Human Nature, a line of 100% Philippine-made organic and natural products and the fastest-growing social enterprise in the Philippines, will open its branch in Zamboanga City on Wednesday, September 8, 2010.

Human Nature is a brand of Gandang Kalikasan, Inc. (GKI), founded in 2008 by Anna Meloto-Wilk and Camille Meloto, daughters of Gawad Kalinga founder Tony Meloto, Human Nature. Everything that the company does is guided by the principles of being PRO-PHILIPPINES, PRO-POOR and PRO-ENVIRONMENT.

The Human Nature Zamboanga Branch is located on the second floor of GBPI II Building on La Purisima Street. Branch Operator Yen Delgado said that the decision to open the branch was driven by a desire to “spread the good news of Human Nature, that it is possible to engage in a business that profits as well as benefits the people and the environment.”

Human Nature has been touted nationally and internationally as a model for a successful, working and large-scale social enterprise. For the first time, budding and seasoned entrepreneurs are seeing an alternative to traditional business enterprise.

Human Nature offers a wide array of personal care products including shampoo, conditioner, massage and shaving oils, hair mask, lip balms and facial moisturizer. It’s bestseller is the citronella bug spray which does not contain the chemical DEET found in most commercial insect repellent. It is safe to use even for very young children.

The products are 100% free from harmful chemicals such as Phthalates, found in many commercial baby shampoos but has been recently found to damage the liver and reproductive organ.

Human Nature products are mostly sold through direct-selling. The decision to go into direct selling instead of retail selling was a result of Human Nature’s desire to provide extra income for ordinary people.

The products are environmentally friendly. All ingredients and the packaging are biodegradable. Even its catalogs are made with mineral-based ink and 100% recycled paper.

As much as possible, Human Nature sources its raw materials locally in order to support the country’s agriculture. It is only when the supply is not available locally that the company resorts to using imported ingredients.

After less than two years in operation, Human Nature now has 16 branches all over the country. And it recently sold its one millionth product. The products are now sold in the United States as well. It was launched in seven major cities there earlier this year, including Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey and Seattle.

In fact, it’s already being studied as a successful and working model for a social enterprise by students from Berkeley University, California and Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore. And it is right here in the Philippines.