Watsons Philippines Brings Free Medical Services to Hundreds Through Alagang Pangkalusugan Initiative

Watsons Philippines, the leading health and beauty retailer in the country, helps hundreds of beneficiaries in different cities and towns by providing free medical services and medicine through the Alagang Pangkalusugan initiative.

 

As the initiative’s first Metro Manila stop for the year, Watsons visited Mandaluyong College of Science & Technology in Mandaluyong City last July 6 for a medical mission that benefited 923 beneficiaries from the city’s different barangays.

 

The Watsons medical mission was supported by Mandaluyong local government, officer partners from the City Health Board and also partner brands.

 

Present during the event were Mandaluyong Vice Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Aguilar Abalos, Councilor Charisse Marie Abalos-Vargas, City Health Officer Dr. Arnold Abalos, and Addition Hills Barangay Captain Carlito Cernal.

 

Among the free medical services that the medical mission offered to Mandaluyong residents were doctor’s consultations, ECG, X-ray, hearing check, eye test, and massage.

L-R: Lexie Coloma; Senior Marketing Manager for Sustainability, Ramil Horario; Controller - Functional Finance, Sharon Decapia; Senior AVP for Marketing, PR & Sustainability, Belle Pesayco; CSR Pillar Head, Kim Reyes; Director, Trading Beauty and Commercial Services, Karmina Porta; Territory Operations Manager, Blesie Espin; Controller - Health Own Brands and Business Development

 

 

L-R: Dr. Arnold Abalos; City Health Officer, Ramil Horario; Controller - Functional Finance, Kim Reyes; Director - Trading Beauty and Commercial Services, Mandaluyong Vice Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Aguilar Abalos, Belle Pesayco; CSR Pillar Head, Sharon Decapia; Senior AVP for Marketing, PR & Sustainability, Councilor Charisse Marie Abalos-Vargas, Addition Hills Barangay Captain Carlito Cernal, Dra. Emily Detaro; City Health Officer

 

 

Watsons is committed to its Environmental, Social, and Governance goal of helping to uplift the health and wellbeing of the community. It has been conducting Alagang Pangkalusugan initiatives since 2013 in the country’s various regions.

 

“We want to bridge the gap between Filipinos and accessible medical services and affordable medicine through the Alagang Pangkalusugan medical missions we are conducting around the Philippines. This is our first medical mission here in Mandaluyong City for this year and we are thankful to our LGU  partners as well as to our health and beauty brand partners for continuously supporting Watsons’ advocacy of helping Filipinos become healthy and live life to the fullest,” said Sharon Decapia, Watsons Senior AVP for Marketing, PR & Sustainability.

 

Shop your health and beauty favorites at over 1,000 Watsons stores nationwide or download the Watsons App for online shopping.

 

For more information on how to look good, do good, feel great, follow @watsonsph on Instagram, like @WatsonsPH on Facebook, and follow @watsonsphilippines on TikTok.

The Watsons Race for Wellness: Embark on a Beauty Adventure Filled with Fun, Wellness, and Unforgettable Experiences!

The Queen City of the South was buzzing with energy as Watsons Philippines successfully brought its highly anticipated Race for Wellness: The Beauty Adventure to Cebu City. Held at SM Seaside Cebu, the event offered a unique blend of beauty, sports, wellness, and excitement, leaving participants with unforgettable memories and a renewed commitment to their health and well-being.

 

The Watsons Race for Wellness: The Beauty Adventure in Cebu surpassed all expectations, providing a captivating atmosphere, surprises, and an abundance of freebies. Beauty enthusiasts were thrilled to conquer giant beauty obstacles strategically placed along the race course, adding an exciting twist to the run. From passing through giant blenders to navigating through make-up brushes, participants truly experienced a beauty adventure like no other.

 

One of the highlights of the event was the inflatable tunnel filled with foam, which added a fun and immersive element to the race. Runners couldn't contain their excitement as they dashed through the tunnel, feeling the foam engulfing them in a thrilling and exhilarating moment.

