DANCER-actress-TV host Sugar Mercado embarked on her skincare business just this pandemic.

Her product called Sugar White 7 yielded good reviews and raves, so Sugar cannot be thankful enough for the success of her products – lotion, scrub and soap.

Although not totally a whitening product, Sugar White 7 can be used by dark-skinned and even white-skinned ladies. Even if you are swimming under the sun, your skin will not be damaged when you use the product, according to Sugar.

“Sa maputi, their skin will even lighten at kikinis, while those who are morena, they can also use it.”

The erstwhile Sexbomb dancer will soon have nail lounge by Asia, with her business partner, as well as Asia’s lashes. Her make-up line will also be launched this year.

“Hindi habang-buhay ang showbiz,” Sugar said. “Single mom ako, with two kids and ako rin ang bread winner sa family ko. So mas focused ako sa business, but I’m still open to doing shows.

“Thankful din ako kay Lord because even if it’s only guesting on TV, nagkakaroon ng million views. Pati mga raket ko, kaya ang daming blessings. ‘Pag pinagsama-sama mo, si Lord hindi talaga nagkukulang.”

Sugar White 7 is going two years this December. “When the pandemic died down, that was when I started Sugar White 7 and came out with it,” Sugar said. “Direct selling muna. I do it online. But I started reselling. May kumukuha ng products as far as Mindoro.

At present, Sugar sells the products only from her house in Quezon City. “Wala pa akong physical store,” she offered. “Of course, papa-ikutin mo ang capital mo. Naglabas ako ng bagong product. Eventually, sana maka-penetrate ako sa mga stores

“Talagang ginagamit ko ‘pag nasa beach ako, nilalabas ko at proud ako sa product.

“I believe, kahit wala kang alam sa isang bagay, while you are still alive, kaya mong aralin. Kahit anong talent, kaya mong aralin, kahit anong edad mo.’’

“Hindi lang ako nakatapos ng studies ko. Parang hindi akin ‘yun. Pero ‘yung sipag at tiyaga, ‘I believe that’s the talent that the Lord gave me. At least nakapagpasaya ka ng maraming tao.”

Even if she doesn’t have a regular show on TV, her appearances register million views on YouTube. “That’s why I’m really blessed,” Sugar asserted.

“As long as you do the right thing, basta nakaka-lugod sa Panginoon, ibabalik ni Lord sa ‘yo ang blessings, sobra-sobra pa. Sobrang thankful ako that God is good all the time. Siya na lang talaga ang pinahawak ko ng buhay ko.”

Sugar, who was discovered on Eat Bulaga where she started as a dancer, was grateful for her humble beginnings. She didn’t finish school and only reached second year college.

“Sobrang proud ang TVJ (Tito, Vic and Joey) where I am now,” Sugar said. “Hindi man ako mayaman, pero nandito sa puso ko lagi ang utang na loob, kung saan ako nagsimula. TVJ, GMA 7, habang-buhay ko na ipagpapasalamat ‘yun.

“Mga anak ko, alam nila ang kwento ng buhay ko. Habang-buhay ko, kasama sila sa dasal ko.”

Sugar has forgiven her erstwhile husband. They are now annulled. She got married at 25 then had two babies one after the other. After two years, they separated. Her children are now nine and ten.

Their separation even got ugly because it reached the courts. Today, however, they are in good terms and are co-parenting their children.

“In the future, everything you ask for, He will really give it to you,” Sugar said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio