As Santé barley’s newest endorser, the actor-singer is on a high, as he looks forward to married life with Sarah Geronimo, while sticking to his health and wellness advocacy, which includes taking the brand either in its capsule or powder form.
By Alex Y. Vergara
He was more than an hour late before finally making an appearance, but people, including members of the media, didn’t seem to mind. After all, he was the man of the hour and everything he says or didn’t say these days is good copy.
When he did emerge, his boyish good looks and ever-smiling visage hardly betrayed the trouble he and his new wife had been through barely six days ago—from an uninvited mother-in-law who apparently gatecrashed their wedding reception before going ballistic to an aggrieved body guard who accused him of getting physical–and the resulting controversy it generated on both established and social media.
On the contrary, he looked relaxed and happy to be around people he knew, either by name or by face. He had every reason to for he was mostly amongst friends and supporters. As soon as he sees this journalist, for instance, he lost no time approaching me and extending his hand as if he had seen a long lost friend: “It’s been awhile. How are you, brother?”
Guests, in turn, reciprocated and responded to his warmth by cheering him on nearly every time he spoke. Never mind that he didn’t address anything beyond the product line he was endorsing. We heard from the grapevine that his home studio requested that he answer only screened questions from the media, which were later read by one of the event’s organizers.
Handsome, articulate and well-mannered, he’s one price catch. Indeed, Sarah Geronimo, who’s also an achiever in her own right, is one lucky woman. And so is this health and wellness company for being able to convince Matteo Guidicelli to sign up as their newest endorser.
Santé, a provider of premier organic health and wellness products and services, formally introduced celebrity fitspiration Matteo as its newest ambassador recently at the Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. He now joins TV host Kim Atienza, who was unable to attend the event, as prime promoters of the brand, which is sold nationwide and a number of countries through direct selling.
According to Santé CEO Joey Marcelo, 2020 will be an exciting year for the brand, especially with the addition of Guidicelli to its roster of brand ambassadors.
“Aside from being an actor, singer and triathlete, Matteo embodies healthy living. As a company, this is what we at Santé are passionate about. We are glad and excited to welcome Matteo to the Santé family and we hope that he would serve as a true fitspiration for everyone,” Joey said.
The partnership was formalized with a toast and contract signing between Matteo and the company’s top officials. Instead of wine or champagne, however, the group drank what appeared like Santé’s barley grass juice, in keeping with the occasion and the endorser’s commitment to clean, healthy living. Apart from Joey, Eric Maranan, Santé’s chief finance officer, also joined Matteo in the toast and contract signing.
As an actor, model, member of the armed forces, businessman and triathlete, Matteo knows how important it is for him to stay healthy so he could live more and do more things that matter to him in life. And because there are so many exciting developments to his career and personal life this year, the need to stay healthy so he could enjoy the journey has become even more important to him. He also expressed his excitement, more so since, as a consumer, he has known Santé as a brand that promotes and supports a healthier, more active lifestyle.
“Ever since I started joining triathlons, I have seen and raced along with the Santé Barley TriTeam. I’ve always dreamed of being part of the Santé family,” Matteo said. As a brand, Santé talks about the importance of living a healthy and active lifestyle, which I also believe in and promote. I’m truly excited and honored to represent the brand.”
Santé Barley is made from organic pure New Zealand barley grass that’s said to be an effective antioxidant rich with vitamins and minerals that not only detoxifies the body, but also aids in digestive health. The product line is also certified by BioGrow, New Zealand’s leading organic certification agency.
“Have you guys tried it,” he asked, addressing the audience. “Not yet? I think we’re going to be giving away Santé barley to everybody. Please enjoy. Let’s stay healthy. Live more and do more.”
He might have stayed away from tough questions, but Matteo, dressed in a forest green suit, white shirt and tan lace-up shoes, was able to charm his way by indulging his expectant audience with a song number.
“A little short story. Six years ago, when I saw the Santé barley (emblazoned) on all the tri-suits in the triathlon races back in the day, sabi ko sa sarili ko (I told myself), hopefully, someday, I could represent and use this product. True enough, after five, six years, I’m now standing on stage as its second brand ambassador. Everything happens for a reason. Thank you very much, Santé barley,” Matteo said before segueing into song.
Matteo singled out the brand’s original variant, which he drinks or takes in capsule form, every morning, as his favorite. Mixed with water, the variant’s powder form, he said, is an ideal morning wake-upper. If he’s on location or on a tight schedule, he takes Santé barley in capsule form.
“I also do intermittent fasting, and it’s good to take it with coffee. Then I will just have my meal later on, around lunchtime,” he shared.
“At first, I thought it was just a health drink,” he continued. “But now that I know them, it’s more than that. Santé barley gives businesses to so many people and gives them a whole livelihood. They have people who started out with nothing, but are now millionaires because of the business opportunities from Santé barley. Congratulations!”
The actor is also looking forward to going on a plant tour later this year in New Zealand, where barley is grown and sourced, with Santé officers.
“I don’t think I had to change anything because ever since, Santé barley and I share the same principles—live more, do more. Like I just got married. What is it today? It’s our sixth day together and this is my first event [after getting married] and these are the best times of my life. We are all blessed,” he said, to the crowd’s deafening cheers.
With regards to his training as a celebrity triathlete, Matteo insisted that “everything is the same.” These days, he just tries to eat, sleep and train better. And since he does these things with Santé barley, “everything is good, everything is better.”
Since it has been his advocacy to lead a healthy life through nutrition, exercise and embracing a “healthy lifestyle,” Matteo promised to stay the course while spreading the advocacy among his loved ones, friends and anyone who’d care to listen.
Aside from Santé barley, the company also offers other products and services that improve the quality of life of people the world over since the company was launched in 2007.
“The whole Santé family is glad to welcome Matteo Guidicelli, as well as to celebrate the renewal of partnership with Kuya Kim Atienza, who has been with us for 10 years now. We look forward to a stronger year as we continue encouraging everyone to live more and do more,” Joey added.
“We’re on our 13th year in the industry, and what differentiates us from our industry colleagues is we’re in the direct-selling business. We’re not only promoting quality products, but we’re also providing business opportunities to our distributors. From Day One, we decided, instead of just focusing on the business side, which is direct selling, we’d also like to focus on producing the best products possible because we’ve always believed that if we have the best products, business activity would soon follow,” he concluded.
To know more about Santé, its product offerings and other upcoming events, visit its official FB Page at www.facebook.com/pg/santeofficial.ph or their website at www.santebarley.com/ph.
