Message from Anna
Dear Friends,
It's less than 12 days before Christmas and whereas many in previous years have been stressed out because of the holidays, there seems to be a more somber mood in the city. Perhaps this is in solidarity with our brethren in Mindanao who have been devastated by typhoon Pablo. When you realize that many of our countrymen will be spending Christmas without a home or worse, missing loved ones, buying expensive gifts doesn't seem to be as urgent or important anymore. But like in the past, tragedy and calamity always bring out the best in Filipinos. There has been an outpouring of generosity and volunteerism as many have mobilized to bring aid to Compostela Valley and other affected areas. Here in the city, there are many more to whom we can share the Christmas cheer. Back in Human Nature, we've spread out our Christmas parties to various GK communities in Quezon City as well as to the MMDA, tricycle drivers and vendors stationed in front of our Flagship store. Christmas is about being with family and it becomes more meaningful when we consider other members of the community as part of our bigger family.
We hope everyone finds their own meaningful celebration this Christmas. Let us start traditions that teach our children generosity, solidarity and love.
Have a Merry Christmas, everyone!
Peace and joy,
Anna Meloto-Wilk
President
Gandang Kalikasan Inc.
Christmas Store Schedule
Thinking of making a quick trip to your nearest Human Nature branch? View the complete holiday schedule or our nationwide branches from December 24 to January 2.
Head Office Christmas Orders Deadlines
Please note that the deadline for orders from the Head Office for delivery in time for Christmas is Wednesday December 19, 12 noon for Metro Manila orders and Monday, December 17, 12 noon for provincial orders. For all orders received by that time, we guarantee delivery in time for Christmas, but after that, deliveries may not make it in time.
Last Minute Christmas Shopping
Last minute Christmas shopping? Celebrate a brighter Christmas by giving heart-picked gifts of goodness by Human Nature.
Order a few no-fuss Christmas bundles.
We've put together 15 different gift packs for you to choose from, so you can give your loved ones a gift that's not just free from harmful chemicals but are also Pro-Philippines, Pro-Poor and Pro-Environment as well.
 Squeaky Clean Baby Php 99.00  |
 Santa's Little Helper Php 119.00 |
 Neat & Sparkly Php 139.00 |
 Vanilla Wonderland Php 169.00 |
 Hero's Treat Php 179.00 |
 Mistletoe Kisses Php 189.00 |
 Holiday Travel Php 194.00 |
 Baby's 1st Christmas Php 219.00 |
 Teen Dream Gift Php 224.00 |
 Berrylicious Php 239.00 |
 Jolly Body Php 259.00 |
 Skintensive Beauty Php 329.00 |
 Holi-pamper-day Php 349.00 |
 Ultimate Wishlist Php 379.00 |
 Complete Holiday Haul Php 729.00 |
Create your own gift packages.
Add a touch of sentimentality by creating your own personalized gift bundles with our festive Christmas packaging, available in small and big sizes.
Spread the goodness with our newest products.
Introduce your friends and loved ones to the goodness of natural products with our newest 100% natural products: Pure Strength Black Diamond Cleansing Bar for men, 100% Natural Cleansing Bar, Tropical Burst Spray Sanitizer, and Smoothing Hair Serum.
Support our Social Enterprises.
Reward our partner communities with a Christmas experience that they'll truly treasure. Their carefully crafted and locally made products make the perfect gifts whose goodness is multiplied many times over. Add a little more heart to your holidays and you'll see the world of a difference it makes! ☺
Discovering Bukidnon by Joan Icotanim
After spending nine whole days in Bukidnon, Human Nature's Joan Icotanim shares her fieldwork experience in witnessing the potential of replicating citronella oil production in the rich soil of Mindanao. Through similar development plans, Human Nature's Social Enterprise Development Department continuously aims to build the capabilities of local farmers.
In 2010, Human Nature launched the One Heart for One Community Program, wherein 100% of the profits from the Citronella Bug Spray were used to repair the school, buy books, give health insurance and build an integrated processing facility for Citronella oil production in Labo, Camarines Norte. We trained the farmers of Kooperatiba ng Maliliit na Magniniyog ng Barangay Kanapawan (KMMBK) and built up their capabilities to continuously improve their production.
Now, it is their turn to "pay it forward" to the farmers of Bukidnon.
GK Iloilo VCO orientation by Mike Go
The Social Enterprise Development department visited Gawad Kalinga Concepcion Iloilo last November to check on the planned upgrade of their virgin coconut oil (VCO) production facility. The team was accompanied by GK Iloilo Provincial Head Rose Cacho, Human Nature Iloilo Branch Operator Frances Lacuesta, and Kapitbahayans of GK PLDT-Smart village in Sooc, in order to facilitate an orientation on the prospect of transitioning from simply being farmers to becoming managers of their own VCO enterprise.
