Anna Meloto-Wilk: Nature's heart

MANILA, Philippines - Gawad Kalinga (GK) advocate and GK founder Tony Meloto’s daughter Anna Meloto-Wilk is first and foremost a mother. Among the many hats that she dons now as wife and president of her newly-formed company Human Heart Nature, being a mother to Ariel, three; and Chloe, 18 months, will always be her top priority. In everything she does, Anna always thinks of the well being of her two girls.

When she got married to GK champion British Dylan Wilk five years ago, Anna knew that her priorities would have to change. A careerwoman from the start, Anna dropped her high-flying job to focus on her family.

 “After I got married and had kids, I stopped working for a while. Although I was with GK Bureau, everything took a backseat, everything took a second priority for my family,” the 29-year-old Anna said.

In raising their young children, she and husband Dylan not only adopted a hands-on parenting style but adhered to child-rearing practices that is in tune with preserving the environment and everything natural.

From the start, Anna did not use disposable diapers after reading that it takes ages to biodegrade them and instead stuck to washable diapers, despite the inconveniences. Anna was also wary of letting her children drink medicines for simple cough or colds and preferred water or juices and nutritious food to ward off simple illnesses.

She was also cautious of using commercialized products with chemicals on her children and preferred natural and organic products, realizing that aside from being beneficial to her children, organic products also contribute to the preservation of the environment.

Her passion for the environment kicked into gear because of her love for her children and wanting only the best and safest for them. This was what goaded her to develop her own line of 100 percent organic, 100 percent Philippine-grown and 100 percent chemical-free personal care products called Human Heart Nature. In founding her company, her ethos was to create products that were as good for the earth as they were for her children.

With her sister Camille Meloto, they developed a new line of kids’ shampoo and beauty and personal care products like conditioner, body and facial wash, body lotion, perfume, hair masks, lip balm, hand and foot moisturizers made from natural, organic ingredients that are cheaper and affordable than the usual organic products.

At the same time, she knew this would provide an income for thousands of GK residents and teach them more to respect and save the environment. Dylan and Anna encouraged GK farmers to go organic and today, GK farms have fruits and vegetables that are chemical- and insecticide-free.

“We also want to invest in Philippine-grown products because we are firm believers in our country and our people. Filipinos are some of the most hardworking and inventive people in the world, given the right environment. Producing world-class Philippine products is our way of loving our country and lifting many Filipinos out of poverty. So since every ingredient we use comes from Philippine farmers, you know that every product you use is helping the Philippines rise,” she added.

Lastly, Anna shares that in everything she does, she seeks out God’s plan for her. “It’s always a pursuit of finding God’s plan for me, finding out what He wants me to do, as a wife and mother,” Anna said.