The Story Beyond the Finish Line: Mervin Santiago's Impact on Triathlons, Health, and Global Aspirations

Quezon City, Philippines – October 11, 2023 – Competing in Nice, France, while proudly carrying Philippine flag, was no small feat for Mervin Rencel Santiago, a member of the Santé Barley Tri-Team, who recently celebrated as the fastest Filipino finisher in the IRONMAN World Championship.

This achievement marked a challenging balance between life, career, and a fervent passion for sports. Yet, Santiago's unwavering determination rendered him unstoppable, propelling him to new heights both personally and for the local triathlon scene. Here, he shares his story beyond the finish line.

More than passion: a lifestyle. Known for his love of sports, Santiago's journey into triathlons is more of a lifestyle than aiming to win. Beyond being a triathlete, he serves as a fitness coach and bike fitter. Sports seamlessly integrated into his career, hobby, and passion, making the disciplined training for triathlons a natural extension of his routine.

"Some train solely for competition, but my goal is to stay healthy. Beyond IRONMAN training, it has become my regular workout routine so, naturally, it became part of my lifestyle. Honestly, even without competition, I would still follow this vigorous training," Santiago shared.

His dedication hasn't gone unnoticed by fellow Santé Barley Tri-Team members, including Santé CEO Joey Marcelo and Santé Barley Tri-Team Captain Jonah Rivera. Santiago's commitment to training, even at unconventional hours, is a quality admired by the team.

"It's rare to find a triathlete so passionate that sport becomes his reason for being. Sometimes you would catch him training even at night, and that is why he continues to achieve great feats in the triathlon scene," Marcelo remarked.

Despite the demanding schedule, Santiago maintains a well-balanced life. As a family man, he finds time to take breaks and bond with his loved ones, a sentiment emphasized by Rivera, acknowledging the challenge of balancing family life with the demands of being a triathlete.

The role of nutrition and health. Everything that transpired during the competition exceeded Santiago's expectations—a sentiment he emphasized when recalling his thoughts at the finish line. While he aimed to perform at his best because he carries the pride of Filipinos on his shoulders, Santiago's primary goal was to surpass his personal record.

"One thing about always aiming to be the best in competitions is it overshadows your true purpose—to grow and be better for yourself. My focus that day was to beat my own PR (Personal Record), with other achievements as a bonus," Santiago emphasized.

For Santiago, triathlons are a constant battle to maintain overall health. Losing focus before, during, or after the race was never an option. Ensuring a healthy body, mind, and soul became paramount, with Santé playing a vital role.

"Nutrition is crucial in endurance sports. Even with physical strength, without proper nutrition, it's futile. Santé's products provided the nutrition and supplements I needed to stay at the top of my game, allowing me to push my limits and achieve my goals," Santiago added.

Marcelo echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that the rigorous process of preparing for a triathlon necessitates a healthy companion. In a race involving three sports—biking, swimming, and running—a healthy support system is essential, one Santiago found with Santé and in Marcelo, Rivera, and the rest of the Santé Barley Tri-Team.

"The Santé Barley Tri-team started because we all share the same passion for the sport. This has become our bond and support system, strengthening camaraderie both as a team and as friends," Rivera said.

Shaping the future of triathlons in the country. Winning as the fastest Filipino finisher in this year’s IRONMAN World Championship is like claiming a gold medal in the Olympics, as described by Marcelo. It's more than bringing home the trophy; it serves as a reminder to support Filipino athletes in sports.

Santiago shares this sentiment, viewing the competition as an opportunity to inspire people to explore sports for both lifestyle improvement and a potential career. "Of course, I will continue exploring the world stage and be the best version of myself. My journey as a triathlete continues, as does my mission to empower people to live more, do more," Santiago added.

The Santé Barley Tri-Team is poised to expand its reach, with plans to create a team for kids and teens. Their goal is to train them either for the Santé Barley Tri-team’s professional team or the Philippine National Triathlon Team. Regardless of the direction, Rivera hopes Santiago's feat inspires people to engage in sports and exercise.

"All it takes is that very first step. That single step is enough to change your life because sports and exercising are good starting points to instill discipline and productivity," Rivera shared.

Perhaps, Santiago's story beyond the finish line will transcend racetracks and initiate a healthier change not just in the Philippines but across the globe.

