From 15th Flr. Octagon Bldg. Ortigas to the World

If you came across this blog, chances are, you are researching about this company at 15th Flr. Octagon Building, San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.   Chances are,  someone invited you to look at a business opportunity. 

Well, congratulations! You stumbled upon an opportunity of a lifetime.  

Do you like travelling?

Do you like meeting a lot of new people?

Do you envision a luxurious life for you and your loved ones, and the time freedom to enjoy them?

Nu Skin Enterprises Philippines is open to all individuals who have the courage to go after their dreams.  I have been witness to how lives were transformed in this business.  It's a lot of hardwork, there's no denying that.  But the rewards are well-worth the effort.

I had the opportunity to travel with Nu Skin business leaders in the past few years.  It was overwhelming to be with people who are driven to succeed.  They work hard, and they play hard! 

Here are some scenes from our super fun trips around Asia.

Malaysia (2008)

Shanghai, China (2008)

Beijing, China (2009)

Blue Diamond Leaders Venus & Perci Lazo, Ojay & Yang Reantaso, Diamond Executive Jon Chua and Ruby Exec Carlo Capacillo.... to name a few..

Perci Lazo, Carlo Capacillo, Arlene Asidao (Sales & Marketing Manager), myself (Account Manager), Venus Lazo, KL Dacera - Agustin & Daniel Laogan, Jr.

There were about 30 or so of us.  Let me just mention a few:  Team Elite Paola Llorando,  Eric Tan, Diamond Executive Joanne Ong, Ruby Executives Maidee Tan, Mark and Maddie Chua

Brisbane, Australia 2011

Business Leaders, Pamela Joy Soriano, Grace Turiano, Carmelita Emphasis and General Manager of Nu Skin Philippines, Pete De La Cruz ~ at Movieworld, Brisbane, Australia

Colleagues from Nu Skin South East Asia

Dinner and cruise in one of the islands in Brisbane, Australia

Singapore 2010

As Nu Skin corporate support, we also get our own trips, as reward for all our hard work.
Whereas, the other companies have summer outings   ~ we enjoy trips abroad with our office mates.

Thailand 2009

I pigged out on Tom Yum Soup and  didn't realize I was pregnant, until after the trip. 

My male office mates in one of the many temples in Bangkok.

Hongkong 2010

We spent one day in Ocean Park and another day in Disneyland.

We never fail to visit the local Nu Skin Office in any country we go.

South Korea 2011

Marketing Manager Rose Castillon, Sales &  Marketing Manager Arlene Asidao, Myself (Head, Account Management) HR Manager Carol Tionloc, and Nu Skin Philippines  General Manager Pete De la Cruz

Geongbok Palace, Seoul, South Korea

There is some wisdom in the saying,  "Love your job & you don't have to work a day in your life."    But first, your job or your business, must be loveable, right?!

So, if you got that call from a representative of Nu Skin Enterprises Philippines, inviting you to check out their business ... I encourage you to do so!  Who knows?  15th Floor Octagon Building, might just be your doorway to the world!

6months pregnant and scaling the Great Wall.

xoxo,
ripemango

Women, I admire.

They're Smart.  They're Beautiful.
They made their own mark in this world.
When I want to be inspired ... I just read about their lives.

Credits to Wikipedia for the descriptions :)

Ophrah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011.She has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century, the greatest black philanthropist in American history, and was for a time the world's only black billionaire.

She is also, according to some assessments, the most influential woman in the woman in the world.

Queen Rania is the current Queen consort of Jordan as the wife of King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Queen Rania speaks on behalf of a variety of causes, both at home and abroad. In Jordan, her work concentrates on the calibre and quality of education for Jordanian children, while abroad she advocates for global education and for world leaders to fulfill their commitments towards the second Millennium Development Goal, Universal Primary Education. I admire her soooo much, I named my daughter after her, even before my daughter was born.

