“Basta masaya sila, masaya na rin ako. (As long as they're happy, I'm happy too.)” 

Any Filipino, at one point or another, would have uttered these words and sincerely meant them. Ask them and without a doubt, they will tell you that what truly drives them to push for greatness in whatever they do, what fuels their aspirations, and what motivates them to carry out their life purpose, is their unparalleled love for their family and the people they dedicate their lives to. 

For its part, Unilab has made it their core purpose to be there for Filipinos—quietly and diligently taking on a supportive role in protecting the health and wellbeing of the people they serve. Knowing by heart the importance of an individual’s health in realizing one’s purpose, Unilab–for almost eight decades–has driven the Filipino healthcare industry forward while creating a path of its own. 

Whether through their trusted quality vitamins and medicines, or their dedicated efforts and impactful programs for the community and country, Unilab has become an integral part of every Juan’s story–helping and supporting them, in one way or another, fulfill their purpose. 

Helping healthcare workers in their purpose to serve

45-year-old Ryan Magno’s story is both unique and inspiring. From working in advertising, he did a 180- turn more than two years ago and became a full-fledged nurse–a calling he found hard to resist.

Just like an old flame that he rekindled, he went back to a former life path. While he earned a degree in nursing, he did not pursue getting a license until after 20 years.

The road to becoming a nurse was not easy. This career shift meant refreshing his memory and relearning his lessons from college. On top of the anxiety of taking the licensure exam, he faced the challenge of attempting to understand a different field from what he got used to as an advertising practitioner.

For several months he built a strategy for success. He pulled all-nighters, read books, and made the internet an ally in his quest to become a licensed nurse. He also relied on the experiences of peers who already took the board exams, asked them for advice, and paired all of these with fervent prayers.

All the hard and persistent work eventually paid off. Ryan finally passed the licensure exam. However, the honeymoon period in his new career was short-lived, having met with another challenge which is probably the biggest one yet for this generation of healthcare workers: the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For Ryan, battling an unseen enemy while saving people’s lives was twice the hardship as a newcomer. 

“Una palang pagpasok mo kailangan naka-PPE outfit ka, halos hindi ka na makahinga. Naka-double mask ka, [tapos] hindi mo pa sure ‘yung pasyente mo kung negative or positive. Halos ang lapit na sa amin ng pasyente (The first thing you needed to do when entering was be in a PPE outfit. It's so hard to breathe. You're also wearing double-masks, and you're not sure if your patient is positive or negative),”  he recounted.

Morale among healthcare workers was also constantly put to the test as people were losing loved ones in the most dire of circumstances, and they were the ones present to witness their grief. Yet even with mounting challenges, Ryan’s positive disposition helped lighten the mood in the delivery room of a maternity hospital where he was assigned, as he was always ready to extend support to patients under his care.

He did not expect that his genuine personality would make a difference, but for his patients, this is what got them through their stay in the hospital.

“Best experience siyempre mga ‘thank you’ nila tsaka ‘yung mga pasasalamat na lang eh through text… Minsan nagugulat kami kinabukasan ‘di na ako naka-duty, pero nagbibigay ng donut. Malaking bagay na nakalagay pa ‘yung pangalan ko, tuwang tuwa raw sa sa service ko. May tinatawag pala na emotional satisfaction (The best experience, of course, is when they say 'thank you' and express their gratitude through text messages... Sometimes we're surprised the next day, even if I'm not on duty anymore, they give a donut. It means a lot that my name is written on it, they're really happy with my service. There's something called emotional satisfaction, it seems.),”  Ryan smiles through this memory.

The secret to his strong will and enduring health through his shifts during the pandemic is self-love, he says. He made sure he was ready before going to work by taking his vitamins and supplements, and he addressed his sickness at the onset by taking his most reliable medicines. 

For Ryan, self-love and health are synonymous with his mother’s love.  

"Siguro self-love na rin pero lagi naman nandiyan ang nanay ko sa bahay, na konting sakit lang… kapag ako nagkasakit, inuuna ko lang talaga inumin Bioflu, at kapag sobrang pagod na, Enervon. ‘Yon ang masasabi ko na parang nanay yun na nandiyan lang, madali mo maabutan (Maybe it's also self-love, but my mother is always there at home, even for just a slight illness... when I get sick, I prioritize taking Bioflu, and when I'm extremely tired, Enervon. That's what I can say is like having a mother who's just there, easy to reach).”  

Ryan's story as a nurse during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic deeply inspires his colleagues and fellow healthcare providers. He not only faced the challenges head-on but also maintained his health. His commitment to well-being, including religious intake of vitamins and supplements, allowed him to excel in his role while safeguarding himself and those relying on him. Remarkably, he successfully avoided contracting COVID-19 despite the inherent risks in his profession.

Watch the video here.

Helping mothers be the healthiest they can be

For elementary teacher Margie Estuaria, 29 years old, her fond memories are looped around the fulfillment of being able to help prepare young kids and learners carve their future.

Margie knew at a very young age that she wanted to educate young children–at the same time, the tenderness she saw in them brought out her innate desire to also nurture and care for them. In choosing and carving this path for herself, she also unknowingly prepared herself to become a mother one day.

During her pregnancy for her firstborn, Margie went on to pursue further education while continuing her teaching job. The pursuit of professional development took a toll on her wellbeing and health–there came a point when Margie was advised by her OB-GYN to ease up on her work load, and take a complete bed rest.

While completely aware of the delicate nature of her pregnancy, Margie’s concern for her students remained. She thought about the students that will be left behind for a period of time, more so for a few months when she goes on maternity leave.

“Sayang ‘yung isang araw [na wala ako para magturo sa kanila (It's a shame that I wasn't there for a day to teach them)," she mused.

But she realized that in order for her to effectively take on her role as a mother and continuously uphold her purpose as an educator, she needed to take care of herself first. With the guidance and recommendations of her OB-GYN, she was able to get through her pregnancy safely.

“Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘yung vitamins please lang wag mong i-skip kasi sobrang importante siya. So ‘yung prenatal care talaga sobrang siksik… sa tulong ng OB ko and yung program ng Unilab na ILAW (I told myself, 'Please don't skip the vitamins because they're really important.' So, prenatal care is really comprehensive... with the help of my OB and the Unilab program called ILAW,” she said.

Through her doctor, Margie was also introduced to Unilab’s I Look After Woman (ILAW) program. The ILAW program banners women’s health education on how to take care of themselves through pregnancy, even providing discounts and vouchers for supplements and medications. Through ILAW, Margie was able to avail her vitamins and supplements at a discounted price.

“Yung mga vitamins ko noong pregnant ako was Obimin Plus, Hemarate FA, and Calciumade (The vitamins I took when I was pregnant were Obimin Plus, Hemarate FA, and Calciumade),” she added.

Knowing that she needed to be at her healthiest during pregnancy and even after giving birth, she acknowledged how Unilab vitamins and supplements sustained her physically, and helped her prepare for the greatest role of her life: becoming a mother.

Margie is back to teaching full-time with a greater purpose in mind: as a mother nurturing her child, and as an educator nurturing minds. For Margie, her purpose goes beyond the walls of her classroom– it transcends space, people, and time.

Watch the video here.

Helping empower breadwinners through health

When 24-year old Bernalyn Piape earned a degree in Political Science, she was naturally determined to take the next big step for her ultimate dream: to become a lawyer. But she had to hit pause on that dream, instead taking a more important role in her family.

As her parents are getting old and weak, Bernalyn stepped up to become their family’s breadwinner. It is every child’s dream to be able to take care of their parents one day, she says, as this is their way of giving back. She may never be able to measure up to the amount of sacrifice and love her parents have given her, but she can love them the best way she knows how.

“Gusto ko talaga silang alagaan kasi parang noong bata ako ganun din naman sila sa akin. ‘Yung gusto nila lagi akong mabuti, lagi akong masaya… Lagi akong malusog (I really want to take care of them because it's like when I was a child, they were the same way with me. They always wanted what's best for me, always wanted me to be happy... Always wanted me to be healthy),” she says.

