New Acne Defense Gel, Detoxifying Scrub + Mask and More!

New Acne Defense Gel, Detoxifying Scrub + Mask and More!

Today, Human Nature turns 6! Thank you for 6 years of goodness!

Today, Human Nature turns 6! Thank you for 6 years of goodness!

From the nervous newbie to the big boss, here are the essential hacks to looking dapper this Christmas.

From the nervous newbie to the big boss, here are the essential hacks to looking dapper this Christmas.

The slew of the season’s social events can be a daunting task, but not to the well-armed gentleman. From the nervous newbie to the big boss, here are the essential hacks to looking dapper this Christmas.

1. PEP UP YOUR SKIN

Freshen up your face with a good wash. Pure Strength Oil-Fighting Face Wash is fueled with powerful bamboo carbon that knocks out the day’s dirt and finishes off with a cool feeling.

2. AVOID THE RAZOR RAGE

Dodge the hated razor burn by shaving in the direction of hair growth and using short, quick strokes, avoiding going over the same area twice and not pressing too hard.

3. TOP YOUR LOOK WITH POLISHED EASE

Style your hair to relaxed perfection with Pure Strength Natural Hair Shaper. With its medium hold and matte finish, it gives your hair that effortlessly groomed look.

4. SPOT ON SPRITZES

Instead of applying cologne on wrists or behind the ears, spray it on your chest before donning on your shirt so that the fragrance is locked in between your skin and the clothes making it last longer.

Give your heroes the perfect gifts this season with our St. Nick's Picks and Bayani Bath Bundle Christmas bundles!

Christmas brings in a brand new branch in Dagupan, Pangasinan!

Christmas brings in a brand new branch in Dagupan, Pangasinan!

Here at Human Nature, we are committed to spreading goodness throughout the entire country. So we're very happy to announce that our Pangasinense shoppers can now grab their pro-Philippines, pro-poor, and pro-environment goodies in time for Christmas at our newly opened Dagupan branch!

Human Nature Dagupan's Branch Operators joyously witness the ribbon-cutting

A Gift of Goodness

Sometimes the simplest Christmas gifts carry the most significance, especially for Dagupan Branch Operators Celia Coronel and her husband Sandrell. They chanced upon Human Nature through the kindness of friends who would gift them different sets of Human Nature goodies on various occasions, eventually piquing their curiosity.

“Eventually I learned more about the product when my sister-in-law, who had lived for many years in the States, asked me if I knew of any natural products which were made here in the Philippines.  I automatically said ‘Human Nature!’” Wanting to learn more, the couple eventually read up on Human Nature and themselves became regular users; Eventually, this initial interest grew into a deeper desire to create something more meaningful.

Eager Pangasinense shoppers get on with their Christmas shopping!

A Heart for Business

“When we thought of the possibility of being branch operators in Dagupan,” Celia explains, “we felt that the time was right since no business had yet delved into selling natural products to Pangasinenses on a large scale.” 

But Celia and Sandrell were not just going to delve into any business – they insisted that the values and philosophies of the business they were to establish had to be congruous with their own belief system.

“Human Nature believed in building up the country, uplifting the lives of the poor and caring for the environment,” Celia explains. “I was personally touched by the reality that the purchase of these products was helping the farmers, and that they were not being shortchanged in the whole production process.  I think that strong sense of social justice resonated very well with my own beliefs of how a business with a conscience should be run.”

Our enthusiastic Dagupan team is pumped and ready to serve! Drop by today!

The Gift that Keeps on Growing

“We believe that Dagupenos and Pangasinenses are ready for Human Nature,” Celia smiles. “We believe that they are ready to make that purposeful purchase – where one buys a product with the knowledge and the assurance that the product is not only good for oneself.  You purchase the product with the certainty that it benefits not only you but also benefits the people who made it, the environment, and the Philippines.”

“It is very heartwarming to see and hear people from different walks of life come to the Human Nature store because they want a better quality of life for themselves and their children, because more and more people are really becoming health- and environment-conscious,” she beams proudly. “It is our vision that with the help of our core advocates, we will be able to reach out to the four cities and 44 towns of Pangasinan to increase awareness about the brand and the goodness that it shares with everyone. “

Do you share this vision and have a heart for social enterprises? Why not start out by becoming a dealer? Here’s how.

Human Nature Dagupan is located at:
RVR Bldg, National Road, Tapuac District, Dagupan City
0905 524 7639
(075) 5400 470
hn.dagupan@gmail.com

Gawad Kalinga's Leslie Espinosa and Nanay Linda Maningas paint Human Nature's true vision of family.

Gawad Kalinga's Leslie Espinosa and Nanay Linda Maningas paint Human Nature's true vision of family.

Christmas has always been about family – the people whom we sacrifice for, dream for, and wake up each morning for. The people whom we love the most. Our people.

