Organique by Balikbayan Magazine

FRO M T HE EX E C U T I V E ’ S D E S K I GAME CH ANGE RS

GOD’S GIVEN GRACE Elton and Cathy Salimbangon Founders of Organique Inc. “Now we realize. When we try to connect the dots moving backward, we now understand why we came back in the Philippines. Everything is a blessing” -- Cathy Salimbangon

here are countless stories of triumph

faced their first problem: How do we sell this?

and success where the protagonist is

In October 2008, Cathy and their kids went back

faced with immense challenge and hard-

to the Philippines. Elton sent her the concoction

ship—that indeed the roads to success are never

he created--a small white bottle with no name nor

smooth and that storms even visit the calmest of

any labels.

seas. For childhood sweethearts, Elton and Cathy

“We have to sell it, so I start with friends. It’s hard

Salimbangon, the founders of Organique, a leading

because the acai is new and it’s expensive,” Cathy

manufacturer of Acai products, their story is no

admitted.

different.

Elton was really surprised when he learnt from his wife that their product was acknowledged. And

FROM SCRATCH For 15 years, Elton and Cathy lived modestly in

with that, Organique, Inc. started to take form as Cathy started selling it to her family and friends.

the United States. Elton was working in a manufacturing company that produces healthy beverages while Cathy was working as a registered nurse in Southern California.

STARTING UP Early on, Elton purchased excess acai berries from the company he worked at, but as his own

It was in mid-2008 when Elton watched a Televi-

product expanded, he had no choice but to invest

sion program featuring the superfood acai berry

and buy thousands of gallons. The shipping over-

and its health benefits. When he reported back

head alone was incredibly costly starting out. But

to his boss, he was told that the company was

in the true entrepreneurial spirit, Elton believed in

already developing an acai based drink. Since this

his vision.

first acai product failed, Elton asked his boss if he could reformulate it. And he did, despite not having a background in

“At that time we didn’t have anything at all. We didn’t know anything. We didn’t have the money to start,” Elton confessed.

food and business manufacturing—he was an IT

When they decided to relocate in the Philippines

major. But he diligently worked with the research

in 2009, they set up a small office in the corner

and development team to help him with the acai

of their house made of concrete and wood, and

product in exchange of his expertise with comput-

without even paint.

ers. “We started from scratch. We started from acai

Unable to afford brand labels for their product, they simply started with stickers as labels.

berry. Acai berry is very bitter but I was thinking

Bringing the product to market was a challeng-

‘Filipino’. It has to be a sustainable taste--not bland

ing task. The product was new, hard to pronounce,

or anything. I was asking R&B. We put on some

and at the same time, very expensive. Some of

apple juice and put in some other mixes until we

their clients even asked why they don’t just go

finally got the consistency right,” Elton said.

back to States instead of facing ordeals in putting

It took several months to create the amazing,

up a business that was not even their forte.

delectable taste that Organique is known for to-

In the Philippines, they first introduced their

day. And it was also after the long and intensive

product in Cebu since they were also from Cebu,

research and development’s success when they

going door to door, and clinic to clinic just to intro-

At one of these events, they were

continuing the promise to bring the

introduced to Cory Quirino, who it just

best quality and standard of their acai

so happens, was actually looking for

products to their customers.

an acai product but couldn’t find it

“We came from a very quality compa-

anywhere in the Philippines. Flabber-

ny and we also want to bring the qual-

gasted by this chance meeting, Cory

ity that we have. We are very brand

invited Elton and Cathy to be guests

conscious. The quality. We’re looking

on her radio show.

at the quality,” Elton emphasized.

Soon thereafter, they were approved

Their acai products are now available

to distribute at Watsons, one of the

in Watsons, Mercury Drug, Robinsons

largest health and beauty stores in the

Supermarket and Southstar Drugstore

Philippines.

nationwide.

“Our label is made of sticker. We

Originally starting in the Philip-

were delighted that they accepted our

pines, Organique now holds several

product because for me, it was really

markets in the US, Hong Kong, and

unappealing. But it’s the only thing we

Middle East; and is rapidly expanding. Elton and Cathy are now looking

can afford,” Elton said.

duce their product. Elton and Cathy believed that Cebuanos are difficult to please. They de-

And then suddenly, they started get-

forward to developing Organique Acai

ting featured on TV shows and some

into tablets to make it more available

of their celebrity customers even

and easily accessible. As for now,

advertise their products free of charge

Organic Acai maintains a successful

because of the product’s high quality

manufacturing plant in California. “The standards. No matter what,

and health benefits.

scribed Cebuanos as thrifty. But they

Since then, they continue to expand

that’s the standard. You cannot go be-

knew that if Cebuanos appreciated

their product and promote healthy

low your standards. That’s why when

their product, it means their product

living to their fellow Filipinos. Despite

we first started our product, it should

can be appreciated in other places as

the difficulties, the testimonials they

not go down. It should be more, always

well.

received from their clients made them

improving.” Elton affirmed.

Several months later, they expanded

At first, Elton and Cathy thought they

inspired to push through.

made a mistake in starting their busi-

into Manila which was quite challenging because not only did they have

ORGANIQUE NOW

ness after facing difficulties one after Or-

another. But as they overcome all the

experience in this kind of business.

ganique has now grown into a full

trials, they started to see that every-

Suddenly, faced with rising debt, they

fledged

thing was actually God given grace.

no network, but their family had no

were no longer able to pay for production costs. “I really thought I made a mistake in putting up the business,” Elton admitted as he expressed how difficult it is for him and his family. But they never forget to always pray and ultimately, God provided them with what they needed at exactly the time they needed it most.

