(Originally posted on June 11, 2010)
I told Clar a few weeks ago that I'd like to try buying more things which have a social value attached to it rather than just buying the regular ones found in the market.
Initially, it may sound expensive; but if you know where to buy those products at a cheaper rate, you'd actually find yourself consistently buying it. The plus side to it is that you help a lot of people in the process (and even the environment!).
So here's the rundown of the things I've bought and will continue to buy in the coming months and years:
1) Rags. You'll find them in GK Baseco. These were made by the Kapitbahayan. They source the retaso from Bulacan and Valenzuela then make the actual rags in the Livelihood Center at the back of the GK Baseco office. The circular rags are worth P35/kilo (15 rags/kg), the rectangular ones are worth approximately 40/kilo, and the weaved ones are worth 3 for 100. At home, we use the circular ones in the kitchen and the weaved ones in my room.
2) Dishwashing liquid and fabric detergent. Again, I buy these in GK Baseco. These were made by the Kapitbahayan. The raw materials are provided to them by St. Scholastica. They use recycled water bottles to contain these products. The dishwashing liquid is just as good as Joy but costs only 15 pesos
per bottle. It comes in different scents too -- lemon and lime. The fabric detergent has two variants (although I'm not sure what the scents are. All I know is that one is pink and the other is blue). It costs only 25 pesos per bottle.
3) T-shirts from Payatas-13. A lot of the GK shirts I wear are printed on this site. They also have a line of advocacy shirts. One of which has the Panatang Makabayan on it -- and it is valued at 250 pesos. If you go elsewhere, i believe that these would cost around 300-350 pesos. Now you may ask, what is so special about GK Payatas-13. Here's an excerpt from the write up on their facebook page:
Payatas 13 in partnership with GK-Ateneo was once more a forerunner among GK communities by becoming host to possibly the first urban GK model for social enterprise in the Payatas 13 Shirt Printers. Again the programme has gathered KB resident, volunteers, SIGA youth and GK full-time workers in the effort of running profitable enterprise, for both community and individual alike. As if to coincide with the Ateneo’s 150 years celebration as well as GK’s first seven years, GK Payatas 13 Blue Eagle Village is set to pioneer and perhaps propel a new brand of development under its emerging urban social enterprise model.
Initially, it may sound expensive; but if you know where to buy those products at a cheaper rate, you'd actually find yourself consistently buying it. The plus side to it is that you help a lot of people in the process (and even the environment!).
So here's the rundown of the things I've bought and will continue to buy in the coming months and years:
1) Rags. You'll find them in GK Baseco. These were made by the Kapitbahayan. They source the retaso from Bulacan and Valenzuela then make the actual rags in the Livelihood Center at the back of the GK Baseco office. The circular rags are worth P35/kilo (15 rags/kg), the rectangular ones are worth approximately 40/kilo, and the weaved ones are worth 3 for 100. At home, we use the circular ones in the kitchen and the weaved ones in my room.
2) Dishwashing liquid and fabric detergent. Again, I buy these in GK Baseco. These were made by the Kapitbahayan. The raw materials are provided to them by St. Scholastica. They use recycled water bottles to contain these products. The dishwashing liquid is just as good as Joy but costs only 15 pesos
per bottle. It comes in different scents too -- lemon and lime. The fabric detergent has two variants (although I'm not sure what the scents are. All I know is that one is pink and the other is blue). It costs only 25 pesos per bottle.
3) T-shirts from Payatas-13. A lot of the GK shirts I wear are printed on this site. They also have a line of advocacy shirts. One of which has the Panatang Makabayan on it -- and it is valued at 250 pesos. If you go elsewhere, i believe that these would cost around 300-350 pesos. Now you may ask, what is so special about GK Payatas-13. Here's an excerpt from the write up on their facebook page:
Payatas 13 in partnership with GK-Ateneo was once more a forerunner among GK communities by becoming host to possibly the first urban GK model for social enterprise in the Payatas 13 Shirt Printers. Again the programme has gathered KB resident, volunteers, SIGA youth and GK full-time workers in the effort of running profitable enterprise, for both community and individual alike. As if to coincide with the Ateneo’s 150 years celebration as well as GK’s first seven years, GK Payatas 13 Blue Eagle Village is set to pioneer and perhaps propel a new brand of development under its emerging urban social enterprise model.
Team GK Ateneo-La Salle in Palawan! :)
We printed our team Ateneo-La Salle shirts there as well! :)
4. Human ♥ Nature. This is now my favorite body care line! For starters, my brother gave me their acapulco and mango butter styling cream and it kept my hair nourished as I used commercial shampoo. Then, I was given the watermelon lip balm. During the Bayani Challenge, they gave away citronella bug spray. I would admit that initially, I wasn't attracted to the scent that much because it was kind of potent. But now, I've converted! It's one of my favorites. In my bag, you'll also find their mandarin hand sanitizer (which doesn't only keep my hands clean, but also moisturizes it... Yes,it feels smoother now!). I've also started using their strengthening shampoo and body wash (peppermint scent) and their nourishing conditioner (mandarin and mango butter). I'm really happy with the results. I feel that my hair is healthier. If you've known me for ages, you'd know I've had a lot of trouble finding the right products for my hair. Now, I am definitely sticking to Human Nature.
Human ♥ Nature Shampoo
Now, you may think that these organic products are as expensive as say, Body Shop... but they're not! Even moreso, the brand is globally competitive! And yes, for people in the USA, you will be able to buy these products there.
So what's their philosophy?
1. Their products are Pro-Filipino -- from the raw materials to the finished products, all processes are done in the Philippines in their belief that Filipinos can produce world class finished goods. They've really excelled in encouraging the Filipino brand! :)
2. Pro-poor -- from the start, these were meant to provide livelihood opportunities to the Gawad Kalinga sites. They are also setting up organic farms in GK sites, with the first one already in the works in GK Enchanted Farms, Bulacan. This was done in partnership with NGOs that specialize in organic farming and processing. They buy their raw materials from community based suppliers at fair prices. Sometimes, even more than the market price. In addition, they help support these communities improve their production. Plus, they pay their employees from GK fairly (above the minimum wage + benefits).
3. Pro-environment -- if there's anything that I've noticed with them, it is that they take the organic life seriously. They ensure that the processes that their products undergo aren't hazardous to the environment. They use only recyclable bottles so as not to contribute to the waste in our landfills. And even the packaging -- as in the bags they use are either made of paper (for regular orders) or reusable pouches (for the gift packages) Even in delivery to at least the nearby places, they use vehicles that are environmentally friendly.
And yes, I will continue supporting their products. For more info, visit their site: http://www.humanheartnatur
I do believe that I'm off to a good start. And I will continue buying these products to support the causes I believe in as well.
I hope that everyone else will follow suit. With your support, we can help change the lives of our fellow Filipinos. :)
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