This season, we dare you to redefine whom you call family. For at Human Nature, family means the poor.

We journey to the countryside’s cradle of social innovation, the Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm in Bulacan. Here we find former slum-dweller Nanay Linda Maningas, whose brilliant recipe gave birth to Bayani Brew – a popular thirst-quencher well loved by farmers and TV stars alike – and Filipina-American Leslie Espinosa,  co-founder of the newly opened School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) – which trains children of farmers to be world-class entrepreneurs. 

Meet Leslie (left) and Nanay Linda. Together with their passion to serve the poor, they paint our vision of true family. 

Two women, ordinarily worlds apart, brought together by one purpose: to help our countrymen rise out of poverty and into a first-world quality of life.

Leslie Espinosa: Growing Hope with the Seeds of Tomorrow

Before visiting the Philippines, Leslie Espinosa, an America-raised Filipino, had a great future going for her as a makeup artist and hairstylist first for film and theatre anywhere from San Diego to Los Angeles, and then finally for popular Broadway shows in New York City.

But when her father lost a long battle against cancer, Leslie felt displaced and had the need to reconnect with her Filipino roots. And so she plunged heart-first into a volunteer teaching program in the Philippines leaving the glitz of the Big Apple for a small public school in Balintawak. One year full of sweat, tears, risks and bayanihan later, Leslie has found a home in Gawad Kalinga's Enchanted Farm and a purpose in School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED).

"Our team at the GK Enchanted Farm is completely inspired by these students," says an excited Leslie on their first batch of SEED students. Staying true to one of GK's vision-mission of equipping the poor to help alleviate themselves from poverty,  SEED is a two-year program co-developed with TESDA that aims to train and nourish graduates to tackle poverty through agriculture and innovation all while uplifting the poor in the process.

"We are constantly encouraging our students to think big and dream big," continues Leslie. "In each class we have different activities and lessons that are immediately applicable the minute they walk outside of the classroom."

But only after a few months with the program - it just started August of this year - Leslie realized that the students' success is gauged beyond their performance inside the classroom: "It is all about their mindset and attitude.  They are already learning what it takes to be a social entrepreneur and a lot of it has to do with the character each of them are developing. With this foundation they can start to think critically and solve different challenges in life and business."

Education for all. SEED students break into small groups to brainstorm on the day's activity. These bright, hardworking children come from a poor socio-economic background but are now provided with the opportunity to make optimum use of their talents and skills. Photo from SEED Philippines

When asked what's her vision for the first batch of SEED students, Leslie replies, "Part of it is to make their dreams reality. I want them to realize their potential and the possibilities in life. I see them becoming leaders in their families, then their communities. I see them becoming role models to other young people because they are the next generation of nation builders."

And Leslie, along with everyone in SEED, is inviting everyone to be part of this dream!  "To support countryside development, you can support the products of social enterprises, come and visit the GK Enchanted Farm for a day trip or a fulfilled weekend with friends and family. Better yet, you can attend a weekend course on how to start a social business."

"There are 45 different dreams [to support in SEED]," continues Leslie, "and I am constantly thinking of who I can invite to the farm that will connect to each of the students. We love inviting people to share their expertise and knowledge with our students.  Contact us to volunteer or be a guest lecturer!"

Know more about the program and their students through SEED's official Facebook page.

Linda Maningas: Brewing Social Change

Linda Maningas, fondly called Nanay Linda, was one of the nanays in the Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm who were given livelihood training by GK volunteers. It's a regular project now found in many GK communities, helping equip nanays with the skills needed to make a good living. But little did Nanay Linda know starting that day, she became a part of something bigger than herself.

Part of the livelihood training was how to make brews from local ingredients, and for Nanay Linda, she found the right recipe in lemongrass.  "She would eventually regularly serve hot lemongrass tea to the GK volunteers who would help out in the farm," relays Ron Dizon, president of the Bayani Brew Crew.  A drink that's good for the health and yummy on the tastebuds? It was an instant hit!

"And then alas," Ron continues, "Tito Tony [Meloto] had the idea - why not bottle this and serve ice cold?"  And that's when the idea of producing and selling the drink at a bigger scale started gathering steam. One of the first to help out was Human Nature, including the tasty drink in the Christmas 2012 Magalogue. Xilca Alvarez of the Bayani Brew Crew tells us the story:

"We were overwhelmed after the Magalogue Turnover as Human Nature dealers apparently wanted to give these in packs of four as Christmas gifts. From producing around 4,000 bottles only the month before, the sudden influx of orders catapulted to almost 20,000 bottles in less than a week's time! At one point, we literally ended up hiring an entire GK village getting more than 40 packers for the holidays."

Well, the hard work and hustling definitely paid off. Fast forward to two years later and Bayani Brew is now available in leading retail stores, restaurants and coffee shops all over the Philippines! Loved by farmers and celebrities alike - Kris Aquino has even said it on her morning show that it's her favorite drink -, it's well on it's way to making social change happen, one bottle at a time.

