Pru Life UK, Prudence Foundation partner with ASSIST for Project Padayon.

Leading life insurer Pru Life UK and Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc in Asia and Africa, have joined hands with the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) for Project Padayon Bantayan Island.

The project which is funded by Prudence Foundation’s COVID-19 Recovery Grant aims to help uplift the lives of residents of Bantayan Island, Cebu through a series of community-based training and development programs.

“We’ve been supporting the Bantayan Island community for almost a decade now and we are happy to see how it has grown. With Project Padayon, we are positive that it will bring transformative improvements, enabling the residents to thrive in multiple aspects of their lives,’’ says Marc Fancy, Executive Director, Prudence Foundation.

Project Padayon will run from 11 July to 1 December 2023 and include workshops focused on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) empowerment, family health and nutrition, jobs and careers, disaster risk preparedness, and climate change resilience. Participants will receive modules that will be cascaded to up to 2,000 students and community members. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner once more with Pru Life UK and Prudence Foundation. This partnership aims to empower the residents of Bantayan Island through a comprehensive learning program that will touch on different topics like financial well-being, health, and disaster resilience to help them prepare for the future,’’ says Francis Macatulad, Executive Director, ASSIST.

The project will culminate with an appreciation and recognition program in December, followed by a Pamaskong Handog with Habitat for Humanity communities that Pru Life UK and Prudence Foundation helped build after typhoon Yolanda

Transforming lives in Bantayan Island

The project was launched at Beach Placid Resort in Santa Fe, Cebu and was attended by local government unit representatives and community leaders of Bantayan Island.

“We are happy to be back in Bantayan Island and see familiar faces. At Pru Life UK, it is our mission to help Filipinos get the most out of life. This project is a big opportunity for us to fulfill our commitment to help Filipinos lead healthier and wealthier lives,’’ says Gizelle Camua, Vice President for Community Investment and Advocacy, Pru Life UK.

Close to 100 micro-entrepreneurs joined a workshop with the theme “MSME Empowerment.” Attendees received modules on business management, finance, and digital marketing materials, which will also be cascaded to 1,000 other micro- entrepreneurs. They also learned best practices from young local entrepreneurs that shared their real-life experiences.

In addition, over 80 mothers with their newborns were given free PRUMedCare Select Infectious Disease coverage plan as part of the PRUBabies campaign. The coverage offers cash assistance for diagnosis and death due to any of the four common types of infectious diseases: dengue, typhoid, measles, and malaria.

Propelling impactful conversations

Project Padayon is a continuing initiative rooted in Pru Life UK and Prudence Foundation’s commitment to developing Filipino lives through impactful conversations on the importance of financial literacy and health awareness.

Pru Life UK has been actively involved in aiding Bantayan Island since 2013 by means of humanitarian initiatives, including gift-giving programs, the provision of essential food packages, and the establishment of water supply networks alongside the deployment of portable ultrasound machines.

The same year, Pru Life UK and Prudence Foundation launched Build Better Now. The project brought PRUVolunteers all over Asia and the United Kingdom to build 126 disaster-resilient homes and disseminate 183 motorized boats with fishing nets and 140 cycle pedicabs to Yolanda survivors on the island.

Build Better Now ran until 2017 and earned the Award of Merit under the Communications Management – Corporate Social Responsibility category.

For more information, visit prulifeuk.com.ph.

World winning Laguna Liberica Coffee soon to be available at The Giving Café: UPLB!

Residents of Laguna along with tourists will soon get to taste Sta. Maria town’s Liberica Coffee that recently won the Silver award in Signature Coffee Award: Latte at the Global Coffee Championship in Korea. The global winning coffee of farmers from Santa Maria, Laguna will be available at The Giving Café (TGC) in UPLB that opened yesterday. The store is located at the UPLB’s Student Union’s Soda Fountain.

“The Giving Cafe, a Social Enterprise by Henry & Sons, aims to build a beautiful coffee future by helping coffee farmers through its advocacy arm, The Foundation for sustainable coffee excellence (FSCE),” shares Michael Harris Conlin, 2019 PH Barista Champion and President and CEO of Henry and Sons.

