Anna Oposa is one of Human Nature’s Goodness Ambassadors. She embodies everything that we stand for – Pro Philippines, Pro-Poor and Pro-Environment. She’s an active member of the Save Philippine Seas (SPS) Movement and cares strongly for Mother Earth, just like we do here at Human Nature. Read on below to know more about this wonderful, inspiring lady. 

1. What do you think people should know about natural living?

• That it's not necessarily expensive! There's a misconception that going "organic" or "natural" means spending more. You just have to know where to look and what to buy.
• That the better choice for your body is, more often than not, the better choice for Mother Earth too. This goes for food choices and personal care products!

2. What are some of your eco-friendly practices? 

I always have the following: a reusable bag so I don't use plastic when I shop; reusable water bottle; tumbler, since I drink about 3 cups of coffee a day; reusable utensils (spoon, fork, chopsticks) so I don't use disposable utensils and chopsticks; rechargeable batteries. I walk or carpool whenever possible; unplug appliances that aren't being used; segregate wastes; maintain a compost pit; and sell old possessions to the Ayala Recyclables Fair :) 

3. What are your daily / philosophy inspirations? 

I'm very lucky to be surrounded by people who (I believe) are far smarter, funnier, and more giving than I will ever be--my friends, family, and colleagues. They keep me grounded and remind me of what's most important. 

I travel quite a lot, so I'm constantly inspired by the places I see and practices I witness. My last trip took me to Indonesia and Nepal, and next month, Taiwan. But my #1 inspiration would be the Philippines. Maybe it's because I studied in UP, so I feel like I should "give back." I know that sounds really corny, but it's true. 

As for ideas, my "quotes to live by" are:

• Today is a perfect day for a perfect day. Meaning every single day should be treated like it's going to be the best day ever.
• Have the attitude of gratitude. I learned that from my best friend Gold. No matter how tired or busy I get, I always thank the universe and people around me for the opportunities I have.
• If Plan A fails, I have 25 letters left.
• I am one but I am one. I may just be one person, 23 years old, fresh graduate, but one person has the capacity to effect change if s/he wants it bad enough.

4. What keeps you busy these days ? 

Professional work: I always have a lot of things going on. Right now I'm the Officer-in-Charge for Environmental Policy and Law Compliance at the Law of Nature Foundation, so it's a lot of reading, researching and writing, coordinating with local government units, NGOs, and private organizations. My two biggest projects are the protection of sharks and rays and establishing bike lanes in Cavite. I'm also the Project Manager of SexandSensibilities.com, an online and offline platform promoting responsible sexual health, and Writer's Block Philippines. I have several speaking engagements coming up, for Ateneo, the Mindanao Bloggers Summit, NGO conference in Taiwan, etc. I'm also a freelance writer, so I contribute to different publications or do copywriting for companies. About once or twice a month I teach musical theatre to children with special needs. I was a musical theatre performer before going full time in advocacy work :) 

Personal interest: Literature. I took BA English Studies in college, so I'm a big geek when it comes to writers (both local and foreign), books, stories, paper, words, languages, punctuation marks, and fonts. I also love yoga! I want to be a yoga teacher someday. I spend weekends eating out or scuba diving with my closest friends. 

5. What are the challenges of living a natural lifestyle, and how do you face these challenges? 

Because it's a lifestyle, it's become a mindset, a daily habit, so there aren't a lot of challenges anymore. Sometimes, it's about evaluating what would be the better choice. For instance, I've tried going vegan but survived four days because I LOVE FOOD. So instead of going all out vegan, I stopped eating beef and committed to at least one vegan meal a day. I also added more vegetables to my meals, because I grew up not really eating vegetables. 

I honestly think the bigger challenge in living a natural lifestyle is making that shift, and the biggest is convincing others to make that shift as well. My approach to "convincing" people is show by example and NEVER be pushy or self-righteous. Do all things with love and encouragement, and as much as possible, never be anti-this, anti-that or angry. 

6. Why is it important to read the labels of the products that you buy? 

We use a LOT of products on our bodies everyday, more than we're aware of. We don't think about what's in those products, precisely because it's part of our routine. But that's exactly why we should think about it! Especially if we recommend the products we use to people we love. For all we know, the products we use might contain harmful ingredients in the long run. My mom recently told me about an ingredient that has the potential to alter one's endocrine system. Yikes! 

It's important because the choices we make have direct impact on what's around us. I believe that there are ALWAYS options, and we have the capacity to make the better choice. Responsible consumerism, they call it. If we have the chance to use products that support local businesses and economy, are from sustainable sources, and have world class quality, then WHY NOT?

Rissa Singson-Kawpeng is one of Human Nature’s Goodness Ambassadors, embodying the values that we stand for – Pro Philippines, Pro-Poor and Pro-Environment.

Rissa is the editor-in-chief of Filipino inspirational magazine Kerygma of Shepherd's Voice Publication, which is headed by the best selling author and motivational speaker, Bo Sanchez. She is also a wife and mother, and an inspiration and source of encouragement to people like us at Human Nature. Read on below and get to know her more!  

How did you discover Human Nature?  What are your favorite products and why?

My sister told me about it. Dylan Wilk (Human Nature's co-founder and vice president) spoke in their Rotary meeting and she was moved and impressed by Dylan’s testimony. She tried your shampoo and she loved it. So she told me about it and I started using Human Nature products too.

What caused the shift to natural? Why is it important to read the labels of all the  products that you are buying?

When I use Human Nature, I don’t have to worry about the chemicals that are in the products I use. Actually, it was Human Nature that made me conscious about the chemicals in the products I use. I never used to read the ingredients of the stuff I use but now I’m more conscious about them. 

We live in a very toxic world. The air we breathe, the food we eat, the products we use are laden with toxins we are not even aware of. I’m not a die-hard follower of natural living yet — I have a long way to go in being educated in this area — but I believe that while I can’t control many of the toxins I’m exposed to, I should  control what I can. 

What are some of your eco-friendly practices?

I have a simple philosophy in being eco-friendly. Don’t use more than you need. Better yet, use less than what you need. So even if there’s a lot of water coming out of my tap, I regulate it. I don’t waste tissue paper or paper towels. I don’t use more soap than I need.

What are the  challenges of living a natural lifestyle, and how do you face these  challenges?

Again, I wish I could control everything, my environment especially so that my family and I aren’t exposed to toxins... even on a spiritual level. But to do that I have to get out of this world! I think barring a life of being a hermit, we just have to learn to live a balanced life, pray about what we can’t control and do something about what we can control.

What keeps you busy these days?

Our Kerygma Conference is just a week away! That’s our annual and biggest conference and they’re always days of grace for us. I’ve also launched my second book this year entitled “Discover Your Inner Beauty Queen.” Here I talk about how to be beautiful inside and out.

What are your inspirations?

The Bible, Bo Sanchez, Shepherd’s Voice books and magazines, especially Kerygma.

Rissa cites this verse from the Bible: “You mortals, the LORD has told you what is good. This is what the LORD requires from you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to live humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

An accomplished lady with inner and outer beauty. Truly...one of a kind and inspiring.

An accomplished lady with inner and outer beauty. Truly...one of a kind and inspiring.

• Miss Earth Executive Director
• Environment Advocate (spokesperson of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, spokesperson of biofuels campaign for The Sustainable Energy Development Program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
• Columnist for the first green lifestyle magazine in the Philippines – Gen G Magazine.
• Co-author of “Bakawan”, a pro-environment book which aims to teach children on taking care of the environment, particularly the importance of bakawan (mangroves).
• Beauty Queen (Miss Philippines – Earth 2006, Miss Earth – Water)
• Psychologist
• Host
• Human Nature Supporter

Wow! Is this girl accomplished or what! The list just goes on and on with what this lady can do and has done and who she really is! She’s definitely one with inner and outer beauty as well as brains! Truly… one of a kind. We’re so glad and thankful for her never-ending support for Human Nature.
Inspired and awed by this Filipina beauty? Well then, read on to learn more on how Cathy’s love affair with Human Nature started and get a few tips from Miss Philippines - Earth 2006 herself, on how to live a greener, more eco-friendly lifestyle.

1. How did you find out about Human Nature?
When Human Nature was about to be launched in 2007, Tita Bebet Gozun called me up and told me about this amazing business and ecological venture. She asked me to give a talk on beauty and the environment because of my background as Miss Earth Water. Upon hearing the story behind Human Nature, I didn't think twice and said yes. I met Anna, Camille, Dylan and Tito Tony Meloto during the launch and was blown away with the passion of these people. I was extremely honored to be part of it. Since then, I have been using their products. We have also partnered for campaigns and I even brought several groups of Miss Philippines Earth candidates and winners to learn about this social enterprise worthy of local and global recognition.

2. What attracted you to Human Nature?
The fact that it is a social enterprise--meaning it uses the triple-bottom line approach--People, Planet and Profit. One of our challenges as environment advocates is that we push eco-friendly products but majority are not so cheap because of the low demand. With the high prices during financially challenging times, how can you encourage people to use these products? Human Nature breaks that misconception that caring for the environment is only for those who can afford. Human Nature products are very affordable.

3. What are your favorite Human Nature products?
My latest favorite product is the Berry Bliss Healthy Lotion. It smells and feels so good! I wish there is a shampoo and body wash variant. I also love and use the shampoo, conditioner, feminine wash, lip balm, lip gloss, lotion, face powder, blush, hand sanitizer and pocket hand wash.

4. Have you always been into organic/natural/healthy/green living?
Ever since I won Miss Philippines Earth, it has become my goal to live up to the title as much as possible. It meant using reusable bags instead of plastic bags, ordering without straws, biking more frequently, trying my best to be a vegetarian, supporting organic and local produce and of course using, products like Human Nature.

5. What are some eco-friendly tips that you can share with us?
It is never too late to rectify our erroneous habits. You can start by saying no to excessive packaging when you go shopping. Commit to choosing reusable items over disposables. And, since 2012 is the International Year of Sustainable Energy, this is a time for us to be more responsible energy consumers. If we are challenged to diversify our energy sources because of financial constraints, why don’t we just decrease our demand? Unplug appliances when not in use and convert to energy efficient lighting such as LED and appliances.

6. Tips for healthy living?
Drink plenty of water. Hydration will do wonders for your body especially for your skin. Apply sunscreen when you go out in the sun. (Human Nature, we are waiting for HN sunscreen :) )
Eat less meat. Eat more fruits and vegetables and get them from a local market in or near your community. By supporting them, you encourage the production of eco-friendly products. Not only that, but you also support the community’s livelihood.

Meet the lovely and inspiring lady behind Mommy Mundo!

Today we're featuring yet another stellar woman taking over the "mommy world". A mother to three beautiful children, successful businesswoman, much sought-after speaker and adviser to many young moms out there, Janice Villanueva has shown us that having the best of both worlds really can happen.

Today we're featuring yet another stellar woman taking over the “mommy world”. A mother to three beautiful children, successful businesswoman, much sought-after speaker and adviser to many young moms out there, Janice Villanueva has shown us that having the best of both worlds really can happen. Founder of Mommy Mundo, the Philippines’ first and only established resource portal of the modern mom and moms-to-be, Janice has proven to us that you can happily be an active mom to your kids while fulfilling a career or full-time job. 

At the end of the day, though, the ultimate sense of fulfillment Janice could ever have is simply being a part of the lives of her children and helping them become the best that they can be. 

And when it comes to becoming the best, she knows she needs to first give them the best. This also goes for providing them with the safest and most natural bath and body products free from harmful chemicals. An awareness of the types of products we consume everyday is of utmost importance, now more than ever.

Janice shares that when she started Mommy Mundo ten years ago, “I was with like-minded mommy friends who realized that moms back then did not have any source of information and support (aside from their doctors) when it came to pregnancy, breastfeeding and parenting. We started doing small pocket talks for moms and the response was amazing... Moms now are an aware and empowered set, they seek information, support, they have clear choices for themselves and their families... it's just such a fulfillment to see the evolution happen."

"What inspires me is seeing the happy faces of moms and their families at our events, or feedback from moms who attend our talks and tell us they learned so much, or emails from readers of our free publications and websites who prod us on to keep up our work," shares Janice.

Today, Janice has become a role model for many Filipinas, a fellow mother who others can look up to for inspiration in being able to do it all and have it all. Her secret to success in fulfilling your dreams of owning a business and being a mompreneur? Her answer is to “JUST DO IT!”

“If you have an idea or a passion to pursue, take these initial steps then go for it! Make sure to study the market, plan your product and marketing efforts, meet other mompreneurs (join mompreneur manila! www.mompreneurmanila.com), get the support of your husband (this is very very important because he will be your partner and support to help you achieve balance in business and at home). Keep a positive mindset and just focus on your goal, you can choose to start small or go full blast, that would depend on your capabilities in terms of time, finances and objective, what's important is, just do it and go for your dream.”

Thank you so much, Janice, for being an inspiration to so many of us! May you continue to spread the goodness through your talent and gift of reaching out to the needs of mothers everywhere! 

Don’t forget to visit the Mommy Mundo site at http://www.mommymundo.com
And Janice’s personal blog at http://janicevillanueva.com

Social enterprise advocate Joan Icotanim speaks softly but lives out loud, filling her days with a passion and vision for building a world-class Philippines.

Social enterprise advocate Joan Icotanim speaks softly but lives out loud, filling her days with a passion and vision for building a world-class Philippines.

THE SEED OF A DREAM

Social enterprise advocate Joan Icotanim speaks softly but lives out loud. While many Filipinos profess a love for the nation, Joan skips the lip service and actively fills her days with a passion and vision for building a world-class Philippines.

Before starting out at Human Nature, Joan used to work in real estate. Part of her responsibility was to help provide low cost housing to those who could not afford an extravagant lifestyle. But Joan knew in her heart that the Filipino poor needed more than homes, after all - they needed a future. Little did she know that this was the seed of a much bigger dream.

FLOWERING COMPASSION

Joan explains, “Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth) by Pope Benedict XVI says that true development is not just economic development and that business should not be done for profit alone. As a business graduate and part of the sheepfold, I felt it is my responsibility to do something to heed his call. It was the same time that I got hold of a Human Nature magalogue for the first time.” 

Joan made her leap of faith in 2011 and joined Human Nature's Social Enterprise and Development (SED) team, a uniquely distinct department that focuses on strategic business planning for local communities and creating sustainable livelihood for various beneficiaries. From business planning, to project implementation, to implementation assessment, the SED team ensures the development of long-term programs for community development. It is a job she calls “making the advocacies a reality.”

Joan's role is to go about helping develop community farms all over the country, such as the GK Pueblo Antonio sunflower and passion fruit farming community in Catigan, Davao, where beneficiaries are trained and guided so that the land they till can soon produce world-class crops. 

The SED Team during the launch of CommPassion: Angeli Diamante, Joan Icotanim, Anna Meloto-Wilk, Rene Rieta (GK Davao coordinator), Mike Go, Jong Noriel

SOCIAL GROWTH IS HUMAN GROWTH

Joan shares an important lesson she learned about social business: 

“Social enterprises will change the way business is done in the Philippines... It will also change the pattern of consumer behavior: we will be proud consumers of local brands because local is now equated to quality. It will change the mindset of the youth because they will see the many good things in the country that they can nurture and develop. Social enterprises contribute to authentic development which is not only economic development, but also human development."

THE PATH OF EXCELLENCE

Fighting the battle against poverty is no easy task, no overnight project. Hard work, commitment, and self-sacrifice is necessary to turn around the many years of neglect our agricultural sector has suffered.

But as the saying goes, “pressure turns coals into diamonds.” It's no ordinary work to bridge the gap between business and grassroots communities, and it builds no ordinary character. For Joan, a company that produces world-class products and develops world-class community producers only has room for excellence.

And why not? For the reward of future generations living a life of prosperity, dignity, and pride in one's own country, the sacrifice is well worth it.

L-R: Joan and GK founder Tony Meloto flanked by European business students, Joan with GK community children

KERNELS OF INSPIRATION

Joan continues to find inspiration in her daily work as well. In a seminar she attended recently, Joan was given the chance to hear Mara Gonzalez, a Filipina based in LA, talk about her work as an accountant in the multi-national American brand Sunkist. Learning that Sunkist was a cooperative - a “not-for-profit” entity in a country that was built by for-profit corporations - gave Joan the perfect affirmation that she was on the right track.

Armed with the knowledge that a farming cooperative can actually be a world-class producer, Joan moves with unwavering faith that our own farming communities CAN make it big, sustainably, inclusively. In the social enterprise economy, everybody wins!

BRANCHING OUT TO THE WORLD

A person who’s always been fond of traveling, Joan often lives out of a suitcase, visiting one community this week and tending test farm plots the following week. 

Last November 2011, Joan was privileged to go on a 16-day tour of Europe's top business schools - Cambridge, Oxford, Warwick, London School of Economics - with Gawad Kalinga's father and founder himself, Tito Tony Meloto, to inspire students to go into social enterprise ventures. 

L-R: Joan at a farming community carrying seedlings, Joan and Tony Meloto at Cambridge University

The students' enthusiastic reception of Human Nature's story of a social enterprise's triumph in the competitive cosmetics and personal care market set Joan's spirit on fire. We always ooh and aah over foreign brands, but here are Europeans looking up to a small Philippine startup for inspiration!

A LOVE FOR COUNTRY THAT GROWS... AND GROWS

Ever since her life-changing trip to Europe, Joan decided she's never giving up the dream that the Philippines will be a first-world country in our generation. "Seeing the growth of Human Nature and the emergence of other promising enterprises makes me confident of a poverty-free Philippines!” 

We salute you, Joan, for continuing to inspire us create a better Philppines and giving the best for the least! It is because of people like you that we our proud to say, "I am a Filipino!" May you continue to touch the lives of millions by fulfilling your dreams for yourself, community and country!

Learn health secrets of wellness advocate, yogini & FLOW Weekend Retreat co-organizer Denise Gonzales-Bernardo!

Learn health secrets of wellness advocate, yogini & FLOW Weekend Retreat co-organizer Denise Gonzales-Bernardo!