Meet the Bayani Brew Crew! From L-R: Xilca, Ron, and Shanon. Photo from Destination Changemakers

And how did Nanay Linda, the inspiration behind the classic flavor, as well as the whole community reap from this success? Ron offers an answer: "To show them our appreciation of their contribution, we've provided the nanays a monthly medical allowance and full scholarship for their children. In fact, Nanay Linda's daughter just graduated this 2014!"

Want to be part of this crew brewing for social change? Bayani Brew is looking for R&D bayanis that can help them develop more yummy flavors. As explained by Ron, "We'd like to develop more flavors ​because more flavors ​ ​​made ​from local ​ingredients mean more farmers we'll get to help out. After all, our core mission is to make subsistence farmers' hand-to-mouth existence a thing of the past.

Connect with and know more about Bayani Brew through their official Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. You can also visit them at their official website. 

This is what Human Nature is about – loving our country, our rich environment, and loving our fellow Filipinos. Every Human Nature product is a testament to this love and feels as good on your skin as it does in your heart, for you to enjoy and share with others. 

We dream of developing world-class farms and globally successful social enterprises with GK communities and multiplying their income as we help create the market for their products. 

From the genius of the poor springs goodness. Let it grow in your hearts this Christmas that you may love the poor as you love your own. For they are our kin, our inspiration, and our partners in building a beautiful Philippines that we can all call home. Merry Christmas, from our family to yours.

Shopping for goodness? Check out our holiday store schedules!

Shopping for goodness? Check out our holiday store schedules!

When Thomas Graham began his journey with Gawad Kalinga, he never imagined the world that would open up to him.

>When Thomas Graham began his journey with Gawad Kalinga, he never imagined the world that would open up to him.

“Come alongside the poor, befriend them, partner with them, and you will discover their potential. But don’t take my word for it – experience it for yourself.” –Tony Meloto, Gawad Kalinga Founder

When young British journalist Thomas Graham paid Gawad Kalinga (GK) Founder Tony Meloto a visit with a clipboard of inquiries concerning poverty and economic growth in tow, he never imagined that an entirely new world would open up to him – a world that called him to “ditch the shirt and tie” and the realm of theory to discover through lived experience what Meloto fondly alluded to as the genius of the poor.

But there was one question that continued to linger in Graham’s mind: “If there is indeed genius in the poor, then why are they poor in the first place?” As Graham struggles to grasp this elusive genius, he seeks to transcend the utter disconnection between the middle class and the poor by connecting to the realm of the grassroots.

Built Upon Bayanihan

From the once-desolate streets of Bagong Silang to the innovative breeding grounds of the Enchanted Farm, Graham collects a range of poignant and sometimes humorous encounters with GK community members, volunteers, servant-leaders, and nation-builders. As he navigates the backstories of former gang members, criminals, inmates, and flood victims, Graham gradually uncovers the cornerstone of social transformation: a spirit of service and bayanihan that leaves no one behind.

“No one is too poor that they cannot share,” shares Adeluna of GK Missionville. As Graham's travels confirm, community after community is transformed through the collaborative efforts of residents and volunteers unified in one vision to bring poorest of the poor out of poverty. “The big idea is not doing good, it’s doing good together,” says Luis Oquinena, GK Executive Director.

Hope is instilled by those who believe in the potential of the poor – who are thrown into the direst and most challenging social and economic conditions – to take up their crosses and change their lives. “The key to this transformation was the presence and partnership of others, who came alongside the lost and marginalized and gave them the confidence and belief to rebuild their lives,” writes Graham.

Partnering with the Poor

Building houses marks only the beginning, as GK’s mission to end poverty for 5 million families in the Philippines by 2024 illustrates. One must allow the initial spark of volunteerism to grow and anoint all of their actions. “[Building] a more cohesive nation requires a far more enduring commitment than a one-off venture into the life of the marginalised,” writes Graham.

As Suwani, head of ground operations in GK Indonesia, articulates, “[Gawad Kalinga] is not charity – it’s about partnering with the poor, about truly loving and caring for them.” This partnership with the poor, as Graham learns, is about tapping into their creative, collaborative potential to identify their community’s most urgent needs and developing and honing their skills to build a community that is uplifted and empowered.

As a young man named Emong, who Graham meets in Bagong Silang, shares: “Even if you’re a drug addict or criminal like I was, you can change in a minute if you realise that you can help others. We need to give people a chance to help others and do good. As soon as you realise that others care about you, you gradually begin to care about them, too. This is the basis for change.”

Channeling the Genius of the Poor

“The poor are rarely given the opportunity to realise their full potential in this individual sense,” writes Graham. “Nonetheless, there is a certain ‘genius’, I believe, in the underlying connectedness within the communities I have visited.”

