More than a decade after introducing the vitamin that would come to define its identity, homegrown wellness company EM-Core is preparing to step onto the global stage.
The announcement was made on Monday as the company marked its 11th anniversary, unveiling plans for its proprietary e-commerce platform to go live on the Chinese New Year, February 17. The digital expansion is expected to widen access not only to its flagship vitamin C, 24 Alkaline C, but also to the company’s growing portfolio of wellness products — a move that signals both confidence in its growth and readiness for broader markets.
The milestone is particularly significant for a company that did not begin with a single hero product. When The T-Zone asked whether 24 Alkaline C had been part of the lineup from the very beginning, Chairman, President and CEO Rey Panaligan Jr. clarified the company’s early evolution.
“When we first established the company, we carried various products. In 2014, however, we decided to create our own product, which later became a brand and is now EM-Core’s flagship product,” he said.
The decision proved crucial. Over the years, the vitamin has become the cornerstone of the company’s reputation, bolstered by partnerships that emphasize its commitment to quality and credibility. Made with pharmaceutical-grade ingredients sourced from DSM Switzerland, it is produced by Compact Pharmaceuticals Corporation, which has over 50 years of experience in the industry.
The product was also quickly listed in MIMS, a globally recognized medical reference for doctors, reinforcing 24 Alkaline C’s authenticity and effectiveness.
Company leaders, both from EM-Core and Compact Pharma — including the team’s medical consultant, Dr. Amelia Obusan, who is considered the Mother of Sodium Alkaline in the Philippines — credit the vitamin’s formulation and manufacturing pedigree as key reasons they believe the product is well-positioned to compete internationally.
“What sets our brand apart is the source of the active ingredient, which is pure. We do not add any additives — it is sourced directly and then encapsulated. That is why it is considered therapeutic and pharma-grade,” EM-Core Vice President for Corporate Affairs Lissa Camarillo explained.
The panel likewise emphasized 24 Alkaline C’s track record, citing strong consumer acceptance through the years and a steady stream of compelling testimonials attesting to its perceived benefits.
“There was a 75-year-old patient diagnosed with Stage 4 paranasal sinus cancer who started taking 24 Alkaline C alongside his treatments and is now in remission,” Camarillo related, pointing to user testimonies shared with the company. She cited another case involving a patient with a severe form of gangrene who also took the vitamin consistently and has since returned to riding his motorcycle.
“We are not saying our product cured their conditions, but it helped these people and many others get better,” she clarified.
While EM-Core representatives, including Camarillo, are careful to position the supplement as support for overall health rather than a cure, they stress that these are patient stories, not medical claims. Company leaders say they are not surprised by such testimonials, crediting the product’s consistency and perceived quality for helping build consumer trust — a critical advantage as the brand prepares to compete in a more demanding global marketplace.
But the EM-Core narrative does not end there. Beyond the capsule, the company has steadily built a business platform that allows members to pursue entrepreneurship while promoting wellness — an approach executives say has helped thousands enhance their financial standing and support their families.
“At EM-Core, we don’t just sell vitamin C — we build people, we build families, and we build freedom,” said Panaligan, underscoring what the organization views as its larger mission.
One longtime member present at the press conference recalled joining the company simply hoping to help her family in a small way. Instead, she found an opportunity to grow beyond what she had imagined.
“As demand for the Em-Core’s products increased — particularly during the pandemic — the income created a ‘ripple effect,’ and it wasn’t just my family I got to help. I had business partners who were able to build their own homes,” the member narrated in Filipino.
Beyond entrepreneurship, the company is also active in health advocacy through the EM-Core Foundation. This organization assists patients who are unable to afford checkups and treatments. It also distributes free vitamins and supplements during outreach activities, demonstrating the company’s commitment to improving lives in various ways.
Building on these gains, EM-Core is now preparing for its next phase of growth. The soon-to-launch e-commerce platform is designed to make its products more accessible while allowing the company to serve customers beyond its traditional member-based network.
“Until now, our products have only been available through our members. With this launch, we are opening access to the rest of the world — not just locally, but internationally,” said Camarillo.
She quickly added that selling their products online will not reduce opportunities for current members, as they will be assigned as distributors for online buyers in their areas—effectively expanding their customer base rather than competing with it.
The e-commerce platform is also supported by established partners in finance and logistics, giving the company the structure it needs to reach customers efficiently as it grows its global presence.
For Panaligan, the anniversary is a reflection and a step forward rooted in years of intentional growth.
“This milestone reflects 11 years of proven impact. 24 Alkaline C has improved lives, and with our e-commerce platform and partners, we are setting a new standard for direct selling,” he said.
Eleven years on, EM-Core is no longer simply building a brand — it is widening its reach while holding fast to what brought it here in the first place: helping people live healthier lives and creating opportunities along the way. As it steps onto the global stage, the Filipino-founded company carries that same commitment forward, determined to improve lives wherever its growth may lead.
