economy?
-Seaweed is one of the Philippines' top 10 exports, with the industry producing more than 200 million dollars in 2015.
What happened to Benson's business after his passing?
-After Benson passed away in 2012 due to kidney cancer, his family continued his legacy, with his sons, daughters, and wife taking over the leadership of the business.
What awards did Benson receive for his contributions to the seaweed industry?
-Benson was recognized as one of the 10 most outstanding young men in aquaculture and agriculture in 1981 for his work in the seaweed industry.
Outlines
🌊 The Seaweed King: Benson Dakay's Legacy
The video introduces Benson Dakay, known as the 'Seaweed King,' who had a significant impact on the global seaweed and carrageenan industry. Born in 1955, Dakay started his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 11 by borrowing money from his father to send seaweed samples to potential clients. He recognized the potential of seaweed farming as an alternative livelihood for coastal fishermen in the Philippines. Dakay's efforts led to the Philippines becoming one of the largest seaweed-producing countries, with his company establishing Asia's first carrageenan refinery in 1979. Carrageenan, derived from seaweed, is a crucial ingredient in various food and pharmaceutical products due to its gelling, thickening, and binding properties. Dakay's innovative spirit and business acumen earned him his first million at the age of 19, setting a remarkable example for young entrepreneurs.
🌿 Seaweed Industry's Global Reach and Dakay's Contributions
Benson Dakay's contributions to the seaweed industry were monumental, leading the Philippines to capture 30% of the global market and produce 10 million metric tons of seaweed. His company supplied major brands like Kogi, Palmelly, and Nestle. Dakay was instrumental in the acceptance of carrageenan as a non-toxic food additive in the United States and the European Union. His leadership in the industry helped classify Philippine seaweed as a non-toxic substance in international food standards. Dakay's work extended beyond food products, with seaweed being used in animal-free soft gel capsules, biodegradable films, and other applications. The seaweed farming industry became a primary source of income for many coastal families in the Philippines, transforming traditional fishing communities into seaweed farmers. The Philippines became the world's third-largest producer of seaweed, with 90% of its farm output comprising specific species like Eucheuma and Kappaphycus, which are rich in carrageenan.
🌱 Benson Dakay's Entrepreneurial Spirit and Legacy
Benson Dakay's entrepreneurial spirit was evident in his various ventures, including founding the Shepherd Corporation, a leading biotech corporation focused on seaweed processing. He was a pioneer in establishing a biochemical laboratory and factory for seaweed treatment. Dakay's leadership in the seaweed industry was recognized with awards and accolades, including being named one of the 10 most outstanding young men in aquaculture and agriculture. His efforts to promote carrageenan as a non-toxic food additive were successful in both Europe and the USA. Dakay's legacy continues through his family, who now leads the company, maintaining the Philippines' presence in the global carrageenan market. His life and work exemplify the power of innovation and determination in shaping an industry and improving the livelihoods of many.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Pinogue
💡Seaweed King
💡Carrageenan
💡Entrepreneurship
💡Sibuyan Island
💡Food Additives
💡Global Market
💡Aquaculture
💡Biochemical Factory
💡Philippines as a Top Exporter
💡Sustainable Livelihood
Highlights
Introduction to Benson, the Seaweed King, and his impact on the global seaweed industry.
Benson's early interest in seaweed at the age of 11 led to the creation of a global business.
Borrowing 10,000 pesos to send seaweed samples to clients marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.
The two major varieties of seaweed suitable for local consumption: red and green seaweed.
Seaweed farming in Sibolon Island, Western Visayas, as an alternative livelihood for coastal fishermen.
Benson's initiative to establish seaweed farming as a lucrative business, reducing reliance on fishing.
Philippines becoming one of the largest seaweed producing countries globally, largely due to Benson's efforts.
Establishment of the first carrageenan refinery in Asia in 1979, a significant milestone in the industry.
Carrageenan's widespread use as a binding and texturing agent in food and pharmaceutical products.