Social enterprises and entrepreneurs rely on and channel this genius of the poor in developing sustainable livelihoods and creating original products and marketing strategies to create a positive impact on poor communities. Graham explores the efforts of these various enterprises and businesses – from Golden Duck and Gourmet Keso to Bayani Brew and Human Nature – to move beyond the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) notion of the poor as mere beneficiaries, and actually partner with the poor in business.

As Graham learns, there is much to be discovered in partnering with the poor and delving into their way of life – above all, a certain authenticity in living and realizing goals that they can identify with and call their own, and with which they can together raise a community of immense hope and resilience from the brokenness of social inequality.

Graham writes:

“Genius, I have discovered, lies not just in individual brilliance in some area of human activity, but in a supremely positive, humane attitude to life, to its ups and downs, to its unfairness and its opportunities, and above all to other people – family, neighbour or stranger. In this respect I gave glimpsed genius in the impoverished [communities] […] And in the process I have been taught, not how to pass an exam or appear intelligent, but simply how to live a more authentic human life.”

“The Genius of the Poor” is now available at Human Nature’s online store and Flagship Store:

463 Commonwealth Ave
Barangay Matandang Balara
Quezon City
(02) 224-2222/ (02) 224-2223
customer.service@humanheartnature.com

Photos courtesy of Gawad Kalinga's Facebook Page

Share your thoughts about our latest products!

Share your thoughts about our latest products!

Ring in the New Year at our January 2015 Magalogue Turnover!

Ring in the New Year at our January 2015 Magalogue Turnover!

Ring in the New Year at our January 2015 Magalogue Turnover! Join us on Saturday, January 17, 2015 for nationwide branches and celebrate a new you!

Mark your calendar and we'll see you at your nearest Human Nature branch! 

Check out our January 2015 pricing updates!

Check out our January 2015 pricing updates!

January 2015 Pricing Updates

Effective January 17, 2015 | 9am | Nationwide

Shopping for goodness in the Metro? Check out our holiday store schedules!

Shopping for goodness in the Metro? Check out our holiday store schedules!

For co-founders Chia and Justin, Cafe Lugud is all about brewing love for coffee and country.

For co-founders Chia and Justin, Cafe Lugud is all about brewing love for coffee and country.

As we go through the daily grind measuring out our lives in coffee cups, we don’t often think about how much time and love goes into our morning brew. So when coffee lovers Chia Olivar and Justin David co-founded their social enterprise Cafe Lugud, they committed themselves to pouring as much love into their cause as they do into each sustainable cup of joe.

1. What is the story behind Cafe Lugud Premium Arabica Coffee?

C: Cafe Lugud comes from the term 'lugud' which is another word for 'love' in the Kapampangan dialect. Why Kapampangan? It’s because our social entrepreneurs and partners apart from the farmers who work for the coffee hail from Pampanga. We’re also volunteers for Gawad Kalinga Pampanga Chapter and we wanted to help out in sustaining the educational needs of the preschool students in the area, and thought a business with a heart (like Human Nature) would be the best way to go!

2. Why choose coffee for your social enterprise?

C: It was a personal choice, primarily because the social entrepreneurs behind it (Justin, his family and I) are all coffee lovers. We wanted to make something out of an item we loved to consume. We know how everyone also loves coffee, that’s why we made it our flagship product.

A whole lotta love goes into preparing Cafe Lugud's coffee beans at the Umali Farm!

3. What makes your coffee stand out among the others, especially international designer coffee brands?

C: Coffee is vastly available in the country, but most of the coffee that we patronize is imported from other Asian countries. We wanted to promote Philippine-harvested beans and show that local farmers can also compete with international brands. Apart from that, we also stick to the fact that everything in our coffee is organic and 100% natural. No chemical pesticides nor artificial flavoring was used in our coffee beans.

J: For each bag of Cafe Lugud that our customers buy, we donate a portion of our profits to the GK Sibul School scholarship fund in Pampanga. We want to help out the little ones in having more chances for their lives – and what better way to do that than to help them with their education?

4. What do you envision for your social enterprise?

C: We envision being a successful local social enterprise that will be competitive with other brands being patronized by the masses today. We eventually hope to have our own coffee shop sharing the brew and the love for coffee as well as the other drinks we hope to bring to the market in the future!

5. What advice do you have for young innovators who would like to start up their own social enterprise?

J: Be brave and be bold. Nothing easy will come your way. Building partnership with communities and bridging them to the consumer market needs a lot of courage to accomplish as these don't really you see eye to eye. The rewards are worth it, so set a goal and follow it.