Mother, wife, wellness advocate, yogini, co-organizer of THE FLOW Weekend Retreat and this month’s cover girl Denise Gonzales-Bernardo shares that living a naturally healthy lifestyle can make you radiate an unmistakable beauty that FLOWS from within. Want to know a few of her secrets and find out what philosophies she lives by thus leading her to achieve a beauty that just beams? Read on! :)

1. What made you shift to natural products and practice eco-living?
The main influencer was my grandfather, Robert Sehwani, who was diagnosed with cancer when I was in college. He went overseas for chemotherapy but came back more dead than alive and we really thought we were going to lose him. What saved him was herbal supplements, virgin coconut oil and a change in lifestyle - from the food we ate, to the stuff we put on our skin and products used to clean the house. It changed all of us.

Eventually he put up a little shop supporting local small and medium enterprises as well as all natural products. I worked with him after college and saw how amazing these products were. That started my journey. :)

I eventually had my son, Benny, and wanted the best for him. So I applied eco and all natural living to our lives as individuals and as a family.

2. What are your eco-friendly practices?
- To clean the home, we only use vinegar, salt, baking soda, borax and perla.
- Avoid all processed and 'white' products (sugar, rice, flour)
- Use all natural /organic bath and body products.
- Save plastic by bringing eco bags/ glass containers all the time
- Limit carbon footprint - walk / bike vs. car
- Save paper and recycle
- Never ever litter or tolerate litterbugs!!
- I use cloth diapers for my son and cloth sanitary pads for myself
- I’m going vegetarian and eventually raw vegan!
- Exercise and get lots of sunshine
- Blog and talk about my green choices!

3. How does healthy living make you feel beautiful?
You see that you are part of a bigger picture and part of a whole. After which, all actions are directed towards that. When I feel this, I feel connected and beauty radiates from inside out. Yoga and meditation help address a lot of issues- mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual - and when I can heal from within, the energy I emit is love and beauty. 

4. What philosophies do you live by?
Karma - law of cause and effect. What goes around comes around and we reap what we sow.
Living in the NOW - extremely difficult but yoga, samba, meditation and other passion-activities help me achieve that.
Live and let live
Acceptance is the key to my problems
Let go and let things flow
Mistakes are my teachers and best friends

5. What are your favorite Human Nature products?

I super love your Baby Wash, 100% Natural Lip Balm, Mineral Makeup line, Sunflower Beauty Oil and essentially Human Natures vision, passion and love for Filipino, nature and community!

Atty. Laisa Masuhod-Alamia: Defender of Muslim Women and Children, Protector of the Environment, Human Nature User

Atty. Laisa Masuhod-Alamia: Defender of Muslim Women and Children, Protector of the Environment, Human Nature User

As an ardent advocate of human rights in the legal sphere, Atty. Laisa Masuhod-Alamia is the OIC- Regional Human Rights Director of the Commission on Human Rights in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and one of the proud founders of Nisa Ul Haqq Fi Bangsamoro (“Women for Justice in the Bangsamoro"), a network of Muslim women's rights advocates that works on gender issues, human rights, and women empowerment.

As an activist and manager of the Bangsamoro Lawyers’ Network, Laisa represents marginalized women and children in cases involving violence, annulment or declaration of nullity of marriage, and custody of children. She also mentors women leaders in the area of political leadership, economic empowerment, and reproductive health.

Her practice in environmental law led her to successfully litigate an anti-mining campaign in the watersheds of Zamboanga City.

Due to the nature of her work, Laisa is constantly on the go – one minute she is in Maguindanao intermediating a clan conflict, the next she is in Manila for a briefing or in New York for a conference. But no matter where she is, she always makes time to stay in constant touch with her three young children and spend time with her husband in Zamboanga.

Part of her environmental and socially just lifestyle is Human Nature!

Laisa especially loves the Sunflower Beauty Oil and has even admitted to using it for her husband’s facials! But beyond loving the products, Laisa loves Human Nature’s Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor, and Pro-Environment philosophy, which resonates with her abiding love for social justice and the environment.

Human Nature model, environmental enthusiast & eco-geek Nicole Tantoco: What has this bronze beauty been up to lately?

Human Nature model, environmental enthusiast & eco-geek Nicole Tantoco: What has this bronze beauty been up to lately?

If you’ve flipped through our latest magalogue, dropped by our Facebook page, or even done some shopping at our online store, you’ve probably seen this girl’s face all over! So what has our bronze and beautiful Human Nature model and enthusiast Nicole Y. Tantoco been up to lately?

"Since my last feature, I've continued to educate myself about living a more eco-friendly lifestyle," Nicole shares. "I've found that there are many aspects of my life that I need to change. One thing I've gotten into is organic clothing. My Tita Hindy is a fashion designer and she has been working on designing cute eco-friendly clothes for moms and children."

"I think that the eco-friendly community in the Philippines is becoming bigger,” she explains. “It's not just activists who are starting to care about the environment anymore, but also regular people. With fairs like Balik Bukid and Human Nature's Humanity Fair, it's becoming easier for consumers to become more educated about their lifestyle and to also meet like-minded people.”

Eco-Geek is the New Chic

“Right now, I'm working on my thesis. I haven't done much modeling since my last feature with Human Nature. I'm not really a model - I'm more of a geek!” Nicole laughs. “I've gotten to work on my writing lately, and I want to use it to promote the things that I'm passionate about, like alleviating poverty, taking care of the environment, and studying feminism. I've also been having a blast visiting Human Nature’s head office and having lunch at the Enchanted Farm Cafe!”

“In fact, Human Nature's Humanity Fair was at a very charming GK village, the Enchanted Farm in Bulacan,” Nicole happily recalls. “I went with my sister and a few of my friends and it was actually my first time to visit! There were so many activities to choose from, from buying organic produce, to shopping for organic clothing and toys, to learning how different social enterprise products are made. There were also activities for children, like a petting zoo! Everyone should give it a visit at least once. I think it's a great step for the future, especially in getting the younger generation interested in more sustainable living."

So what summer adventures are in store for Nicole?

"This summer, I am going to explore more places in the Philippines, especially Palawan. I would really love to visit the Underground River in Puerto Princesa! The Philippines is so beautiful and rich with natural resources. Visiting these wonders of nature helps us learn what we need to save. Not changing your lifestyle can mean losing our beaches, our invaluable treasures like the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan, which is one of the biggest marine preservation sites in the world.

I'm planning on scouting new beaches to go to like Nagsasa Bay in Zambales where there are no resorts and they don't use electricity since it hurts the environment. It's not just the seaside that I'm planning to visit this summer, but also the beautiful forests and mountains. It's on my bucket list to finally climb Mt. Pulag!"

Nicole (left) and her twin sister Camille (right) at Human Nature's Humanity Fair 2013: Hearts of Passion

Read about our dealer of the month Jean Pardillo's life-changing experience with Human Nature!

Read about our dealer of the month Jean Pardillo's life-changing experience with Human Nature!

For almost two years, Anna Jean C. Pardillo has been one of Human Nature Mandaue’s most consistent dealers and committed advocates. She not only supports Human Nature products through her pocket, but actually goes beyond purchasing power to passionately spread the word about Human Nature’s Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor, Pro-Environment philosophy through Facebook networking and recruiting dealers within her workplace. A Training Manager at Teletech, Jean considers her discovery of Human Nature products to be a life changing experience.

How did you find out about Human Nature?

Human Nature promoted our products sometime October 2011. From then, I immediately knew they were a life-changer.

What attracted you to Human Nature?

I've been working in a call center for 6 years now as a Training (Learning and Leadership) manager. It's an exhausting field! You sleep in the morning and have to wake up to work at night. I thought, these [Human Nature] products will help me love myself better in this kind of world I live in. And true enough, it did! :) I get inspired by the fact that my work is none like what our farmers do to make a living. Here I am, at the top of my field, and in my small ways, I can make a difference.

 What are your favorite Human Nature products?

I’ve used everything for the past 2 years! It makes me really want to face another day. I love the Kids Tangerine Shampoo, it reminds me of my adorable nephews. I love the organic makeup, particularly the rice-based foundation [Perfect Coverage Mineral Foundation & Mineral Pressed Powder]. I just glow with it! I love the Berry Bliss Body Butter Cream - I think my skin needs to eat too. :)

Have you always been into organic/natural/healthy/green living?

I support a paperless environment - less printing saves a lot of leaves and trees. I carry a Starbucks mug for coffee refills. I bring reusable water bottles, they save me from buying more plastic bottles. And I don’t buy what I don’t need, because they will only end up being thrown away.

What are some eco-friendly tips that you can share with us?

Think green! Think positive. Think big. We are part of a bigger whole. If I can start in my little ways and 100 other people near me start doing it too, then the advocacy multiplies.

Do you have any more tips for healthy/greener/sustainable living?

