THOSE who weren’t into the fashion scene back in the late 1980s came to know Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales only as the magical Faye in Okay Ka, Fairy Ko! Since then, she has hosted two season of Project Runway Philippines, and become a prominent celebrity endorser. Of course, the most satisfying part she played thus far is that of wife and mother.
That said, perhaps, it should come no surprise that Tweetie is also an advocate of healthy living. Just recently, Organique Acai, an internationally expanding wellness brand, which specializes in producing concentrated acai drink supplements, launched Tweetie as their newest brand muse. Along with this reveal was the company’s unveiling of the new label designed to represent the premium quality of its organic products.
Organique Acai, which is the brainchild of husband-and-wife Elton and Cathy Salimbangon, is a United States Food and Drug Administration certified beverage/food supplement manufactured in California and sold in the Philippines. What started as a small business with the dream to “supplement people’s daily health needs without having to sacrifice time or budget,” is now a globally known name that touts the wonderful health benefits of acai berry.
“I learned about Organique Acai from Cathy Salimbangon herself, who I met fleetingly and serendipitously two years ago,” Tweetie said during the big reveal at the Shangri-La Makati. “With no contact since that initial meeting, we reconnected following a nice reintroduction.”
A few years back, Tweetie developed hyperacidity. That was the first time she was introduced to the product. “Since my first drink, I have been able to manage my hyperacidity without the help of strong medication, save for a few severe cases of an attack,” said Tweetie, adding, “Organique Acai has so many other exceptional health and beauty benefits that I even bring a bottle with me during trips. I take a straight shot of it right out of bed every morning and another one in the early evening. The practice helps manage my high-acidity levels by providing an alkaline environment for my system.”
Considered a “superfood,” acai berry is nutritionally dense and has powerful antioxidant qualities. It is also known for its legendary healing and weight-loss properties. According to Cathy, when she was at Beverly Hills working as a nurse, she noticed patients who were in their 70s being still strong enough to exercise. When she looked at her patients’ diets, she noticed that berries were a big part of their daily nutrition.
Following rigorous research, the Salinbangons decided to develop a formula that will yield the health benefits of this key ingredient. Finally, they set up Organique in the Philippines. They first sold the bottles door-to-door, until it was made available in drug stores and supermarkets. “Our products are made of natural, wild harvested acai berries from the Belém region in the State of Pará, where Brazil produces its ‘cream of the crop’ acai,” Cathy said.
She underscored that their manufacturing facility is based in California, a state known for stringent regulations regarding food safety. “We have been a leader in the development of nutraceutical and functional products using proprietary aseptic technologies and flavor systems, supported by experienced and trained R&D [research and development] chemists and microbiologists that are continuously developing products using the freshest ingredients and the latest processing innovations.”
According to food researchers, Organique Acai can help cleanse and detoxify the body. It also increases energy and stamina, and helps in stress relief. It is also an antiaging food. It helps prevent osteoporosis, causes of heart disease and it reduces bad cholesterol. Besides improving glucose and lipid levels, it aids in weight control when combined with proper diet and exercise. One of the many benefits of acai berry is that it can thwart viral, bacterial and fungal infections. It also helps improve digestion. Improving skin tone, preventing premature wrinkles and refinement of vision are also the key benefits that one can get from drinking acai berries. Organique Acai data also show that their products can help relieve symptoms of asthma and improve mental clarity and overall wellness.
Currently, Organique Acai has two products in the market: Organique Premium Blend, a concentrated acai drink supplement; and Organique Acai Freeze-Dried Capsules, a 650 milligram tablet of pure acai freeze-dried powder. Both are non-genetically modified organism, vegan and gluten-free, and contain no fillers and other chemicals.
With an striking new look and an inspiring brand ambassador, Elton and Cathy hope to share their vision to nourish a long-term commitment to healthy living.