Manila, Philippines — 1 out of 4 or 25% of Filipinos, aged 15-49, is revealed to have experienced some form of violence during the ongoing health crisis. This includes verbal abuse, which has become a hidden battle faced by most women regularly.
Verbal abuse can often be confusing not just for the survivors but also for the abusers because it manifests differently — gaslighting, judging, blaming, name-calling, condescension, and verbal threats, among others.
“Violence in the homes is not ‘away pamilya’ and is everybody’s concern,” says GWAVE Executive Director, Sheema Bajana-Samson. “People should be vigilant and watch out for signs of abuse through what is heard verbally and body language as well.”
GWAVE is one of many non-government organizations and independent agencies that helps rescue survivors by offering legal assistance and rehabilitation.
“We have survivors also accompany their fellow survivors in hearings, and they do home visitations to other survivors as a form of moral support towards each other,” continues Bajana-Samson. “We’re happy to share that we now have many survivors who are emotionally and psychologically ready to become advocates themselves.”
In celebration of International Women’s Month, and the advocacy to build a better world for women, Avon sounds the call to #SpeakOut, take a stand and be more self-aware to help others fight verbal and other forms of abuse.
Based on a global study of more than eight thousand women in eight countries, including the Philippines, found that one in five women are consistently subjected to verbal abuse by an intimate partner. Nearly two in five respondents aged 25-34 are experiencing potential signs of verbal abuse within their relationship – the highest amongst the age groups.
Avon Philippines PR and Communications Head, Marion Limlengco wants to encourage more Filipinos to join dialogues and be more aware of this silent battle that has been affecting more women than actually perceived. “Filipinas are very resilient women, but it turns out, there are some of us who are going through such invisible battles and we don’t even know it. That is why we are tapping a platform where we can freely discuss this issue with no holds barred while still centering on positivity and freedom of expression.”
Avid podcast listeners can also look forward to collaborations with popular podcasts such as:
Adulting with Joyce Pring, (March 25 via Spotify)
Camp Confidence Radio Podcast with Ayn Bernos and Rizza Lana-Sebastian, (March 30 via Spotify and YouTube)
The Eve’s Drop Podcast feat. Delamar Arias, Monica Francesca Tobias, and Gelli Victor with special guest, Ms. Universe 2015 and Avon Intimate Apparel ambassador, Pia Wurtzbach (March 30 via Spotify)
Everyone is also invited to catch Avon’s collaboration with the livestreaming app, Kumu, where viewers can enjoy talks, performances, and fun challenges — all to foster awareness of verbal abuse and raise funds on behalf of Avon’s partner organizations that help abuse survivors. Here’s the full lineup:
#SpeakOut Dialogues with Women (March 25 via @kumunityheroes)
#Speakout Kumunity Challenge (March 28 to April 3)
#SpeakOut Fundraising Livestream (March 30)
#SpeakOut Dialogues For All (April 4 via @kumunityheroes)
“Through these fundraising efforts, we hope to spark courage and reinforce a sense of community so that no one could feel alone or neglected in their individual battles. It’s time we shed light on this invisible crisis and we can effectively do that only if and when we #SpeakOut,” concludes Limlengco.
It’s time to redefine a culture where everyone becomes more accountable for the words being said so that no form of abuse — verbal or otherwise — will be tolerated nor pushed against others.
Follow Avon Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more updates on the scheduled dates of all podcasts and Kumu livestreams and join the dialogues against Verbal Abuse. Shop for your favorite Avon products at www.avonshop.ph or contact your local Avon representative.
About Avon
Avon has been doing beauty differently for 135 years. Avon is a company that connects people, using the power of beauty to transform lives for the better. Millions of independent sales Representatives across the world sell iconic Avon brands through their social networks, building their own beauty businesses on a full- or part-time basis. Avon stands for gender equality, and we believe in listening to women’s needs, speaking out about issues that matter, and creating positive change. Through Avon and the Avon Foundation, we’ve donated over $1.1billion, with a focus on tackling gender violence and breast cancer. Avon is part of the Natura &Co Group. Learn more at www.avonworldwide.com.