Yes, garden in your own backyard! It relieves a lot of stress and it inspires people to connect with nature. It makes you feel like you’re really part of God's plan to co-create something beautiful. :)

Read about how Chips Guevara - a Man of Pure Strength - challenged the norm with his veggie oil cars

Read about how Chips Guevara - a Man of Pure Strength - challenged the norm with his veggie oil cars

As our climate continues to shift sporadically between producing Olympic-sized floods and extremely sweltering heat, we’re pretty sure you’ve noticed that something in the air has changed in the past few decades. News reports dub every summer day as the latest hottest day of the year. Every week you seem to have to increasingly drain your bank account for a full tank of gas. If you try standing in the middle of EDSA for a few minutes (which we don’t recommend), you will feel all the cumulative exhaust of smoke-belchers and diesel-run vehicles polluting your lungs. What set off all this madness, you wonder?

It’s a problem that’s simple to illustrate but very difficult to address. For centuries, everything we needed to get around, produce food, and pump potable water relied on the power of petroleum or its main distilled product, fossil fuel. It was a cheap feat that made life so much easier – that is, until people began to realize one thing: the Earth didn’t have enough to last forever. Petroleum is a limited, non-renewable resource that sent the first of worlds on a frenzied hunt for quickly diminishing extraction sites. And once a war has been waged over who gets dibs on exploiting the Earth’s natural resources, you definitely know we’ve reached a crisis.

As the era of petroleum reaches its peak and point of scarcity, many forward-looking thinkers have been prompted to view the prospect of energy resources from a more conscientious and sustainable lens. But while more of the public have become open to embracing alternative fuel as the new diesel, it still remains a challenge for pioneering individuals to establish renewable and eco-friendly energy as the mainstream means of energy.

One such individual who faced this challenge with confidence is Chips Guevara, founder and president of Alterenergy System Inc. and one of Human Nature’s celebrated Men of Pure Strength at the 2013 Pure Strength Challenge. Alterenergy System Inc. is a corporation focused on propagating alternative energy by utilizing Straight Vegetable Oil technology, which is a conversion kit installed in diesel engines to allow them to run on vegetable oil.

What Drives Veggie Oil Cars?

So how did Chips come up with the idea behind vegetable oil cars? “It was really my dad and his entrepreneurial ideas,” Chips recalls. “He was the one that discovered this technology over the internet and saw the possibilities. Given my mechanical engineering and MBA background, it just made me comfortable developing the technology myself and building a business of it. I like to tinker. I like to continuously improve on the design until I am happy with the performance. I also like developing business models and testing them.”

For such a forward-looking business model to succeed, Chips needed to make drastic alterations not only to diesel engines, but also to the mindsets that we – as drivers, passengers, or car enthusiasts – have when it comes to how we get around. At present, fossil fuel is the most widely utilized energy source because of its convenience and inexpensive price tag, but at the cost of emitting harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. As our world’s oil wells continue to be drained, Chips pitches an even better plan for the Philippines’ (and the planet’s) future – a plan that actually takes a page from the past.

Before petroleum became the speedy standard, peanut oil was actually used to power diesel engines. So why can’t our everyday veggie oil go from our kitchen to our cars? All it took, as Chips found out, was to filter used cooking oil, then pre-heat it in the engine to make it less thick and as easily combustible as your regular diesel fuel. There are many different types of veggie oil to choose from, each of which delivers varying levels of engine performance: palm oil, peanut oil, soya oil, sesame oil, olive oil. And in a recent interview with ANC, Chips explains that our very own coconut oil is actually the best alternative to diesel fuel, delivering “better mileage, more horsepower, [and the] same torque [as diesel].”

There are many perks to Chips’ groundbreaking veggie oil car system. When compared to diesel fuel, veggie oil boasts a lower liter cost for just as much consumption, improves engine lubricity and overall performance (minus the smoke-belching!), and saves on fuel costs.

Environmentally, veggie oil cuts down on water pollution (as cooking oil that would normally go down the drain and into our waterways is, instead, filtered and given a second life) and reduces carbon emissions – putting the brakes on global warming. Plus Chips’ veggie oil engines also have a social impact, since their veggie oil is used and purchased from street vendors, household helpers, and canteen workers, providing them with extra income. Veggie oil engines also help curb the health risk that comes with traders purchasing and illegally selling used veggie oil in the marketplace, exposing customers to bacteria and carcinogens that may be found in unfiltered waste oil.

The Perks of French Fried Fuel

Once the business idea was ready to be set in motion, one question lingered in Chips’ mind: Who should be our target market? The answer was none other than the ubiquitous and iconic Filipino jeepney.

“The advocacy of converting jeepneys came out of brainstorming who we wanted to market to,” Chips explains. “The criteria we set was we will choose a market where the technology can benefit the most number of people who need it the most. Most large diesel consumers are already rich – owners of business companies or trucking companies. But jeepney drivers are generally poor and get poorer every time fuel prices go up. And the jeepneys are a major source of pollution. If we apply the veggie oil system on the jeepneys, we can stabilize their fuel cost and at the same time cut down the pollution they produce drastically. So with our market in mind, our technology at hand, we registered as Alterenergy Systems Inc. and commercialized.”

The benefits of alternative energy for these jeepney drivers are two-fold. “First is that they will get to save lots of money in the long run and stabilize the cost of their fuel,” Chips elaborates. “With today's diesel prices, they can recover what they will spend on the conversion kit in seven months. After that, the fuel savings is theirs to keep, and savings continue on forever. With microfinancing, they won't even have to shell out any money at all. Part of their fuel savings will be used to pay the monthly installments of the conversion kit, the rest they get to keep. So as soon as they sign on the microfinance program, they immediately generate extra cash at the end of the day right from the start."

“The second benefit is environmental,” Chips goes on. “Jeepney drivers and operators are continuously exposed to the pollution they produce. This will in turn affect their health. They can get asthma or other lung problems, and heart diseases, some of which the effects are permanent. When running on veggie oil, we reduce pollution that they are exposed to and therefore reduce the risk of getting sick." With veggie oil engines, therefore, jeepney operators get to receive a stable income as they, along with their throngs of commuters, get the reassurance of making a big social and environmental impact on a daily basis.

Building Sustainability, One Car at a Time

Since Alterenergy’s establishment in 2007, Chips and his crew have converted around 30 vehicles, from jeepneys and trucks, to luxury cars like Mercedes Benzes, Pajeros, Ford Rangers, and Toyota Land Cruisers. Chips’ goal is a simple one: for every vehicle in the country to run on renewable, homegrown, non-polluting fuel.

In an age where cheap petroleum is running dry and burning holes in the sky, there are bigger and more sustainable alternatives that are just waiting for innovative minds to unearth and pursue. Chips is confident that the Philippines can become fully self-sufficient by growing our own fuel and converting existing technology into happily energized, earth-friendly vehicles.

So as a Man of Pure Strength who never shied away from the challenge of defying the petroleum-run dream, what advice does Chips have for young and innovative modern-day heroes who look to build a more sustainable world? Take it from the man himself:

“If you look hard enough and are creative enough,” Chips advises, “And if you care enough, you can find business opportunities and ideas that can help make this world a better place, business ideas that will uplift human beings, reduce poverty, or give solutions to long-standing social and environmental problems. If our world continues on like it is today, where our environment continuous to be destroyed with no one making an effort to stop it, and with poverty levels rising, our world will not survive. So you see, addressing these problems is not just a nice thing to do, but a necessary thing to do for us to continue surviving as a human race. Business solutions to these problems are sustainable. It generates an income while providing a social service, so it thrives. In order to make our world sustainable, we really need solutions that are also sustainable.”

Want to learn more about Chips’ veggie oil cars? Visit Alterenergy System Inc’s official site or email VeggieOilCar@gmail.com / alterenergy.systems@gmail.com to learn more about Straight Vegetable Oil technology and how to convert your car into a greener vehicle.

Need to fuel up? Alterenergy’s veggie oil station is located at:
Alterenergy Systems Inc.
9815 Kamagong St.
Brgy. San Antonio, Makati City
01203 Philippines

Pure Strength by Human Nature is the only genuinely natural men’s brand that seeks to care for you and the environment you live in.  Check out our full range of products today!

Questions? Comments? Join us as we pay tribute to Human Nature's super Customer Service!

Questions? Comments? Join us as we pay tribute to Human Nature's super Customer Service!

What makes a topnotch Customer Service team? A positive attitude, patience, professionalism, and a superhuman knack for handling both praise and constructive criticism? All that and more! With phones ringing off the hook and inquiries flowing in from all ends of our social networks, you can only imagine the fast-paced life that our Customer Service team leads.

As Human Nature has grown as a family and company, we’ve received quite a number of inquiries from our dealers and customers over the past 4 years about our products and advocacies. Whether you’ve ever wondered about the best shampoo for you, had a great idea for a new lipstick shade, or simply wanted to share your experience with our latest product – our Customer Service team hears it all!

If there's anything that drives every Human Nature employee, it's definitely our Customer Service. Because we aim to provide the best Customer Service in the Philippines - if not the world - our passion to serve customers is not contained in a single department. Unlike most online shopping sites or even multinational companies, Customer Service, for us, is a culture - a lifestyle that every Human Nature employee is committed to, regardless of their department or job description.

Our commitment to excellence goes beyond having a strong and successful Customer Service team. As a social enterprise, we are committed to excellence in every act of service. We strive for excellence in serving our customers and dealers with quality products that they can patronize out of confidence rather than mere charity, and in serving our partner communities with sustainable livelihoods, just wages, and dignified living opportunities. We don't just want to make world-class Filipino products – we strive to build a Filipino enterprise culture that is world-class in every way.

