L'Oreal Philippines Beauty for a Better Life (BFBL) Celebrates One Year of Changing Lives

"We believe in the power of beauty to change lives, and Beauty For a Better Life expands the definition of beauty by using it a way to provide skills and livelihood opportunities to those most in need. A renewed sense of self-confidence, dignity and motivation are fundamental changes that we see in our graduates and it is our hope and vision that Beauty For a Better Life empowers these women to gain a better quality of life through increased access to livelihood opportunities, and thereby becoming socially and economically empowered to also serve as beacons of hope for their own families and communities. It is truly heartwarming to see the hope that the program has brought about to the lives of the women (and men) of Brgy. Sto. Niño. For the next cycle of Beauty For a Better Life, we are hoping that we will also open opportunities to individuals from Brgy. Dela Peña and continue our advocacy of changing lives through beauty.” ~Carmel Valencia, L’Oréal Philippines Corporate Communication Manager

   Ms. Carmel Valencia, L’Oréal Philippines Corporate Communication Manager

For its first run, L’Oréal Philippines, along with its partner organization Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), decided to focus on training women within one barangay to allow for growth within the community and co-empowerment among themselves. 

   Ms. Georgina Hernandez-Yang, Spokesperson Office of the Vice President of the Philippines

The Beauty for a Better Life's key ambition is to fulfill all of the students a renewed sense of self-respect, dignity, and motivation. For 2020 Loreal's goal across the world with Beauty for a Better Life is to provide 20,000 students a chance at a livelihood.

A hairdresser not only makes someone beautiful on the outside but also on the inside. Let us always remember our hair is our crowning glory.

According to Ms. Carmel Valencia "Pay it Forward."

Mr. Rizaldy Josef, Chairman, Barangay Sto. Nino Marikina City

Led by the L’Oréal Foundation, Beauty For a Better Life is deployed in 27 countries globally and is one of the Foundation’s key programs to empower women in situations of social and economic instability by training them for careers in the beauty sector. 

FORME

Launched last April 2017, L’Oréal’s Beauty For a Better Life has since completed one full year of training for three batches of beneficiaries. 

HAIR COLOR

Placing beauty at the heart of re-building identities and lives, and created to ignite long-term social impact, many of those who benefit from L’Oréal’s Beauty For a Better Life are women in vulnerable social or economic situations. 

HAIRCUT

To date, 62 individuals have completed the program, 22 of which come from the third batch who graduated this April 2018. The program was first brought to Brgy. Sto. Niño in Marikina as one of the priority areas for unemployment. Each batch of beneficiaries underwent daily classroom sessions in the Barangay Hall for three months wherein they were taught different hairdressing skills such as blowdrying, hair coloring, hair cutting, and application of hair treatments – under the tutelage of L’Oréal Philippines trainers. They were also exposed to a one-week internship in L’Oréal’s partner salons across Metro Manila to expose them to actual hairdressing jobs and potentially further their career options.

THE GRADUATES

April 3 signals a new chapter for the program as it celebrates all the beneficiaries from Brgy. Sto. Niño including the latest set of graduates and also gives way for the turning over of the program to a new barangay in Marikina. 

The first batch of beneficiaries from Brgy. Dela Peña will begin training under the program on April 4. 

About Beauty for a Better Life

From 2009 to 2012, L’Oréal Philippines mounted the annual ‘Bigay Daan’ program which taught hairdressing and makeup skills to over 300 unemployed women in Pasig over four years.   

In 2017, L’Oréal Philippines relaunched the program under a new name, ‘Beauty For a Better Life’.  Led by the L’Oréal Foundation and implemented in different countries across the globe, ‘Beauty For a Better Life’ continues to empower and change the lives of women through developing their self-confidence and providing them with an opportunity for a better life. Acknowledging that having a ‘better life’ may mean different things to different people in different cultures, the Foundation gives its counterparts in different countries the liberty to design the program to be more appropriate and relevant to the local context.