With its mission to help people live better lives, Santé promotes, produces, and distributes natural health and wellness products and services. As the leading barley brand, Santé consistently delivers top-quality products to its loyal customers globally, solidifying its position as the barley authority.

To learn more about the Santé, the Santé Barley Tri-team, and its health and wellness products and services, visit its website at mySanté.com.

Living More, For All: Cultivating an Affordable Healthy Lifestyle in the Family

Quezon City, Philippines, July 4, 2023 – The new generation of Filipino families is becoming more practical, especially with the rising cost of living. Nowadays, they find it much better to make everything cost-effective, including their meals. While this is a more sustainable and innovative choice, some families sacrifice their overall nutrition to keep things on a budget.

That is why, in keeping with this year's celebration of Nutrition Month, with the theme "Healthy diet gawing affordable for all!" the National Nutrition Council (NNC) wants to spread the message that every Filipino family should have greater access to healthy, safe, and affordable food. The theme also emphasizes making food commodities more stable and sufficient for every household. 

A healthy lifestyle should not drain the family's bank account. That is why Santé, a premier natural health and wellness product and service provider, supports this year's Nutrition Month campaign by sharing a helpful guide on how you and your family can cultivate a healthy lifestyle on a budget. 

Prepare home-cooked meals with affordable but nutritious ingredients. While home-cooked meals are typical in Filipino households, you may sacrifice the meal you prepare because of the need for more time and resources. You may cook fried, processed food (e.g., hotdogs, longganisa, tocino, noodles, etc.) and canned goods. But there will always be more accessible, affordable, and healthier meals that you can prepare. You can start by exploring healthy dishes with cheap ingredients like ginisang ampalaya, stir-fried tofu with eggplant, tinolang isda, monggo with malunggay, and more. 

Shop smarter and healthier. The local wet and dry market will be your best friend if you want your family to keep things on a budget. You can buy everything in bulk and get enough fresh produce to sustain your family for at least two weeks. Stop buying frozen goods and opt for whole foods such as grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, which are usually affordable and nutritious. 

Regarding grocery shopping, look for promos and discounts and buy generic brands to stretch your budget further. Consider buying in bulk for non-perishable items like grains, nuts, and seeds. 

Invest in and explore health and wellness resources. Nutrition doesn't always come from food; it also comes from the vitamins and nutrients you and your family can take. Always make sure that you set aside a budget to sustain your family's daily vitamins. And don’t forget to go for generics. 

You can also substitute other daily drinks with healthier ones. For instance, Santé offers a variety of healthy drinks, such as Santé Fusion Coffee, which can boost your family's energy while providing fiber and protein. There's also Santé Choco Barley for the kids to enjoy because it's a sweet treat packed with vitamins such as A and C. And for dads, Santé Boost Coffee can improve their physical performance and is full of antioxidants because it contains Tongkat Ali. 

All of these consist of Santé Barley Grass, certified organic by BioGro. That is why you'll never doubt the nutrients and vitamins these products can give to your family. 

Exercise as a family. Exercise doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. Look for free activities such as walking, biking, hiking, or playing in local parks. Explore workout videos or apps that offer home-based exercises without requiring expensive gym memberships or equipment. And allow your kids to play outside after school or after finishing their homework. 

Remember, health and wellness should start within the family. It should be a collective effort to make everyone live healthier lives, but that does not mean it should be expensive and burdensome.  

"We believe that the journey towards a healthy lifestyle is continuous. When families start nurturing a culture of wellness, they are investing in the present and laying the foundation for a future filled with vitality and joy," said Joey Marcelo, chief executive officer of Santé. 

Santé is one of the leading global manufacturers of products with organic barley grass (certified organic by BioGro) grown and harvested in New Zealand. With its mission to help people live better lives, the company promotes, produces, and distributes premier natural health and wellness products and services. Santé reminds everyone only to buy Santé products from legitimate business owners and resellers and to report counterfeits. 

To learn more about Santé Fusion Coffee, Santé Choco Barley, Santé Boost Coffee, and other Santé products, visit its website at mySanté.com.

 

  

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About Santé 

Santé is one of the leading global manufacturers of certified organic barley grass grown and harvested from New Zealand. With its 15 years of expertise, the company has been a prime mover in the health and wellness industry as it continues its mission to help people live better lives. Santé is engaged in the direct selling and retailing of premier natural health and wellness products and services. The company also has other offerings, including a fitness and rehabilitation center and leisure and recreational facilities, staying true to its thrust of promoting a healthy lifestyle. 