At the forefront of our army of customer servants are four amazingly talented women who are purely dedicated to responding to all your inquiries and concerns at superhuman speed! Meet Tin Gonzalez, Romy Perreras, Maricel Flores, and Lovelle Acapulco!

Clockwise from top-left: Maricel Flores, Tin Gonzalez, Romy Perreras, and Lovelle Acapulco

So what is it like to be as passionate about Customer Service as we are? Once the work-clock strikes nine, every member of our Customer Service team suddenly kicks into motion. “After turning my computer on, I always check and run through the Customer Service inbox,” Romy describes. “I get rid of the spam mails and forward order-related emails that are misrouted to our mailbox. It is especially important to do that to ensure that the customer’s order is processed before the cut-off time. After that, we start answering mails working our way from the bottom of the queue up! We multitask – juggling email, chat, and phone inquiries, doing office processes like branch returns, and handling product feedback.”

With hundreds of questions from customers rushing in every day, our fantastic foursome somehow manages to cover all our bases and stay on top of everything in true superhero fashion. “I see to it that I am online in our chat service so that when a customer pops us a question, I am ready to address and help out with their inquiries,” Maricel shares. “The same is true with our phone lines - I have to set up early so that when we start receiving calls by 9AM, our customers are attended to after a few rings. Once the emails are done, I process returned products and perform follow up with other departments.”

But even the strongest of heroes have their kryptonite days. For Tin, our Customer Service Supervisor, “[What’s] most challenging are those concerns that are time sensitive,” she explains. “It’s very challenging to meet our customers’ needs within a very limited time frame.” And yet together, they manage to hold their ground and get it done with incredible efficiency and dedication by choosing to focus on the good that underlies every phone call, email, Facebook message, and tweet.

“There are days I become overwhelmed with our work,” Lovelle admits. “I start to doubt if I was able to do the correct Customer Service protocol but despite these drawbacks, I keep reminding myself not to lose sanity and that these are all a part of honing my skills and improving my attitude towards work.”

But when the going gets tough, it all comes down to the purpose and meaning you find in something much bigger than yourself. “I’m not going to sugarcoat it by saying our work is easy,” Maricel admits. “Being in Customer Service is so stressful that sometimes I wish I had 4 to 6 pairs of hands! You have to switch support from the likes of chat and emails, to phone calls and follow-ups, to processing returns and handling irate customers. In spite of it all, the company's advocacy is what lingers in my mind. And I strongly believe that I have a purpose to fulfill in our Customer Service department.”

Saving the Earth, One Customer at a Time

At Human Nature, we strive to deliver the best service to all of our customers in every way we can – which is why our commitment to serve our customers, our country, and our partner communities extends beyond our Customer Service team. All of our departments contribute to the customer service culture: from our Sales team who serve our customers face-to-face, to our Branch Operations team who serve our beloved branches and dealers around the country, to our Marketing team who manage the influx of online inquiries, and even to our Warehouse team who ensure that your pretty parcels reach your doorstep without a scratch.

“Like other departments, we share Human Nature’s Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor, Pro-Environment advocacy,” Tin explains. “[We] keep our customers happy and do our jobs well because we know that we are also contributors and responsible in fulfilling Human Nature’s advocacy.”

So what keeps our awesome team energized and motivated? “My love for Human Nature and its advocacy is one thing that keeps me going,” Tin continues. “I know that I can make a positive impact on the lives of many people (from Human Nature employees to our partner communities) if I do my job right.” Positive feedback is always a bonus too! “[The best part is] when we make someone exceptionally happy with the service!” Romy exclaims. “There was this one time when a customer emailed me, saying that I turned her into a super fan of Human Nature. It felt great!”

“To be honest, the best thing about being a Customer Service employee is the feeling you get whenever you make a customer happy,” Maricel shares. “Being in Customer Service proved to be very challenging work because the learning process has no boundaries, and every day, you learn something new. But the customers give you a high sense of appreciation and it boosts your morale as an employee knowing that the customers were satisfied with the service you provided – that you made something good and memorable, enough for them to remember your name and request for you to assist them the next time they call in.”

Bringing World-Class Service Home

In an era where online shopping sites could easily morph into a breeding ground for impersonal consumerism, Human Nature still believes in the immense value of world-class Customer Service in uplifting the Filipino standards of what it truly means to care about the people who we create our products with and for – the same people who are responsible for putting us on the map as a successful social enterprise and natural personal care beauty brand.

We want the absolute best product experience for all of our customers. In line with our commitment to deliver world-class service, you also get to enjoy the following perks:

• If you place an online order before 2pm, you will receive it neatly packaged the following day!
• If for any reason (any reason at all!) you're not satisfied with our product, simply return it to where you bought it from or get in touch with our Customer Service team within 30 days from the date of purchase. We have a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE and will be happy to offer you a refund or a replacement product – absolutely free!
• We commit to giving you service with a smile!
• We work to ensure that every single Human Nature customer leaves our store with an even bigger smile!

So if you have any questions, concerns, or if you just want to join us in praising our world-class Customer Service team, trust Romy on this: “We are so ready to be the best Customer Service team not just in the Philippines but in the whole world!”

“Not all teams have that kind of determination to serve customers with a wide range of services like the ones we offer,” Tin adds. “Some may get easily affected and lose their patience, but not us. We're born to do this!” :)

Our fantastic Customer Service is here to serve you Mondays to Fridays, 9am-5:30pm and on Saturdays, 9am-1pm, GMT+8
Email: customer.service@humanheartnature.com
Phone: (02) 224-2223

Read about Babette Ruiz's advocacy for good governance for a good & healthy environment!

Read about Babette Ruiz's advocacy for good governance for a good & healthy environment!

We chanced upon Human Nature dealer Elizabeth “Babette” Ruiz when she paid a visit to our Flagship store with wonderful stories to tell. Brimming with positivity, Babette overflowed with joy and eager conviction as she spoke about her life as a long-time advocate of natural products and a good and healthy environment – and how Human Nature’s Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor, Pro-Environment philosophy deeply communes with her lifestyle.

Going Green Since ‘96

 As early as 1996, Babette was already initiating her own green movement through the distribution of natural and herbal products. Realizing the health risks and environmental repercussions of chemical products and synthetic product wastes, Babette strongly believed in the importance of switching to biodegradable, chemical-free, and organic products.

 Babette shares: “I practice natural and healthy living daily, simply by using only good, natural, organic, biodegradable, and chemical-free products which are not harmful to the skin, clothes, or the environment because they are all nature's best friend.”

 This commitment to health and the environment continuously inspired her to pioneer her movement through her own entrepreneurial endeavors and socio-political roles in the Ministry of Ecology under the Archdiocese of Manila and Kapatirang Pangkalikasan, Inc., a non-governmental organization committed to ecological waste management.

 Finding a Heart in Human Nature

 Cut to almost 15 years later, when Babette first stumbled upon our budding social enterprise: “I learned about Human Nature through a cousin who was a duly registered dealer two years ago,” Babette recalls. “While she encouraged Human Nature products, I noticed something different about her. She looked younger and her skin looked so shiny and natural. And in the span of a moment, I decided to purchase Human Nature’s natural and ‘only the good’ products.”

 Babette immediately signed up as a Human Nature dealer – and the more she learned more about our products and advocacy, the more she realized that she had found the perfect niche for her advocacy to further blossom.

 “Since I am involved in the advocacy of good governance for a good and healthy environment,” Babette explains, “I was attracted to not only Human Nature’s good products, but also their Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor, Pro-Environment principles. These three principles were actually my basis for advocating a good environment [and providing] a livelihood for the less fortunate of our nation and the products [of] our very own countrymen.”

Babette’s expertise in waste management makes her very supportive of not only Human Nature as a social enterprise, but the initiatives of other local social enterprises, as well. These initiatives require both the ability to recognize the value in what would otherwise be disregarded as garbage, and the innovative drive to transform recyclable materials into handbags, wallets, and other handicrafts.

 “I can only say that Human Nature is perfectly called for in these times of climate change and global warming, perfectly inspired by the efficacy of organic and natural ingredients, and perfectly responsive to the needs of the Filipino poor,” Babette praises. “I salute your modest and simple advocacy with a heart!”

Babette’s Top Human Nature Picks

So which Human Nature products are Babette’s top picks?

“My favorite Human Nature products are the Natural Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner, 100% Natural Moisturizing Day Fluid, 100% Natural Moisturizing Night Cream, 100% Natural Healthy Lotion in Berry Bliss , Sunflower Beauty Oil, Hydrating Creamy Wash, Natural Feminine Wash, 100% Natural Purifying Facial Scrub, 100% Natural Perfect Coverage Mineral Foundation, 100% Natural Lip Balm, and 100% Natural Hydrating Mineral Lipstick, which I regularly use.”

According to Babette, natural and organic products have done an amazing amount of good for her. “I was bedridden in the hospital,” Babette recounts. “Tapos nangaalbo na ako dahil sa medication [I was already balding from all the medication]. Then I tried Human Nature’s Strengthening Shampoo and my hair fall stopped!”

