ECQ Essentials

The Enhanced Community Quarantine or ECQ has been challenging for all of us. We have been spoilt for choice when it comes to activities and events pre-pandemic, so spending the whole day at home could be daunting for many of us. As our frontliners battle the Covid-19 virus at the hospitals and essential workers keep our communities up and running, let us continue to stay at home to flatten the curve. And let me make life a little bit easier for you by delivering natural toiletries and home essentials straight to your doorstep via my Human Nature online shop.

Not only can you shop my favorites such as our shampoo bar and hand sanitizer, you will also support the livelihood of our amazing employees. And you will also help me bounce back with every purchase you make! My small business enables me to stay afloat with essential products, and I hope that you will buy your self-care needs from my shop.

Thank you in advance, and I hope to see you on my online store soon!

Human Nature Fan

I recently went to the Human Nature Flagship Store to purchase some orders. My client lives in an area inaccessible by the courier, so I did the shipping myself. These small gestures of kindness go a long way during the quarantine. A bag of natural toiletries really makes a difference in making someone’s day. If you need anything for your personal and home care needs, please support my Human Nature Online Shop by clicking here!

My bestsellers include our shampoo bar, which I personally love. It makes my hair smooth and shiny! Another bestseller is our strengthening conditioner, and of course, our cleansing bars.

Do support my store! Together, let us make each day under quarantine count, naturally.

A Positive Impact

I went shopping the other day for purposeful items which will benefit our heroic frontliners. I want to help in my own small way during the enhanced community quarantine. Fortunately, two of my favorite brands have offered to make it easier for me to pay it forward.

Rags 2 Riches has recently released their summer collection aptly named Sol. It is a joyful collection of bags and clothes made of upcycled materials. As always, each item is made by Filipino artisans.

Proceeds will go to frontliners and families affected by the pandemic. This was enough for me to support this worthy cause.

Image from Pulseras by Kim

Another local brand that I continue supporting is Pulseras by Kim. The jewelry brand has recently dropped a fundraiser collection to benefit frontliners as well. I bought this locket, which featured a free photo printing service with each purchase. Of course, this made the decision to purchase easier.

Shopping for a cause is one of my favorite things to do. I hope that you will also support brands that pay it forward, because we can all make a difference even while at home.

Quarantine Business

I am using this quarantine period to spend time by myself. Being mindful about my hobbies and tasks is key to maximizing this time. I am doing a good job so far in doing everything I need to do and also running errands whenever I am needed.

One of the things that keeps me busy is my online shop. Most supermarkets now have incomplete stocks, and many e-commerce sites are not delivering anymore. My Human Nature online store is still delivering natural toiletries right at your doorstep! There is enough hand soap and hand sanitizer in stock so now is the time to support my small business.

Shop now! Click here to buy from my online store. God bless you!

Human Nature Cubao

Last February 15, I attended the opening of Human Nature Cubao. It is located along the LRT2 concourse, making it a convenient shopping location for commuters.

The franchise is owned by Mr. Steven Tan and family. They started as core advocates at Human Nature, until they opened the Human Nature kiosk at Farmer’s Plaza. Now, they run their own branch and aim to capture the direct selling market at the crossroads of the railways.

It was an honor to witness the opening of this store. It is a testament to the advocates’ faith in Human Nature, and the transformative power of this social enterprise that I am also part of.

I look toward to shopping for my personal needs and orders here! Coffee is also served here with every purchase.

I hope that you will also support Human Nature Cubao soon!

Borealis Diamond

Ever since I started collecting rings from homegrown brand Borealis Crystals, I appreciated fine craftsmanship more. This PWD-owned and managed social enterprise works with local artisans to produce handmade jewelry made out of the finest precious metals and gems. The most important part here is that they choose to offer budget-friendly bling to customers who with a taste for handcrafted and bespoke quality.

The author wears her tiny teal diamond ring on her ring finger

Here is now my current Borealis stack: my Borealis heart, my green sapphire fruit drop, and my latest from this shop, the Tillie. It is a teal tiny diamond in 10k white gold which I wear on my ring finger. All three rings are sparklier in real life and are worth every single peso.

I hope that you will also support Borealis Crystals! This is not an ad, rather, I am just a happy customer who recognizes fine workmanship when I see it. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed and the wait for your jewelry is definitely worth it.

