In the sugarcane-laced fields of San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur, where the scent of fermenting molasses once fueled a historic uprising, a new kind of revolution is quietly brewing. At its heart is 57-year-old Virginia “Virgie” P. Piano, a proud daughter of Ilocos, who’s turning tradition into transformation.

Just as the 1800s Basi Revolt saw Ilocanos rise to defend their heritage, Virgie is using that same sugarcane – this time not for protest, but for progress, as her weapon in the fight against poverty. As the owner of VP Piano Food Products, Virgie is not only preserving Ilocano culture but also redefining it through modern flavors and entrepreneurial grit.

Seeds of Change from the SLP

In August 2024, amidst the economic wreckage left by the typhoon Egay, Virgie received a P10,000.00 Livelihood Settlement Grant (LSG) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 (DSWD FO 1) – Ilocos Region Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). This seed capital was designed to help micro and small enterprises like hers recover from the crisis.

Virgie took that modest sum and turned it into something extraordinary. Rather than just returning to traditional methods, she began innovating and improving her existing product line – from a ready to drink sugarcane juice, she extended its shelflife and accessibility through bottling. She further expanded her ice cream through infusion of other flavors, locally sourced at her town.

A Sweet Revolution

What sets Virgie apart isn’t just her creativity; it’s her heart for her hometown. By sourcing sugarcane directly from local farmers, she ensures that her success is shared. Every product sold, whether it’s flavored basi, muscovado sugar, spiced sukang Iloco, or her award-winning ice cream—represents a small victory for the community. 

Her products have reached trade fairs across Luzon, thanks to the support and linkages provided by DSWD FO 1 – SLP and its partner agencies. She also receives continuous training on financial literacy, product development, and marketing, empowering her not just as a business owner but as a community leader.

“Agyamanak kadaytuy a tulong a naggapu iti DSWD SLP. Nalpasen ti bagyo ngem haan nalpas ti suporta nga ipapa-ayda kanyak (I am grateful for the support I received from DSWD SLP. The typhoon may be over, but the assistance they continue to provide has not ended)” said Virgie.

National Recognition and Local Pride

Her innovations haven’t gone unnoticed. VP Piano Food Products has already been featured on national television, and during the 2025 Ilocos Sur Festival, her sugarcane ice cream was named Most Innovative Product in the Snack Foods Category. Locals now proudly regard her brand as a trademark of San Ildefonso, a sweet reflection of the town’s spirit and tradition.

Virgie also brings a personal touch to her offerings by creating wedding souvenirs out of the famous Sugarcane Wine, handcrafted reminders that even the simplest harvest can be transformed into something memorable.

Much like the Basi Revolt symbolized Ilocano resilience and pride, Virgie sees the sugarcane industry as a modern-day opportunity for resistance, not against colonizers, but against poverty and stagnation.

“Nagadu potensyal daytuy sugarcane. Saanko lang a kayat a pamilyak ti rumang-ay nu di ketdi amin kami ti kailiak (The sugarcane has a lot of potential. I want to uplift not only my family, but also the people I grew up with)” Virgie explained. 

Through her entrepreneurial journey, Virgie is proving that heritage can be a powerful catalyst for change. With each cup of juice, each scoop of ice cream, and each bottle of sukang Iloco, she’s not just selling a product—she’s sharing a vision. A vision rooted in community, culture, and courage. And just like the brave Ilocano ancestors, she’s showing that revolutions, especially the sweet one, can start right at home.

The SLP is a capacity-building initiative designed to enhance the socio-economic well-being of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized by helping them access and acquire the essential assets needed to start, sustain, and grow productive livelihoods. (by: Rogerio B. Bismonte III – Sustainable Livelihood Program)