About L’Oréal Philippines

L’Oréal has devoted itself to beauty for over 100 years. With its unique international portfolio of 34 diverse and complementary brands, the Group generated sales amounting to 25.8 billion euros in 2016 and employs 89,300 people worldwide. As the world’s leading beauty company, L’Oréal is present across all distribution networks: mass market, department stores, pharmacies and drugstores, hair salons, travel retail, branded retail and e-commerce. Research and innovation are at the core of L’Oréal’s strategy, working to meet beauty aspirations all over the world. L’Oréal’s sustainability commitment for 2020 “Sharing Beauty With All” sets out ambitious sustainable development objectives across the Group’s value chain.

L’Oréal Philippines has been present in the country as a wholly owned subsidiary of L’Oréal since 1994. Based on the unique and diverse beauty needs of every Filipino, L’Oreal Philippines manages a portfolio of the most technologically advanced brands across several beauty categories and present across all beauty channels, including L’Oréal Paris, Maybelline New York, Garnier, Nyx Professional Make Up, Kiehl’s, Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Guy Laroche, L’Oréal Professionnel, Kérastase, and Matrix.

As one of the big beauty players in the country, L’Oréal Philippines has also made its contributions as a good corporate citizen to the country over its 25 years of presence. It is our priority and commitment to reduce the impact of our activity on the planet and bolster positive socio-economic impact on the lives of people and communities in the Philippines. This has been done through our various philanthropic activities such as “Beauty For a Better Life,” and “Citizen Day.”

About L'Oréal 

L’Oréal has devoted itself to beauty for over 100 years. With its unique international portfolio of 34 diverse and complementary brands, the Group generated sales amounting to 26.02 billion euros in 2017 and employs 82 600 people worldwide. As the world’s leading beauty company, L’Oréal is present across all distribution networks: mass market, department stores, pharmacies and drugstores, hair salons, travel retail, branded retail and e-commerce. Research and innovation, and a dedicated research team of 3 885 people, are at the core of L’Oréal’s strategy, working to meet beauty aspirations all over the world. L’Oréal’s sustainability commitment for 2020 “Sharing Beauty With All” sets out ambitious sustainable development objectives across the Group’s value chain.

For more information: http://mediaroom.loreal.com/en/

The 3rd BDJ Women’s Summit Women Redefined The Millennials by Millennials

“Our society has constantly bombarded today’s women - especially the millennials - with unrealistic standards regarding beauty and career, making it hard for them to find themselves and lead an authentic life. Through the Women’s Summit, Viviamo! Inc. hopes to empower them as they pursue fulfillment while being true to their identity. To own up to your success is not a form of bragging, rather a means to realize that all the sweat and tears that you put into your job are making a difference. Women should learn to acknowledge their achievements so that they can inspire others to reach for their dreams. We hope to help build a world where women are bound not by societal expectations, but by their vision of who they really want to be.” ~Darlyn Ty-Nilo, BDJ Founder and President

Viviamo!, Inc., is the company behind BDJ Power Planner (ilovebdj.com), is in the business of making planners and helping Filipinos plan more and live life to the fullest. They started with BDJ Power Planner in 2006 and the company has now evolved supporting a strong community of women because they believe that besides having a planner, women need a support system to help them achieve their goals. As part of this support system, they regularly hold women empowerment events. For the past two years, they held the BDJ Women’s Summit. In 2016 their summit entitled “Women Helping Women,” created meaningful discussions that uplifted, motivated, and supported Filipinas. In 2017 their theme “Women Can. Women Will.” encouraged Filipinas to take a more proactive stand for women’s issues. This 2018 they aim to inspire, empower, and equip more Filipinas, especially millennials, with empowering messages on how they can find one’s true self and lead an authentic life. 

The BDJ Team (*Photo Credits to Belle de Jour Power Planner Page)

In celebration of Women’s Month 2018, nearly 500 participants gathered for the 3rd Women’s Summit recently organized by Viviamo! With the theme “Women Redefined”, this year’s event aimed to equip millennials with encouraging messages from strong female role models who are redefining the society’s standards for women.

At the summit, guests were treated to inspiring talks and fun activities last March 11th, Sun., in Samsung Hall, SM Aura from 9AM to 6PM, our “Women Redefined” Summit has the tentative line-up of speakers and plenary sessions:

Extraordinary Females: Overcoming One’s Circumstances and Maximizing One’s Blessings

(From L-R) Host Janeena Chan; president of Viviamo, Inc. Darlyn Sandra Ty-Nilo; PinoyAkoBlog.com author Jover Laurio; co-founder and CTO of Cropital Rachel De Villa; and Viviamo Inc. marketing manager Allyssa Legaspi at the 3rd Women’s Summit held last March 11, 2018 at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura.

