The Philippine abaca has taken a step up with a world-class all-natural soap made from abaca extract that has been proven to have high-exfoliating and anti-oxidant properties.

Perhaps the first abaca soap to be produced in commercial scale, the abaca soap of Herb's Best International has just been introduced in the market. It is seen to have the potential of capturing an international market with the worldwide wellness consciousness and with the product's back-up of a private laboratory for its claim.

"We're able to get the highest levels of polyphenol which is an antioxidant and which is good for the skin. On a personal note, it has natural exfoliating and whitening ability. We also have extracts of flowers and extracts of fruits incorpoated in the formula," said entrepreneur Fannie G. Yuchengco in an interview at the book launching of the "Story of Abaca."

It must really be high time for Filipinos to begin recognizing products that use raw materials that are sourced locally and are able to generate livelihood for Filipino farmers.

"If the business for abaca has grown a little less because of the global recession, hopefully abaca will continue to give livelihood for farmers if more people will patronize our abaca bath and body line. By then, another part of the abaca plant will be used for commercial purposes," she said.

Herb's Best sources materials for the abaca extract from Quezon farmers' abaca production. The soap also uses organic virgin coconut oil and other essential oils for scenting.

Yuchengco said the abaca soap, whose idea originally came from a family friend who made everything (fabric, bath soap) from abaca, has been further developed by Herb's Best together with the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) which extended to the company an assistance in the use of its laboratory. A private laboratory is also attesting the anti-oxidant claims of the abaca soap.

The abaca soap, while just about to be launched, is now in the market through the Echo store at Serendra in Makati which is supporting products that use natural, indigenous materials and at the region-wide stores of NCCC in Davao. If the company will export the abaca soap, this may be to the US, Europe, Australia.

Yuchengco said the soap is being produced in smaller quantity yet, just "in the thousands," but that it can be positioned for the international market considering its quality and packaging which uses natural fiber wrapping paper that has a hand-crafted look coupled with a natural fiber basket.

"Our packaging is very global because we want to elevate the image of the Filipino product. We also want it to look like home-grown and be very appealing. Our exposure to wonderful goods from abroad is helping us to make sure that we Filipinos should also have products that are competitive even in the image and look," she said.

Yuchengco has already been producing several products that tap natural ingredients and health-giving benefits even before she engaged in manufacturing abaca soap. Among her products under Herb's Best are the BestKup coffee (which has Agaricus mushroom, mangosteen), mybest Dalandan delight, Chocco Best, insect repellent SkinPro Gel, Malunggay (Moringabest) powder, Moringabest Malunggay Powder Tea, Eatmi Sinigang sa Sampalok mix, Eat Mi! Ginisa Mix, and Eat Mi! Real Vegetable Noodle.