[LEFT] Chia (center) with the kids of GK Sibol School Foundation | [RIGHT] Justin with their freshly harvested coffee beans

Human Nature Global Ambassador Rachel Grant and PR Manager Tish Martinez-Castillo go on a sweet adventure to Mauban

Human Nature Global Ambassador Rachel Grant and PR Manager Tish Martinez-Castillo go on a sweet adventure to Mauban

by Tish Martinez-Castillo, with photos by Romel Dulay

“I should’ve done some warm up exercises,” I thought as I struggled to keep up with the wide strides of Rachel Grant, Human Nature’s Global Ambassador during our descent to a creek in Barangay Liwayway in Mauban, Quezon province. We were maneuvering down a slope filled with thick, dry bushes, small trees, and wild vines.

The trip down was made even more challenging by recent typhoons, which erased footpaths made by locals and made the sediment-filled soil surrounding the creek wet and slippery. My feet kept sinking in the mud as I picked my way through. It was not my most graceful moment. 

Just as we were about to give up and turn back, the bushes suddenly open up to reveal a truly inviting sight: gently flowing water sparkling in the afternoon sun. We quickly removed our sandals and our feet met the smooth, cool white stones that lined the creek’s banks. Brine shrimp, a main ingredient in pinais (a tasty Quezon delicacy made out of coconut meat, shrimp, and coconut milk) can be seen swimming in the creek. 

“Mauban is perfect. The creek is so clean. (The way down was) very thick and lush with coconut trees,” shared Rachel, who dove in as soon as we got to the shore. “Just a reminder about how rich the country is with natural resources. Everywhere there is something growing. There’s not a barren piece of land here in the Philippines.”

Rachel and I were in Quezon together with Mike Go, Human Nature’s head for Social Enterprise Development visiting Frank Regis and his wife Riza. The Regises own Uncle Frank’s Green Honey Processing Enterprises, which produces Dr. Gerry’s Coco Nectar and Uncle Frank’s Coco Nectar Jam in a facility located in Barangay Liwayway.  

A concentrated form of coconut sap, coco nectar is a sweet liquid that comes from the coconut flower. It is self-preserving, not needing any chemical preservatives, and packs more amino acids than animal protein, vegetables, or even bee honey. Coco nectar was discovered by nuclear physicist and inventor Dr. Gerry Macias. Gerry had been working with Frank as a technical consultant to coconut industry stakeholders.

“We had no plans for the property at first…but we saw the need to create something that would give people here employment, we wanted to make the land productive. This whole place is a work in progress,” explained Riza as we chatted at the creek side. The Regis property sits on a valley and is bounded by the creek on three sides. In addition to the coco nectar production facility, it also has huts suitable for family vacations or retreats, two labyrinth walks that help guests meditate or pray, and a small pineapple field. “We are adding more structures so more people can visit, perhaps host corporate team buildings or go family vacations.”

Proof of concept

At least 70 percent of Quezon province residents depend on coconut plantations to survive.

The national average income of coconut plantations producing copra and whole nuts is only Php900 per hectare per month. In contrast, plantations producing cocosap for coco nectar earn 7,500 pesos per month, almost. But by producing cocosap for coco nectar production, farmers get Php7,500 per hectare per month – that’s almost 8 times more what they can earn from copra. One liter of coconut nectar can be harvested from each tree per day.

“We help social enterprises scale up by providing them with tools, training, and of course --  a market,” explained Mike Go. Coco nectar sourced from Mauban is also an active ingredient in Human Nature’s natural shampoos and its Furry Kind Cocomutt Shampoo.

“After we started selling through Human Nature branches, our business has grown close to 500 percent,” beamed Frank. “While I’m talking with other coconut plantation owners so we can harvest more; one of the main challenges we have right now is finding enough mangagaret  (coco sap gatherers) to harvest the coco sap.” Frank’s production facility can process 400 gallons of coco sap each day, producing around 250kg of coco nectar.

Home sweet home

A few meters away from the coco nectar facility is a Gawad Kalinga village with over 200 residents. There, we met Vangie Catubig, a GK Kapitahayan leader.  Vangie hopes that the coco nectar plant will flourish and be able to employ more residents from the GK Liwayway Village.

“Kawalan po ng permanenteng trabaho ang number one naming problema dito (Many of us do not have permanent jobs, that’s our number one problem here),” she shared, quickly adding that they are trying to grow as much crops as they can in their community’s vegetable and fruit garden, dubbed ‘Bayan-anihan’, to ensure that no one goes hungry. Eggplant, okra, string beans, petchay, mustasa, and cassava are just some of the crops growing in GK Liwayway. 

Frank’s assistant, Jaycel delos Santos, is a resident of GK Liwayway. She shared that working in the coco nectar facility has greatly improved her family’s quality of life. “I can help send my siblings to school and save up for my future now,” she beamed.

It seems apt for a social enterprise to spring from a barangay named Liwayway (dawn).  Perhaps, dawn is truly breaking in a province that has been so wrapped in the darkness of poverty for decades.

