Filipina Beauty Guru praises VCO

Cory power

By Nicolo F. Bernardo

IMAGINE being a granny and still gorgeous with an hourglass figure, flawless cream-white skin, clean health bill, and engagements here and there like a young busy-body. You’re never to go under the knife, exploit chemicals, or be like Snow White’s step mom. You need only time-tested wisdom and natural potions you could scour from your backyard.

Sounds like old maid fantasy?

Ask Cory Quirino, the country’s top beauty guru, who must have found the ambrosia to eternal youth despite being a lola. Indeed, she must be “naturally gifted,” and she credits that to her motto: “Go natural.”

Her advice: exercise, laugh, pray, take fruits and veggies, natural products, and her latest discovery: cracking the miracles of the coconut tree.

“It is the tree of life. The healthiest and most nutritious food you can eat,” the host of Studio 23’s The Good Life and dzMM’s Ma Beauty Po Naman shares. “The coconut is central to my advocacy.”

This presidential granddaughter of the late Elpidio Quirino happens to be the namesake of another president, Cory Aquino of the People Power Revolution. But eschewing politics, Quirino (real name Soccoro Alicia) is launching an all-Filipino beauty revolution through natural products she herself use and prove effective. She tells all with Standard Today.

Bearing fruit

It was 20 years back when Quirino found herself overweight. In “panic,” she hit the gym and committed herself into fitness courses. Eventually, Cory loved the works, mastered the how-to’s, and forever changed her lifestyle and eating habits.

“I lost 15 pounds in two weeks as I went vegetarian and hit the gym daily,” she remembers. “I have learned to be kinder to my body.”

About a decade after, her head-turning physique would call the attention of her gymmates who would eagerly ask her advice. She would meet them every after aerobics class until she decided to write them a book, Forever Young. From there she started her career as a beauty and fitness guru.

“I did not realize that this book inspired by a few ladies would address the common problems of thousands of Filipinas who were waiting for guidance. Eventually, it became a bestseller,” the former IBC-13 and RPN-9 broadcaster recalls. “Needy, helpless women inspire me. They are the ones who give me the motivation as I believe all Filipinas are beautiful and if they don’t feel that, I will show them how.”

Quirino’s regimen is simple: low fat, low sugar and sodium, low carbs, and high fiber such as fresh fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, or white meats like chicken and fish (boiled not fried). Drink soy milk and 10 glasses of water daily. Observe six hours of sleep. And exercise three times a week for at least 20 minutes.

“The foundation of beauty is health,” she quips.

In the latest edition of her book, Cory advises using natural remedies within every Filipino’s reach: banaba as blood cleanser; guava as mouthwash; garlic as antibiotic; yerba buena as analgesic; apple as tonic; pineapple as energy drink; citrus fruits for good skin; pansit-pansitan for rheumatism; ginger for stomach and throat problems; sambong for kidney stones; ampalaya to lower sugar levels; lagundi to cure cough, asthma, and fever; papaya to control bowels; carrots and tomatos to fight cancer; and introducing, the coconut.

“Because they are natural, they have no side effects and have no restrictions. In fact, my youngest follower is 10 years old, and the oldest, 70,” she says. “Interestingly enough, when they did a survey on my show Ma Beauty Po Naman, I got almost equal male and female audience.”

Secrets in a (coco)nutshell

Quirino endorses the coconut not only for its healthy meat and milk, but also for its all-in-one therapeutic oil, which is said to be so effective, it has promising cures for HIV/AIDS.

“The virgin coconut oil is without equal. It has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, and anti-viral properties,” she says. “What’s more, because of its lauric acid content, it’s almost like being given mothers’ milk. Our immune systems are boosted, metabolism jumpstarted, and our energy levels sustained.”

Three years ago, Quirino with Nutra Medica arranged to try concoctions and applications of VCO products that now bear her name: “Cocozen by Cory Quirino” in “Forever Young Kits.” She tried these on herself even before they could be approved for market.

“VCO is great for all skin types. The only difference is the amount one should use. Liberal for dry skin, minimal for oily.”

With VCO, one does not need separate anti-allergy, anti-aging, sunblock, skin whitener, moisturizer, and relief lotions. These are all properties of VCO. Its medium chain fatty acids fight harmful microorganisms. It also keeps connective tissues strong and supple to prevent skin sagging and wrinkling as it removes dead cells to restore damaged or diseased skin. Further, it protects from solar rays and reduces inflammations.

“It is the coconut (products) that will resurrect the Philippine agricultural economy and give hope to millions of Filipino coconut farmers and their families—easily, 15 million lives can be uplifted,” Cory stresses. “It is 100 percent Filipino. We should patronize it and make it part of our lifestyle.”

Quirino does so with her routine: hair care with Cocozen Hot Oil pack, Cocozen Body Oil after baths, Cocozen Facial Oil as moisturizer and make-up cleanser, Cocozen Hand and Foot Cream for softer hand and foot skin, Cocozen Roll-On rose (antiseptic) and citrus (aphrodisiac) scents for perfume, and the Cocozen Massage Oil to bust stress. The latter bagged the Best Product Award from the 4th National Coconut Festival and the 9th Cocoweek Celebraion in 2005. Cory Quirino’s coconut kits are now available in beauty carts.

But besides pampering her body, Cory is no vain. Living a primadonna lifestyle is not in her list.

Despite her busy schedule, she finds time to be the director of the Philippine General Hospital Foundation and the Volunteers for Crime and Corruption, vice president of Streetwatch Dial 117, fundraiser for Tuloy sa Don Bosco Home for Streetchildren, active member of the Rotary Club and El Shaddai Catholic charismatic community, and more. She takes her civic engagements as her means to be holistically healthy, mentally active, and quintessentially full of life.

“Wellness is the harmony of body, mind, and spirit,” she advises. “Therefore, what you believe you will become. So think healthy, think beautiful. And be happy.”