Nourishing Habagat's Victims

Growing up in the province of Masbate, and eventually living in Manila for my college education,  I am used to living with regular visits of strong typhoons.  I grew up knowing that there are about 20 typhoons that visit and devastate our country each year.   Typhoons, used to have women's names, (Reming, Juaning, Neneng) until we ran out of local female names that the weather bureau held a name-that-typhoon contest.  We now have more variety of names to choose from like Falcon, Dodong, Egay, Kabayan etc.

Photo by Annie Maliclic Leonardo

The worst thing, for me, as a kid,  the rainy season coincides with the school year opening.  Most of the times, we haven't started our lessons, and there will be announcements of several days of No Classes.  Sometimes, when they suspend classes late,   I would to school in slippers because I don't want to ruin my new school shoes.  Then, go home again, walking in floods to my thighs.  That's they early 80s in the Chinatown, Manila.  Nowadays, the flooding in Manila is chest-deep!

My hometown in Aroroy, Masbate runs right smack into the typhoon path coming from the Pacific.  We are a mountainous region, there's not much flooding but we would have typhoons that blew rooftops away! 

In my adult life, the most recent worst typhoons was in 2009 (when I just 8months pregnant with my youngest girl),  Typhoon Ondoy (International name : Ketsana) left almost 400 dead, Tyhoon Sendong (International name Washi) left almost 1000 dead.   Recently, there has been an anomaly in nature, we didn't have a typhoon but we had a strong Southeast Monsoon or Habagat.  In fact, we didn't even have a name for it, so we just called it Habagat. 

Photo by Marianne Siason

Habagat devastated Manila and nearby suburbs last August 7-8 with relentless strong torrential rains.  We had more than 10 days of continuous rains. There were flooding all over the city.  People were evacuated into schools for temporarily shelters.

Photo by Mary Martinez

Eventually, various organizations and individuals mobilize themselves to reach-out to the victims of typhoons. Relief packs are distributed by the thousands.  A relief pack usually consist of instant noodles, rice, sardines, corned beef, and used clothing. Filipinos are really good at this!  Even if people say we have crab mentality and all.... the Bayanihan Spirit still reigns.

Photo by Dan Pagulayan

This brings me to my next point.  After all our initial relief efforts,  I hope our organizations would consider a more nourishing sustenance for the children of these calamities. Let's face it, many of our children in the slum areas, and even majority of our public school pupils are malnourished.  Many of them are underweight, easily get sick easily and don't do well in school.

There's this initiative of Nu Skin Enterprises, called Nourish the Children.  It hasn't gotten much publicity because they're not under media spotlight.  They have a product called Vitameal.   This lentil-based food is especially formulated for malnourished children, even senior citizens who need nourishment.   It was formulated by scientists in the US, as a complete meal.  No need for viands, or "ulam."  Their product brochure says, it contains:

• A balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fiber
• Essential fatty acids required for normal brain development, skin health, and immune defense
• Electrolytes necessary for maintaining normal fluid balance and muscle function
• 25 essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A for normal sight and immune functions, as well as nutrients for normal growth and skeletal development*

VitaMeal is vegetarian and non-dairy, and allows for the easy addition of ingredients to fit every taste and culture. It is a meal by itself, but some would cook it with spaghetti (substitute the beef), porridge, sweet snacks with coconut milk, among others.   Each VitaMeal package can be use for 30 child-sized meals, or enough food to provide a child with one nutritious meal each day for a month.

The cost is 1,600 php per bag.  A bit costly, but if you will consider that it's not just a meal, it's a multi-vitamin in itself, it's really worth it. Besides, there's really improvement on the overall health of the child.  This has been tested in feeding programs in Africa and China. 

If you're interested,  you can buy the Vitameal pack for yourself or for your organizations.  Alternatively, you can just sign a donation form and your donation will be given to Feed the Children Philippines.  It's the organization that conducts the feeding all over the country.

You can just talk to the person who sent you this link or  contact directly  Nu Skin Enterprises Philippines with offices at 15th floor Octagon Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines, with telephone numbers 632-8-NUSKIN.

"If you can't feed a hundred people, feed just one." - Mother Theresa

xoxo,

ripemango

Exfoliating ~ the next best thing to Molting

One of our often overlooked regimen is exfoliating. Let's face it,  humans are the only species that don't molt as well as the other animals.  Molting is the periodic shedding of hair, skin, shells and even horns of animals. Snakes and lizards are the most prolific when it comes to shedding of old skin.  Twice a year, they literally and beautifully acquire bright clean and shiny skin as if they're re-born.

Humans' skin do shed as well, but not as drastic.  Our skin cells have a lifespan of 35 days. So, technically,  we are shedding off and getting new skin month after month.  But then again, if we don't exfoliate, those dead skin cells will literally stick like stubborn barnacles in body.

Most neglected areas are undersides of the nose, upper forehead,  elbows, ankles, underneath the butt, breasts and those prime real estate that doesn't get sunshine.  (If you know what I mean!)

Two of my super favorite exfoliating medium are from the American  personal care company Nu Skin, with offices at 15th floor Octagon building, San Miguel avenue, Pasig City, Philippines.

