In the name of good health

MANILA, Philippines – Alvin Patrimonio is around and so is Atoy Co. But the two neither seem ready to play hoops or deliver lines for an acting stint. They both exchanged pleasantries with other guests from as far as Utah during the ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing of the newly-opened headquarters of the US-based food supplement firm USANA Health Sciences at the 24th floor of the Enterprise Center in Makati City, led by its president Dr. Fred Cooper, country GM Andrea “Duday” Gaston with guests-of-honor Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay and Batangas Rep. Hermilando Mandanas.

“No, I’m not an endorser,” Alvin says when asked about his presence in the event. “We were just invited as guests by Coach Fritz (Gaston) who encouraged us to give the products a try.”

Result: The former hard court idol-turned-Purefoods team manager feels energetic even if his day-to-day schedule is packed with strenuous activities since he started taking the food supplement early this year.  

Stamina, Alvin adds, decreases as we age.

“That’s why we need to improve our health. Taking something that benefits the body is one key to prevent us from getting sick.”

The Utah-based firm develops and manufactures nutritional supplements with nutrients and antioxidants from natural sources to protect the body from free radicals. They are sold directly to the brand’s agents and customers. Opening its 14th market in the country broadens USANA’s reach to share the effectiveness of the products while providing business opportunities to Pinoys.

“We’ve been holding three kinds of seminars since January for people to know the products well and what good USANA would bring to one’s health and finances,” Duday Gaston says.

Food supplements, she shares, are good in providing nutrients a body needs.

“We need to eat 18 kilos of spinach and one kilo of peanuts to get 400 IU of Vitamin E. It’s impossible for us to take that every day. Wala pa diyan ang para sa iba like C or B. So you really need a food supplement. I can also assure the potency of each tablet,” she adds.

Alvin’s skin glows, thanks to the food supplement. “Cleansing na rin because you won’t only feel the result, you see the effect on your skin.” A walking advertisement? “Not really,” he replies. “It just so happens the brand is okay. It could last you a day without feeling stressed.”

Is stress the reason Alvin decided to put his showbiz career on hold and concentrate on managing the Purefoods team instead?

“I miss showbiz,” he answers. “If there would be an offer to do a role then why not? I’m open to acting again. Besides, most of my roles before are still connected to my being a basketball player, eh ngayon wala ng ganun and life must go on.”

Though his last acting appearance was in 1994, Alvin still moves around in showbiz circles as his children Angelo and Anna Christine have tried their luck in showbiz. Angelo is a Star Magic talent while Christine has just finished dancing lessons and will soon start attending an acting workshop.

What advice does he give them to survive the intrigue-laden world of showbiz?

“I always tell them to work hard and enjoy what they’re doing. Like me, they love challenges and I’m here to support them,” replies Alvin.