Proceeds of TGC: UPLB will support its adopted coffee community, Barangay Juan Santiago, Santa Maria in Laguna. Barangay Juan Santiago coffee farming community is home to 38 families with 85,000 Liberica and Excelsa trees, the largest concentration of Liberica and Excelsa in Laguna and possibly in the entire Calabarzon. The funds raised by TGC: UPLB will be used towards bio-dynamic farming practices, improving harvesting, processing, and the communities much needed coffee drying solutions.

Henry & Sons, in partnership with UPLB leadership, makes what's old new again by bringing back the Student Union's Soda Fountain cafeteria to life with mouthwatering home-cooked meals, ice cream, and coffee. Flank by TGC's iconic cozy antique furniture, lighting, and books, the space is designed to encourage students, faculty, and visitors to strengthen the community around them and encourage to indulge in giving.

The Giving Café, with over 80 food and beverage offerings, is a hybrid restaurant and coffee shop that aims to contribute to the betterment of the local coffee industry and be part of something beyond the business. A place for comfort, The Giving Café is designed to be a safe haven for people looking to indulge in coffee experiences served with both excellence and compassion. The Giving Cafe focuses on bridging the community around it with the farming communities it adopts.

Beyond the advocacy, The Giving Café also offers guests multi-sensory experiences highlighting Henry& Sons' F&B expertise. “We want to everyone to enjoy, eat well and indulge in giving by supporting laguna coffee farmers with every cup of coffee you purchase,” Conlin, adds.

TGC will also be featuring its popular Bloom Coffee collection, which is a unique line of coffees created by Henry & Sons to generate funds that will support the following purposes:

• BEANS FOR THE LITTLE ONES – access to basic health necessities
• BEANS WITHIN REACH – access to programs promoting traceability and accessibility
• COFFEE FOR GREAT MINDS – access to education
• CUP TO SEED – access to livelihood and harvest implements
• THE GIVING WELL – access to clean and potable water.

For more information, visit www.henryandsons.ph and www.thevault.ph.

Spotlight | Aurae Natura Diffuser Blend in Blissful Sleep.

I've always been a fan of aromatherapy - the art and science of using natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. I reckon that my penchant for aromatic materials began way back in junior high school, when my then-boyfriend would gift me with scented candles and reed diffusers. These days, I've leveled up with essential oils and oil blends because 'hashtag adulting'. Haha!

I've been trying out several brands of essential oils lately, experimenting with different essential oil blends even. This led to my discovery of Aurae Natura, a social enterprise brand that helps to uplift the lives of the poor and supports efforts that contribute to the spiritual growth of women rescued from sex trade trafficking. Founded in the Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan, Aurae Natura offers a variety of aromatherapy products - from diffusers to essential oil blends made with 100% pure and natural essential oils, and even inhaler blends. 

Aurae Natura recently launched their newest essential oil blend, and I had the chance to get first dibs on it, thanks to my Human Heart Nature Laguna family. There may have been no face-to-face event-slash-product launch because of this pandemic, but my HN Laguna family made sure that I get to try their new releases, just like in the good, 'old normal' days.

Aurae Natura Essential Oil Diffuser Blend in Blissful Sleep.

Aurae Natura's newest product is Blissful Sleep, a blend of pure essential oils carefully selected to support a calm and relaxed mind to ease yourself to sleep. It's made from all-natural, locally-manufactured ingredients, all of which are known to support deep and restorative sleep: 

A powerhouse blend of all-natural ingredients.

• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) - one of the most popular and most versatile essential oils; promotes relaxation and eases anxiety
• Ho wood (Cinnamomum camphora) - has a woody and floral scent that helps detoxify the body and acts as a natural disinfectant
• Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) - its tarty, citrusy scent elevates mood and alleviates stress 
• Mandarin (Citrus reticulata) - a light, fruity scent that helps calm the mind and body
• Ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) - a soft, flowery fragrance that soothes stress, tension, and sleeplessness

To use, simply add 8-10 drops of this blend for every 200 mL of water in your diffuser. I like taking a whiff from the bottle before I start diffusing. It's like tasting an appetizer before enjoying the main course. 

Ending the day with some Blissful Sleep.