 

Headquartered in the Philippines, Santé has a presence in New Zealand and in 7 other countries. 

Santé Expands its Global Reach

Quezon City, Philippines – May 05,2023 - Santé, a provider of premier natural health and wellness products and services, recently held its Salvo 2023 Gala Night at the Grand Hyatt Manila in BGC, Taguig City and Sizzle Night at the New Frontier Theater, Quezon City. These events are the company’s first and one of the biggest physical events after the pandemic. Both are attended by over 2000 business owners, partners, and stakeholders around the country combined.

the Gala Night’s theme, “Angat Pinoy, Atin ‘To,” the event encapsulated the idea of owning the pride of being a Filipino business owner, ready to take over the international scene. This is in line with Santé’s goal to open more business opportunities overseas, not only for OFWs but also for other nationalities this year. Meanwhile, Sizzle Night celebrated the power of Santé with their theme “Unstoppable” as they fly and reach greater heights.

According to Joey Marcelo, Chief Executive Office of Santé, it has been a lifelong objective for Santé to be the first-ever direct-selling Filipino company that can tap the global market. They have been preparing their ground over the past three years during the pandemic, and he can’t wait for all their plans to come to fruition.

“It has been our dream to share our passion and inspire more people globally. We worked hard during the pandemic to make this happen, and now, this year, I believe that Santé is now ready to hit the global market scene and become part of a change for other aspiring business owners, not just in the Philippines but all over the world. At present, Santé exists in 10 other countries. This year, we will break all barriers and continue to be unstoppable,” said Marcelo.

Peter Hope, Managing Director for Santé New Zealand, could not agree more. He noted that “it was tough for all of us, but even during trying times, we still managed to grow the business and achieve new milestones, which I am always proud of.”

Meanwhile, Paul Caluag, Managing Director for Philippine Operations & Overall Head of Global Engage Academy, emphasized how Santé will always carry Filipino values as they inspire and empower potential business owners around the world.

“Through these events, we want to celebrate our being a Filipino brand, reminding everyone that we should not forget our roots as we reach breakthroughs. Santé will always take pride in being a Filipino-led company, and we cannot wait to share what we have to offer to the global market,” said Caluag.

Furthermore, Jane De Leon, actress and brand ambassador of Santé Barley, who graced Sizzle Night with her exceptional performance, shared how she remained unstoppable despite experiencing hardships in life.

“My journey as an actress wasn’t as glamorous as everyone thinks. Like everyone else tonight, I also experienced some downfalls. But I remained unstoppable because I knew that if I worked hard, I would continue to inspire people. And this is exactly what Santé wants us to remember—to keep going and strive for success no matter what,” said De Leon.

Part of this year’s Salvo 2023 is the conferment of awards and incentives like the Santé Dream Quest, Starter Travel Qualifiers & Reload, Regional and Global Travel Qualifiers, Model and Top e-Branches, Employee Awards, New Millionaire’s Circle, and Global Elite Recognition among others.

The awards are given to honor and recognize the people behind the success of Santé. Through their passion, stories, and tatak pinoy skills, they became successful business owners who inspire people.

“These awardees are one of the reasons why Santé continues to make an impact worldwide. They embody our vision and mission, which is to help people live more and do more,” said Marcelo.

Santé is one of the leading global manufacturers of products with organic barley grass (certified organic by BioGro) grown and harvested from New Zealand. With its mission to help people live better lives, the company promotes, produces, and distributes premier natural health and wellness products and services.

To learn more about Santé and its business programs, visit their website at mySanté.com.

This Rainy Season, The Key is Your Immunity

Quezon City, Philippines – [Sept 01, 2022] – The rainy season is once again upon us. And yes, it is that time of the year again when umbrellas and raincoats are necessities whenever we go out to avoid getting wet. However, this also means that common coughs, colds, and flu are even more prevalent. 

For instance, the rhinovirus, commonly known as the cold virus, thrives in a low-temperature environment, according to a study spearheaded by Yale. The same research also revealed that a person’s immune response is minimized when the body’s temperature is lower than normal. 

 

That is why we need an extra effort to strengthen our immunity against viruses. Otherwise, you might have to take multiple sick days at work or even miss out on all the fun. To help keep the coughs, colds, or influenza away, Santé, a premier natural health and wellness product and services provider, shares ways to boost your immune system this rainy season. 