Sinaya Volunteer

Yesterday, I volunteered to be a seller for Sinaya Cup. I got to engage with customers on this social enterprise that champions menstrual hygeine and sustainability. And I got to meet new friends in the Sinaya girls!

Please consider following Sinaya Cup on Instagram to buy menstrual cups, heat packs, and other feminine products. Also, be updated on their advocacies and future bazaars. ‘Til next time!

Fire and Faith

Yesterday, I survived the LRT2 fire. I was inside the train at Cubao station supposedly enroute to St. Jude when it happened. Luckily, I was spared and I simply chose to return to the north.

I proceeded to Human Nature to shop for personal needs and fulfill some orders. Please support my Human Nature Online Shop! Every purchase goes a long way in keeping me afloat as I look for work.

Speaking of which, I went to Quiapo Church this morning to pray for a good job and to give thanks for the gift of a new day.

I was able to visit Shanleen Hopia after mass to sample their ube hopia. It was delicious!

I make simple joys possible with limited resources and a lot of faith. I hope that you also find joy in small wins and resilience!

Motivation Mondays

Yesterday, I got to visit Clock In - Ayala Vertis North for the first time. It’s awesome to have a beautiful coworking space close near my house. It is also home to several networking events, which is also the reason why I was in the building. 

I was there for Motivation Mondays, a series of talks for yuppies on interesting topics. Last night, we discussed Goal Diggers. In line with the theme, we fueled up on delicious vegetarian food and coffee. 

The evening’s guest speakers were Maura Alvero of Vela Manila, and Fabien Courteille of Plush and Play. It was inspiring to hear about their stories of purpose and determination. 

My key takeaways were:

1. Become a platform for creatives- create a brand that will foster a community of photographers, writers, advocates, and target consumers.

2. Go on until your people don’t need you anymore- work until the people you train can carry on without you  

3. Start with why

4. Keep hobbies that can become your outlet

5. Be vulnerable 

6. Persevere for others  

7. Know what’s for you

8. Be open for collaboration

9. Different minds foster creativity

10. Get to know the people you are working with 

11. Cultivate relationships  

It was a different kind of Monday and I was happy to have learned insights from social entrepreneurs. I look forward to more purposeful Mondays to come! 

In_Pact Asia 2019

I was fortunate to be a delegate in the In_Pact Asia 2019, a conference on inclusive impact at the Asian Development Bank. I attended because of my passion for social enterprise, which I apply to my Human Nature online dealership.   

Please support me by making a purchase on my Human Nature Online Shop!  Every purchase supports communities in need and sustains my micro enterprise. Thank you! 

I started my day with a hearty breakfast at the famed ADB cafeteria.  

The delegate wristband was cool as it was embedded with spinach seeds, which makes it grow when it is planted.  

I also got to connect with Mariel, a familiar face from my previous conferences in an educational institution. It was lovely to chat with someone from the inclusive business space.  

My key takeaways from the conference is that diversity drives businesses to foster collaboration. This will drive inclusion in the sense that no one is left behind, and ethical business decisions will help workers thrive amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Also, social enterprise is key to sustain communities and to empower women to make a difference in the age of fair trade. 

It was a privilege to attend the fireside chat that featured Human Nature’s President Anna Meloto, who shared how Human Nature empowers women (particularly mothers) to have stable careers while caring for their families. 

I got to enjoy ADB’s notable cuisine and interact with like minded individuals. Learning about industrial trends is the reason why I attend seminars and conferences. May this be the start of more productive events that allow me to share, exchange ideas, and realize my place in the bigger picture of business and social impact. 

Mentoring Lunch

Yesterday, I had the time to do some brisk walking at the UP campus. 

I was able to burn some calories before my lunch at Sunnies Cafe. I got to do some crocheting before meeting with my friends.  

I had a lovely lunch with my uni mentor Mitzie and her niece Maiko. It was nice to catch up with friends after my dad’s recent passing. 

No visit to Sunnies Cafe is complete without some selfies in their famous washroom. 

I got to buy Sunnies Face’s new Airblush after lunch. 

I also got to offer eggs at St. Clare Monastery. 

I bought carioca, a local street food consisting of fried sticky rice. It was a delicious afternoon snack. 

Before going to bed, I brushed my teeth using this bamboo toothbrush that I bought from social enterprise Rags 2 Riches. 

I know that by continuing my passions and meeting my friends from time to time, I can carry on with life after the storm. 