Blissful Sleep has been my go-to nighttime blend lately. Diffusing it is like a treat to myself after a hard day of juggling household chores, writing gigs, and my son's (online) school activities. Now I can't wait to try the other Aurea Natura essential oil blends. I have a feeling Joyful Mornings will soon be my go-to perk-me-up blend!

Aurae Natura Diffuser Blends retail for Php 359 per 5 mL bottle and can be bought at Human Heart Nature stores, at the Human Heart Nature website, and the Aurae Natura website. 

Teatox Made Fun with Bayani Brew!

Whenever I visit the Human Heart Nature store in my area, I make it a point to buy a bottle or two (sometimes even more) of our all-time favorite Bayani Brew. My son loves this tea drink just as much, even saying that he prefers this over the usual powdered tea mixes. And that's a good thing because Bayani Brew is brewed from all-natural, proudly homegrown, pesticide-free crops.

However, Yue and I are limited to just one flavor - the classic Lemongrass Pandan, which is the only flavor available at Human Heart Nature Laguna. Thankfully, the Brew Crew granted Yue's wish to try the 'pink and yellow Bayani Brew' by sending us this gift pack which contained all three flavors of their teatox line.

Bayani Brew is love!

Priced 60% less than popular cleansing juices, Bayani Brew's detox teas - otherwise known as 'teatox' - helps flush out the toxins that accumulate in the body without the laxative effect. Brewed from organically grown greens, these teas don't just cleanse but also nourish the body with vitamins and minerals.

Staying true to its local farming roots, the new Bayani Brew variants draw inspiration from the healthy 'tsaa' (tea) recipes found all over the country. The brand uses primarily climate-resilient and perennially-grown crops such as lemongrass (tanglad), sweet potato tops (talbos ng kamote) and pandan. 

One serving of the classic Lemongrass Pandan Tea is enough to fulfill one's daily Vitamin C requirement. Lemongrass and pandan are traditionally used to cleanse the kidneys.

Lemongrass Pandan.

Shelf life, 2.5 months.

Meanwhile, the Sweet Potato Leaf tea isn't just delicious, it also helps lower blood sugar levels. Brewed with lemongrass and calamansi, each bottle contains more than 1/3 of one's daily iron requirement.

Sweet Potato Leaf.

Shelf life, 2 months.

Finally, there's the Moringa Dalandan Tea, currently my new favorite flavor in Bayani Brew's teatox line. It contains high doses of Vitamin C, calcium, and iron, and can help flush out toxins that accumulate in the liver over time.

Moringa Dalandan.

Shelf life, 1 month.

Bayani Brew's farm fresh tea drinks are organically farmed, low in calories, accessible, and now have longer shelf-life. The brand also promises to be 'sustainable from farm to bottle'. No pesticides and chemical fertilizers are used in farms, and crops are sourced at above-market prices. In addition, the bottles are made with eco-friendly materials. And by advocating the use of local ingredients, Bayani Brew hopes to help lift Filipino farmers and agricultural workers out of poverty.

Bayani Brew can be purchased at all Bo's Coffee and Human Nature branches nationwide. You can also get your Bayani Brew fix at major supermarkets and convenience stores such as Robinson's, Rustan's, Landers, and FamilyMart.

For more information about Bayani Brew, visit their official website.

Big Win for Human Heart Nature's Anna Meloto-Wilk!

From its humble beginnings as a fledgling social enterprise, Human Heart Nature continues to grow by leaps and bounds - and rake in awards and recognitions along the way. Earlier this month, Human Heart Nature achieved another milestone as its president and co-founder Anna Meloto-Wilk has been named as the winner of the Global Beauty Industry Woman of the Year Award.

Anna Meloto-Wilk.

The Global Beauty Industry Woman of the Year Award honors female beauty industry professionals whose pioneering spirit, leadership and mentorship is shaping the future of the cosmetics and personal care industry. This award is given by Cosmetics Design, a London-based beauty industry publication led by award-winning journalists.

Winner of the 2017 Beauty Industry Awards!

Over 250 companies joined the inaugural Beauty Industry Awards, with Anna Meloto-Wilk competing against Sarah Champman, founder of Sarah Champan's Skinesis, and Nanette de Gaspé Beaubien, CEO of Nannette de Gaspé Beauté.