In order to support her and her parents’ needs, she works as an administrative assistant for an IT company at present. Born into a tight-knit family, she found meaning and happiness in her new role in their family.

“Sobrang masaya ako kapag nakikita ko yung parents ko, na nabibili ko na ‘yung gusto nila, naaalagaan ko sila, nadadala ko na sila sa mga clinic, napapagamot ko yung mga sakit na nararamdaman nila, at mas nakikita kong mas na-e-enjoy nila ‘yung buhay (I am extremely happy when I see my parents, that I can already buy what they want, take care of them, bring them to clinics, treat the illnesses they feel, and I can see that they are enjoying life more).”

Taking care of her parents also entails taking care of herself. She admits that it initially became a challenge to allot a budget for vitamins and supplements, but through research, she was able to look for a more affordable yet effective brand for her and her parents’ supplement and vitamin needs. This helped her fulfill her role better, divide her monthly salary for their household needs and still be able to afford small luxuries for her parents.

Bernalyn promised to stay physically able to assist her parents and perform her tasks as an employee by looking after her own health. This is a commitment she made not only for her family or the company she works for, but for herself as well, as one day she believes she can still go after her dream of becoming a lawyer.

“Mini-make sure ko na nagte-take ako ng vitamins: Forti-D sa araw-araw, kapag masakit naman ang puson ko, Medicol. Kailangan kong ipakita na kaya ko ‘yung araw na iyon. Na-realize ko na puhunan ko pala ‘yung katawan ko, lalo na nagtatrabaho ako sa opisina. Mas more on nagta-type kami so kailangan ko pala mag B-complex tapos kailangan ko pala mag-Vitamin E at mag-Vitamin D (I make sure to take vitamins: Forti-D every day, and when I have abdominal pain, Medicol. I need to show that I can handle that day. I realized that my body is an investment, especially since I work in the office. We do a lot of typing, so I need to take B-complex, Vitamin E, and Vitamin D).”

For Bernalyn, her career as a lawyer can take a backseat for now, but her purpose to be a good daughter to her parents cannot.

Throughout her journey, she has one constant companion amid all her triumphs and hardships. Because of this, she is certain she is never alone.

“Ang alagang Unilab para sa akin is ‘yung laging nandiyan, laging parang kahit na hindi mo naman kailangan, kahit na hindi mo naman palaging naiisip, aalagaan ka at lagi mong kasangga. Hindi ka iiwanan, hindi ka bibiguin, hindi ka papabayaan. Kaya siguro ako din ngayon as a young adult, ang alaga para sa akin is ‘yung lagi kang nandiyan para sa parents mo, para sa mga pamangkin mo, para sa partner mo, para sa kapatid mo (Unilab's care for me is always being there, always like even when you don't need it, even when you don't constantly think about it, it takes care of you and is always your companion. It won't leave you, won't disappoint you, won't neglect you. Maybe that's why now, as a young adult, taking care of someone for me means always being there for your parents, for your nieces and nephews, for your partner, for your siblings).”

Watch the video here.

Commitment to the everyday Juan dela Cruz: Alagang Unilab 

Unilab's unwavering dedication embodies the love that resonates across the nation, rooted in a deep understanding of each Filipino's aspirations and necessities.

Through its unwavering support, Unilab has committed to being there for every Filipino, much like the companionship it provided to Ryan, Margie, and Bernalyn during their most challenging moments. Beyond the realm of medications and supplements, Unilab actively participates in community health endeavors, fostering a commitment to empower every Filipino to uplift their fellow beings.

As a loyal partner, Unilab contributes to a future founded on empathy and concern, etching a lasting impression on the hearts of those they reach. Unilab believes that together, we can continue to make a difference by extending genuine care and nurturing our well-being, ultimately contributing to a brighter and healthier tomorrow for all.

All these are geared towards fulfilling Unilab’s purpose of working towards a healthier Philippines, one quality medicine at a time.