American business magnate, author, magazine publisher, and television personality. As founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, she has gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing publishing, broadcasting, and merchandising. Her syndicated talk show, Martha, is broadcast throughout the world, she has written numerous bestselling books, and she is the publisher of Martha Stewart Living magazine. In 2004, she was convicted of lying to investigators about a stock sale and served five months in a West Virginia federal prison. Although the media widely speculated the situation would effectively be the end of her media empire,Stewart began a comeback campaign in 2005,with her company returning to profitability the following year.

Laura Vitale is a self-taught chef who teaches others how to make home-cooked meals with little effort. She appears on her online show Laura in the Kitchen and has been featured on the NBC Philadelphia morning show The 10! Show. Her show began in January 2010, and is designed to teach people with little kitchen experience how to cook. Viewers can make suggestions for an episode (usually one recipe per episode) and if their suggestion is selected, a show will feature their picture, name and hometown.

Vitale has no formal education in the culinary arts, and believes that makes it easier for her students to follow her recipes. Anyone can make a request via her website, she will make the requested recipes based on popularity of the requested dish.

 

Joanne "Jo" Rowling, better known as J. K. Rowling, is a British novelist, best known as the author of the Harry Potter fantasy series. The Potter books have gained worldwide attention, won multiple awards, sold more than 400 million copies to become the best-selling book series in historyand been the basis for a popular series of films, in which Rowling had overall approval on the scripts as well as maintaining creative control by serving as a producer on the final instalment. Rowling conceived the idea for the series on a train trip from Manchester to London in 1990.

Heidi Klum,  is a German model, actress, television host, businesswoman, fashion designer, television producer, and occasional singer.  From an Angel, to a Wife to a Mother of 4. She still maintains her svelte figure.

Stephenie Meyer is an American author known for her vampire romance series Twilight. The Twilight novels have gained worldwide recognition and sold over 100 million copies globally, with translations into 37 different languages. Meyer was the biggest selling author of 2008 and 2009 in America, having sold over 29 million books in 2008, and 26.5 million books in 2009^. Twilight was the best-selling book of the year.
Meyer was ranked #49 on Time magazine's list of the "100 Most Influential People in 2008", and was included in the Forbes Celebrity 100 list of the world's most powerful celebrities in 2009, entering at #26. Her annual earnings exceeded $50 million. In 2010, Forbes ranked her as the #59 most powerful celebrity with annual earnings of $40 million.




Madonna, American singer-songwriter. I grew up with her songs.  Until now, she constantly reinvents herself that she stays current with the times.  Her recent achievement is a Golden Globe for best songwriting for the motion picture, Masterpiece.

 
Lea Salonga-Chien is a mezzo-soprano singer, actress, and Disney Legend from the Philippines well known for originating the lead role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon, for which she won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World awards.
She was the first Asian to play the roles of Éponine and Fantine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway. She also provided the singing voice of two official Disney Princesses: Jasmine in Aladdin (1992), and Fa Mulan in Mulan (1998) and Mulan II (2004).  Salonga was named a Disney Legend in 2011 for her work at the company. Best of all, she stays grounded and a Philippine citizen.






 

Taylor Alison Swift  is an American country pop singer-songwriter, musician and actress. Asof March 2011, she has sold over 20 million albums and 41.8 million singles worldwide. She has been listed in the 2012 Guinness Book Of World Records as the Fastest Selling Digital Album by a Female Artist for her album Speak Now, and Most Simultaneous U.S. Hot 100 Hits by a Female Artist. In 2011, Billboard named her woman of the year.  She has been nominated 146 times, and win 92 times in various award giving bodies, including 4 Grammy's,  all of which achieved at the age of 23.

Jennifer Lynn Lopez , often known as J.Lo, is an American actress, businesswoman, dancer, entrepreneur, recording artist and television personality. She began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color as a Fly Girl

"100 Most Influential Hispanics" 

"The 20 Richest Women In Entertainment," ranking

ninth.

