MANILA, Philippines — When internationally accredited nurse Catherine Salimbangon was still managing a nursing home, she observed that some of her older patients were mandatorily taking a number of unpalatable supplements along with their medications. As a US-based healthcare professional, she saw firsthand how health and healthcare were foregone issues especially for the elderly.
During one of her duties, Catherine chanced upon an elderly patient who was taking acai berry, a popular grapelike fruit harvested from Brazilian acai palm trees. Upon closer observation, she noticed something odd. Nursing home residents — both elderly men and women — who consumed this “superfruit” exhibited noticeable improvement in vigor and movement. They were happier, more active and can be seen jogging in the mornings. This observation was a ‘eureka moment’ that led to one conclusion: these acai berries could be the key to reinvigorating the health of the elderly.
Modern super food
Catherine shared these observations with her husband Joseph Elton, an IT professional. Being in the healthcare industry, both realized that there is more to staying healthy than maintaining a balanced diet and doing regular exercise. Together, they embarked on finding ways to harness the amazing natural health benefits of the purplish-black acai berry, a “superfruit” scientifically proven to have a very rich nutrient content. In a previous research, acai berries were found to have the highest score in the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) chart, a tested method of measuring antioxidant capacities in food samples. Columbia University heart surgeon Dr. Mehmet Oz also touted these findings, backed by natural health physicians Dr. Joseph Mercola and Dr. William Sears.
The birth of Organique Acai Berry
With this knowledge at hand, the Salimbangons found a way to transform the “super fruit” acai berry into a purple-colored all-natural juice with a delicious chocolate berry taste — without any preservatives. This wonder juice contains phytochemicals and powerful levels of antioxidants to boost a person’s immune system, combat free radicals, toxins and other harmful viruses.
In 2009, the couple established Organique Inc., an all-Filipino company that produces Organique Acai Berry, a world-class food supplement made from acai berries sourced and harvested from the Amazon rainforests of Brazil. Excited to share this discovery to the rest of the world, they returned to the Philippines in 2010 with an advocacy to help improve the health of fellow Filipinos. Upon arrival, Catherine began the meticulous task of introducing Organique Acai Berry into the local market.
Hard work pays off
As the foremost ambassador of Organique Acai Berry, Catherine took it upon herself to introduce the product through personal selling and online marketing. She patiently discussed the benefits of acai berry and answered inquiries regarding this innovative food supplement. Working with retail stores, clinics, doctors and even wellness centers, Catherine actively campaigned for the superior health benefits of Organique Acai Berry.
In a matter of eight years, Organique Acai Berry gained a credible market position as a unique product made from highly nutritious acai berries. Yet despite this success, Catherine, the chief executive of the global brand, is still hard at work in the daily operations of the company, making sure that every aspect of the business is in tip-top condition.