Herbalist and “Amazing Tea” innovator Meriam Santos visited Marabut, Samar, in June to share her knowledge about making products using local resources. Forty-three representatives from various people’s organizations from the Samar towns of Marabut, Santa Rita and Dulag (Leyte) sat down with Meriam to learn how to make root crop-based flour, vegetable chips (kropeck), vegetable-based burger patties, herbal oils and vaporizing rub, among others.

Now based in Odiongan, Romblon, Meriam also shared with her story about surviving stage-four cervical cancer by drinking raw luyang dilao (turmeric) juice. She later set up SAM-SAMMI Herbal Products to promote this herbal drink, which is also known as Amazing Tea. Amazing Tea and other SAM-SAMMI products are now sold at G-Stuff outlets in Metro Manila.

After a day of demos, Meriam encouraged the participants to practice making the recipes at home until they feel confident about selling them to customers. The participants also brought home samples of vaporizing rub, herbal oil and chocolate soap.

The groups joining the training were Marabut Processing Association, Tulay Agriculture Cooperative, Tominamos Agriculture Cooperative, San Rafael Farmers' Association, San Jose United Farmers' Association, Nagkaurusa nga Sabangnon Katilingban Service Cooperative (NASAKASECO), Luan Farmers' Association, San Vicente Farmers' Association and Balirahay Mag-urumana ngan Mangingisda Agricultural Cooperative (BAMAMAAGRICO). ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, through its Bantay Kalikasan and Operation Sagip programs, support these groups in their environment-friendly enterprises, mainly in tourism and agriculture sectors.