Rachel de Villa, co-founder and chief technology officer of Cropital, opened the first plenary session entitled Resilient Females, which focused on overcoming one’s circumstances and maximizing one’s blessings. De Villa shared that she has always considered herself a problem solver, so she developed Cropital when she found the opportunity to help Filipino farmers access financial support. Through Cropital, anyone can provide farmers with funds for proper equipment and training from agriculture experts. 

Rachel de Villa, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Cropital, a multi-awarded crowdfunding platform for Filipino farmers

PinoyAkoBlog.com owner Jover Laurio continues to publish critical articles on the country’s political situation, despite the relentless cyberbullying and death threats. Laurio has drawn flak for being outspoken in her fight against fake news. 

Jover Laurio, Author of Pinoy Ako Blog

"My love for this nation is greater than all my fears. Everyday I just inhale courage and exhale fear....." ~Jover Laurio, Author, PinoyAkoBlog.com

Ms. Jover also shared with everyone her love life and it was so inspiring to know how they cope up with each other's differences when it comes to politics.....

Transformative Females: Finding One’s Identity and Discovering One’s Passion

(From L-R) Host Janeena Chan; president of Viviamo, Inc. Darlyn Sandra Ty-Nilo; Singer, TV host and Alopecia Areata advocate Abby Asistio, airine pilot Blu Bingoy; and Viviamo Inc. marketing manager Allyssa Legaspi at the 3rd Women’s Summit held last March 11, 2018 at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura.

At the second plenary dubbed Courageous Females, resource speakers talked about living their authentic selves and defying expectations regarding women’s roles in the society. Blu Pingoy, for instance, courageously pursued her dream of becoming a pilot, a job usually taken on by males. With her persistence, Pingoy became one of the first few female commercial pilots in the country. 

Blu Bingoy, Cebu Pacific Air Pilot

"We must not let the stereotype that others have of us limit us but most importantly we must not limit ourselves." ~Blu Bingoy, Female Airine Pilot

Singer-songwriter and alopecia areata awareness advocate Abby Asistio did not allow the society’s standards to define her. As someone who suffered from alopecia or hair loss at an early age, she encouraged women to embrace their uniqueness and get over their insecurities.

Abby Asistio, Singer, songwriter, host and Alopecia Areata awareness advocate

"It's ok to have fears and have doubts. But from that, it's up to you to decide whether you're gonna rise above it or if you're gonna let it pull you down. Even if society says kailangan long hair para maging girly ka, eh hindi ako long-haired eh. Dapat manggaling sa sarili ko na, okay lang kahit hindi long hair, maganda pa ako with short hair. Just be open to embracing your own uniqueness." ~Abby Asistio, Singer-songwriter and alopecia areata awareness advocate

Ms. Abby Asistio also shared her sing her own song during the talk that inspired the audience...

Resourceful Females: Paving One’s Path

and Sustaining One’s Success

Aside from promoting resilience and courage, the summit also stressed the value of paving one’s path and sustaining success in the third plenary session called Resourceful Females, featuring businesswomen Audrey Tangonan and Kathleen Yu.

(From L-R) Host Janeena Chan; president of Viviamo, Inc. Darlyn Sandra Ty-Nilo; Sinaya cup founder and owner Audrey Tangonan; Rumarocket, Inc. owner Kathleen Yu; and Viviamo Inc. marketing manager Allyssa Legaspi at the 3rd Women’s Summit held last March 11, 2018 at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura.

Kathleen Yu, the owner of Manila-based tech start-up Rumarocket Inc., also shared the moving story of her business. From the initial failures, Kathleen resolved to learn from mistakes and bounce back.

Kathleen Yu, founder of Rumarocket, Inc. a Manila-based tech start-up that uses assessments and predictive analytics to help companies find and develop their IT talents

"No matter what challenges you face, you always have to be willing to stand up and keep getting better. As long as I was alive, I could always change and grow and learn and become different" ~Kathleen Yu, Owner of Rumarocket, Inc.

