Geolette Marie Esguerra

Article (news)

Unilab Anniversary with Metro Editors

<p>In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, the power of simple care remains a profound force that shapes our lives. As <strong>Unilab</strong> marks its <strong>80th anniversary</strong>, the company celebrates not just decades of providing trusted quality healthcare to Filipino families but also countless acts of malasakit that have created waves of transformation across generations.</p><p>The theme &quot;<em>Sa simpleng alaga, malaki ang nagagawa</em>&quot; (Through simple care, a significant impact is made) resonates deeply in the stories of everyday Filipinos. From <strong>Dr. Reinerio Prieto</strong>&#x27;s inspiring journey, which became the heart of Unilab&#x27;s 80th anniversary film, to the personal experiences of <a href="https://metro.style" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Metro.Style editors</a>, these narratives of alaga continue to inspire the company&#x27;s mission and remind us how unexpected care can transform lives and inspire us to extend that same spirit to others.</p><div><strong>The Ripple Effect of Grandmotherly Love</strong></div><p>For<strong> Grace Libero</strong>, <strong>Metro.Style&#x27;s People Editor</strong>, inspiration comes in the form of her 91-year-old grandmother: a living testament to the power of mindful living. &quot;What a gift it is to reach that age,&quot; reflects Libero. &quot;Every year is a reminder for me to reassess my lifestyle choices.&quot;</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757473734159Grace and Grandmother.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Her grandmother&#x27;s commitment to healthy eating, particularly her emphasis on vegetables, planted seeds of awareness in Libero. Now, as a mother herself, Libero is instrumental in shaping her child&#x27;s healthy lifestyle, ensuring he gets his daily vitamins and physical activities. The result is a child who is not just healthy and active, but genuinely happy.</p><p>Grace’s approach to family health is deeply rooted in trust and tradition. &quot;When it comes to our health, going with tried-and-tested products is a non-negotiable. Unilab is an established brand for a reason,&quot; she explains. &quot;Our family has used them from one generation to the next. So even now that I have my own family, I still turn to Unilab products.&quot;</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757473792719Grace and Huxley.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Her medicine cabinet reflects this commitment: &quot;I use Enervon regularly, and my vitamin of choice for my son is Ceelin. My husband and I always make sure we have Bioflu, Biogesic, Disudrin, and Neozep in stock, too, so we&#x27;re ready whenever we don&#x27;t feel well.&quot; This proactive approach ensures her family maintains the same healthy, active lifestyle her grandmother modeled.</p><div><strong>When Illness Becomes a Teacher</strong></div><p><strong>Kate Paras-Santiago</strong>, <strong>Metro.Style&#x27;s Beauty and Wellness Editor</strong>, discovered the transformative power of crisis when her father first fell ill. &quot;I became more health-conscious and decided to live a healthier life by being careful with my diet and our entire family&#x27;s,&quot; she shares. Though her father passed away after 15 years, the commitment to healthy living that he inspired remains.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757473835458Kate Pool.JPG" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div>Kate immersed herself in health and wellness books, applying the knowledge she learned to her daily routines. This influenced her mother and sister to make similar health-conscious decisions that continue to this day.<img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757473858960Kate Gym.JPG" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Kate’s approach to wellness reflects a comprehensive understanding of proper health, encompassing daily consumption of a variety of fruits and vegetables, staying hydrated, maintaining regular physical activity, managing stress through adequate sleep, and, perhaps most importantly, letting go of what cannot be controlled.</p><p>Her commitment to health extends to the products she trusts for her family&#x27;s wellbeing. &quot;After going through my father&#x27;s illness, I became very particular about the medicines we keep at home,&quot; Paras-Santiago shares. “Unilab’s products are ever-present and easily accessible for consumers like myself. I think that their lineup has been a great help to my daily life—helping me stock up on essentials for my well-being.”</p><p>Kate’s preventive approach is evident in her medicine cabinet choices: &quot;I regularly keep Biogesic, Neozep, Decolgen, Solmux, ImmunPro, and Alaxan in our household&#x27;s medicine cabinet. I also have them in my daily bag, should any need arise,” she says.</p><p>This proactive stance reflects the same health consciousness that her father&#x27;s experience instilled in her entire family.</p><div><strong>The Legacy of Holistic Healing</strong></div><p><strong>Troy Barrios</strong>, <strong>Metro.Style&#x27;s Food Editor,</strong> brings a unique perspective shaped by growing up in a family of doctors. Yet it was her grandfather, a surgeon, who left the most lasting impact.</p><p>&quot;He was always very observant about the bigger picture, how lifestyle, environment, even emotions, could affect your health,&quot; Barrios explains. &quot;He saw wellness as something holistic.&quot;</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757473902419Troy WFH Space.