 

Eat more fruits, vegetables 

Loading your body with vitamins and minerals from plant-based foods is your first armor in reducing inflammation in your body due to its antioxidant properties. According to a Harvard study, a high-fiber diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, assists in growing and maintaining the body’s beneficial microbes, which improve immune cell activity.  

 

 

Add fermented foods to your diet 

Fermented foods you can cop are sauerkraut, kefir, tempeh, kombucha, yogurt, and kimchi, a favorite Korean side dish. While it adds zest to any regular meal, fermented foods are rich in probiotics that support digestive functions. 

 

Exercise daily 

If you are reading this right now, maybe this is the sign to start breaking out some sweat. Working out does not have to be lifting those kilos of dumbbells or enrolling in a gym membership right away. Start small by brisk walking, light jogging, or simply following a 30-minute beginner exercise video online from the comfort of your home. A simple exercise can do wonders in keeping your blood pressure, weight, and cardiovascular health in check. 

 

Keep yourself hydrated  

Does drinking water boost the immune system? The answer is: yes. Drinking more water helps your body to stay hydrated and prevent toxins from building up. If there is also the healthiest beverage to quench your thirst, it would probably be water since it does not have any calories or artificial sugars. 

 

Sleep some more 

A study revealed that sleep-deprived people are prone to get a cold after contracting the cold virus. It is advised for most adults to achieve seven to eight hours of good sleep each night to help the body fight viruses and recover from diseases. 

 

Drink your vitamins! 

Topping everything on the list, the key to added immunity is drinking your supplements. For one, Santé gives you a potent antioxidant for maximum immune health – Santé Daily-C Plus. 

 

Santé Daily-C Plus is the doubled-up version of Daily-C. It is ascorbic acid neutralized with sodium and fortified with zinc which helps to boost the immune system while providing an extra level of protection. With its Vitamin C component, it aids in decreasing Vitamin C deficiency and assists iron absorption, collagen formation, and wound healing in our bodies. 

 

As it has a pH range of 7.0 to 8.0, Santé Daily-C Plus is gentler on the stomach and safe for daily consumption. It comes in a 500mg natural vegetable capsule, making it ideal for those living the vegetarian lifestyle. 

 

“Many diseases may arise during the rainy season that’s why everyone must keep their health in check, especially now that we are still in the middle of a global health crisis. However, heavy rains make it difficult to go to the marketplace to buy your daily fruits and vegetables. Having Santé Daily-C Plus makes it easy to have strong immunity against colds, coughs, and influenza without the risk of going out,” said Joey Marcelo, chief executive officer of Santé. 

 

Aside from the Philippines, Santé Daily-C Plus is now available in Singapore. 

 

Santé Daily-C Plus and other Santé products are natural health and wellness products offered by Santé. Dedicated to developing a comprehensive selection of everyday healthy products, Santé designed all its goods to improve people’s quality of life, to live more, and do more. 

 

To learn more about Santé Daily-C Plus and other Santé products, visit its website at mysante.com. 

 

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About Santé 

Santé is one of the leading global manufacturers of certified organic barley grass grown and harvested from New Zealand. With its 15 years of expertise, the company has been a prime mover in the health and wellness industry as it continues its mission to help people live better lives. Santé is engaged in the direct selling and retailing of premier natural health and wellness products and services. The company also has other offerings, including a fitness and rehabilitation center and leisure and recreational facilities, staying true to its thrust of promoting a healthy lifestyle. 

 

Headquartered in the Philippines, Santé has a presence in New Zealand and 7 other countries.

Santé Celebrates its 15th Year of Helping People Live Better Lives

Pasig City, Philippines – [August 08, 2022] – Santé, a premier natural health and wellness product and services provider, celebrates a new milestone as it reaches its 15^th year of helping people live better lives. 

Kicking off the celebration, the health and wellness brand held a motorcade with Santé executives, employees, and top distributors -- from Santé Fitness Lab located at Daang Hari Road to the Santé International Headquarters in Silang, Cavite, leading to its inauguration. 

 

Santé was first introduced in the Philippines in 2007. Established by a group of veteran direct selling professionals, the company had the goal to offer its various health and wellness products and provide business opportunities to a network of distributors. 