"Beautiful Person" by People magazine in its annual issue

Best of all, she's 43, and mother of twins, with an amazing body and dance like she's just 20.

Filipinas are beautiful and these three best represents Pinay beauty.  I can't stop staring at them, because they seem to grow more beautiful when you look at them. 

Dawn Zulueta

Angel Locsin

There's so many other beautiful people out there...in politics, in philantrophy, in showbiz, in sports.
I'm sure you have your own favorites!

Care to share?


xoxo,
ripemango

Secret of Youth? I found it !

Whenever we encounter or experience something wonderful, don't we love to gush and tell all our friends and relatives about it?  Personally, I consider myself as, The-One-Who-Lives-To-Tell-The-Tale.  That's why, I love blogging.  I suddenly have an outlet for all my recommendations, opinions, stories, tips that I want to convey... without burdening my friends with my chatter.  They can just read about it at their own pace, wherever they are in the world.

Recently, I've been gushing over this new daily facial regimen that I am crazy about.  Let's face it, we are always in constant search over the best products that we can lather on our faces and neck every night, so we can look as young as our age can allow.

No one will admit to being vain, but certainly we all want to present our best to the world! We can only achieve that goal, by taking care of ourselves.  How?  By great health habits, and choosing the right products.

My main skin issues are humongous pores, discolorations and dull-looking skin. I seem to have been born with honeycomb complexion (big excessive pores) that gushes out Sebum as if there's an oil field in my T-zone.  The skin discolorations are on my cheeks.  They look like I have permanent blush-on... indigo shade.

These skin discolorations are brought about by my ignorance to use sunblock when I was still working as a researcher for ABS-CBN.  I am always out under the sun, not bothering with umbrellas or hats.  Such hassle to bring!   So, there!  Years of negligence are now showing up every time I look in the mirror.

This is a honeycomb, if you haven't seen one.

I got this ageLOC Transformation Set from my friends at 15th Floor Octagon Bldg. Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines.  It's manufactured by an American company called Nu Skin Enterprises.  They have a showroom here in the Philippines, where you can get all their premium quality anti-aging products.  No need to ask your relatives from abroad to order them for you! (admit it...You sometimes order your Bath & Body works handwashes, and Victoria secret underwears from the US) :P

The regimen boasts of a new anti-aging technology called ageLOC.  Apparently, Nu Skin, in its collaboration with scientists worldwide,has discovered the internal sources (it's within our genes!) that contributes to aging.

I know that recently scientists have mapped out human genomes ~ and I said, “Huh? so what?”  But now that they have brought it down to practical day-to-day uses, like better ways to make us look younger,  I say, “Now, You're Talking!"

This ageLOCtechnology targets aging at the source, that is, our genes.  Now, what could be better than that?!  This is sooooo far-out from our mother's skincare.  My mother's skincare is soap and water, and she considered Pond's cold cream a luxury.  But my mother's growing-up environment was Manila circa 1960s, and she now lives in the pristine province of Aroroy, Masbate, Philippines.  

We live in a totally different era and different environment now, and therefore calls for better skin care.  In my mother's time, there was no hole in the ozone layer!  Now, the hole in the ozone, is the size of North America.  If that doesn't scare you to use sunblock, I don't know what else will.

The ageLOCTransformation regimen is the most advanced science that I've ever encountered on anti-aging, using topical and non-invasive solutions.  In short, without undergoing the knife.  (I love pampering myself, but I don't think I will have the nerve to undergo surgery just for vanity.)  I'm not afraid to grow old....  I just wanna grow old gracefully...

The set contains a Cleanser (which is already a toner, too.  So, we skip a step, rather than our usual Cleanse-Tone-Moisturize),  a Night Cream, a Day Cream and a unique Serum.