 Since then, Babette has gotten her entire family to convert to natural products and continues to share the goodness with other people. “Yung dealer discount ko nga, pinapagamit ko sa mga tao para mas-affordable yung products niyo. Kasi hindi naman ako for profit [I even let other people use my dealer discount so that your products become more affordable for them. Because I don’t do it for the profit].”

 “[I want] to testify that a 65-year-old lady of four grandchildren can still look like she’s in her late 40’s because of your amazing products!” Babette laughs.

Choosing Natural

For those who are keen on adopting a lifestyle that is good for both their health and the earth, Babette offers the following advice:

“The most important thing that people should know about natural and environmental living is firstly, awareness. Are people aware of what is happening around them in terms of cleanliness and healthy living? The second point is education. Are people willing to learn about how they can achieve a natural and healthy lifestyle? Finally, the third point is action. Are people willing to put into action the healthy principles that Human Nature had offered to promising advocates?”

“The only tip that I could share for healthy, green, and sustainable living is a big change in lifestyle,” Babette continues. “Continue to promote the prime advocacy of Human Nature’s, Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor, Pro-Environment philosophy. Thank you and God Bless!”

Award-winning indie actress and Human Nature dealer Angeli Bayani's real life role as an environmentalist

Award-winning indie actress and Human Nature dealer Angeli Bayani's real life role as an environmentalist

It's not everyday that we get the honor to chat with an award-winning actress - what more have one as our very own Human Nature dealer!

The beautiful Angeli Bayani has definitely distinguished herself in the realms of theater, television, and independent films. A professional actress since 2002, Angeli has since made a local and international name for herself by earning numerous Best Actress awards and nominations for films such as Melancholia (2010), Presa (2010), and Ka Oryang (2011), as well as major productions such as Tatlong Mariya (Tanghalang Pilipino's 2010 adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters”), Noli Me Tangere The Musical (2011), and Care Divas (2011). No stranger to international film festivals, Angeli recently had the rare privilege of walking the prestigious red carpet of the 66th Cannes Film Festival 2013 for two simultaneous films: Norte, Hangganan Ng Kasaysayan (by Filipino director Lav Diaz) and IloIlo (by Singaporean director Anthony Chen).

So how did this world-renowned artist find her way to Human Nature? “I found out about Human Nature through a fellow actress and friend,” Angeli recalls. “We were doing a film on location where there was a river nearby, and she started putting something on which smelled like citronella.  Since I am a huge fan of scented candles, I immediately asked her what it was.  She handed the bottle to me - it was, of course, Human Nature Citronella Bug Spray. As soon as I got back to Manila, I hunted for Human Nature products and was very happy to know that there were branches where you can shop at leisure.  I immediately signed up at the nearest one.”

Because Angeli is often placed in the spotlight for her outstanding reputation as an actress, it’s a rare opportunity that people get to know Angeli as a mother and environmentalist. “I am very particular about what I put on my child's skin,” Angeli explains. “It naturally follows that I have to put the same all-natural stuff on myself to protect my son. I don't want chemicals on my skin that can rub onto him!”

“It's also very important to me that [Human Nature is] pro-environment.  I've always been concerned about our planet.  I love its low impact on our environment and it's one of my selling points to my customers - you take care of Mother Nature while taking care of yourself.  [What is] even better is the fact that it's tied up to Gawad Kalinga.  It's an insanely attractive package - you help people help themselves each time you buy a Human Nature product.”

So what are Angeli’s favorite Human Nature products? “I absolutely cannot live without my Citronella Bug Spray, All-Natural Spray Sanitizer, Sunflower Beauty Oil, Hand & Foot Salve in Eucalyptus, Tough Love 100% Natural Liquid Detergent.  I would never leave the house without [my] Tinted Lip Balm in Flame Tree [and] Natural Mineral Powder in Boracay Bronze.  My other faves are the Baby Care line, 100% Natural Cleansing Oil, and Purifying Facial Scrub.”

As a passionate artist and environmentalist who is always on-the-go, Angeli makes it a point to incorporate her values in her daily life and work. “Caring for the environment is on the top of my list,” Angeli declares. “Little things matter like not littering, especially when I'm on location.  If there are no trash bags available, I take my trash back home where I can dispose of them properly.  I teach my 5-year-old boy to do this as well.”

Living by example, Angeli also makes sure to bring her own reusable bottles for water and coffee whenever she is filming, use reusable bags while shopping, segregate trash, recycle old plastic and paper products, and donate old clothes and toys at her local parish.

“When I shop or do the groceries, I tend to patronize local products even if some of them are more expensive than imported counterparts,” Angeli adds. “I am of the belief that when products are resourced in your own country – especially personal care products – they are created to address your specific needs, as well as taking into consideration the climate and how it affects us.”

Angeli also believes in kindling a spirit of compassion and bayanihan towards the poor, specifically by helping rebuild the lives of out-of-school youth. “What we do in our family is that we invite out-of-school youths to our church or even inside our house,” Angeli describes. “We have helped quite a few of them by encouraging them to participate in church activities or by giving them odd jobs.  We believe that once they are given responsibilities, once they are trusted with something, they develop confidence and self-respect and begin to see themselves differently.  We are happy to say that this has kept some of them off the streets.  Those who have stayed now invite other youths and encourage them to do the same.  It's not much, but if we can help one kid change his life for the better, it really helps make the world a better place.”

Angeli (front, center) at Human Nature Parañaque branch's grand relaunch

So what tips does Angeli have for building a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle?

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Really. "Plastic is forever!  Seriously!  And if it is not disposed of properly, it just gets into everything, especially into our waters.  And that is not good."
• Use less water, pay for less water. "We are very careful of our water consumption at home.  We had our own water tank built in our front yard so we can monitor just how much water we use, and it also helps with our water bill. I really love it that Human Nature has come out with Tough Love Natural Detergent.  It now takes less water for me to wash our clothes because it rinses easily.  And because it's all-natural, I use the 'dirty water' from washing for watering the plants.  Our plants are all still very much alive!"
• Turn off and unplug all appliances when not in use.  "I even try not to be too dependent on the washing machine, if I can help it.  We're very 'old school' at home.  There's 'TV time,' after which the TV is turned off for a certain period of time.  We keep the windows open for ventilation instead of having the fan on all the time.  We don't use air conditioner anymore even when it's really humid.  We just hang out in the front yard or garage and enjoy the breeze."
• Commute – or better yet, walk.  "I think it would be great if people just walked or bought bikes instead of taking the tricycle or the jeep when traveling short distances."
• Live simply. "In this day and age, I try to remember what it was like when I was growing up and take it from there.  We like to keep it simple while keeping in step with all the developments in technology.  We have an iPad but nothing beats teaching your kid to draw with real pencils and paper instead of an app.  You get the picture.  Simple living, going back to basics and not being too dependent on machines.  Technology was created to help man, not to handicap us. :)"

Photos courtesy of Angeli Bayani and Tracy Cruz

Sisters Trina, Jessica, and Monique Tempongko share their unique experiences with our luxurious Overnight Elixir

Sisters Trina, Jessica, and Monique Tempongko share their unique experiences with our luxurious Overnight Elixir

Since we unveiled our Overnight Elixir, thousands of women have awakened to skin transformed by exquisite softness, superior hydration, and timeless radiance. The lovely Tempongko sisters share with you today their unique Overnight Elixir experiences.

Introducing the radiant Tempongko sisters: Trina, Jessica, and Monique

• Trina Tempongko-Ortega

Mom, graduate student, reading coach, scuba diver

41, combination skin

Juggling her home life, work at the Learning Library, a Master’s thesis, plus squeezing in adventure is Trina’s daily challenge. Her keys to finding a happy balance: a healthy diet, an active lifestyle, and quiet time to renew herself physically and spiritually.

“Previously, I used two kinds of moisturizer plus an expensive serum. The Overnight Elixir made my night routine much simpler. My skin looks and feels more relaxed every day. I no longer wake up with tight skin. It’s always soft and even-toned in the morning.”

• Jessica Tempongko-Sales

Delta Air flight attendant, marathon runner

42, seasonally dry/oily skin

Finishing a 42km marathon between being a jet-setting mom and working grueling hours that see-saw from Japanese winters to our humid tropical heat is no mean feat. Jessica pulls it off with grace and spirit – and a suitcase packed for anything from training laps to a cold snap.

“The Overnight Elixir keeps my skin hydrated all the time despite the different seasons. It also somehow helps reverse the harmful effects of the sun I’m always exposed to during my marathons. Even if I lack sleep sometimes, it doesn’t show.”

• Monique Tempongko-Villanueva

Davao branch operator, goodness ambassador

47, dry skin

It takes more than the flurry of client calls, stressful meetings, and the frequent Manila-Davao commute to faze Monique. She sails through the daily grind by starting the day with prayer and taking a breather to lunch with her family and friends.

“Before, my skin would have extremely dry days when I would have these itchy red marks. Now, my skin is hydrated and the morning facial wash just glides on my skin. What I love most is that this world-class product was formulated by Filipinos, in the Philippines.”

