My Short Trip to the GK Expo 2011 featuring the GK Enchanted Farm

Batang Bayani Park where Team Cebu
also helped in manning
the activities for the kids

Oh well, this story is sooo way past but better late than never!.. I bet some of those who went to the Global Summit and in my case, it's still the GK Expo especially the GK Enchanted Farm!

It's only my 2nd year that I have not missed the Gawad Kalinga since the time that I was no longer working full time for GK. Even if I had limited time due to work, at least I had the weekend to attend it. I almost gave up when I discovered that the plane schedule was a bit limited already when I decided to book my flight. Good thing, I acted upon it and moved on! At least, there was still ample time for me to prepare everything after my shift ended at that time for the flight! My plane finally left for Manila after being a few minutes late of its scheduled time. I missed more than half of the activities when I arrived that Saturday at the University of Santo Tomas almost 5pm already. My plane arrived almost 2pm then I have to battle my way through the venue by commuting only (it's a good decision or else I might not get back to Cebu by Monday). Students as well as volunteers and full time workers alike still gathered regardless of the heavy rain. I was too sleepy to pay attention to all details but still managed to bond and say HI to friends who were also volunteers from different parts of the country.

Indeed true to its name,
the Clean Ice Cream boasts
12 different flavors all made from
organic plants at the farm!

The Human Nature Marker with
HN President Anna's eldest Ariel

So, fast forward to Sunday, I don't know if I slept much but what matters was I slept! I was excited to see the Enchanted farm since it was still my first time to be there. What was I thinking! It was huge! I thought it was just a small parcel of land or maybe it was already vast for me. Really, it was a site to behold and it almost felt like heaven as we walk through the road and path walks seeing everything green and some flowers too. A mass was held to start the day at the farm and there were displays of different world class Filipino products and of course, food that were also grown from the farm. For me, a lot of eye-catching stuffs were there such as the Clean Ice Cream which boasts of 12 flavors and ingredients grown from the farm. I should say, there's another name for it: Organic Ice Cream. The two flavors I could not forget were the malunggay (which I believe still boasts of  the key nutrients it gives) and the choco chili which was surprisingly hot! I think I have tried each flavor but I just cannot forget the distinctive spicy flavor of the choco chili. Everything grown in the farm were as much as possible organic and that includes livestock like pig, goat, etc.  The Enchantea (a bottled iced tea also made of ingredients from the farm) refreshed me after taking lunch!  Since, most of our time (Cebu Team esp. youth ) were spent manning the Batang Bayani Park, where the kids were free to do kiddie stuff such as coloring, hearing stories from Ate's and Kuya's, pot planting, etc., we get to take a tour the farm just right on time before we are about to leave for Manila. It was then that I noticed the Human Nature marker and the store where it sits perfectly enough for the visitors to see and shop.

 I reckon there is still a lot of farming development to do yet over and beyond its entrepreneurial potential, the GK Enchanted farm not only makes visitors and volunteers get a glimpse of hope for nature and our nation but most importantly, giving its home owners productive and uplifting lives.

Happenings at the Magalogue Turnover in Human Nature Mandaue Branch

Prizes for dealers and sample of new products were displayed
 at the Human Nature Mandaue Branch during the Magalogue
Turnover last Saturday Oct. 8, 2011
Photo courtesy of HHN-Mandaue Branch

Riding on a jeepney last Saturday after attending the Human Nature Magalogue Turnover, I couldn't help notice the smell of chili sauce. I looked to the passengers beside me but didn't seem to be bringing or eating something with the sauce. Then, the lady beside the driver's seat was calling out in Cebuano for those who have not paid their fare yet. She was also licking her lips as she gobbled some siomai (dumplings). So, there was the source of the chili sauce! Honestly, I am not much concerned about the food she is eating but I just could not help but remember what I have learned earlier during the turnover about most lipsticks composed of carmine that produced color due to crushed insects (ewww!). Just imagining the girl licking her lips (who was wearing a lipstick by the way) while eating siomai makes me think that she is licking the bugs as well!

Anyway, that was just one of the things that I learned from the October Magalogue Turnover of Human Nature last Saturday. As I have written on my previous article, new products were launched and I bought the lip gloss in Pink Hibiscus and tinted lip balm in Pink as well as a Hydrating Facial Wash that I have been using for almost a year now since it has been launched. Ninety percent of what I'm using are from Human Nature. It  has been the major reason why I read labels every time I buy something especially when it comes to toiletries and cosmetics. As for the food category, I have just started reading labels and I should say that I am still at a beginner's stage up to now. Speaking of reading labels, Human Nature will also be launching  Read The Label program wherein labels or ingredients that we have a difficult reading and pronouncing or deciphering whether it is harmful or not can be searched through a Read the Label app or look up the website and check if the ingredients in our favorite product has high risk, medium risk or safe indication to put in our body. So, don't  forget on October 14 for the launching of Read the Label! A chance to win Eco-trips are also at stake! More on this on the 14th of this month at the website.

I was happy also to see some familiar faces from my community CFC and ministries who attended the assembly. The best thing then was winning a Human Nature shirt! Woohoo! One of the things I like during these times with the Human Nature Mandaue Branch are the prizes and the care they give out to us their valued dealers. The Turnover ended with snacks served and of course, the buying of the products as well!

New Products From Human Nature

All New Products to be Launched at your nearest Human Nature Outlet!  Check out their schedules at www.humanheartnature.com

'Just came last weekend from the Gawad Kalinga Expo..It was worth it despite having not so much sleep as I get to see old friends especially those I've met from other provinces and even partners from different parts of the world! Anyway, I wanted to write about the event especially the Sunday event at the GK Enchanted Farm. However, I wanted to pair it with significant pictures. Good thing, I  checked the website of Human Heart Nature and discovered the pictures of the products to be launched probably simultaneously this Saturday at a nearest Human Nature outlet in your place. To be sure, check out the schedules on the website. When I read about the new products through the newsletter last week, I got excited 'coz I know it's going to be better than ever! Natural and/or organic with no harmful chemicals? Who wouldn't want it?! Here are the new products: Mineral Lip Gloss in 2 shades, Two new shades of the Tinted Lip balm and reformulated Strengthening Shampoo and conditioner! As if it's not enough to pamper you with these new additions, there will also be exciting promotions during THE MAGALOGUE TURNOVER ONLY. So, it is imperative for me to attend this Saturday so I can check on the surprise for that day!

For more details, check out the website!

Cheers! :-)