"Watsons is your partner in attaining your health, wellness, and beauty goals. We all share the same passion to get active and to achieve for ourselves a healthier and more beautiful lifestyle. We hope that we’re able to put smiles on our customers’ faces through the Watsons Race for Wellness: The Beauty Adventure.  We also hope that everyone enjoyed all the exciting booth activities and performances. As we want all our customers to look good, do good and feel great!” said Kim Reyes, Trading Beauty Director of  Watsons Philippines

 

Attendees were treated to a showcase of local talent, creating a festive and entertaining atmosphere that perfectly complemented the energetic spirit of the run.

 

Participants were not only treated to a memorable experience but also received comprehensive race kits, including singlets, bibs, finisher's medals, and loot bags. Watsons' partner brands and exhibitors also contributed to the excitement, offering a variety of product freebies and samples throughout the race, further enhancing the participants' journey and fun experience. The Race for Wellness: The Beauty Adventure proudly featured the participation of Watsons’ brand partners, namely AHC, Anessa, Banila Co, Beach Hut, Belo, Biore, Carroten, Celeteque, Deoproce, Dermplus, Face Republic, Garnier, Kemans, Kojiesan, Luxe Organix, Neutrogena, Nivea, Oxecure, Ponds, Snailwhite, Some By Mi, Sunplay, Vaseline, and Watsons.

Watsons’  Race for Wellness: The Beauty Adventure has not only provided an avenue for people from all walks of life to come together but has also celebrated their unique identities and individualities. The diverse groups namely Mandaue PWD (Persons with Disabilities) Community,  Petlovers, and LoveYourself Cebu were seen having fun on the race tracks.  

 

The Grand winners in the 5K Male & Female category Mark Mahinay &  Evamie Villarin emerged as the 1st place winners. For the 10K Category, Dhem AJ Monton and Art Joy Torregosa bagged the 1st place. 

 

"We are thrilled to have successfully brought the Race for Wellness: The Beauty Adventure to Cebu City. This event truly embodies our dedication to providing our customers with countless ways while staying beautiful.  We believe in a holistic approach to health care that goes beyond traditional norms. The Race for Wellness: The Beauty Adventure is a perfect example of that." said Sharon Decapia, SAVP for Marketing at Watsons Philippines.

Watsons Philippines extends heartfelt appreciation to the incredible participants, dedicated volunteers, invaluable partners, and supportive local government for their invaluable contributions to the resounding success of The Race for Wellness: The Beauty Adventure in Cebu City. The overwhelming support and unwavering enthusiasm from the vibrant Cebuano community have played a pivotal role in the event's remarkable achievement.

 

As Watsons continues to uplift the health and wellness of Filipinos, the brand looks forward to organizing more events and activities that inspire individuals to prioritize their well-being. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements and initiatives from Watsons as they remain dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of their valued customers.

 

For your health and wellness needs, download the Watsons App now on Google Play and  Apple App Store  or visit any of the Watsons 1,000+ stores nationwide. For more information, follow @watsonsph on Instagram, like @WatsonsPH on Facebook, and follow @watsonsphilippines on TikTok. 

 

Watsons Philippines The Block SM City North Edsa houses the largest sustainability area in the Philippines

 

Watsons Philippines, the country's leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer, recently opened its 1000th store in The Block, SM City North Edsa, which houses the largest sustainability area in the Philippines. The flagship store offers the widest selection of Sustainable Choices products and a Refilling Station, where customers can conveniently refill their empty Naturals by Watsons bottles with their preferred body wash & shampoo variants. The store also sells empty bottles with screw caps, which allow customers to save up to 40% compared to regular bottles. 

Watsons is at the forefront of sustainable retailing with its extensive range of over 1,500 Sustainable Choices products that advocate Clean Beauty,  Better Ingredients, Refill Packs & Better Packaging from responsibly- sourced materials.