77% of women who tested our Overnight Elixir said their skin felt softer and visibly smoother the morning after the very first use.*

*Based on a self-assessment test by regular users of prestige skincare brands who tested the Overnight Elixir for 7 consecutive days without the use of any other product

Meet Marru Crisologo, Human Nature's Category Manager and champion of quality, excellence, and passion

Meet Marru Crisologo, Human Nature's Category Manager and champion of quality, excellence, and passion

Marru Crisologo is Human Nature’s Category Manager for Body and Feminine Care, and she’s a head-turner in more ways than one! One of Human Nature’s tireless quality champions, excellence and passion are the hallmarks of her work.

1. What makes the Filipina beautiful?

The Filipina’s beauty radiates from within. She is strong, committed, and joyful amidst trials. Her positive outlook shines from within as she reflects the beauty that she sees in everyday things.  Personally, I’ve always believed that the joy in the Filipina’s smile, and the twinkle in her eyes can only come from a place far greater than the surface of her skin—and that is what precisely makes her different. She is a natural and this simplicity and candor is reflected in the everyday beauty choices that she makes.

2. Who are some Filipina women you admire and why?

I’ve always admired strong, intelligent women and Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is an example of such. She was elected to be the first ever lady chief justice, but more than that accomplishment, it was her courage and resilience that particularly stood out to me. She bravely went against the norms of the judiciary. I find her womanly strength of character admirable.

3. What are your beauty secrets?

I’ve always believed that beauty comes from having a sound mind in a sound body. To keep my mind sharp, I make sure to get as much sleep as I can and when possible, immerse myself in new experiences. I keep myself motivated and inspired by striving to live in prayer to Him.

In terms of my beauty routine, I tend to invest more on my skin and teeth. I cleanse, moisturize, and tone every after bathe. I make sure that I only apply makeup that will not harm my skin. I also prefer to put on more natural shades that enhance my features because at the end of the day, I still prefer to look like myself.   Since I have oily-combination skin, I make sure to have an oil blotting paper nearby. Lastly, I highly recommend using a mechanical toothbrush! It really does make you feel like your teeth are cleaner!

4. Any advice for young Filipina women?

Aim to have healthy skin and teeth. Love yourself and search for your heart’s desire. Above all, do not be deceived by beauty that is skin-deep.

Get Marru’s natural look with our 100% Natural Perfect Finish Mineral Loose Powder. Available in two delicate shades: Soft Ivory (light, pink undertone) and Warm Mocha (medium, yellow undertone)

Human Nature dealer Jennifer Rellosa Belmonte shares her inspirational story of triumph over adversity through faith and resilience.

Human Nature dealer Jennifer Rellosa Belmonte shares her inspirational story of triumph over adversity through faith and resilience.

by Leslie Santos

Jennifer Rellosa Belmonte is wife to Nats and mother to two lovable boys. Her sons’ names, Arkin Ieuan (a gift from God) and Ethan Jared (strong ruler), are testaments to her steadfast faith in God. She shares her inspirational story with Human Nature Marikina. 

Battling it Out

A few months after her wedding, Jen woke up in the middle of the night, having difficulty breathing. She was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with a rare and incurable disease, arteriovenous malformation or AVM. AVM is a defect in the blood vessels where an abnormal connection between the veins and arteries interferes with the body’s ability to circulate blood (www.healthline.com).

Jen’s first attack required her to undergo a lobectomy on her left lung to stop internal bleeding. Because of this, she was under strict instructions from her doctors to avoid any strenuous physical activity and pregnancy. However, fifteen months after her operation, she learned that she was pregnant. “It was a mix of emotions, feeling excitement and fear at the same time”, Jen recalls. It was unplanned but she went through the pregnancy nonetheless. Arkin Ieuan was born under normal delivery but with a special procedure, “vacuuming”, because she was sedated and not allowed to exert physical effort to push the baby out. Two days after, she had a seizure and experienced temporary amnesia for a full 15 minutes, not recognizing her husband and even unaware that she gave birth. 

Her doctors gave clear instructions not to get pregnant anew because the risk is very high. However, fate had other plans; she learned that she was again pregnant in 2012. Guilt filled her heart but she was determined to bring her child to life, even at the risk of both their lives. Abortion was never an option. At almost seven months, she had her second attack and doctors had no option but to have another lobectomy, this time in her right lung. Two days before her operation, she had to deliver the baby by C-section, and she remained in the ICU for weeks. Her baby, Ethan Jared, also had to stay in an incubator because he was delivered prematurely and developed some complications.

All these have been physically draining and financially challenging for Jen and her husband --- all hard-earned savings spent but hospital bills still kept coming. Her condition is congenital, thus, not covered by insurance. Fortunately, they were blessed with family, friends and office colleagues who generously contributed to help them out. 

Bouncing Back

Jen's children are healthy and growing up fast. Her husband and family continue to be very understanding and supportive. Yet, the road to recovery has not been an easy one. Recuperating from the physical toil of her illness has been much easier to deal with. What has been more difficult is the path to convalesce from the emotional wounds. 

After her ordeal, Jen, disengaged from her friends, suffered from low self-esteem, and started to question and blame God. But with the help of her loving husband, adorable children, and supportive immediate family, she was able to slowly get better. She wanted to integrate back into society which she has intentionally shied from for some time. One step she took is to sign up as a dealer of Human Nature Marikina. Jen shares that “Human Nature’s advocacy is something I strongly believe in,” making it much easier for her to promote and sell Human Nature products. Besides, being a Human Nature Marikina dealer doesn't take much toll on her physically. Jen says, “I just post in Facebook and get orders already”. It is an activity that breaks the monotony of her day-to-day housewife-mother-chores. And within less than two months of being a dealer, she bagged Human Nature Marikina’s top advocate award for September, a feat that completely surprised her.

Blooming Anew

Many would agree that Jen's battle may be one of the toughest anyone has hurdled, let alone heard of. However, Jen, in spite of her petite frame, has bounced back, not by fighting but by surrendering to God. She attests that “surviving all these wasn't easy and took some time. I still have fears each day, but there is really nothing I can do except to live life as best as I can, one day at a time”. Jen has a newfound outlook, and in doing so, she has started blooming anew.

Article and image credit: Joy Carpio and Human Nature Marikina

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.

Read about how dealer Zoula Shalice is changing the face of farming in the heart of San Pablo, Laguna

Read about how dealer Zoula Shalice is changing the face of farming in the heart of San Pablo, Laguna

"Hey farmer, farmer, put away that DDT now
Give me spots on my apples but leave me the birds and the bees, please!"
-Joni Mitchell

In the heart of San Pablo, Laguna lives a husband-wife team who had a simple dream to live a sustainable life. From this dream blossomed an organic farm, and with it, an entire advocacy that garnered supporters and volunteers from all around the world, united in their commitment to spreading natural farming.

One half of this amazing duo, 29-year-old Zoula “Zau” Shalice, describes herself as a soon-to-be mother, social entrepreneur, and advocate of green living. A full-fledged Human Nature Dealer and member of Human Nature’s Core Advocates Group, Zau is a respected inspiration within her community through her passion, humility, hard work, and integrity.

What’s the story behind your commitment to a simple and healthy lifestyle? How did you first decide to go greener?

Z: My husband Cameron is really the one who introduced me to this green lifestyle. Before we were married, he kept talking about his dream of being self-sufficient and growing his own food, and his passion just basically rubbed off on me. There are a lot of stuff we consumers can be ignorant of about the food we eat: we look at a shiny apple, and think about how fresh it looks, unaware that it's been sprayed with so many chemicals to keep its enticing appearance. When my husband opened my eyes to the detrimental impact of chemicals to the environment and human health, that's when I realized that I want to have a green lifestyle.

Can you describe you and your husband's life in organic farming?

Z: My husband farms using natural techniques, we don't use chemicals such as pesticides or insecticides, we make our own compost for fertilizers, and we have our free range farm animals such as chicken and goats. Our farm uses the Permaculture principle which is a design system for sustainable living. Growing our own food is awesome; since we live in the farm, if I want to make fresh salad, I can just ask my husband to get some lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, arugula, and basil outside. The thing is you don't need a lot of land to grow your own food; other people can also try their own backyard gardening, or if they don't have a backyard, they can just do some stuff in pots or containers.

Can you tell me more about your endeavors as a social entrepreneur?

Z: We do the farming mainly for our personal consumption however we've found that there are also a number of people looking for chemical-free food in our area, so we sell the excess of our production. Our aim is to make the farm sustainable, for us to have our own chemical-free food, to share it with others who are looking for chemical-free food, to provide work for some locals in the area, and to promote the practice of natural farming. As part of the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms Philippines (WWOOF), we accept volunteers who want to learn about sustainable farming. We've had volunteers from Japan, France, Denmark and Israel. Farming for us is not just about making money, it's an advocacy.  

Zau and Cameron's thriving organic farm in San Pablo, Laguna

What attracted you to Human Nature?

Z: A friend from church recommended Human Nature to me and my husband. [I was attracted to] The philosophy of Human Nature and the wonderful harmful chemical-free products they provide at affordable prices. Human Nature is not just interested in making money; above all they have the heart and they care about the environment, the poor, and the wellbeing of their customers. When you support Human Nature you have this happy feeling that not only did you buy something of value, but you also helped society and the environment in your own small way. 