There is no better time than National Women’s Month to highlight the ever-increasing role of women in shaping Philippine society in general and the business world in particular.
In the Philippines’ male-dominated corporate world, a woman named Rosemarie P. Rafael has been breaking stereotypes and challenging the big boys since the 1980s. In 1985, Mrs. Rafael founded Airspeed, one of the leading logistics solutions and express courier companies in the country. Airspeed is a company that reflects Ms. Rafael’s values and beliefs as a woman, a mother, and a leader. Being Airspeed’s Chairman and President and a true advocate of women, Ms. Rafael chose to empower women at Airspeed because she believes women are naturally nurturing. She knows that when people are supported and enabled, they can do great and impossible things.
These three women executives of Airspeed – together with the management team, envisioned to help propel the company to greater heights and, in the process, make the company better and reach success.
Anna Lyn Discaya is the new Chief Administrative Officer under Airspeed Group of Companies Holding Corp. In her new role, Ann will be in charge of managing and overseeing the company’s Administrative Group which comprises the Human Resources Team, Procurement Team, Security Group, Legal and Compliance Team, and Administrative Maintenance.
Claudette ‘Claude’ Lucasan-Canta is the new Chief Supply Chain Officer and will oversee the supply chain solutions design, warehouse operational processes, distribution, procedures, and work process flow of all companies under the holdings group. She is tasked to align with different business unit heads on the requirements of prospects and accounts, as well as the review of onboarding processes of each account. Claude will also help define the goals and programs for each of the business’s operation units and review financial projections per cost module for new and existing businesses.
Liza Fallar-Marquez, the Chief Information Technology Officer, leads the Management Information System Department. Liza has been with Airspeed for 23 years and has made sure to establish and direct strategic long-term goals, policies, and procedures for their information technology department. She leads the implementation of new IT Systems by adopting new technology platforms to improve the client experience, as well as monitor changes in the technology sector to discover ways the company can improve and develop its IT Infrastructure.
In closing off National Women’s Month, Airspeed is committed to paying tribute to females by entrusting them with extraordinary roles as trailblazers and forerunners of change. In shining the spotlight on women, Airspeed is confident it can attain greater success for many more years to come.
In celebration of International Women’s Month and Pilipinas Shell’s 105 years in the Philippines, the global leader in power and energy is launching a campaign to provide a platform that will empower women to take control in making the future and help erase the stigma against women drivers.
Dubbed “Women! Drive the Future,” the campaign aims to help drive out gender stereotypes and support the many meaningful journeys that women embark on every day. It serves as a call-out to all women to embrace their capability to believe in their capabilities, embrace their passions, and go where they want to go.
Shell FuelSave Brand Manager Vanessa Ejercito
“We want to bring together women to talk about how they take on the road ahead of and how they can use this to take control of their lives. We at Shell believe that, through this campaign, we will be able to better understand and subsequently address the needs of every female driver,” said Vanessa Ejercito, Shell FuelSave Brand Manager.
With a goal to continuously enhance the journeys of their female customers, Pilipinas Shell has been coming up with several initiatives such as partnering with the country’s biggest retailer, SM Advantage, to create a loyalty program and reward them with exciting shopping opportunities every time they gas up. Shell stations are also designed to provide convenient, refreshing retail experience – from putting up well-appointed comfort rooms to offering a wide range of healthy products at Shell Select and Deli2go.
And to strengthen their movement to empower women, Pilipinas Shell is partnering with the leading driving school network in the Philippines, A-1 Driving School. With their expertise in providing driving education, A-1 supports the campaign’s goal to break the stigma through knowledge sharing.
A-1 Driving School Business Development Head Luna Garcia
Luna Garcia, A-1 Driving School Business Development Head, pointed out the dependency of Filipinos in learning how to drive through informal means. And with the increasing number of female drivers on the road, they came up with a program to equip female drivers on the road with proper driving knowledge that will help in proving wrong the stereotypes placed on them.