Paying the Goodness Forward:
Human Nature Volunteers!
A blessing is like a single tongue of flame. Light up the right people and nothing in the world can stop it from spreading like wildfire. The spark began here, among Human Nature's warehouse staff, most of whom were touched by Gawad Kalinga - receiving homes, livelihood, and a renewed hope for their future and their children. Human Nature fueled the kindling, giving employees who were GK beneficiaries a full day a week to serve their communities and live out our core philosophy of being pro-poor.
Last October, it swept on to include all Human Nature employees - so that once a month, each volunteer could serve and work with the GK villagers - the very people that Human Nature helps empower. So in the middle of their hectic workdays and tight deadlines, handfuls of Human Nature volunteers took some time off to head over to their chosen communities: GK Payatas Trese, GK Enchanted Farm, and GK NTC Village.
A month, several houses, a community center, a canal, a few dozen T-shirts and picture-books later, the heart for service keeps on burning.
GK Walang Iwanan
As our countrymen struggle to recover from the destruction caused by Typhoon Pablo different parts of the Philippines, Gawad Kalinga's Operation Walang Iwanan has set up relief operations to serve the hard-hit areas of Davao Oriental, Bukidnon, and Compostela Valley.
GK aims to raise 10,000 food packs of P200.00 each. Here's how our Human Nature family of advocates, friends, and supporters can help out in Team GK's operation:
1. VOLUNTEER OR GIVE IN KIND
Urgently needed: rice, noodles, canned goods and 1-liter water bottles which will be repacked by our volunteers. Volunteers are welcome to join us at the GK Operation Walang Iwanan Command Centers at the following venues:
- BUTUAN
Urios Gym, Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte
Contact Butch Ozarraga at 0917-555-5204
- BUKIDNON
San Agustin Parish Convent, Valencia City, Bukidnon
Contact Richard Mercado at 0917-310-3098
- DAVAO
Desservir's Place, Sandawa Road near McArthur Highway
Contact Tito Ricky at 0917-888-8674
Via Deposit:
- Gawad Kalinga Philippine Peso Current Account
# 3101 0977 56 BPI EDSA Greenhills - Gawad Kalinga US$ Savings Account
# 3104 0162 34 BPI EDSA Greenhills
(Swift code: BOPIPHMM)
Click HERE to donate online.
For updates on OPERATION WALANG IWANAN, please visit Gawad Kalinga's Typhoon Pablo webpage
In the words of Luis Oquinena, "Let us transform this disaster into an opportunity to bring hope to the families affected by Typhoon Pablo. Walang Iwanan!"
* Photos from Gawad Kalinga (Official Page)
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DIY Kalabasa Cookies
Got a holiday party coming up? Spice it up with this unique dessert! Kalabasa cookies (or squash cookies) are healthy and delicious treats that even your kids will love. Pack 'em in festive, eco-friendly boxes and they're ready to hand out as personal gifts!
Ingredients:
| * | 2-1/2 cups enriched flour |
| * | 1-1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar |
| * | 4 teaspoons baking powder |
| * | 1-1/4 teaspoons salt |
| * | 1/4 teaspoon ginger (powdered) |
| * | 1/2 teaspoon orange extract |
| * | 1/3 cup oil for shortening |
| * | 1 cup chopped raisins |
| * | 1 cup chopped nuts |
| * | 1 cup mashed cooked kalabasa (squash) |
| * | 3 eggs |
What to do:
| 1. | Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices |
| 2. | In large mixing bowl, cream together shortening and sugar until light and fluffy |
| 3. | Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition |
| 4. | Blend in kalabasa and orange extract |
| 5. | Add flour mixture all at once, stirring until well-blended (Reserve 2 tbsps of nuts and 2 tbsps of raisins for later!) |
| 6. | Stir remaining nuts and raisins into the batter |
| 7. | Spoon batter onto greased baking sheets |
| 8. | For more variety, sprinkle 1/3 of the cookies with reserved nuts, sprinkle l/3 of the cookies with reserved raisins, and leave the remaining plain |
| 9. | Bake at 400 °F for from 12 to 15 minutes or until slightly brown |
This healthy vegetarian recipe is good for 10 servings. Don't forget to save some for Santa!
Source
Gandang Kalikasan Inc.
463 Commonwealth Avenue
Quezon City 1119
Philippines
Business hours:
Monday - Saturday
9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Flagship Store hours:
Monday - Saturday
9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Contact Details:
Tel. No. (02) 931-5787 or
(02) 433-1202
Fax. (02) 951-3627
Click here to email us
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