MANILA, Philippines - The country’s medical tourism industry continues to evolve. It used to be that balikbayans and foreigners travel to the Philippines to avail themselves of world-class medical treatments. Now, even the country’s health products have become attractions in themselves.
Fact is, the Philippines is gaining recognition for its use of innovative, natural and safe health products, which use mostly locally grown ingredients and materials not found elsewhere.
Leading the way is Business Innovations Gateway (BIG) Inc., a wellness group dedicated to researching, developing, and bringing to the market the best-quality wellness products that recharge, restore, and rejuvenate mind and body at affordable prices.
“The vision of the company is to become the leading wellness company in the world,” says BIG Inc. chief executive officer Brixton Aw. “Wellness has become the big thing now. What we are doing is present the public with innovative wellness products.”
“People right now are very health-conscious,” says BIG Inc. chief marketing officer Ramir Catoto. “They are on the lookout for ways to stay healthy. While a lot of companies are joining the wellness craze, we at BIG Inc. want to make a difference with our truly healthy drinks.”
BIG Inc. currently offers the anti-aging drink, energy drink, slimming drink, synbiotic drink, and the Barako Ready Brew Coffee. All BIG functional beverages are made from freeze-dried natural fruit and vegetable extracts and sweetened with stevia, a natural sugar leaf with zero glycemic index.
The anti-aging drink, which has mainly pineapple and orange fruit extracts, also has two potent ingredients known for their healing properties: marine collagen and hyaluronic acid. Marine collagen has lubricating properties that help moisturize the skin and joints, while hyaluronic acid rehydrates and brings back the viscous fluid (especially the eyes) and the synovial fluid in the joints.
The banana-carrot energy drink is infused with the energy boosting and maintaining effects of D-Ribose and guarana extracts.
The slimming drink whose base ingredient is apple extract is fortified with the potency of L-Carnitine and Prolibra, which accelerates fat breakdown, reduces fat deposit, and maintains lean body mass to keep metabolism up. It is also great as a cleansing agent to detoxify our system.
The synbiotic drink with papaya chicory extract is a stomach-friendly treat that has good bacteria, which aids in the digestion and the balance of bacteria in the tummy. It is also the first and only digestive care product available in the world to have probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, and dietary fibers.
“All of our products are the first in the market,” says BIG Inc. chief operations officer Felipe Bayno Jr. “We decided to come up with products not yet seen in the market. All our products use natural plant and vegetable extracts and USFDA-approved sweeteners. Our Barako, for instance, is not your usual caffeine fix with a lot of sugar and sodium.”
Treasurer and director Betty Aw agreed: “Our Barako is coffee in its purest form, a natural antioxidant. Unlike the others that give you increased palpitations, ours is actually relaxing.”
She also explained that the BIG Inc. drinks are meant to encourage people to drink more since the body is made up of 70 percent water.
“We are promoting a lifestyle change. We are very unique in that aspect. BIG Inc. has very good medical consultants on board to ensure that our products do improve the quality of life of people. Our products have passed the toughest tests. And we will continue to improve,” she said.
Catoto said: “Most of our ingredients are locally made. We make sure that we support local suppliers and that we produce products competitive with global brands. We have a lot of untapped local materials that need to be known.”
He added: “BIG Inc. signed up with a company that specializes in research and development to ensure that when we hand our products to consumers, they will get something that is reliable and safe for daily use.”
CEO Aw noted that the drinks come in handy sachets so “people can enjoy it anytime anywhere.”
Dr. Tereza Bitanga Valeros, a natural health care lifestyle counselor consultant of BIG Inc., said her patients, especially nuns and priests, like the BIG products and look forward to their innovations for next year.
Mrs. Aw said Fr. Rogelio Alarcon, OP, considered his drinks as the food of the astronauts.
BIG Inc. medical consultant Dr. Edwin Bien said that beyond these conveniences, at the end of the day, the products deliver on their promises.
He related how much BIG Inc. drinks have resonated positively with cancer patients.
“Most of the clients who approach me are cancer patients who are looking for something to drink the whole day aside from water. One of my patients takes the synbiotic drink because it gives her the good bacteria that she loses when she’s undergoing chemotherapy. Cancer patients have nothing to help digest food. Many have tried it, and I have tried it,” said Bien, who holds a free health and wellness forum every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the BIG Inc. head office at Unit F2, third floor, 8101 Pearl Plaza building, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City (tel. no. 661-4823).
“Aside from the wellness advocacy, BIG Inc. would also like to contribute to the economy by providing opportunities for entrepreneurship through its wellness distribution system,” said Catoto.
“We just started marketing the products this July and good word travels fast. In fact, we already have several home-based centers and depots in Metro Manila and Luzon areas. Watch out next year as we are about to introduce more innovative BIG Inc products,” Catoto added.
Bayno advised interested parties to visit their website (www.mybiginc.com) for their product showcase and business opportunity presentation. The public is also welcome to attend the company’s free health forums and training seminars that are regularly held in their office and in selected cities.
With its products gaining attention from locals and foreigners, it is no surprise that BIG Inc. is ready to go take on the world.