“When we started Human Nature, I never imagined that we would one day be noticed by Europe’s beauty industry giants! Since the beginning, our incredibly hard working little team just tried to stick to what we believed was right – loving the Philippines through our ingredients, loving the poor as a social enterprise and making safe, natural products affordable for ordinary Filipinos,” shares Anna.

“This award is proof that ‘Made in the Philippines’ can truly be just as good as ‘Made in France’ or ‘Made in the UK’ and I hope it will encourage other Filipinas to never give up on our country and our talented, heroic people.”

At present, Human Heart Nature is the first and only Southeast Asian beauty and personal care brand with products certified by the US Natural Products Association (NPA). It also holds the distinction of having the highest number of NPA-certified products in the world. Human Heart Nature is also the first Filipino cosmetic brand certified cruelty-free by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Congratulations, Anna! And more power to Human Heart Nature! :)

To know more about Human Heart Nature and their advocacies, visit their official website. 

Seoul Searching | Under Stand Avenue.

With the ever-growing popularity of Korean dramas, filming locations in South Korea have become must-go destinations among tourists - whether they're hardcore Kdrama fans or not. I fall under the first category, and have been to several Kdrama filming locations during my previous trips to the Land of the Morning Calm.

Now let me tell you about this area in Seongdong-gu, our neighborhood, which is slowly becoming a Hallyu hotspot. I'm talking about Under Stand Avenue, which I have mentioned in passing in one of my previous posts.

Under Stand Avenue.

More of Under Stand Avenue after the jump!

Congrats, Globe Telecom! Cheers to Project Wonderful!

If you're an avid reader of this blog, then you might be familiar with 'Project Wonderful', which I have mentioned time and again here and in my social media accounts. Launched in December 2013, 'Project Wonderful' is Globe Telecom's nation-building effort that aims to provide support in rebuilding communities through sustainable development.

I'm a staunch supporter and advocate of this campaign, and I'm very proud to say that Project Wonderful won this year's ARAW Values Award for the promotion and inculcation of positive values for social change and nation building.

Araw Values Awards.

The ARAW Values Awards recognize outstanding and excellent advertising and marketing messages and/or materials for Branded Communications and Advocacy/Institutional Advertising that promote the ARAW 7 Cornerstone Values, a cluster of select and well-defined values.

The biennial program is organized by the Advertising Foundation of the Philippines, the social development institution and advocacy body of the multi-sector Philippine advertising and marketing communications industry.

“We are proud of this award since it proves that through digital media, we can inspire bayanihan using a clear, provocative message:  That anyone, from an ordinary person to a known model, rockstar, sports icon – even a corporate CEO – could help rebuild the nation,” said Yoly Crisanto, SVP for Globe Corporate Communications.

Project Wonderful won in the Branded Communications – Digital category which espouses  “Love of Country and Respect for National Customs and Traditions.” It served as a consolidated platform of Globe products and services that empowered Filipinos to donate time, finances, and talent towards rebuilding the nation.

Project Wonderful.

For Project Wonderful, Globe came out with compelling, documentary-style YouTube videos which recounted the stories of Globe ambassadors Bamboo, Georgina Wilson, Liz Uy, and Chieffy Caligdong as they helped deliver 2,000 Christmas toys to kids in Ormoc, build 100 homes for Ormoc families, and distribute almost 1,000 learning kits to Iloilo schoolchildren.               

Likewise, using the hashtag #ProjectWonderful on social media and blogs, Globe spurred Filipinos from various walks of life to voice hopes and wishes for the country and ultimately, drove them to the Project Wonderful website where they got to know the many ways to donate or even volunteer.               
Project Wonderful was able to raise over P50 million in cash and kind which was used to build homes and school buildings and provide livelihood opportunities to families affected by Typhoon Haiyan.               

The campaign received 779,239 combined YouTube views, 306 million impressions from 112,588 Twitter mentions by 23,894 users on Twitter and Instagram, 136 unique blogger stories, and an average of 50,000 unique visits to www.ProjectWonderful.ph per month for the first quarter of 2014 which resulted in over 1,000 registered volunteers and supporters.