The company recognizes the value of involving its millions of customers in adapting to more eco-friendly lifestyles by providing more sustainable product options, promoting the use of reusable bags, and providing educational resources on their social media and in-store materials to inform customers on ways to contribute towards the preservation of the planet. Watsons is indeed committed to promoting a sustainable lifestyle and inspiring customers to contribute to creating a better world.

As a responsible retailer, Watsons aims to reduce the environmental footprint of store operations by managing its carbon emissions. Measures include the use of energy-efficient lighting fixtures and appliances, such as LED lights and inverter air conditioners. Watsons has collaborated with Plastic Bank to address plastic waste that goes to the oceans and has worked with Climate Partner on carbon offset projects. Additionally, Watsons has partnered with SM Cares for Trash to Cash, which rewards customers with discounts and store credits in exchange for empty bottles.

 "At Watsons, sustainability is at the core of everything we do, and it's something we take very seriously. Our North Edsa flagship store is a prime example of our commitment to sustainability, as it features one of our biggest sustainability areas to date. We believe that by integrating sustainable practices into every aspect of our business, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future for all," said Viki Herrera-Encarnacion, Watsons PR & Sustainability Director.

 

Watsons' commitment to sustainability goes beyond its flagship store. The company has 1000 ways of doing good to help uplift the health and well-being of the community, such as the Give-a-Smile Program, which sponsors free corrective surgeries for cleft children, and the Alagang Pangkalusugan community medical outreach program, which provides free medicines to support 20,000 people in the coming years. These programs are a testament to the company's dedication to creating a brighter future for all and promoting sustainability in all aspects of its operations.

 

Visit Watsons’ flagship in The Block SM City North Edsa to find out more about Watsons’ Sustainable Choices products.  You can download the Watsons App now on Google Play and  Apple App Store or visit any of the Watsons 1,000+ stores nationwide. You may also pick up your orders in 30 minutes via Click & Collect or get them in 3 hours or less via Watsons Express Delivery. For more information, follow @watsonsph on Instagram, like @WatsonsPH on Facebook, and follow @watsonsphilippines on TikTok.

Watsons Philippines takes the lead in protecting the environment by pursuing refills

Did you know that it takes 450 years for a plastic bottle to break down naturally? For a plastic toothbrush, it’s even longer at 500 years.

Plastic waste ends up in our oceans and this results in frequent flooding, marine life degradation, loss of certain marine species, and lower fish yields. The Philippines is estimated to emit 35% of the ocean’s plastic, with 356,371 of metric tons of plastic waste annually. (1) 

 

More and more consumers are helping minimize plastic pollution and saving the planet by refilling. Refills use 75% less plastic vs. regular bottles. Customers also save up to 40% when buying refills vs. regular bottles.

 

“I urge everyone to consider using refillable containers as it is one of the most effective means of protecting and preserving the environment. Less use of plastic means less plastic waste in our waterways and this will lead to the continuous preservation of our marine and avian species, as well as the reduction of flooding, among others," said Aida Esguerra. Chief, Conservation and Development Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Capital Region.

Since the pandemic, Cristelle Corpuz, an eco-conscious Gen Z, has chosen refills and refill packs when they are available.

 

“Out of curiosity, I tried collecting my plastic trash for a period of time. After just a few weeks, I realized how much waste I am contributing. This made me feel guilty and I thought of ways on how I can minimize my trash, now I opt for refills.” said Corpuz.

“I choose refills to avoid waste from going to landfills and further polluting the environment,” said Laurice Bautista, who supports and practices sustainability.

 

“As a busy mom, I am always looking for ways to save time and money, but I also care deeply about the environment. Using refillable containers has allowed me to do both. I can save up to 40% compared to buying a regular bottle, and I feel good knowing that I am reducing my plastic waste,” said Donna Yan, a mother of three.