Benson earning his first million at the age of 19, showcasing his business acumen.
Benson's contributions to the seaweed industry, including capturing 30% of the global market.
Campaigns led by Benson for the acceptance of carrageenan as a non-toxic food additive in the US and EU.
The classification of carrageenan as a food additive by the Codex Alimentarius, influenced by Benson's efforts.
Practical uses of seaweed beyond food, including animal-free soft gel capsules and biodegradable films.
The transformation of seaweed farming into a primary source of income for families in Leyte.
The Philippines becoming the world's third-largest producer of red seaweed, following China and Indonesia.
Seaweed as one of the Philippines' top 10 exports, generating over 200 million dollars in 2015.
Benson's legacy and his influence on the carrageenan industry, ensuring its place in the global market.
Benson's personal accolades, including the 10 Most Outstanding Young Men award in aquaculture and agriculture.
The continuation of Benson's legacy by his family after his passing, maintaining the leadership in the seaweed industry.
Transcripts
well hello hi
this is again your online prof romell
the last time we talked about pinogue
global entrepreneurs this time
let's talk more highly
filipino entrepreneurs
or why don't we just call them entropy
noise
there are many top philippine
entrepreneurs one of those
that i highly
[Music]
adore and follow after
i is some lesser known sepuano
businessman who actually impacted
the seaweed the carageenan industry not
only here in the philippines but
globally
so guys let me introduce to you
benson the seaweed king
he lived in 1955 unfortunately passed
away
year 2012 leaving us a rich
legacy of his works so why don't we talk
about him
[Music]
turned into business and what was his
passion all about
he was in to see that
because he lived
and at one time while he was only 11
years of age
he took interest
[Music]
in
okay so that simple question
led him to starting a global business
[Music]
it started slowly okay
what he did was borrow ten thousand
pesos
from his father to send samples
to prospective clients after learning
about the seaweed
okay later on you'll find that there are
two
major varieties of seaweed that are good
for local consumption
the red and the green seaweed now this
is an example of a seaweed farming
in sibolon island western visayas
philippines remember whether coastal
farmers
coastal fishermen could no longer turn
into fishing
example or there will be instances
they would in turn turn to become
a local seaside
farmers so what do they do benson dhaka
help them
establish the seaweed
lucrative business while
escaping from the work of uh fishing in
the sea he opens
okay with all the dangers fraught with
it
so billy alternative and
it boom okay at one time hilal
philippines villa
one of the largest seaweed or canadian
producing country in the entire world
that was actually the start of his
enterprising career
so he found juice it's a seaweed okay
[Music]
but it was just lying underneath the sea
it was there
for thousands of years or maybe even
more
[Music]
he started a small unit until this
became
a building enterprise his own
manufacturing plan
which started in 1979 which is actually
the first
canadian refinery in asia that will
produce
semi-refined carrageenan this is
actually a binding egypt
in women texture non-seaweed
union binding agent that you'll find in
many food
and pharmaceutical products from milk
and meat products
to drugs and toothpaste you'll be
surprised
my dear friends my beloved heroes
seaweed is found in most
of the products that we normally consume
okay now under the tissue relationship
is uncle
benson earned his first million at age
19.
what a great fit for a young man
like betson a teenager at that
what are the major contributions of
benson dakai to the seaweed industry
his clients around the blue world held
30 percent the global market
producing 10 million metric tons
supplying brands such as kogi palmelly
poker
mars and nestle now dakai led
the philippines in a series of campaign
for the acceptance of the carrageenan in
the united states as a non-toxic
food additive in initially
[Music]
a food additive and seaweed okay
but slowly lobbying and through
much of the groundworks that they did in
1996
he headed and won the same battle the
european union
he also loved it for the classification
of png
the philippine great substance nyssa
motors of food codex
alimentarius and the codex community the
food additives
product and thanks to benson
but he was the pioneer in the
industry
by the way
yes it is actually a semi-processed
seaweed
it works as a gelling it gels
thickening binding agent for processed
food so
you typically food gel
[Music]
about your jelly those are actually
seaweed
it's also used for animal free
soft gel capsules biodegradable
digestible films
micro besides a composter used to
prevent the spread
of std okay our sources in gma news
march 1 of 2011.