For my face, I use Exfoliant Scrub extra gentle.  It's made from marine phytoplankton and aloe vera.  I like it because it's not harsh and doesn't leave my skin feeling scratched.  I have huge pores, and I normally have white heads and black heads if i neglect to exfoliate 3x a week.

Nu Skin Exfoliant Scrub

But then again, I'm careful not to overdo exfoliating because it  also strip  skin's natural moisture and stimulate further oil production.  If you have oily skin, it's a fallacy that you should use face wash with exfoliating beads daily.

Once your skin gets strip of moisture, it sends the signal to the cells to stimulate more oil, thus, your oily skin aggravates.  Just be cool with it.  Use 2-3 weekly or every other day.

Most of the time, when I burn the midnight oil for deadlines, I get dull, dry and flaky skin.  I use this scrub and I unearth my bright skin again.. in an instant!  Luv it!

For my body, I'm absolutely crazy in-love with Nu Skin Liquid Body Lufra.  It's a body scrub made from walnut shells / husks and aloe vera.  I use it 3x a week instead of my bath soap or body wash.  I love how it sloughs off, thick layer of dead skin on my feet, ankles, knees and elbows.  Actually,  I use it all over my body except my neck and face.

Nu Skin Liquid Body Lufra

This body scrub leaves me feeling like a pampered newborn, all the time!  Remember to follow-up with your favorite moisturizers! 

Now, moisturizers are another field of discourse altogether!  I have moisturizers to just feel sexy, moisturizers for dry cold weather, for warm climate, for firming and tightening the skin.  Oh, those moisturizers deserve another fabulous blog entry!  

'til next time!  happy scrubbing!

xoxo,
ripemango

*Should you be interested in any of the mentioned products, Nu Skin has offices at 15th floor Octagon Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines, with telephone numbers 632-8-NUSKIN.

Young and Livin' the Life!

Marlon and Pen Ilagan are living the life most young people, at their age, are still dreaming of.

They have barely reached their 30s.  Yet, they have achieved a lifestyle that most folks would take years to work for.

No, they were not born rich nor did they inherit tons of money from their parents.  What's admirable with this couple, is that they worked from scratch everything they have now.

Marlon was a junior college student at the Ateneo de Manila,  taking up Chemistry and Computer Engineering when his classmate introduced him to a business opportunity at 15th Floor Octagon Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City;  which was Nu Skin.

“A huge income that comes every month whether you like it or not.”  These were words that gave me sleepless nights after I saw the Nu Skin business presentation. The supporting company profile was superb. Their track record was excellent."  I signed-up right then and there after the opportunity was presented to me.

 

Pen was a self-sufficient, working student from San Beda college taking up International Business and Entrepreneurial Management.  She is an only child, whose parents have long-separated.  She was used to  taking care of herself and her dream was to have her own business so she wouldn't  have to work for anybody.  She was introduced to Nu Skin by a friend whom she met in one of her quest for businesses to engage in.

The two met at the Nu Skin premises, while each were doing their own thing, carving out their own names in the world of networking. 

"I am impressed by his being down-to-earth and his ambition to  make a name for himself. His family is well-off.  He had the best education.  He could've taken over his family business as sole distributor of a popular noodle brand in the South of Manila. He could've just accepted any of the lucrative job offers he had after graduating from Ateneo.  Yet he had a vision of something bigger.  He is a man of big dreams."  Pen says of Marlon.

While Marlon on the other hand, describes Pen as no-nonsense kind of girl.  "She has been through a lot with her family.  At an early age, she knows how to earn money and make it work for her. She's very independent.  She is not petty and shallow like most people our age.   I was impressed by her passion in everything she sets her mind into."

Needless to say, the young couple made their commitment to each other for keeps. 

It was to be a marriage made in heaven.  For three successive years in a row, Pen gave birth to their three  lovely children, Miko, Maki and Mika.

Business-wise, they are having the time of their lives.   They travel all over the world, and have established a business that allows the time and financial freedom to enjoy with their kids and friends, whenever and wherever they want to.

 

"Today as Blue Diamonds, we are enjoying our lives to the fullest. Although we are still actively growing our Nu Skin business full-time to greater heights, the rewards are worth it. We get to dedicate as much time as we want to our children without a boss calling us back to work. We get to go on vacation, yet know that our business is still making money. We get to enjoy life, even at a relatively young age."

"We truly feel that we are blessed. But, the best thing about this opportunity is that this is possible for everybody. Through Nu Skin, all of you have this choice. This is a choice to work hard for a few years, and then reap the rewards of a lifetime of happiness. This is a choice to focus on being the best that you can be. We urge everyone to make this decision. We all have one life to live, don’t wish for it to be easy, instead decide to make it worth it."

The couple barely reached their 30s. Pen is only 24 years old, while Marlon is 28.  But with the achievements that they have accomplished, they are certainly worthwhile emulating!
 
The couple shares their thoughts on their experiences on building a network marketing business. CLICK HERE.

 ** Should you wish to be a part of the Nu Skin opportunity. Nu Skin has office at the 15th floor Octagon Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City, with telephone numbers 632-8-NUSKIN.

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