[LEFT] Rachel Grant (back, in white), Mike Go (back, in black), and Tish Martinez-Castillo (right) with the children of GK Liwayway |
[RIGHT] Nelson Balmores of Padua Fund, Frank Regis, Riza Regis, Tish, Mike, and Rachel 

Inspiring others to do well

As Human Nature’s Global Ambassador, Rachel shares many of her experiences in the Philippines during speaking engagements and via her wide online base.

“It’s been a year since I was here and even in one year I can see that so many new products have been developed. I like to look at the new products – like what Tito Frank is doing and I feel really proud about it…because they’re from the Philippines…it’s inspiring,” enthused Rachel.

“I get a lot of emails  and Facebook messages, and I am surprised when they say: “Oh, you inspired me to do this, to join this marathon, to raise money for this purpose, or donate to GK villages, or people ask me all the time on how they can work for Human Nature…” I tell them, I am one of the people who have been inspired too by what Human Nature is doing.”

We also made a quick visit to Human Nature’s manufacturing plant in Carmelray, Laguna. Rachel added that in the future, her presentations will include how just wages and paying the right taxes are not roadblocks to a company’s growth. “I was thinking about how the Philippines has changed…it’s getting better! It’s all about the growth of goodness, working towards a better world.”

With businesses like Uncle Frank’s Green Processing Enterprises engaging more of the rural poor; the future of the Philippines looks so sweet, we can almost taste it.

One year after the launch of Goodness Rising, Human Nature visited Tambulilid to witness how goodness has grown

One year after the launch of Goodness Rising, Human Nature visited Tambulilid to witness how goodness has grown

By Tish Martinez-Castillo  

“The purpose of human life is to serve,
and to show compassion and the will to help others”.
-Albert Schweitzer

I first set foot in Barangay Tambulilid, Ormoc last summer as a participant in Gawad Kalinga’s (GK) Bayani Challenge.

The Bayani Challenge is the country’s largest showcase of volunteerism to date. From April 9 to June 12, 2014, Bayani Challenge gathered over a million volunteers to serve 12 provinces across the Philippines. Bayani Challenge activities included feeding local children, repairing schools, fixing fishing boats, and of course, rebuilding communities devastated by 2013’s Typhoon Yolanda. While I had doubts about my house-building abilities, I went to Ormoc because I wanted to see where our “Goodness Rising” efforts were going.  

Team Human Nature at the Bayani Challenge 2014!

No Tears 

Say “Typhoon Yolanda” and what immediately springs to mind are chilling headlines - details of devastation and death.

When I met with the nanays in Tambulilid, I expected sob stories. These people, after all, had lost all of their possessions. These mothers, after all, lost their friends and family to one of the strongest tropical cyclones in history.

But I found no tears in Tambulilid.

Instead, I was met with smiles everywhere I went. I encountered outpourings of gratefulness at every turn and more hope that I could possibly imagine. These people, the so-called “Yolanda victims,” were wellsprings of positivity.

In Tambulilid, I met Nanay Paping Lauron, a 74-year old lady who was part of my “work group”. Nanay Paping and I hauled sand together. I asked her why she insisted on building houses in Tambulilid each day. “Gusto ko tulungan kapitbahay ko, sama-sama kami dito. Pa konti-konti lang, ang trabaho, yung kaya lang ng katawan ko,” she said. It was that simple.

During one afternoon, I took to writing down the names of the people I met. Some children asked me why I was listing them down and if it was a palista for relief goods or school supplies. I told them I was writing down the names of Tambulilid residents so I’d remember them and be able to pray for them when I went back to Manila.

I thought that the children would lose interest.

Instead, they volunteered their names, the names of their siblings and friends, the names of their parents… virtually anyone they could think of. One even ran off to her mother to ask for the names of other relatives. I wrote everything down feverishly, determined to remember all the names they entrusted.

GK Human Nature Turnover

Last December 17, 2014, I traveled to Tambulilid together with Dylan, Camillie, Wowie, and other colleagues to witness the turnover ceremony of houses. I was in a daze when we arrived. Tambulilid was unrecognizable.

[LEFT & CENTER] Human Nature goes to Tambulilid! | [RIGHT] A heartfelt letter from the children of Tambulilid

In place of the torn down concrete and overgrown vegetation were rows of colorful houses, already inhabited by some of the residents. There were small vegetable patches where piles of rubbish once were. Children were busy playing in the Human Nature Children’s Park and at the Sibol School – places which were filled with drift wood and metal scraps last May. A spacious and new multi-purpose hall stood beside some structures that were destroyed by Typhoon Yolanda – a reminder, perhaps, that the work was far from over.

During the program, Tito Boboy Igot, an Ormoc-based GK worker spoke on how the community never lost hope even as they struggled to recoup their losses. “We did not know where help would come from, but we knew God would not let us down,” he shared. Igot added that Tambulilid was a relocation site for survivors of Typhoon Uring, a deadly typhoon that hit Leyte in the 1990s. “It is like we are brought together and made even stronger by storms.” Tambulilid is one of the first GK sites in the Visayas.

