The buzzer-beater

How many times has this happened? You booked that gonzo getaway you’ve always wanted — hiking, spelunking, camping or communing of sorts with nature. But then Mother Nature transforms into Monster Nature and you find yourself in the middle of a Joseph Conrad novel: sailing upriver to find Kurtz or running for dear life with Lord Jim. You are being attacked on all sides. The natives are restless — in this case, mosquitoes. Each one irritatingly buzzes by your ear, landing surreptitiously like a stealth pilot onto your flesh and then starts digging in. It sucks, of course. All that sucking.

Red Herring Distribution Co. PR director Geni Psinakis and Philippine Inter-island Sailing Association’s Monchu Garcia

But the annoying itch isn’t the only problem here. It’s the consequence — whether it be malaria, encephalitis, dengue, yellow fever, or one sleepless night of fright.

Well, you don’t have to be a weekend adventurer to know how serious dengue or the other diseases are. You could be in your comfy house watching — what? — The Mosquito Coast and then suddenly one flying dengue installer has nicked you. Or, worse, has zoned in on your partner or your kid. But wait… no need to blast your house with pesticide like Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore who loves the smell of napalm in the morning. Wagner would have to wait. The solution is all in the wrist… or the ankle banded around by a Para’Kito mosquito-repellant. 

Conceived and developed in France, the product comes in portable, refillable band (can be worn around one’s wrist or ankle) and clip (can be attached to one’s bag, pack, belt or other gear) with a choice of 16 colors and designs, including cool graphics such as flower, paw, heart, and lizard. Each is made of premium neoprene material, which makes the Para’Kito mosquito repellant waterproof as well (thus, you can swim with it, shower with it, dive with it, or brave the Brazilian rainforest with it). As promised by the Para’Kito team, these bands are “easy-to-wear, stylish and safe-for-all.” No animal products and no chemicals involved.

 “The Para’Kito pellet — inserted into the wristband or clip — gradually releases compounds from natural essences collected from climates around the world such as Pinus Pinaster Bark, Eugenia Piperita, patchouli, citronella, Lavandula Hybrida, and geranium that help in repelling mosquitoes for 24 hours a day for 15 days per pellet,” says Olivier Partrat, managing director of Evergreen Land Limited and brand owner of Para’Kito. Partrat will be quick to point out that plant-based essential oils have long been known to repel mosquitoes. “And when you get a blend of these essential oils, you will get a more powerful effect.”

Get this: Being natural, eco-friendly and not directly in contact with the skin, the active pellet is safe for all family members. In fact, the clip can be attached to a stroller or crib. Or as what was demonstrated at the press launch, even moms-to-be can safely wear them.

Para’Kito distributor David Azanza of Red Herring Distribution Co. and golf aficionado Jason Webb

Red Herring Distribution Co. PR director Geni Psinakis explains, “The thing about even the most effective (mosquito-repellant) sprays or lotions is that they are effective only on the areas where you apply them. If you put lotion on your arms, your arms will be protected — but not your legs. Whereas Para’Kito you have more of a barrier.” Think force fields and invisible mosquito nets.  

She concludes, “And Para’Kito is one of the most cost-effective mosquito-repellant products out there.” The retail price for the band, which comes with two pellets that are good for 15 days each, is P750. They look cool, too. When the pellets run out, you can buy a refill pack for P450.

Swim Philippines vice president Tonichi Balaguer with sports fanatic Dominic Uy

We were told they’d be interesting new designs for the Para’Kito wristbands come 2011. And that’s the good buzz.

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The Para’Kito band, clip and refill packs are distributed by Red Herring Distribution Co. Para’Kito is available at Planet Sports, Toys R Us, Nothing but H20, Itsie Bitsie, Intercare, R.O.X., SeaAir Inflight, Athlete’s Foot, Grantrail Bikes, Cycling Zone, Bikeline, Polo Club and Palms Country Club. For information, visit www.parakito.com.