Since then, it has been committed to helping everyone live better lives so they can 

live more and do more for their loved ones. As Santé keeps this mission close to heart, it has been a prime mover in the health and wellness industry. 

 

Celebrating its 15th anniversary, here are the brand’s milestones over the years. 

 

The growth of Santé for a decade and a half 

In 2008, Santé partnered with New Zealand farms certified by New Zealand’s leading organic produce and products organization, BioGro. From there, the company created and introduced the 3g sachet of the Santé Pure Barley in the country, followed by the launch of its capsule form. 

 

After that, testimonies came in about the advantages of Santé Barley to one’s health. And with the branches and earnings of business owners growing, the health and wellness brand expanded quickly. 

 

In 2011, the company added Fusion Coffee to its product line. It also introduced its Bath & Body and Intimate Care Series with the launch of C’est Bon anti-aging soap and Moments’ napkin and panty liners. That same year, Santé debuted the Filipino TV personality Kim “Kuya Kim” Atienza as the ambassador for Santé Barley. 

 

To reinforce its mission of helping people live better lives through health, Joey Marcelo, chief executive officer of Santé, established the Santé Barley Tri-Team in 2012. 

 

In 2013, Santé included the Green Tea Lemon with L-Carnitine known as Fit N’ Trim in its Health Beverage & Snack Series. The company then created Santé Health and Fitness, Inc. (SHAFI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Santé, in 2014, which offers holistic ways to live a healthier lifestyle. 

 

The next year, the health and wellness brand launched the Santé Impact System (SImS),a fitness and sports rehabilitation center, under its Santé Health and Fitness services, and Fibr Energy, a beverage snack composed of barley, chia, and oats. It was followed by the introduction of the company’s retail brand, Santé Barley Max. 

 

In 2016, Santé joined the UAE market. And in 2017, the brand reached 100 branches with more than 100,000 registered business owners in different countries, such as the Philippines, UAE, Hong Kong, and Nigeria. 

 

At the same time, the company formed Santé R.A.W, a division dedicated to the retail and wholesale of the company, then introduced Soleil Marula Oil with Santé Barley Extract and Lavender in its Skincare Series. Santé also created Santé New Zealand, Ltd. to strengthen its presence in New Zealand. 

 

As Santé expanded in Singapore, Qatar, and Cyprus in 2018, it also entered Macau and Lagos, Nigeria last 2019 while making Santé Fitness Lab possible at Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite through the brand’s collaboration with Ayala Land. Other than that, the health and wellness provider obtained significant shares from a New Zealand-based manufacturer of barley grass powder, known as Folium Drying Limited (FDL). 

In 2020, Santé reached its highest recorded sales, even amid the global health 

crisis. The company also initiated its corporate and Santé Barley rebranding to strengthen its position as a global brand. Santé then established a beach resort in Batangas known as The Leisure Club by Santé and introduced the Daily-C Plus as the newest addition in its Daily-C Series in 2021. 

 

This year, Santé launched actress Dimples Romana as Santé Barley Max’s ambassadress, while it’s Jane De Leon for Santé Barley and Daily-C. It was followed by the debut of the Santé Barley 200g canister for more scoops for better health, the inauguration of the Santé Headquarters at the Cavite Light Industrial Park, and the company’s expansion in Indonesia and the United States of America (USA). 

 

“Santé has indeed grown since we started in 2007. This success was made possible through the efforts of everyone in the Santé family. And while we have reached these milestones, there’s more to look forward to with Santé. Rest assured that we will continue to expand to help more people live better lives so they can live more and do more for their loved ones,” said Joey Marcelo, chief executive officer of Santé. 

 

Aside from incoming CSR activities in celebration of its 15^th anniversary, product discounts await Santé distributors in every country where Santé is present. 

 

To learn more about Santé, visit its website at mysante.com. 

 

 

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About Santé 

Santé is one of the leading globalmanufacturers of certified organic barley grass grown and harvested from New Zealand. With its 15 years of expertise, the company has been a prime mover in the health and wellness industry as it continues its mission to help people live better lives. Santé is engaged in the direct selling and retailing of premier natural health and wellness products and services. The company also has other offerings, including a fitness and rehabilitation center and leisure and recreational facilities, staying true to its thrust of promoting a healthy lifestyle. 

 

Headquartered in the Philippines, Santé has presence in New Zealand and in 7 other countries.