The “Women on Wheels” program tackles road safety — from identifying road signs to changing tires. “We want to emphasize that there are numerous preventive measures that we can take to minimize accidents. You start with following the rules, driving defensively, and ensuring proper vehicle maintenance,” Garcia noted.
“We believe that driving is a skill that every woman should have. And through this program, we foresee a future where there will no longer be a distinction of gender but only between an educated and misinformed driver.”
Women! Drive the Future ambassadors DJ Riki Flo, Patty Laurel-Filart, Bianca Santiago-Reinoso, Girl Racers Club Directress Rowie Abracero, Michele Bumgarner, and Kelly Misa-Fernandez, along with Shell Payment and Loyalty Manager Tin Cerezo, Shell FuelSave Brand Manager Vanessa Ejercito, Shell Brands and Communication Manager Cherine Capadocia, and Shell Marketing Assistant Alyssamae Nuñez
Racecar driver Michele Bumgarner, and Baby Barangay members Kelly Misa-Fernandez, Patty Laurel-Filart, and Bianca Santiago-Reinoso were also present in the Women! Drive the Future launch event held at Blackbird at the Neilson Tower in Makati City. Joining them as well was Rowie Abracero, Directress of the Girls Racers club — the first all-female car enthusiast club in the Philippines. Led by the event host, Riki Flo of Magic 89.9, the women opened the discussion about driving out the stereotypes and supporting equality amongst men and women on the road.
Later in the program, the ladies participated in the hands-on demonstration of A-1 where they had a refresher on tire changing, dealing with a dead battery, and performing a lubricant check.
The event is first of three activations in spreading the call for women to drive the future. Pilipinas Shell, along with their partner, A-1 aims to flip the stigma against female drivers and empowering all women across the country with upcoming events in Cebu and Davao.
Nearly 500 participants gathered for the 3rd Women’s Summit recently organized by Viviamo! Inc., the company behind Belle De Jour (BDJ) Power Planner.
3rd women’s summit audience
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.
Darlyn Sandra Ty-Nilo, President of Viviamo Inc.
“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,” shared BDJ founder Darlyn Ty-Nilo.
At the summit, guests were treated to inspiring talks and fun activities at the Samsung Hall of SM Aura Premier. The day began with a keynote speech by Ty-Nilo, who talked about the importance of claiming one’s success.
“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,” she said, adding, “Women should learn to acknowledge their achievements so that they can inspire others to reach for their dreams.”
Resilient Females
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, a multi-awarded crowdfunding platform for Filipino farmers
Meanwhile, 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.
Jover Laurio, author of pinoyakoblog.com
For her part, 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.
Her story moved many people in the audience (and continued to receive ridicule from several people on social media). It isn’t just fake news. Her outspokenness about her political views and her chutz-pah in going after political figures, big and small, have landed her in the proverbial hot water more times than she could count. But she always stood by her convictions.
Courageous Females
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, Cebu Pacific Air pilot
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.
Abby Asistio, singer, songwriter, host, and Alopecia Awareness advocate
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.
“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.”
During her talk, she showed this video to the audience to show us her struggle with alopecia and fitting in and wearing wigs for most of her life.
She ended her talk by singing this song to the audience live and, at some point, unplugged.
What an inspiration.
Resourceful Females
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.
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.
Audrey Tangonan, Founder and Managing Director of menstrual cups business called ‘Sinaya Cups’
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.
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
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. “As long as I was alive, I could always change and grow and learn and become different,” she said.
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. As Ty-Nilo explains, “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.”
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.
Women today are empowered … they are more than just “Susie Homemakers” who spend all day cleaning, cooking, and taking care of her family.
Women, in general, are no longer oppressed by a male chauvinistic society where men dictate what a woman would say, think, or do.
Women are free to be who they want to be and do what they want to do — police officers, fire fighters, managers in companies, lawyers, accountants, models, chefs, photographers, writers, musicians … and the list just goes on!