It promises to reveal younger looking skin in 8 ways— it will improve the skin’s structure, and texture,  even skin tone, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, increase radiance, minimize appearance of pores, reduce discoloration, and increase hydration.   

I SUPER LOVE THEM and I can't imagine having used anything else!

The cleanser/ toner is light and foamy, not those usual, creamy & oily facial washes that's so difficult to wash-off, sometimes leaving your face with residue.  The cleanser really makes you feel luxuriously clean, and since it's pre-mixed with toner ~ your skin doesn't feel stripped of moisture after washing. 

The Future Serum which contains the concentration of the powerful patented formula of ageLOC, is to be applied on the face and neck (treat your face and neck the same! notice how our neck area, is softer, nearby ageing is more evident there!).   The Future Serum is what's this technology all about.  So, this step is the most essential part!

 

The Transforming Night is applied after the future serum. It's like your usual moisturizer, except that it's not as heavy.  It's mild, and when I wake up the next day, my skin is glowing and supple.  I love this! I feel so spoiled.

And finally,  in the morning,  I replace the Transforming Night with Radiant Day, which contains the highest-ever SPF (sun protection factor) for a day cream, SPF 22.  Normally, that's for sunblock and you know how sunblock feels, right?  Greasy, sticky and makes you look like a White Lady.  This cream has the same powerful effect of a sunblock (blocks both UV, UVA) but is light and not greasy at all. In fact, I can even use my liquid tinted moisturizer on top of it and pressed powder, too.

This one is really not our mother's skin care.  I know...  for some people, it's a lot of steps just to wash your face.  But the era of just taking-off the dirt is no longer here.  We're in the age of using technology, to improve our lives.   We invest on iPhones, iPads, Blackberrys,  why shouldn't we invest in good quality skin care?

This one is for the books ~  I got this from iTunes!  So much fun!   It's an app called ageLOCMe.   A Simulation of how I will look like, say 10 years from now.  With natural aging without using any intervention, I look like an OLD hag.   Drooping eyelids. Dull Complexion.  Where did those cheekbones go?  :))

Now, as the simulation promotes, if I use ageLOC ...Taddaaah!!....  Return to Youth!! 

It's a real eye opener :)    I have never imagine myself this old !!  Shocking!! But Aging is inevitable.  As mentioned, I AM NOT AFRAID TO GROW OLD... but I want go for it.. as GRACEFULLY AS I CAN...

Let's face it.  We can been so cocky sometimes.   I already look good.  I'm ok!   It's the least of my priorities.  But most of the times,  we don't realize .....  there's always that "little extra" room for improvement!  Go for it and Have Fun!

xoxo,
ripemango

p.s.
I appreciate comments!   I activated comments below so that anyone who wants to give feedback/ suggestions, may do so anonymously ;)  and you don't need to register to blogger.   thank you!

Taking the Plunge into MLM

My old college friend confided in me that she wanted to take the plunge.  Not marriage, as she's already married with 2 lovely kids. But a different kind of plunge, that is, joining a multi-level or network marketing (MLM)  company.  She considers it a big leap, because she used to have a negative impression on MLM companies and their sales persons.  She previously had an unfavorable experience with another company, where she purchased an enormous amount of products. However, she didn't get any training and support in distributing the products and sponsoring people to the business.  

She feels that invitation at 15th Floor Octagon Bldg. was providential.  She is looking for alternative ways to earn income, because she wanted to quit her current job. She leaves home before 7am to work and returns home by 7pm.  She only has 1 hour with the kids and then, it's their bedtime.  As a mom, she feels so sad, that she cannot spend more time with her 3 year-old and 6 year-old.  She has the skills to teach lessons, to nurture them emotionally, but because of the usual need to earn a living and provide a comfortable life, she has to work. Ironic that other people benefit from her skills and talents, not her kids.  She has to hire a tutor for something she can do to her kids, but she just doesn't have the time!   

Direct-Selling, if she becomes successful on this, will allow her flexibility of working hours, and a potential for higher income.  In her current job, whether she gives the extra mile or not, her take-home pay remains the same.  

But this time, she is smarter.  She did not sign-up immediately after the business presentation.  "I will not be lured again by sweet talks and promises that it will be easy & quick money-back. I know that it entails hard work and I will probably shell out money, too. That's why I should know what I am getting into."

As her friend and favorite confidante, she calls me her "Life Coach."   I helped her research about Nu Skin Enterprises, to reinforce her decision that she chose the right company.  

I'm sharing this in my blog because I know, there are other people in the same boat like my friend.   Will you take the plunge, as well?!

Nu Skin operates in 52 international markets across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East with more than 825,000 active independent distributors.
• Nu Skin came to the Philippines in 1998; they're on their 14th year of operations and continues to grow with offices in Ortigas, Makati, Alabang, Iloilo, Cebu, Pampanga and soon, Davao.
• The company’s global operations generated more than $1.54 billion in revenue during 2010.  They are listed in the New York Stock Exchange; and is one of NYSE's Top 100 Companies, which consists of companies with an annual stock price increase of more than 60%.
• Named by Forbes.com and Investors' Business Daily as Best of 2011; named by International Business Times' as one of the World's Fastest growing companies of 2011
• Continues to innovate with new product lines such as ageLOC, which targets aging at the source, our Genes; and only recently, they acquired LIfeGen Technologies, a company focused on Gene Research related to the aging process.



Has contributed more than $23 million to improve the lives of children throughout the world.  They have a Force For Good Initiative, where distributors and employees can participate to feed malnourished children worldwide.  They have donated more than 220 million meals.
• All their products are scientifically-validated and even if they're only health supplements and personal care products, they are pharmaceutical grade, with 75 scientists at their employment and a slew of world-class scientists.

and best of all...

• Nu Skin can give the most rewarding compensation structure in the industry.  In the Philippines alone, Nu Skin Philippines has developed more than 100 local millionaires.

If you are the type who like graphs, surely, this will convince you of Nu Skin's unquestionable growth:

These are Nu Skin's world-class Scientific Advisory Board, which includes Carl Djerassi, the inventor of the Birth Control Pills.

So, my friend and I were discussing over our favorite brew.  What really sets Nu Skin apart from the pack?  I mean, we can always

rattle on about financial statistics. But to bring it down to the level where her family, her friends and her future business partners would understand:  “There are so many MLM companies out there, why would I be happy to join Nu Skin?

• People.  Nu Skin attracts high-caliber people who are successful in their own right.  
• Product.  Nu Skin sets the standard in the skin care and wellness industry, continuously innovating to create new products.
• Opportunity.  Most rewarding and unique business plan, with the ability to seamlessly allow you to do business in 52 markets
• Culture. Nu Skin remains true to its core value: Making a Difference.  Not just in products, but in other people's lives.

I am so excited and at the same time, scared for my friend.  It's not an easy endeavor she is getting into.  I just hope she perseveres against all odds.  I remember my favorite saying, "If you want something bad enough, the whole universe will conspire to give it to you." In this case, my friend wants the elusive dream of all.... Time Freedom.

xoxo,

ripemango

Opportunity at 15th Flr. Octagon Bldg. Ortigas

An old friend recently buzz me in facebook and ask for my advise.  She has  been invited to join a Multi-Level Marketing company called Nu Skin Enterprises, which holds office at 15th Floor, Octagon Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.  I love Nu Skin and I've always used their products since time immemorial.  But to ask me personally, whether she should join and invest her time and money for Nu Skin. I'd encouraged her to read up about Multi-level Marketing / Direct-Selling and the company itself, so she can make an informed decision.

I've worked for an MLM company and I saw how tough it can be.  Joining an MLM company is venturing into a field that is very much different from traditional business or traditional 8-5 jobs. It will literally turn your world around.  It can make a shy person become extrovert. It can drain your time, money, your relations (it can break friendships, marriages...) However, if done the right way and one perseveres, the Reward is more than worth all the hardships.

I've witnessed how one farmer, with the help of his persevering wife, literally moved their lives from agricultural existence to becoming world-class, often traveling abroad, owning cars, a beautiful home in Portofino, Alabang, all because of Network Marketing, and their choice of vehicle to success, was Nu Skin Enterprises, and it started right at the same venue, 15th Floor, Octagon Building.

So, to help my friend, and to help my readers as well.  I've compiled a checklist, to empower you to decide, if the company currently knocking on your door, and offering you this tremendous opportunity, is legitimate, ethical and something that is worthwhile investing all your talents, time, money and efforts. There's just so much companies out there promising the moon and the stars. We have to be wise  in our decisions.

The Worldwide Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA), has a local afiliate called Direct Selling Association of the Philippines (DSAP).  Basically, it's a trade organization that adheres to a set of marketing and compensation standards to ensure that the industry remains legitimate, credible and rewarding for both the company and the distributors.

According to the DSAP,  a credible direct selling company, should meet the following 8pt. criteria:

1. Is there a product?
2. Are commissions are paid on Sales of products & services not  on Registration or Recruitment Fees?
3. Is the intent to sell a product not a position?
4. Is there no direct correlation between the number of recruits and compensation?
5. If recruitment were to be stopped today, will the participants still make money?
6. Is there a reasonable product return policy?
7. Do the products have a fair market value?
8. Is there a compelling reason to buy?

If the answers to all 8questions are YES, then the company you are evaluating is a legitimate company. If there is any hint of NO, or uncertainty.  Then, you need to think twice.  The company might be a fly-by-night direct selling business or worse, a pyramid scam.

There are 26 member companies of the DSAP in the Philippines, and one of which is Nu Skin Enterprises, Philippines.  The others are Amway, L.L.C., Avon Cosmetics, DXN International, Dakki Classics Concepts, DEI-Dragonworld, Direct Shopping, Inc., Empower Marketing, Fern-C, Filway, Forever Living, 4Life Research, Ganoitouch,GNLD, Herbalife,  Mary Kay, My Benefits Club, New Image, Nikken, Reliv, Sophie Paris, Sundance, Sunrider, Symmetry, Tianshi, Tupperware, Unicity, and Waters Philippines.

Now, if indeed you have concluded that the company you are eye-ing is legitimate.  The next question would be, is it The Best?  Needless to say, why would you join something that's behind the pack? If you will invest time, money and efforts, invest in the Best. 

Success from Home Magazine, literally the bible of entrepreneurs, and innovators, recently came up with its own criteria how to tell the best MLM companies, among the hundreds of companies sprouting up each year.  Does your chosen MLM company possess the following?

1. It should have some History of Longevity --   How long has the company existed?  Only half-a-dozen MLM companies have made the  $500 Million USD mark, a dozen has topped the $100 Million USD mark. Thousands of MLM companies start-up each year, only 2% survive for more than 5 years.

2. It should be Global.  -- the company should be able to provide you the  technology, and infrastructures to tap other markets.  Is the country present in several countries?  Does it allow you to participate in the business globally?

3. It should be Innovative -- you cannot keep selling the same product, with the same benefits, year after year. People's needs change and the company should always be on top of the game, continuously innovating, so you can offer new products in the market.

4. Credible Distributor Force -- the best companies usually attract similarly high-caliber individuals who are either established in their own  fields, or whose values are unshakeable.

5. Company Values -- besides making money, what does the company do to give back to the community? Are you able to participate in it?

Direct selling is one of the most profitable business, albeit non-traditional, for one who has the discipline, ambition and propensity to sell and create a network of like-minded individuals, there is a goldmine waiting for you. Just make sure you pick the right company! Good luck, my friend!

xoxo,

ripemango