IFEX 2019

Yesterday was the fourth and last day of my stint as a NAIA Buyer Services Representative for CITEM. It was a productive gig, and I am thankful for the chance to serve our country by smiling and assisting VIP passengers. 

It was a privilege to hear Sunday mass at the Terminal 2 chapel. 

After mass, I ate Minute Burger’s pizza burger for brekkie. It was so good! It went well with Jollibee’s surprisingly flavorful brewed coffee. 

After airport duties, I rode a bus, train, and a tuktuk to the World Trade Center for IFEX 2019, the country’s premier food expo!

I got to eat, drink, and appreciate all the hard work I have contributed for the past four days. I am very proud to be Filipino, and it makes me happy to see all these exhibitors bring the best of Filipino cuisine to the world. 

I made sure to buy straw bags from Crafter’s Joy, a Pangasinan-based social enterprise that provides livelihood to local women weavers. 

I am excited to use these straw bags! The planter was for my mom. 

It was an honor to serve our country for the past four days, and to sample the best Filipino food and drinks at IFEX. I look forward to next year’s expo, and I hope to serve the country again in the future. 

Mabuhay! 

Summer Nature

Yesterday, we had the launch of the newest products at the Human Nature Flagship Store. My favorite is the new green tea lotion. Please help me by buying from my Human Nature Online Store. Support my small business, and help me thrive!

I had fun during the party, and it was also great to catch up with my friends there. Here’s to more sales and opportunities to share the goodness of social enterprise with others! 

Borealis Crystals

I recently ordered a bespoke ring from local jewelry company Borealis Crystals. It is a PWD-run online jewelry boutique which I have been stalking on Instagram for quite some time now. I have been privileged to earn some money from freelance work, and I set aside some of my pay to have a custom ring made for me. 

After a month of communicating with C & J, the couple behind this homegrown brand, I finally got the pink ring of my dreams. 

I love that they added a couple of Flat Tops with my order for a touch of whimsy.  

My pink tourmaline is professionally-set in rose gold. I requested for a comfort-fit band, and I have been wearing this daily for almost a week now. I can definitely say that it lives up to its comfort-fit name, as it is really comfortable. I was able to write at work and the ring felt light on my fingers. I think it helps that C is into calligraphy, so she knows that a ring must not get in the way when one is writing. 

I love supporting social enterprises, and businesses that empower PWD’s. I am happy that I can wear something that’s both handmade and bespoke everyday. What’s more, I get to wear a ring with a story that’s more radiant than its innate sparkle.  

I highly recommend this brand, and I hope that you can check out their Instagram page for their latest on-hand designs. You may also order bespoke jewelry. Production time is from 1-2 months, depending on the design. May they help you realize the jewelry of your dreams! 

Refilling Hearts

Yesterday, I attended the launch of the refilling station for home care products at the Human Nature flagship store. I was eager to witness this important milestone for our company. 

In case you missed it, I sell Human Nature products through my online store! Please support me while also helping the communities that are assisted with livelihood and skills training by the company. Every purchase counts as you switch to natural personal and home care products!

As always, every Human Nature event is an opportunity to catch up with fellow dealers turned friends, such as Kristel.  

I joined some games to get the party started. We were asked what we will do if we were given Php1M, and we told the crowd that we will train communities to create livelihood opportunities and multiply that impact across the country, similar to what Human Nature is already doing. We can even theoretically collaborate with them!

Of course, the event is not all fun and games. The environment urgently needs our help in conserving finite resources and living sustainably, that’s why I brought my helper Racquel with me. It is important that my staff also knows about this cause, and that she sees firsthand how this advocacy is translated into a practical solution, such as our new refilling station. It also matters to me that she witnesses what I do for a living (while I also work freelance and search for corporate employment). It is my hope that she lives more sustainably as well after hearing the speeches on that day. 

I saw more friends in the Core Advocate group, which is comprised of long-time dealers who have taken time to take the advocacy through the next level. Maque and Lei have been with me during a community breakfast with the flagship store’s neighbors last year, and we have also joined a community immersion at the GK Enchanted Farm last February.  

We had our fill of coffee and pastries as we witnessed this milestone. 

Megs and Ate Rhea have become my friends through the years. They are sone of the reasons why Human Nature continues to grow. 

Ate Yla has been managing the flagship store and has turned it into a powerhouse of social enterprise. She has also become a dear friend. 