[Music]
[Music]
on jelly ice cream
huh aren't you surprised and even
toothpaste
imagine seaweed
[Music]
like i said i mean seaweed you have the
green seaweed thing
actually sometimes
comes at your table okay uh
okay
[Music]
which is very edible very rich in fibers
and nutrients
and minerals okay
and you have the red seaweed okay
seaweed farming is actually the now a
primary source of
income for most families in leyaglia
this is current okay so
because of this carrageenan industry
which was started here by benson
most of our coastal farmers have learned
to become
seaweed farmers okay men learn the
tricks of the trade early in life and
pass it on to the next generation
okay for example a particular farmer
who was who was then young
[Music]
has become one a family affair
okay before it was only reserved for
uh for the men while women and the
children stay at home
they prepare the cities now everyone is
involved everyone
would in turn make a living
[Music]
the red seaweed is actually the world's
third largest producer
in the country following china and
indonesia in 2015 alone
90 of the farm output from the
philippines
comprised of the yusuma spp navy cotton
line
and the identical scientific names
and the rest was green seaweed these are
the extracts
what you get from the seaweed okay
so in fact eighty percent of the world's
totally
production actually originated from the
philippines more than 777 million
metric tons okay both fresh and dry
for being traded globally
what are other practical uses of seaweed
this is actually harvested throughout
the world
either collected from wild or even
cultivated in farms
like what we saw in some wonders
and several other places in the visayas
and mostly in the middle
so it's a food additive as a source of
hydrocolloids
processing to food additives like i
mentioned
binding compound in a halo some meat
products
to make your hot dogs your sausages
it also added some pet food feeds it
first
feeds fertilizers biofuel
cosmetics medicines among others so
there are many use practical uses of
seaweed and from there we extract the
karaki net
seaweed is actually one of the
philippines top 10 exports
so in the 2015 edition i don't have the
most recent
data here okay
[Music]
we actually uh produce more than 200
million dollars
okay but this one dropped by 21
okay so these are the big markets in the
entire world for
the seaweed
let's not have a short bio of our
benefactor our sibuano businessman
he's born in march 26 1955
benson had the famous entrepreneurial
spirit
i we have to make mention
exactly the one who created the lion
tiger fighter
as anyone of you remember has seen this
uh
lion tiger mosquito coil uh
[Music]
and is the ceo ceo and founder of the
cebu based shepherd corporation
which is actually also a glomerulic
nationalism biotech corporation
remember it was the first established a
biochemical laboratory a biochemical
factory treating the seaweed and making
putting it in the bright form paramus
may extend your shelf life
he was also at one time the president of
the civil industry association of
pilgrims
he organized all the stakeholders
see with farmers that they they helped
build within this
in the 80s and the 90s garnering him
one of the 10 most outstanding young men
awardee in aquaculture and agriculture
in
1918 so this is benson's dakai
life's legacy okay he also led
efforts to make the philippine
carrageenan
the seaweed to become a non-toxic food
additive until now
but this started way back 1990 and 1996
in uh europe and in the usa
now it was dakai's leadership that
allowed the png
tanina built in national grid karagina
to continue to stay in the world market
of carrageenan so
one of those uh prime components of
seaweed
is the png which is actually philippine
product
seaweed coming from the philippines
[Music]
benson dakai uh
when he left year 2012 when he succumbed
to
kidney cancer and he survived by his
family who continues on with the legs
the family now uh takes
the helm the leadership the sons and the
daughters and the wife
okay
[Music]
okay so what entrepreneurial spirit
did we see sabuhine in bed sometimes
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