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>This integrated approach to health, which her lolos and lolas practiced as &quot;common sense&quot; long before it became trendy, now guides how she cares for her family&#x27;s seniors. Her caregiving philosophy extends beyond the physical aspects of health to include emotional wellness, intellectual stimulation, and social connections.</p><p>The family&#x27;s commitment runs so deep that in the 1980s, Troy’s father and siblings strategically bought properties in the same village in Sucat, gradually bringing the entire extended family together. &quot;The idea was to make sure that a strong, supportive network of family surrounded our seniors. It was not just convenient but intentional.&quot;</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757473923879Troy Outdoors.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Troy’s relationship with Unilab products reflects her holistic approach to health. &quot;Unilab products have been part of my everyday life for as long as I can remember,&quot; she shares. Her go-to choices are strategic: &quot;When I need a vitamin C boost, Conzace and Immunpro are my first picks, especially if I&#x27;m feeling run down or trying to fight off a cold. And for coughs, especially those stubborn ones, Solmux has never let me down.&quot;</p><p>What resonates most with Troy is accessibility and reliability: &quot;What I love most is how accessible Unilab products are; I even found them during my year in Batanes! They&#x27;re affordable, easy to keep on hand, and give me peace of mind knowing that help is always just within reach.&quot; Her family medicine cabinet includes longtime trusted products: &quot;Biogesic has been a family favorite for over 40 years, helping us through countless fevers,&quot; while she also keeps Alaxan and Bioflu readily available.</p><div><strong>The Proactive Choice</strong></div><p>For <strong>Randz Manucom</strong>, <strong>Metro.Style&#x27;s Fashion Editor</strong>, observing his father&#x27;s aging process and the impact of genetics and earlier lifestyle choices, sparked a commitment to proactive health management. Rather than waiting for problems to arise, he&#x27;s become &quot;more insistent on looking out for their health first&quot; while simultaneously prioritizing his wellness with nourishing food and maintaining an active lifestyle.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757473951600Randz Lagree.JPG" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Randz’s preventive health philosophy extends to his practical approach with healthcare products. &quot;Unilab products are my go-to when it comes to sudden and unexpected illness,&quot; he explains. &quot;Their availability and access make it possible for me to always reach for them wherever, and also carry them with me in my personal bags. It&#x27;s comforting to know that wherever or whenever illness may catch up with me or my loved ones, I easily have them within reach.&quot;</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757473969141Randz Manucom Surfing.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>This accessibility aligns perfectly with his belief that prevention is better than cure, ensuring he and his family are always prepared for health challenges before they become serious concerns.</p><div><strong>When Parenthood Transforms Perspective</strong></div><p>For <strong>Geolette Esguerra</strong>, <strong>Metro.Style&#x27;s and Metro Magazine&#x27;s Editor-in-Chief</strong>, the transformative moment came with motherhood. &quot;Having a child made me stop and think about the choices I have been making about my health,&quot; she reflects. This awakening prompted her to reassess not just her well-being, but also her entire family&#x27;s approach to health, particularly her husband&#x27;s.</p><p>&quot;Being hyperaware of a child&#x27;s every movement, every health issue, helped me keep track of my own,&quot; Geolette shares. Her solution was both practical and comprehensive: maintaining a fitness journal for her family that tracks medication, vitamins, fitness activities, and other relevant details, making it easier to monitor their overall health. The family also started fencing last year, hoping to prioritize their health and wellness as a way to also bond with the family. </p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757474011401Geolette, Aurelio, Wolfie Fencing.JPEG" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Geolette’s systematic approach to family health extends to her choice of healthcare products, deeply influenced by her medical family background. &quot;I&#x27;ve been using Unilab products for as long as I can remember. Having come from a family of medical practitioners, we often use medicine as part of our routine—whether we have a cough or cold, or when we&#x27;re building up immunity.&quot;</p><p>Her family&#x27;s medicine regimen is thoughtfully organized: &quot;The adults in the family often use Biogesic, Revicon, and Solmux; but for my seven-year-old, he grew up drinking Ceelin (and now likes Ceelin chewables), and when he gets sick, we often have Disudrin, Dolan, and Biogesic for Kids, for different ailments.&quot; This methodical approach to healthcare perfectly complements her fitness journal system, creating a comprehensive wellness strategy for her family.</p><div><strong>Building Healthier Communities Together</strong></div><p>As Unilab celebrates eight decades of husay and malasakit, the company continues to expand its impact through their <strong>Alagang Unilab </strong>advocacy, which promotes health and well-being through medical intervention and patient education. With over 500 brands of over-the-counter and prescription medicines, vitamins, and supplements, including trusted names like Biogesic, Myra. Ceelin Plus, Tiki-Tiki, ImmunPro, Neozep Z+, Myra-E, and Enervon Z+, Unilab remains committed to making healthcare accessible to Filipino families.