Tambulilid residents swell with joy at the Goodness Rising house turnover

As I was listening to Tito Boboy and the testimonials of Tambulilid residents; I reflected on what seemed impossible (nay, a little insane) in 2013:  for a young company like Gandang Kalikasan Inc. to raise 15 million pesos in funding to build 100 houses in Ormoc. Not only have GKI employees,  Human Nature advocates, and customers succeeded in raising enough funds to build 100 homes in Tambulilid; we have actually gone over the 100-home mark and have extended our reach to Cadiz Viejo in Negros.

But while ensuring that the goals of Goodness Rising are met is no mean feat, I am positive that our burden was the lightest. We owe the completion of Human Nature’s first GK Village to our partners in Ormoc – the tireless GK workers and the residents who never lost hope. They are the true heroes.

Daghang salamat, Tambulilid.

Tish Martinez-Castillo works as Human Nature’s Corporate Communications & PR Manager. Prior to joining Human Nature, she served as a writer & account manager for a good mix of clients, covering stories on education, property development, automotive and motorcycle manufacturing, and hospitality. She stands tall and proud at 4 foot 9.

Arm your little outdoor adventurers with the Philippines' first 100% natural sunscreen!

Arm your little outdoor adventurers with the Philippines' first 100% natural sunscreen!

Your little dreamers have big dreams to chase. As they embark on their different adventures under the sun, guide and protect them through their journey so they can collect experiences and life lessons worth remembering.

The great adventure

Take it from mommies like Jade Barican and Tish Martinez-Castillo, who believe that raising their young ones is an adventure on its own. For Jade, a mother of two active boys, she promotes a healthy lifestyle with her children through playground activities.

"[We enjoy] anything that is very physical, as I don't want my kids to become couch potatoes," she explains. "So it can be as simple as walking or as extreme as biking and playing football."

"My daughter should be mentally and physically stimulated," adds Tish, a mother of a 3-year-old girl. "For example, if she finds a wild tomato plant in our garden, she'll dig the plant up, examine it. She'll learn that the plant will need soil and water."

"She gets to expend all her energy also," she emphasizes. "We like exploring our neighborhood, having picnics, gardening at home, taking walks, swimming, or visiting a farm or zoo."

Restless rewards

Keeping up an active lifestyle need not be a draining or daunting task - rather, it can be the ripest opportunity to bond with your children. "My most favorite [activity] is walking with my kids in the morning because it gives us an opportunity to talk about a lot of things without them noticing that we have already walked two kilometers!" Jade laughs.

Adventure time also leaves a lot of room for learning, from simple tidbits to valuable life lessons. "On top of my list are our morning running sessions," says Tish. "She likes pointing to the different things she sees - anything from a red car to a cute dog - and asking questions about what she sees. I enjoy explaining how stuff works to her."

[LEFT] Jade's sons Caleb and Elijah on their farm day out | [RIGHT] Tish and 3-year-old Gab on their morning run

Mother (Nature) knows best

When little ones begin to dream, anything is possible - from grand explorations to little mishaps. But if there is anything that you can do as a parent, it's to entrust your child's health to safe and natural products that you can rely on.

To keep her kids protected on their adventures, Jade has this advice for mommies like her: "Aside from wearing caps or protective gears, put sunscreen and insect repellent [before outdoor activities]. Wear the right pants and the right kind of shoes to avoid any bruises and untoward accidents. Don't forget to stretch, stretch, stretch!"

Another key factor to remember is to always keep playtime organized. "Always have a general activity plan of where you're going and what you want to show your child," Tish emphasizes. "And be ready with the right outfit - don't go running in slippers, don't dig up the garden while wearing a favorite shirt! Have water ready, bring some wipes, and use insect repellent and sunscreen."

The most important lesson these mothers have learned is not to hamper their children's spirit of wonder. "Let your child be herself," Tish smiles.

Stay SafeProtected

Whether your kids are going for a swim, learning a new sport, blazing trails or going nature tripping, it wouldn't hurt to give them a little TLC. Let your kids create memories that last while caring for them in the long run with SafeProtect, your ally in year-round sun protection.

Did You Know? That thin white film on your kids' skin means SafeProtect is actively shielding them from harmful UV rays AND saving the reefs.
Tell 'em to rock that white, eco-warrior!

SafeProtect is classified water resistant – but all water-resistant sunscreens still need reapplication because the SPF drops after a certain amount of time that skin is exposed to water. Clinical tests show that SafeProtect’s SPF15 may drop to SPF13 after 80 minutes of swimming.

To ensure that your kids are protected during their adventures under the sun, reapply after swimming or sweating, after toweling, or as needed.