WHEN DILIGENCE BEARS FRUITS Faced with rising debt and stress, Elton and Cathy pushed through and persevered—constantly attending networking events. B

From

simple

experiment,

multinational

corporation,

ACAI PR EMI UM B L E ND

TIRED OF TAKING YOUR DAILY MULTIVITAMINS? SICK OF EATING THE SAME OLD FRUITS AND VEGETABLES?

ACAI HAS ALL THE HEALTHY NUTRITION YOUR BODY NEEDS.

Deep within the vast and abundant

in our body that can cause wide range

confines of the Amazon Rainforest,

of illness and chronic disease if left

grows one of the World’s most ultimate

unbalanced. Acai has ten times more

superfoods, Acai, (ä-sä-ˈē). The Acai

vital antioxidants than grapes and in

tree, a unique type of palm tree, grows

fact, richer than other common fruits

within the rich and fertile soil of

and vegetables combined.

Earth’s largest rainforest—an immense

Due to its high antioxidant content,

jungle spanning eight countries in

Acai helps in our body’s detoxification,

South America.

giving skin a healthier glow. Since it

Native only to this land, Acai cannot

prevents cell damage, it slows down

be found anywhere else on the planet.

the aging process related to oxidative

This shade-loving plant can stand

damage, and flourishes our skin to a

up to 25 m tall, forming large groves

more youthful complexion--a fine and

throughout the lowland flood areas

natural solution against dull skin, fine

along the rivers.

lines and wrinkles.

Acai

trees

produce

small,

round

Rich in Vitamin C and ellagic acid,

berries about 1-2 cm in diameters. Each

Acai is an immune-stimulating fruit,

tree commonly produces four to eight

boosting our immune system and

bunches of fruit that can weigh up to

keeping our cells strong to fight off

6 kg, emerging green and ripening

harmful radicals that enter our body.

to dark purple between July and

The detoxification abilities of Acai also

December during the harvest season.

play an important role for healthier

Natives collect the berries daeep in the

digestion by keeping our digestive

heart of the Amazon Rainforest and

system clean.

transport it through rivers and boats

Aside

from

antioxidants,

Acai

for there are no roads leading to mother

possesses dietary fibers that aid in

nature’s superfood.

weight loss. These fibers do not only help in losing weight

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ACAI

but help in

maintaining healthy weight as well.

Acai berries are known to have

And because Acai is natural, it does

long been a staple to the diet of

not give off harmful effects, making it a

the

perfect alternative to other chemically

indigenous

people

Brazil.

Traditionally, the natives also value Acai for health by using the oil of the

manufactured products. Acai

berries

are

also

rich

fruit to treat diarrhea, and the toasted

anthocyanin, a compound that has

and crushed seeds of the fruit to treat

the ability to lower the body’s level of

fever. For centuries, the fruit is known

cholesterol. The plant sterol in Acai

for its health benefits and other healing

lowers blood pressure, prevents blood

capabilities.

clots and improves blood circulation,

Lately, Acai started claiming the

and at the same time, keeps our cells

“superfood” status, gaining fame not

strong to fight against harmful radicals

only in the United States but around

that enters our body.

the world as well. Hidden within its

Anthocyanin

also

promotes

the

purple pigment is a powerful substance

reduction of risks related to heart

that

problems, cognitive decline, and even

helps

prevent

cell

damage--

antioxidants. Acai

cancer.

berries

According to a study published in

important

the Journal of Agriculture and Food

compound that stables the oxidants

Chemistry, the polyphenol compounds

antioxidants,

are a

very very

rich

Organique from other acai

always assures the implementation of

berry products is that

its strict regulation on food quality and

their juice contains the

safety.

highest concentration of Acai. Passing

According to Cathy Salimbangon, vice president of Organique Inc., Or-

United

ganique Acai Premium Blend is best

States Department of Ag-

drank early in the morning on an

riculture’s strict and rig-

empty stomach. The recommended

the

standards,

Organique

dose is 30-60 ml per day, depending

is USDA approved. 95% of

on the health conditions of the person.

all the contents and ingredi-

There’s no age limit as well. Since it’s a

ents of the products are certified

natural juice, it is safe for kids to enjoy.

as organic. Unlike when you take medicine, Organique Acai Premium

You can also drink it with water, with ice, or add it to your smoothie.

Blend has no negative effects on your

Completely natural and completely

liver. Its nutrients go directly into the

safe, a drink of Organique Acai Pre-

bloodstream.

mium blend is a start of a new and

in Acai reduces cancer proliferation

Organique’s manufacturing facility

by 56-86%. Acai berries may not be

is located in California. Their products

going

a cure for cancer but it halts the

are made of natural, wild harvested

Organique brings out the best of Acai

carcinogenesis process on a molecular

Açaí berries from the Belém region in

berries to spread wellness and fresh

level, neutralizing these deadly cells

the State of Pará, Brazil. The company

transformation. B

healthy lifestyle. With all the products through

extensive

research,

before they multiply. Acai also contains calcium that maintains healthy teeth and gums, preventing

gingivitis

and

other

common gum disease. It also contains amino-acids that bolster energy and help in strength recovery while the beta carotene in Acai also aids in eye health.

ORGANIQUE ACAI PREMIUM BLEND With all the nutrients contained in Acai berries, different nutraceutical companies

now

process

into

different products marketed all over the world. However, Organique Acai Premium Blend is the highest quality of any Acai products on the market today. Manufactured

Organique

Inc.,

Organique Acai Premium Blend is a proud Filipino made product that brings these super berries from the deep jungles of the Amazon to the palm of your hand. What differentiates

ORGANIQUE INC. Suite 728, City and Land Megaplaza, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Ave, Ortigas Center, Pasig, 1605 Metro Manila, Philippines (02) 470-3580 / (02) 696-7239 /+63 922 888 7883 | E-mail: info@organique.com.ph | Website: organique.com.ph