Starting a business is risky, but Sinaya Cup founder Audrey Tangonan persevered because she believed that her idea can genuinely improve people’s lives. Now, her menstrual cup business has attained massive success locally and internationally.

Audrey Tangonan, founder and managing director of menstrual cups business called ‘Sinaya Cups’

"I redefine society by thinking that I can fulfil my purpose in unexpected ways." ~Audrey Tangonan, Founder and Owner of Sinaya cup

These speakers’ thoughts echo the women’s advocacy of Belle De Jour, which has always aimed to empower modern Filipina women by equipping them with knowledge, confidence, and self-appreciation.

The 3rd BDJ Women’s Summit was co-presented by Chinoy TV, Lipault and Sun Life Financial. Major sponsors include Food Panda, Modess, Wacoal, GCash, Style Genie, Biore, Caronia, Celeteque, Cinnabon, Fitness Gourmet, Jergens, Jollibee, Kipling, Liese, MegRhythm, Parisian Shoes and Bags, Serenitea, Zenutrients, Features and Shades, and Award Extremes Inc.

Ace Water Spa, Chef Tony, Frankie’s, Goldilocks, and McDonald’s provided loot bags and raffle prizes, while Adobo Magazine, Rappler, and When in Manila served as media partners.

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!

Whisper Curvalicious Movement a Big Coming Out Party

"I have always been about being myself and doing what I feel is right and close to my heart. The Whisper Curvalicious woman embodies who I want to be so I really wanted to contribute in a bigger way and work on the new anthem with them. I love that we share the mindset that every girl should be able to feel empowered and confident, any day and everyday. Pag totoo ka sa sarili mo, mararamdaman ng mga tao na mahal mo talaga yug ginagawa mo. People will gravitate toward what is authentic and fueled by passion. That's how you'll be able to inspire and encourage others. Through my work, I want people to be unafraid to be strong, confident, and beautiful. Tonigh, I'm happy that the crowd is responding well to the song. Kinikilig ako!. Leading Whisper's #Curvalicious movement is such a great honor. Despite all the chalenges I've faced, I've done what I can to continue saying yes all day. Beyond being the face of the brand, I really want to be an inspiration for other girls to be the spark that will move others, women for women." ~ Nadine Lustre, Singer-Actress

Today’s women are always spunky, independent, and passionately creative, and multi-talented. Unfazed by nothing and empowered to do more, they are unabashedly beautiful and confident wherever they go. Star Nadine Lustre is no wonder the lady to lead the pack at the recent Whisper Curvalicious Coming Out Party on March 20, at Valkyrie Night Club, Bonifacio Global City.

Nadine fierce and stunning as ever commanded the stage with her performance of the new Whisper anthem, Curvalicious. It was supercharged with groovy beats and empowering lyrics.

Whisper is known as a brand that has long championed women empowerment, Whisper celebrates the modern woman who is fearless, fierce, and playfully bold through its #ChooseCurvalicious movement.

Nadine is all thanks to her fans and her crew, who has always had her back. Her go-to brand for feminine pads, Whisper, has a lot to do with the confidence and comfort she's always got with every performance. The new Whisper still features its cottony soft cover and demacare lotion, 12-hour leakage protection and, anti-leak barriers for a completely worry-free period. Made better, it ensures a more snug fit with its own curvalicious feature too. It's definitely the feminine pad upgrade modern women like Nadine need to stay confident, cool, and, yes, #Curvalicious.

Someone who strives excellence but not perfection, a fashion influencer, a social media superstar, and a recording artists Kiana Valenciano.

Women can join and be part of the #Curvalicious movement: A celebration of the modern woman who is brave and daring, who powers through any challenge, and who will inspire other women to do the same.

Fun, Fearless, and extremely Talented, Aussie Model, Actress and Blogger Lauren Red.

It was a night filled with fun, excitement, and of course women empowerment!

Whisper is the world's leader in feminine protection. Whisper, as part of The Procter & Gamble Company, aims to make a woman's period a happier, more positive experience - empowering and inspiring confidence in women even on their period. Whisper offers a range of products that provide fast absorption and leakage protection for unrestrained movement throughout the day and night.