The Philippine Online Chronicles

When Anna Meloto-Wilk, president of Gandang Kalikasan Inc., entered the room for the interview, she didn't strike one as fitting  the mold of an owner of a line of personal care and beauty products.

She only had a touch of powder and a dab of  lip gloss, no doubt carrying the Human Heart Nature brand. Her hair was combed neatly, not stiffly held in place by hairspray, and she wore an outfit that did not scream "Designer."

But then, Gandang Kalikasan is not your typical beauty company. This brainchild of Anna, her sister Camille, and her husband Dylan, veers away from the traditional business model which aims to earn as much profit as possible to expand the business.

No, it is much more than just monetary gain. The makers of Human Heart Nature natural and organic facial wash, moisturizer, shampoo, soap, feminine wash and other products is a social enterprise where social change is key.

Take for example their relationship with the cooperatives in Bicol from which Gandang Kalikasan sources its citronella. “At first they were selling the [citronella] oil to us at a price they would normally sell to other companies. We found out how much of that goes to the farmers, how much goes to the organization that trained them.”

“When we learned that only a small amount goes to the farmers, we said we were willing to pay more,” Anna narrates. "More" eventually came to mean  15 to 20 per cent more, which Gandang Kalikasan willingly shouldered so that the farmers would earn more.

When she learned the farmers applied for a bank loan in order to expand their farm from seven to 17 hectares to meet the company's demand for citronella, Anna intervened.  She offered them a deal no right-thinking profit-oriented business manager would even imagine making:  "How about we give you an interest-free loan so that you could buy the land?’"

Their workers are mostly beneficiaries of the Gawad Kalinga program, whom they paid wages significantly higher than mandated by the government, plus overtime pay and other benefits. An employee is not hired as a contractual, but rather made to go through a probationary period of merely three months. “We want to promote fair wage, justice, and dignity,” she says.

Another interesting company policy is how profits are distributed. “[In other] companies, profits go back to the business. In this company, the top people get less so the bottom people can get more.”

The managers, who may easily be hired by multi-national companies with offers of hefty salaries, are in fact, happily making the sacrifice.  “They have the heart to do that. They are not working just for the money,” Anna says proudly.

Their dealers, on the other hand, are encouraged to get involved in the company’s advocacies thru the Human Nature Dealers Gawad Kalinga Village Interaction Program. Early this year, Metro Manila dealers visited Gawad Kalinga villages in Paranaque and Quezon City where they participated in the construction of the houses.

This one-of-a-kind experience inspired the company’s partners into volunteering their services to the community. An educator in the group was more than eager to serve in the village preschool, while another took the initiative to visit the residents on her own.

Karmic beauty

Gandang Kalikasan’s enormous effort to ensure they only use premium raw materials, not to mention their care in ensuring a harmonious relationship with the dealers, managers and staff, has led to the growing popularity of the Human Heart Nature brand. “We have been cited in magazines as one of the best natural products in the market. Our products are also currently distributed in California, New Jersey, Seattle, and Minneapolis,” says Anna.

But perhaps the most invaluable reward of their unorthodox management style is the people’s unwavering loyalty and support. “I’m very proud to say that we never had an incident of dishonesty,” Anna declares. “Our merchandise could easily be pocketed by the employees, but I’ve never had problems with that.”

She adds, “I can see they are working very hard. There were struggles in the beginning, but they are willing to learn. They were quick to admit their mistakes and quick to make amends.”

Months back, Anna surprised the employees with a mid-year bonus that was not at all in the list of  company benefits. Those from the top down to the rank and file received this unexpected blessing, based on the company's rule of ensuring both management and staff earn well.

Of course everyone in the company could not thank Anna enough, but what warmed her heart the most was when the company driver walked into the office soon after. His smile was bigger, his stance more confident. Anna couldn't help but exclaim: “Nagpalagay ka ng pustiso! (You have new dentures!).” Yes, he did, thanks to the extra money he found in his ATM account.

This development is especially dear to Anna as the driver, though hardworking, proactive, and “a perfect example of someone who goes over and beyond his responsibilities,” used to go about with his head bowed down, painfully shy around people. His new set of teeth was his ticket to self-confidence.

The GK Way

Gawad Kalinga, founded by Anna’s father Tony Meloto, aims for a nation free from poverty thru the building of caring and sharing communities, and this vision is the foundation of Gandang Kalikasan. Anna explains: “We used to talk about having a company that would treat workers better. Something that focuses on the Philippines. Something that would promote how wonderful Filipino workers are. Something that would utilize our natural resources. We have the background, the experience, [so we decided] to put these ideas into something concrete. “

She adds, “All of these were inspired by the GK way. When we work for progress, we don’t just think about ourselves and our own families.” She wants her employees, particularly those who are privileged, to share their capabilities for the poor’s benefit as well.

A beautiful future

“We want Human Heart Nature to be the first Philippine global brand in personal care,” she shares. The company will continue its painstaking, albeit expensive, process of ensuring that only the finest lemon grass, peppermint, virgin coconut oil, and other raw materials that are “natural, naturally-designed, bio-degradable, safe, and not toxic to aquatic life” are being used.

Nevertheless, they want the products to remain affordable and cheap, resulting to a decrease in potential profits. “We believe every Filipino should have access to natural products. It’s not just about making money, this is also an advocacy.”

The Gandang Kalikasan team is more than ready for the challenge, but Anna wants to make certain of it. Just recently, she commissioned a group of students from Ateneo de Manila University to conduct interviews and assess the welfare of her staff. “We have received advice [from well-meaning people] that we should not provide extra income. Baka mapunta lang sa sugal.”

So had she, in effect, merely funded the workers’ vices? “Fortunately, there was none of that. Wala namang nalulong sa bisyo, wala namang nagwawaldas.”

In fact, workers' quality of life has improved a great deal. “Wala na silang utang. Lahat ng mga utang nila, wala na yon, at nakakapagtabi na rin sila.”

They say beauty is best when it is natural and emanates from the goodness of the heart. Indeed, Gandang Kalikasan is where real beauty is.

Photos of Anna Meloto-Wilk by Cessna Monge-Papas. Product photos from Gandang Kalikasan Inc.

Gandang Kalikasan Inc.'s sales and marketing office is located at 463 Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City.