Globe MyBusiness and Gawad Kalinga | Building the Nation Together.

Several months ago, leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom and poverty-alleviation movement Gawad Kalinga joined hands to rehabilitate the typhoon-stricken areas in the Visayas. This time around, they come together to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to residents of GK Villages. Not only will this initiative help the residents in making a living, but also make this underserved sector a significant partner in nation building.

“Globe continues to do its share in building a resilient Philippines with programs that move toward initiating sustainable efforts like providing livelihood opportunities. Together with our long-time partner Gawad Kalinga and their social enterprises, we are doing our best to create a wonderful world of possibilities by helping them discover and nurture their potentials,” said Martha Sazon, Sr. Vice President, Globe MyBusiness.

Globe myBusiness, which provides small and medium businesses with innovative, customizable products, services and solutions, helped leapfrog the implementation of the Gawad Kalinga Workers Association (GAWA), a program which aims to empower the underprivileged sector by helping them make a living. With GAWA, informal sector will be given a chance to earn a living either on their own or by serving the community through values formation and skills development programs. Founded in July 2013, GAWA has conducted 42 forums that produced 2,258 graduates, with more to follow.

Skilled workers of the GAWA Build Team.
Photo credit: GK GAWA.

One major accomplishment of the program was the formation of the GAWA Build Team.  These are GAWA graduates that help GK bring to completion projects that have demanding timelines or are in areas where support is much needed such as the housing projects in Zamboanga City; Tanay, Rizal; Rio Tuba, Palawan; and in different parts of Leyte.

Oscar Sibaya, GAWA graduate from Caloocan, busily sews uniforms for janitorial services.

Aside from training the GK residents, GAWA also assists in finding jobs for the graduates. A number of them are now employed as on-call housekeepers, drivers, sewers, spa/massage attendants, cable network installers, among others.

Teodoro Suaza of GAWA leads the Home Maintenance Team.

Globe actively supports social enterprises, micro-entrepreneurs, and local producers through its sustainable livelihood advocacy. By providing technology, training, and market access, the company hopes to promote inclusive growth in bottom-of-the-pyramid communities.

Hair Story | Human Heart Nature Smoothing Hair Serum.

Just because I have short, wash-and-wear hair doesn't mean that I care for my hair less. In fact, I spend almost quarter of an hour everyday just combing, parting, and styling my hair, making sure that not a single strand is out of place.

Part of my daily (combing) ritual is this Natural Smoothing Hair Serum from Human Heart Nature. I've been using this product for almost six months now, but for some reason, blogging about this product slipped my mind. I would have completely forgotten about it if not for my fellow blogger, Sam. Thanks for making me remember, sister! Haha! :)

Another great product from Human Heart Nature -
the Smoothing Hair Serum.

Human Heart Nature's Smoothing Hair Serum is made with the following locally grown ingredients: soybean, broccoli, and sunflower oil. Soybean oil is packed with vitamins and other nutrients that make it a good source of nourishment for the hair. When your tresses are properly nourished, they are easier to tame and manage. Sunflower oil, on the other hand, prevents breakage and strengthens the hair. Finally, there's broccoli seed oil which gives the hair a healthy glow and natural lustre. It has excellent anti-oxidant properties that makes it a great substitute for silicone, often found in commercially available hair care products.

Perfect blend of sunflower, soybean, and broccoli seed oil in this bottle.

And that's one of the main reasons why I love this product. It has zero traces of silicone in it, and does not contain any harmful chemicals. And like all of Human Heart Nature's products, this one is not tested on animals.

Pro-poor, pro-Philippines, pro-environment, and cruelty-free.

This product comes in a sleek, 50 mL pump bottle. The pump, however, is my only gripe with this product. I find it a tad difficult to control, and oftentimes, it dispenses more than the amount of hair serum I need.

I have a love-hate relationship with this pump, haha!

But as far as the serum is concerned, I have nothing but good things to say. It's light and non-greasy, very easy to apply, and has a mild and pleasant scent, which I reckon comes from the soybean oil. It makes my hair soft and shiny, and keeps those tiny baby hairs from sticking out of my scalp. Haha!