Make sure your little ones stay SafeProtected:
• Broad spectrum SafeProtect contains physical blockers that deflect rays, rather than absorb them
• PA+++ provides the highest protection against UVA rays
• SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays
• Reef-friendly

Ring in the new year with a new you and a renewed spirit of goodness!

Ring in the new year with a new you and a renewed spirit of goodness!

Find out how Human Nature found its way into the home (and purse) of Joanna Maitland-Smith Lhuillier

Find out how Human Nature found its way into the home (and purse) of Joanna Maitland-Smith Lhuillier

There’s no denying that Human Nature has gone far beyond Philippine shores in the past 6 years. It’s reached the four corners of the world and has made its way into the lives of some people that you might not quite expect. Here is a story of how Human Nature found its way into the home (and purse) of Joanna Lhuillier.

Joanna Maitland-Smith Lhuillier was born in London, England. She comes from a family with an artistic background and as such, followed a similar career path. With a degree in Interior Design and having worked in the United States, London, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines, it wasn’t long before Joanna commenced her own business in manufacturing fine quality handbags and fashion accessories.

Since 2001, Joanna has been working with local talent in Cebu, and it was while she was working on a handbag line with Reyna Impressione that she discovered Human Nature products.

“We started a conversation about being green and using products that are healthy for the whole family and the environment. She then showed me a few products from the Human Nature line. I went directly to the store after our meeting and have been a regular customer and a true fan ever since. I was instantly hooked, the scents, the ingredients, and the fact that everything is proudly Philippine sourced and made. Plus the whole humanitarian aspect that comes with the production of the brand. I believe that giving back, helping and touching the lives of others, those who need it most, gives us all the most satisfaction. When we see others thrive, we are happy,” Joanna states.

After experiencing Human Nature products, Joanna wanted to share the great discovery with her friends and family. And she did just that! For her birthday and Christmas, she made care packages with all of her favorites in them. Her friends were thrilled and many were surprised to discover such a gem on their doorstep.

Joanna's top picks: All Natural Spray Sanitizer, Natural Clarifying Shampoo, Pure Rosehip Oil, MammoMe Natural Body Wash, Overnight Elixir.

Sweet and tangy, warm and comforting, orange oil is known for its wide uses in aromatherapy and wellness.

Sweet and tangy, warm and comforting, orange oil is known for its wide uses in aromatherapy and wellness.

Sweet and tangy, warm and comforting, legend has it that the orange (Citrus sinensis) originated from the golden fruit of the garden of the Hesperides. Orange oil is traditionally applied on the stomach in soothing strokes, and its bright, sunny fragrance is also known to create a happy mood.

Citrusy Cheer

In addition to its uses in aromatherapy and as a tummy soother, orange oil is also used to add a cheerful aromatic touch to our Soybean-Free Bug Shield Oil, Calming Massage Oil, Tough Love Lemon-Calamansi Dishwashing Liquid, and Furry Kind Natural SunShine Serum!

Handy tip: Dry, peeling cuticles ruining your otherwise flawless manicure? Our nifty Orange Heritage Oil is perfect for providing a natural nail solution on-the-go. Simply roll our orange oil onto dry cuticles for a nourishing and hydrating effect. Keep a rollerball in your purse for other quick fixes!

Orange Oil Recipes

This happy fruit boasts a range of soothing and perky uses for mind and body wellness:

Relaxing Aid
Gently rub a few drops of Orange Oil between your fingers to warm the oil. Place your fingertips on your temples and slowly massage, starting from the ends of your eyebrows, circling up towards your hairline and back down again. After massaging, spread the remaining oil on your palms, cup over your mouth and nose, and breathe in the uplifting scent.

Stomach Comforter
Rub Orange Oil in a circular motion over your abdomen 2-3 times a day to help comfort  and soothe a restless tummy

Wind Down Warrior
Strung up after a long, hard day? The scent of Orange Oil can help you wind down. Roll it over your temples and pulse points and breathe in the calming scent.

PRO TIP: When you're ready to sleep, use Lavender Oil to help you drift off to a relaxing slumber.

Perky Pick-Me-Up
On days when you feel gray and dreary, roll some Orange Oil on your pulse points and temples. Breathe deeply while counting to ten, and let the cheery scent lift your spirits

Peppy Workout
Dragging your feet at the gym? Roll a few drops of Orange Oil on your pulse points before your workout to perk your mood up.

Shop now for Human Nature's Orange Heritage Oil and start your day walking on sunshine!

Do you have a social enterprise? We want to invite you to be part of our Social Enterprise category!

Do you have a social enterprise? We want to invite you to be part of our Social Enterprise category!

Do you have a social enterprise? We want to invite you to be part of our Social Enterprise category! View our primer below to know how you can get started on scaling up and serving your partner communities with us:

Shake it up with these insider beauty recipes using Human Nature products!

Shake it up with these insider beauty recipes using Human Nature products!