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)