Julia Montes leads launch of first plant-based stem cell gummies in PH

The actress led the launch of Swiss Proli CellWhite+, a gummy supplement that combines apple stem cell extract and glutathione, at an event on Friday, October 23. The company bills it as the first plant-based premium stem cell gummy in the Philippines.

“Tonight is very special to us because we are not just launching another product. We are introducing something we truly believe in, something we worked hard for – something we are proud to share sa inyong lahat as we officially launch CellWhite+,” Julia said.

CellWhite+ is the newest addition to Swiss Proli, the Filipino wellness brand Julia founded with chemist Pinky Tobiano in 2025. Julia serves as the company’s CEO. The brand opened with Lean Quick, an apple cider vinegar gummy, in June 2025, then rolled out Night Gummies, a sleep supplement, that November.

At the launch, Julia talked about what the company has wanted from day one.

“When we started our vision for this, it was just simple po: we wanted to create a brand that Filipinos could trust, a brand that continues to grow with us, improve and bring something new to the market,” she said.

“Being in this business is not just about selling. It’s also about believing in what we offer and making sure that what we bring to our consumers is something we can truly stand behind,” she added.

She also explained why they chose to make the product a gummy.

“By bringing together stem cell technology and glutathione in gummy form, we wanted to offer something different, something innovative, and something that’s easy to incorporate into our daily lives,” she said.

“Lahat tayo, all Filipinos, are very hardworking. Alam nating lahat, ‘Okay na ‘yan, puwede na ‘yan, mabilis na ‘yan, kaya na ‘yan.’ Ito po, ‘yun ang proud kami sa Swiss Proli,” she added.

“‘Yun talaga ang target ng aming company – to be with your daily life. Lahat po, kayang madali, pero hindi po dapat natin pabayaan ang ating health,” she continued.

Pinky, Julia’s business partner and co-star in the ABS-CBN primetime series Sigabo, said no other Filipino brand has this technology.

“As a chemist and before launching, I won’t launch something that’s not innovative, something that is not scientifically proven. I want something that will make you glow, make you beautiful,” Pinky said.

“As I am nearly a senior, I want to look beautiful in a way that will make me look younger and more beautiful,” she added.

Known to friends as “Achi Pinky,” Pinky met Julia through business, and the two have since grown close. She now also acts in Sigabo, where Julia plays the lead opposite her longtime partner, Coco Martin. Julia and Coco also co-produce the series.

Julia has made it clear before that Swiss Proli is her own venture. At the Night Gummies launch last year, she said Coco has no share in the business and that the two each support their own separate ventures.

According to the company, CellWhite+ is registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is Halal-certified, and was tested by Mérieux NutriSciences, an international food safety and testing firm.

CellWhite+ contains apple stem cell extract, glutathione, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed marine collagen and vitamin C.

Julia, 31, has been acting since childhood. She became one of the country’s best-known leading ladies on the strength of her afternoon TV dramas, before moving to primetime and working behind the camera as a producer.