Food for the hair. :)

The Smoothing Hair Serum comes in one size only (50 mL) and sells for Php 249.75 per bottle. Good news if you're planning to buy one after reading this review, because they're currently being sold at the promo price of Php 199.75. Available online, at your local Human Heart Nature branch, or via Human Heart Nature dealers.

What I love:

- Organic, all-natural.

- No silicone, no harmful chemicals.

- Light and non-greasy formulation.

- Mild and pleasant scent.

- Makes my hair smooth and shiny.

- Tames the hair and makes it soft and manageable.

What you might not like:

- The pump can be a pain at times.

Tip: Apply the hair serum away from the roots, as the roots tend to be the oiliest part of the hair. Concentrate more on the tips, which tend to be the driest and needs nourishment and hydration the most.

Spotlight | Human Heart Nature Natural Clarifying Shampoo.

Used and abused - these words pretty much describe the condition of my hair. Subjecting it to heat and all sorts of environmental pollutants (albeit unwillingly and unknowingly), plus the styling products that I use on a daily basis, not to mention the coloring products that I use every three months or so... My poor pixie goes through so much, all in the name of vanity. Lol.

Enter Human Heart Nature's new hair care product - the Natural Clarifying Shampoo. Launched two Saturdays ago, this new product is formulated to 'give your hair a breath of fresh air and a deeply purifying clean'.

100% Natural Clarifying Shampoo.

The Natural Clarifying Shampoo contains aloe vera to soothe the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. It also contains betaine, a renewable raw material derived from sugar beet, to moisturize your mane. In addition, this product is also enriched with natural fruit acids to rehydrate and restore the hair's natural shine.

Check the label! :)

And because this shampoo is 100% natural, it's free from harmful chemicals such as SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate). You'll be surprised however, that despite the absence of these lather-producing agents, the Natural Clarifying Shampoo can work a rich, foamy lather. Thanks to coco fatty acid sulfates (derived from natural ingredients), you get to enjoy a bubbly bath without posing a risk to your health.

100% Natural. Biodegradable. Cruelty-free.

What I love:

- Made from all-natural ingredients.

- Chemical-free.

- Sweet, fruity smell, but not saccharine.

- Makes the hair soft and smooth.

- For an organic product, it's pretty affordable.

- Safe for sensitive skin.

- Philippine-made.

- Supports the livelihood of local farmers.

- Cruelty-free!

What you might not like:

- None that I can think of. :)

The Natural Clarifying Shampoo is available in two sizes - 200 mL (Php149.75) and 500 mL (Php319.75). You can purchase this and other Human Heart Nature products online, at your local branches, or through your local dealers. 

Many thanks to Human Heart Nature Laguna for sending me these! Can't wait to try them all! :)

Clarifying Shampoo, Kids Shampoo, Hand Soap, Strengthening Conditioner.

Oh, and look! The Rebel Sweetheart is on the July-August issue of the Human Heart Nature Magalogue!

Excerpts from my Perfect Glow Mineral Blush review.

There's my blog logo! :)

Spotlight | Precious Herbal Pillow.

Sleeping on a cushioned bench at the hospital isn't that bad. But doing it for a couple of nights in a row, well, it gets pretty uncomfortable. And so by the time we left the hospital (where we stayed for four nights), my shoulders were pretty stiff, and my back felt sore. It would have been nice if I could hie off to the spa and get a much-needed massage, but 'me-time' has really become a luxury for me these days.

Thank goodness for the Precious Herbal Pillow, which I got from Human Heart Nature Laguna during their last Product Launch.

Precious!

Filled with natural grains, aromatic herbs, and pure essential oils, the Precious Herbal Pillow is a great natural alternative to ease and relax body aches and muscle pains. In my case, it's enjoying the comforts of a spa at home.

Unboxing the pillow. 

A doctor-recommended product, this herbal pillow can be used two ways - hot or cold. Yes, you can use it as a hot compress by placing the pillow inside the microwave, heating it on high for 1-2 minutes, and placing it on the affected body part. Or you can place it inside a Ziploc, store it in the fridge overnight, and use it as a cold compress.

Small Back Pillow (12x12 inches), Php 599.

I've tried doing both with this Small Back Pillow. Hot for my stiff shoulders and aching back, and cold for my eyes. (There are specially-made Eye Pillows actually, but at present only the Small Back Pillow and Shoulder Pillow are available at Human Heart Nature.

Guaranteed comfort!

At night, I keep this herbal pillow next to me to help me sleep better. Because as you may have already known, I have the meanest insomnia ever. The minty scent emanating from the pillow is quite relaxing, and as I like to call it, 'very zen'.

And from what I've read, this aromatic scent can last for a couple of months, a year even, with proper care and usage. You can't wash the pillow itself, but you can remove the outer cover and wash it for hygienic purposes.

A multitude of uses and benefits!

With a multitude of uses and benefits, these pillows make great Christmas gifts for your parents, grandparents, and of course, parents-in-law. I bet most of you will agree with me. :)

Precious Herbal Pillows are now available online, and at your favorite Human Heart Nature branches. The Small Back Pillow is priced at Php 599, while the Shoulder Pillow is tagged at Php 999. Similarly, you might want to check out some of the best body pillows as well.

Profits of these pillows will directly help a sewing community in San Nicolas, Bulacan. Also, they will support Right Start Community Development Inc., a non-stock, non-profit NGO which aims to give underprivileged Filipino children a right start in life through music, dance, and creative arts.

The Precious Herbal Pillow is precious in more ways than one, don't you think?

Green Christmas Giveaway | Win a Jacinto & Lirio Kwaderno!

Exactly three days from now, The Rebel Sweetheart will be turning ONE.
Can you believe it? I've been blogging religiously for one year already! And mainstream at that!

Time sure flies when you're having fun. But it wouldn't be this fulfilling had it not been for you, my dear readers, who take time to visit and read this humble little blog of mine. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart! Words wouldn't be enough, of course, so I wanted to give back all the love and support that I have received throughout the year with a series of giveaways, this one being the first.

Thanks to Human Heart Nature Laguna, one lucky reader will have the chance to win this:

A Kwaderno by Jacinto & Lirio!

Because you know, it's the season of planners and organizers. :)

Kwaderno is a line of stylish refillable journals made from water hyacinth leather (Jacinto and Lirio is Spanish for "Hyacinth and Lily"). Each page is unruled, so you can enjoy filling them with notes, poems, stories, doodles or sketches!

For every Kwaderno notebook that you buy, you help empower flood-stricken communities in Pampanga, Rizal, Laguna, and Pasig in the process. The water hyacinth (or water lily) was once a nuisance to villagers for clogging up their waterways. Now, thanks to Jacinto & Lirio, it serves as a beacon of hope for livelihood opportunities and community development.

Jacinto & Lirio is a social enterprise that strongly believes in working on your passion to make a difference. It was founded in 2009 by Anne Mariposa and Noreen Bautista with the intention of creating stylish items from the water hyacinth pest while bringing sustainable economic development to stricken communities. Check out the complete Jacinto & Lirio product line here!

Enter the giveaway via the Rafflecopter below. 

This event will run from November 28 (1201H EST)
 until my birthday, December 7 (midnight EST). 

Open WORLDWIDE! 

Good luck, and have fun!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Green Christmas Giveaway Hop is hosted by Happy Mothering, Going Green with Grizls and The Reynolds Mom. 50+ members of the Green Moms Network have come together to offer you tons of chances to win green-themed Christmas gifts! There’s sure to be something for everyone on your list. We hope you’ll discover some great new brands to add to your Christmas list too! Below my entry form, you'll see the other giveaways to enter as well as information about entering to win the Grand Prize!

Our hosts are featuring 5 fabulous grand prize packages from these green and natural brands: For Your Bug-a-Boo, Blue Manatee Boxes, Bulk Herb Store, Snug Bug Diapers, Nosefrida, My Pretty Playhouse, Wonder Forge, Kelly Kits, Kerrific Online, LibreTea, Grounds for Change, Zulka Sugar, Justin's Nut Butters, Better Life, ReuseIt, Strawesome, generationMe, Soybu, Purely Gorgeous, A Mothers Design, Dr. Bronner's and Xmittens!. Click here to enter the grand prize.