Here we are with our president Anna Meloto-Wilk, who empowered us all with a heartfelt speech on saving Mother Nature in our own little way and still selling quality natural products. Her own journey into sustainability in her own home (as a wife and mum of six kids) and in her job was not easy, but it  eventually became a conscious choice.

I am so proud of Human Nature, and I am honored to be one its core advocates who share the goodness with each sale. 

I hope that you, dear reader, will continue to support me and my Human Nature online store! Our company continues to change lives and lead by example in the industry.

Here’s to more years of sustainability and success!

Human Nature Summer

Last Saturday, I attended the New Products Launch at the Human Nature Store The Block.  

Please support my Human Nature Online Store! Every purchase supports me and my family. Thank you!

This is the brand’s first branch in a major mall and I’m all for it! 

I am excited for the Sunflower Body Scrub because I’m a devotee of their sunflower beauty oil. Naturally, their scrub will be just as nourishing!

Summer is definitely here and I’m happy that I have natural products to keep me fresh and clean without polluting the environment. 

Buy Human Nature products from me today and feel the difference in your skin the natural way!

Ring for the Babies

At a time when life’s challenges can get overwhelming, I was able to find a way to share my blessings while indulging in my love for jewelry. I recently purchased a silver ring from local brand Vera Juan, who’s currently on hiatus. Before she went on a break, she sold some jewelry for the benefit of the Leycano twins. They were born prematurely, and their parents need help in paying their medical bills. You may help them via this GoGetFunding page. 

My ring is sparkly and dainty! Perfect for my small hand, this ring will inspire me to shine bright even during dark times. Thanks to the twin girls Pia and Paz, I am inspired to find ways to help others while empowering myself.  

Here’s to more sharing and helping in the coming weeks and months! 

Core Advocacy

Yesterday, I joined a workshop on growing my income at the Human Nature Flagship Store.  

I joined my fellow Core Advocates in learning and sharing on a Saturday afternoon. Our colleague, Lei, was the enthusiastic resource speaker.  

The lecture was practical, and well-received! I will definitely use the SMART goals in planning and organizing. 

Building my empire sounds daunting, but it really is achievable. I have to consistently practice effort and creativity in order to earn more and be more!

Here’s to more learning this 2019! 

Big Bad Wolf 2019

Yesterday, I ate brekkie at our neighborhood canteen. I had tortang talong (eggplant omelette) and rice. It was so good! 

Then, I had lunch at the 24-hour pop-up food court at Big Bad Wolf 2019!

I got my usual at Potdog: crab egg with rice. Yum!

It was cool to see social enterprise goods by Gawad Kalinga at the food court. 

I was excited for this year’s Big Bad Wolf as I was able to hunt some fabulous finds last year. 

The overwhelming amount of books did not faze me as I clearly knew what I wanted. 

Still, I browsed through the stacks of books and enjoyed the hours I spent at the fair.  

I stuck to my shopping list and bought three adult coloring books. I have already migrated to using ebooks, but the joy of coloring cannot be replicated by an app. I needed the real deal. 

Before leaving the fair, I dropped by the Red Readerhood booth. 

I donated two books for Gawad Kalinga kids. Of course, I had to select dog-themed books. 

I offered eggs and prayers at St. Clare to ask for miracles for my family.  

I wrapped up my day with some coffee jelly and coloring therapy at the café near home.  

Books, food, knitting, and coloring spark joy for me! I will be back for next year’s Big Bad Wolf for sure! 

Joy in the Bag

I recently purchased this yarn bag from local brand Gantsilyo Guru. It is a collab with another local brand, Beyond Stitched, which is known for sturdy canvas bags and personalized purses. This is not a sponsored post- I just love supporting local craft brands and what better way to do it than to buy something that I can tote around while knitting on the go!

I got the medium yarn bag in midnight.  

It snugly fits a cake of Lion Brand Mandala Yarn purchased from The Attic Yarn and Craftery. 

While my knitting needles don’t exactly fit inside the bag, they sort of protrude outside the sling and this makes it easier for me to whip out my project for easy knitting in transit. 

I roadtested it at my neighborhood cafe. I must say that using it while having coffee makes knitting a breeze. I just sling the bag on my wrist and stitch my day away. (Yes, I had lunch and dinner at the same cafe).  

I would recommend this yarn bag because it is important that we support Philipppine-made craft tools! Also, it is convenient to use. The minimalist design matches well with any outfit. Overall, it’s a great product and I would certainly use it a lot.