 Shawntel Nicole Nieto, Society of Sustainability Practitioners (SSP) President, underscored the importance of refilling as a more proactive way of addressing the problem of plastic waste.

 

“Refilling helps people maintain a more sustainable lifestyle by encouraging them to get rid of the excess materials they would, more often than not, discard as waste. In a sense, instead of relegating the duty of waste management to consumers as is the case now, refilling lets the manufacturers and retailers take responsibility for it, in the process making living sustainably much easier for everyone,” said Nieto, who was part of Forbes’ Under 30 in 2022.

 

Sustainability advocate and chemist Jonas Marie Dumdum, SustainablePH board member, said refilling is an old method that needed to become more common.

“Refilling is not new to the Philippines in the sense that this is still practiced in rural areas, and this was one of the norms in Filipino society before. Looking at how our lolos and lolas did it before may prove to be valuable to us. By integrating traditional methods with, let’s say, digital technology, the refilling movement could transform the way we consume products in the future,” said Dumdum.

 

Leading health, wellness, and beauty retailer Watsons has been at the forefront of responsible consumerism with a sustainability program that's anchored on four pillars: Planet, People, Community, and Customers.

 

Watsons has launched two Refill Stations for Naturals by Watsons at its SM Megamall and the flagship store in The Block SM City North Edsa store to encourage more consumers to do good by reusing their plastic bottles, thereby reducing the use of plastic. The Refill Stations are part of A.S. Watson Group's global commitment to encourage its customers to lead more sustainable lifestyles by offering more options for them to do so. 

 

Watsons also offers a wide variety of refill packs of personal care products, including liquid hand soaps, shampoos, lotions, toothbrush refills,  shaver cartridges, foundation, and many others. The retailer is also convincing more of its suppliers and manufacturers to join the refill revolution to help save the planet.

 

“Recycling helps save the planet. But refilling is definitely a better option because refills consume 75% less plastic than regular bottles. To the customer, it is also more affordable,” said Viki Encarnacion, Watsons PR and Sustainability Director.

 

Refilling is an important part of a sustainable lifestyle. Going for refills is one of the best things you can do for the planet. Join those who have joined the refill revolution and help save the planet!

 

Source:

 

(1)  https://www.visualcapitalist.com/cp/visualized-ocean-plastic-waste-pollution-by-country/

 

 

The DOH gave recognition and honor to Watsons and their COVID-19 Immunizing Pharmacists for “being modern-day heroes

Trusted health, wellness, and beauty retailer Watsons Philippines has been recognized by the Department of Health for its efforts as a partner of the government in the “Resbakuna sa Botika” program now dubbed “PinasLakas”, which provides COVID-19 vaccine boosters to the public.

The DOH gave recognition and honor to Watsons and their COVID-19 Immunizing Pharmacists for “being modern-day heroes by virtue of their significant contributions in serving the people.”

L-R: Dir. Gloria Balboa (Regional Director, DOH-MMCHD), Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr (Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity), Jay Soliman (Business Development Controller, Watsons), Gemsy Romero (Operations Health Relations Senior Manager, Watson), Racelle Dumlao (Operations Health Relations Manager, Watsons), Usec. Nestor Santiago (Field Implementation and Coordination Team of NCR and Luzon, DOH)

Watsons received the award on October 14, 2022 during the 35th Founding Anniversary of the Department of Health – Metro Manila Center for Health Development (DOH – MMCHD), a Regional Recognition with the theme “A Salute to Champions for Health,” held in The Manila Hotel.

“We are very happy to receive this award, which affirms the Do Good goal of our sustainability program to help and uplift the lives of people and the communities we serve in.  As the leading pharmacy in the Philippines, we will continue to do more for the people and the planet,” said Watsons Philippines General Manager Danilo Chiong.