Women are superheroes!
Women have very hectic (and active!) schedules everyday. Oftentimes they are both queen of the household and boardroom rockstar (for example). Imagine, if you will, how much strength women must have to deal with the stress and pressure of the daily grind fulfilling all the things they are expected to accomplish and still have enough energy to prepare dinner, tutor the kids, etc. before she could lie down at the end of the day and sleep.
Even fictional female superheroes like Wonder Woman and Darna would get tired from doing their jobs as superheroes and their jobs as ordinary humans. At the end of the day, they took a breather, too, from being super.
March is International Women’s Month. It is, thus, the best time to celebrate a woman’s power and influence with the gift of beauty and wellness that they truly deserve. What better way to start than with bouncy, shiny hair.
Hair care
Our mane, our luscious locks, our crowning glory … this is the first thing a person often sees (or focuses on). Because of this most people make a conscious effort to make sure they don’t leave the house with bad hair. In case of a bad hair day, what do most women do? Wear a hat or scarf? Tie their hair up in a messy bun?
Solution 1: Regular/commercial hair products
The quick and easy solution for most people — commercial bottled shampoo and conditioner plus treatment. More often than not these products cause more harm than good. Using harsh/harmful chemicals on our hair causes breakage and makes our hair strands weak and elastic. For some, these chemicals cause an allergic reaction and scalp irritation. This needs immediate attention and an urgent solution and may need medical attention.
Solution 2: Get pampered at a hair salon
We’ve tried everything on our own but it is time to go to the salon and get pampered. Then before going home we might opt to avail of their formulated solution hair products for upkeep. For optimum results it is best to combine it with NOVUHAIR 3-in-1 pack to promote robust locks and scalp.
NOVUHAIR: The best solution
natural vs. chemical
NOVUHAIR is the only hair growth product in the market that contains 19 natural herbs, essential oils, and co-factor nutrients that work in synergy to help in remedying hair problems such as hair loss or slow hair growth.
It deeply penetrates to help rejuvenate, nourish, maintain moisture in the scalp and hair, and improve the overall appearance of your hair.
Lastly, it’s an effective and safe solution to arrest hair loss.
So come and celebrate womanhood with a hair spa or treatment at your favorite salon anytime this month with your sisters, your friends, or fly solo. Give your hair the pampering it deserves.
To feel even more empowered, order NOVUHAIR 3-in-1 pack online and get one (1) box of NOVUSKIN LIFT with 30 anti-aging tablets worth P2,970 for FREE at Lazada.com.ph. Click on the ad or the link to be brought directly to the product page.
For further inquiries, call 413-6570 or 0922-8830575, visit NOVUHAIR Facebook Page (Novuhair Official) or website at www.novuhair.com.
Avid podcast listeners can also look forward to collaborations with popular podcasts such as:
People are also encouraged to support the cause through our fundraising items like the #SpeakOut Avon True Color Lipstick, Women Empowerment Umbrella, Evita Watch (in cream and old rose), and Self-love Accessory set available on avonshop.ph where part of the proceeds will be donated to partner organizations including Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE), Ing Makababaying Aksyon (IMA) Foundation, and Luna Legal Resources Center for Women and Children.
And to strengthen their movement to empower women, Pilipinas Shell is partnering with the leading driving school network in the Philippines, A-1 Driving School. With their expertise in providing driving education, A-1 supports the campaign’s goal to break the stigma through knowledge sharing.
Women today are empowered … they are more than just “Susie Homemakers” who spend all day cleaning, cooking, and taking care of her family.
Even fictional female superheroes like Wonder Woman and Darna would get tired from doing their jobs as superheroes and their jobs as ordinary humans. At the end of the day, they took a breather, too, from being super.
We’ve tried everything on our own but it is time to go to the salon and get pampered. Then before going home we might opt to avail of their formulated solution hair products for upkeep. For optimum results it is best to combine it with NOVUHAIR 3-in-1 pack to promote robust locks and scalp.
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