Growing gold from malunggay - An entrepreneur's guide

There's a gold rush in Filipino herbal supplements.

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TERESA SANTIAGO (L) during the interview for the RJ Ledesma Podcast.

(SCREENGRAB FROM THE POD NETWORK ENTERTAINMENT)

Driven by research revealing the health benefits of malunggay (moringa) first and foremost, but also cancer-fighting guyabano (soursop), lagundi (five-leaved chaste tree), and others, the world's eyes have turned to the Philippines. It was in this environment when Teresa Santiano began her malunggay business 12 years ago. From malunggay powder to capsules to tea and coffee, Teresa's Tropical Palm Herb Manufacturing makes it all. It is virtually an industry in itself.

For the Philippines, her entrepreneurship is a model of growth, springing from grassroots levels, supporting local farmers and championing women entrepreneurs. And for her breakthrough work, Teresa Santiano was awarded the MSME Presidential Award in 2024.

As for myself, I've known Tita Teresa personally since back when I was a young talent in the media industry, and she was an associate producer for RPN-9. We reconnected during the awarding ceremony of the MSME Presidential Award, and I invited her as a guest to the RJ Ledesma Podcast where we talked about the great passion of her life — entrepreneurship.

Perhaps what's most remarkable about her entrepreneurial journey is how Tita Teresa is an every-woman. Her success could be yours or mine. And there's so much to learn from my conversation with her. Make sure to check out the whole podcast. Meanwhile, here are some highlights:

One of my entrepreneurial mentors, Jose “Jomag” Magsaysay of Potato Corner famously said, “When people approach you with an opportunity, you say yes.”

This includes saying yes even when the true answer is, “I don’t know.”