</p><p>&quot;For 80 years, Unilab has been committed to ensuring that quality healthcare reaches every Filipino. But beyond medicine, we&#x27;ve seen that true alaga is in the small, everyday acts of care that create ripples of impact,&quot; says <strong>Alexander Panlilio, Unilab Corporate Vice President</strong>. &quot;This anniversary is a celebration of the many ways Filipinos show malasakit, from our healthcare professionals to parents, teachers, mentors, and even strangers who lend a helping hand.&quot;</p><p>But beyond the medicines and supplements lies something more fundamental: the understanding that proper healthcare happens in the everyday moments of care we share. Whether it&#x27;s a grandmother&#x27;s commitment to healthy eating, a daughter&#x27;s response to a parent&#x27;s illness, or a family&#x27;s intentional decision to stay connected, these acts of alaga create the foundation for healthier communities.</p><div><strong>A Legacy of Care That Continues</strong></div><p>These personal stories from the Metro.Style editors represent just a few of the countless narratives that inspire Unilab&#x27;s mission. Among these many stories of alaga is that of <strong>Dr. Reinerio Prieto</strong>, whose journey from medical student to community doctor was shaped by his mother&#x27;s unwavering malasakit. Her quiet sacrifices, such as staying up during his late-night studies and standing by him through every challenge, instilled in him the same spirit of care he now brings to his medical missions across underserved communities.</p><p>&quot;My mother gave everything for me, even when she had little for herself. She worked tirelessly, stayed up during my late-night studies, and never let me feel alone in my journey. Even in her weakest moments, her love remained strong, which is something I carry with me every day as a doctor,&quot; Dr. Prieto reflects.</p><p>Dr. Prieto&#x27;s story became the inspiration for Unilab&#x27;s 80th anniversary film, exemplifying how simple acts of care can have a profound and lasting impact. As he notes, &quot;We honor those who have left a mark through their care, whether in big or small ways. Their impact lives on in every life they have touched, and we hope to inspire more Filipinos to realize how they, too, can make a difference.&quot;</p><p>His mother&#x27;s love didn&#x27;t just shape his career choice; it influenced his commitment to extending care to those who need it most, embodying the ripple effect that defines Alagang Unilab. His story, like those of the Metro.Style editors demonstrate that the spirit of malasakit continues to inspire and guide Unilab&#x27;s commitment to Filipino families.</p><p>Watch Unilab’s 80th anniversary film <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuN_AjXM0mk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uuN_AjXM0mk?si=pJ70SFymUEqeH0nd" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><strong>Stories of Care</strong></div><p>The editors&#x27; stories remind us that we all have someone who has shaped our understanding of care, and we all have the power to extend that care to others. In the spirit of Unilab&#x27;s 80th anniversary celebration, we invite you to reflect on your own experiences of alaga.</p><p>Who has left a significant impact on your life and health? How have you, in turn, extended care to others through acts of kindness, generosity, or health advocacy? These stories matter because they illustrate the truth at the heart of Unilab&#x27;s legacy: that in simple acts of care, profound transformations are born.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757474169363Kate Bridge.JPG" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>As we celebrate 80 years of Alagang Unilab, we&#x27;re reminded that building a healthier nation isn&#x27;t just about providing medicines but about fostering a culture of malasakit where every act of care, no matter how small, contributes to waves of positive change that impact lives across generations.</p><p>Care is not just about receiving but also about passing it on. The message &quot;sa simpleng alaga, malaki ang nagagawa&quot; is more than a reflection of Unilab&#x27;s 80-year legacy; it is a call to action, reminding us that each of us has the power to leave a mark through the simplest acts of care.</p><div><em>Share your own story of care and become part of Unilab&#x27;s continuing legacy of malasakit. Because in every act of alaga, there lies the power to transform not just individual lives, but entire communities.</em></div><div><em>To submit your Alagang Unilab Story via this link: </em><a href="https://bit.ly/AlagangUnilabStories" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>https://bit.ly/AlagangUnilabStories</em></a></div>

<p>How unexpected love and simple gestures create ripples of care that transform lives</p>

How unexpected love and simple gestures create ripples of care that transform lives

Celebrating Malasakit in Every Act of Care: Editors Share Their Personal Stories of Alaga

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Celebrating Malasakit in Every Act of Care: Editors Share Their Personal Stories of Alaga

Unilab

Published Sep 16, 2025 12:00 PM PHT

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Updated Sep 16, 2025 04:17 PM PHT

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Malasakit

Alaga

Unilab

Grace Libero

Kate Paras-Santiago

Troy Barrios

Randz Manucom

Geolette Esguerra

Healthcare

Family

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