What are your favorite Human Nature products?

Z: For home use, I like the Tough Love Detergent and Dishwashing Liquid; since we have a chemical-free farm, we are conscious of how destructive chemicals can be to the soil and the ecosystem. For personal use I love the Balancing Facial Wash, Cleansing Bars and MammoMe Natural Body Wash. I find that these products are mild and don't dry out my skin. I also find the Acne Defense Solution Gel amazing – it works without torturing the skin, unlike other pimple creams that just leave your skin painfully red and dry. 

What are some eco-friendly tips you can share with us?

Z: Exercise and be mindful of the things you put inside and outside your body.  Just think about things you do every day that you can change so you save resources – like trash segregation, unplugging appliances when they're not in use, recycling, not letting the water run when brushing your teeth, and so on. These are small things, but in the long run they will make a big impact. 

What advice do you have for others who are interested in greener and more sustainable living?

Z: Firstly, research and learn what's going on around you and how you can make a difference in your own way.  Secondly, support social enterprises – spend your money on companies that are not just interested in making money, but also in the betterment of society and the environment.

Photography: Joncy Sumulong

Champion surfer Nikki Dela Paz shares her love for the sea and her passion for riding the Philippine waves.

How did you first get into surfing?

ND: I’ve had an adventurous spirit for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was little, I’ve always been into water sports like swimming and windsurfing, and I loved the ocean. I discovered surfing in the Philippines in 2003 and I’ve been surfing ever since.

Other than surfing, I love to travel, explore, and hike! It’s innate in me to seek a new adventure, to be outdoors and try something new. I love being in a peaceful, calm ocean as much as I love the waves. I love being in the mountains as well as the sea. I love being in different cultures and places other than the tropics.

You’ve made quite a name for yourself in the surfing world! Which of your achievements are you most proud of?

ND: I think I was just fortunate enough that I discovered surfing earlier than most. As for my achievements, I join a few surf contests like Manila Surfers’ Cup every year and I’ve won several longboard and shortboard titles.

My fiancé Buji Libarnes and I started our clothing store Coast Thru Life. It began as a movement to share the beauty of classic style surfing – the old-school, California surfing scene of the 60’s – as opposed to the more commonly known surfing that has progressive, rip-tear-and-shred style. We focus on the aesthetic of timeless design and great tailoring.

What are your favorite local surfing spots?

ND: My favorite local surfing spots in the Philippines are Vista and Heartbreak in Ilocos Norte, and Carrille and Monalisa Point in La Union. I have yet to explore other surf spots in the South that I’m sure are amazing as well!

What does it take to succeed as a surfer?

ND: I think first of all you have to love surfing in order for you to get better. You can’t force it; it should be fun! The only way you can truly get better surfing is by actually surfing. Training and working out outside of the water can help, but it’s not like other sports where you can train in a gym and apply it when you surf. You get out there and you adapt to the ocean conditions that day. And more importantly, you should develop style. I think it’s a beautiful thing to watch a surfer look effortless while surfing.

What tips and advice do you have for newbies?

ND: For the newbies, don’t worry! We all went through slipping, falling, and wiping out but you’ll get better if you don’t rush it. Use the longboard first, develop your style, and learn the ocean. Once you’re comfortable, you can continue longboarding, which is a beautiful surfing style as well, or you can try a shorter board. Different types and sizes of boards will allow you to surf in more varied conditions.

It’s also important to get a surfing instructor. They are there not just to push you into your first waves, but also to teach you surfing etiquette as well.

What are some of the etiquette rules that surfers abide by when they're in the water?

ND: Well, there are certain unwritten rules when it comes to surfing. When you paddle out to the line up - where most surfers are positioned to catch a wave – you should always respect the other surfers around you. Wait for your turn – don’t take wave after wave, and don’t take a wave if you see another surfer already on it especially if the surf conditions are big. Beginners shouldn’t paddle in the middle of an experienced line up; they should stay with instructors until they know what to do.

An instructor can teach you these and other things such as don’t let go of your board when a wave breaks in front of you because there might be a surfer behind you. They can teach you the best places to paddle out – often called the channel – or general rules of surfing right of way. It’s better to be told these things rather than learn the hard way.

What are your hopes for the future of surfing in the Philippines?

ND: Firstly, I hope that the sport grows big enough for us to give the country’s top surfers the support they need to improve and compete in the international scene. I think surfing is a sport that the Filipinos can truly excel in on a global level. 

Secondly, I hope Filipinos acquire more awareness about surfing in general—the different styles of surfing, why one style is not better than the other, and surfing etiquette.

Finally, I hope that as surfing grows, Filipinos will see the ocean as an asset. In coastal towns, houses along the beach orient their houses to the road, rather than the sea. The beach is just a place behind their homes to dump trash and sewage in. I hope that through surfing, we may be able to teach all Filipinos to take care of the ocean.

How did you find out about Human Nature?

ND: I found out about Human Nature when a friend gave me beauty products as a Christmas present. I was surprised to know that it was a local brand!

I absolutely love my Sunflower Beauty Oil and use it on my face, hands and hair.

I tried the SafeProtect Sunscreen and not only does it not give me sunburn, but it smells so good! Other surfers always say, “Ang bango!” when I paddle past them in the line up!

Anna Oposa is one of Human Nature’s Goodness Ambassadors. She embodies everything that we stand for – Pro Philippines, Pro-Poor and Pro-Environment. She’s an active member of the Save Philippine Seas (SPS) Movement and cares strongly for Mother Earth, just like we do here at Human Nature. Read on below to know more about this wonderful, inspiring lady. 

1. What do you think people should know about natural living?

• That it's not necessarily expensive! There's a misconception that going "organic" or "natural" means spending more. You just have to know where to look and what to buy.
• That the better choice for your body is, more often than not, the better choice for Mother Earth too. This goes for food choices and personal care products!

2. Why is it important to read the labels of the products that you buy? 

We use a LOT of products on our bodies everyday, more than we're aware of. We don't think about what's in those products, precisely because it's part of our routine. But that's exactly why we should think about it! Especially if we recommend the products we use to people we love. For all we know, the products we use might contain harmful ingredients in the long run. My mom recently told me about an ingredient that has the potential to alter one's endocrine system. Yikes! 

It's important because the choices we make have direct impact on what's around us. I believe that there are ALWAYS options, and we have the capacity to make the better choice. Responsible consumerism, they call it. If we have the chance to use products that support local businesses and economy, are from sustainable sources, and have world class quality, then WHY NOT?

3. What are some of your eco-friendly practices? 

I always have a reusable bag so I don't use plastic or paper bags when I shop. I also bring a reusable water bottle. Whenever I order a drink, I always request for the no straw option. If I'm having coffee in a café, I request for it to be served in a mug instead of a disposable cup, or I bring my own tumbler. I never use sachets for personal care products, and reuse and recycle what I can like printing on scratch paper, bring bottles and paper to a recycling facility.

4. What are your daily / philosophy inspirations? 

I'm very lucky to be surrounded by people who (I believe) are far smarter, funnier, and more giving than I will ever be--my friends, family, and colleagues. They keep me grounded and remind me of what's most important. 

I travel quite a lot, so I'm constantly inspired by the places I see and practices I witness, but my #1 inspiration would be the Philippines. Maybe it's because I studied in UP, so I feel like I should "give back." I know that sounds really corny, but it's true. 

Also, the work that I do can be full of negativity and challenges, so I always go back to these quotes:

• "An entire sea of water can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, the negativity of the world can’t put you down unless you allow it to get inside you." -Goi Nasu
• "What would you do even if you knew you might very well fail? What do you love doing so much that the words failure and success become irrelevant?" -Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic
• "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it's not. -Dr. Seuss, The Lorax
• Seas the day!

5. What keeps you busy these days ? 

Save Philippine Seas (SPS) has two ongoing projects: the Sea and Earth Advocates (SEA) Camp, a leadership and environmental education program for Filipino youth, and the Shark Shelter Project, a community-based, multi-stakeholder initiative based in Cebu. As the Project Director for both, my tasks are to oversee all developments, design the program, and coordinate with suppliers, participants, beneficiaries, government officials, and partners. As Executive Director of SPS, I also manage the day-to-day admin and operations, like fundraising and reports to donors.

Outside work, I practice yoga about four times a week, cross-train and dance as an alternative workout, and I'm currently training for a 5k open water race. I also love eating out with friends and reading books.

6. What are the challenges of living a natural lifestyle, and how do you face these challenges? 

After adopting a more natural lifestyle, it's become a mindset, a daily habit. The bigger challenge is to change systems, like lack of efficient public transportation options, the tingi-tingi culture that promotes sachets and other disposable products, and the lack of alternatives for healthy, local, and sustainable food options. I face these challenges by choosing my battles and being proactive in the battle I choose. This means writing letters to leaders and engaging them in constructive dialogue, and being the change I wish to see in the country.

I honestly think the bigger challenge in living a natural lifestyle is making that shift, and the biggest is convincing others to make that shift as well. My approach to "convincing" people is show by example and NEVER be pushy or self-righteous. Do all things with love and encouragement, and as much as possible, never be anti-this, anti-that or angry.