Jay Soliman (Watsons Business Development Controller)

The “Resbakuna sa Botika” program was first rolled out in selected clinics and pharmacies, including Watsons, in Metro Manila in January of this year.  As part of the national government’s efforts to further broaden the national vaccination program, it was later on expanded to other areas nationwide. The DOH and local government units initially provided immunizers to conduct the booster vaccination in Watsons. With the help of DOH, more than 36 Watsons pharmacists have since undergone training and are now certified COVID-19 Immunizing Pharmacists.

Aside from COVID-19 boosters, which are for free, Watsons also offers other vaccines for pneumonia, influenza, and the human papillomavirus or HPV at very reasonable prices for its customers.  Customers may easily schedule vaccination services online at participating Watsons pharmacies nationwide via www.vaccination.watsons.com.ph.

Watsons has taken bold steps—from making changes in how the stores operate with information about sustainability

 

Watsons Philippines has taken bold steps—from making changes in how the stores operate to empowering customers with information about sustainability—to achieve its goals consistent with its proposition of Look Good DO GOOD Feel Great, the retailer said in its Sustainability Report Philippines 2021, Doing Good For The Community and Planet.

 

Watsons has approached sustainability in the most dynamic way. The retailer has spread awareness and conversion to a sustainable lifestyle through various efforts such as holding informative and educational webinars with KOLs and influencers to spread the word about the importance of living more sustainably and creating a stronger presence and a permanent store corner for Sustainable Choices. Watsons also held a Supplier’s Day event where the retailer shared its vision with supplier partners and asked them to provide new product developments that would meet strict sustainability criteria. 

Aside from encouraging better manufacturing practices and responsible purchase decisions, Watsons also partnered with Plastic Bank, a social enterprise that collects and recycles plastic bottles while providing livelihood to registered collectors. 

 

Watsons released the sustainability report as part of taking responsibility to help lead the way to a sustainable future and give the public a clear focus on its priorities which are covered under the 4 Pillars of Community, People, Customers, and the Planet. 

 

As the leading pharmacy in the Philippines, Watsons’ goal is to uplift the health and wellbeing of the Community. Realizing that the company’s strength lies in its People, Watsons also makes sure its workforce is healthy and resilient. It recognizes the value of involving its millions of Customers in adapting to more sustainable lifestyles by providing more sustainable options. Watsons also aims to reduce the environmental footprint of its store operations, which is a responsibility of every business to manage its carbon emissions and help save the Planet.

 

In the report, the retailer also laid out its 2030 sustainability goals and forecasts anchored on the 4 Pillars. By 2030, Watsons will have sponsored 3,300 cleft and/or palate surgeries to help improve children's lives and have provided free medicines to 20,000 people for the Community. It would have Health & Wellbeing Certification GOLD Investors in People by 2025. Around this time, Watsons expects 15% of its sales to come from the Sustainable Choices selection and to collect 65,000kg of trash. Further mitigation of the effects of its store operations on the planet by reducing electricity intensity by 10% vs 2015 is also in its the pipeline. It also aims to recover and recycle 40 million plastic bottles and reduce by 50% scopes 1&2 GHG emissions vs 2018.

 

"Sustainability is being able to do successful business while positively impacting everything around it, including employees, suppliers, customers, and the planet. Gaining the support of our suppliers, employees, and customers for our sustainability programs has been one of our biggest achievements. We believe businesses must do more for the planet and we are happy to take the lead as a retailer," said Watsons Philippines General Manager Danilo Chiong in the report.

 

As of end-2021, 100% of Watsons stores have been using LED lights and appliances with inverter technology and has more than 1,200 products under the Sustainable Choices category on the shelves. These Sustainable Choices products are free from harmful ingredients (Clean Beauty), made of responsibly sourced palm oil and other ingredients (Better Ingredients), use FSC or recycled paper, recycled plastic, or have no plastic at all (Better Packaging), and promote the concept of refill.

 

Watsons is not just adding products to stores but influencing trends and behaviors for the future, recognizing that customer preferences shift, and demand for sustainable choices will grow. 

 

"As we continue to learn, to educate and innovate, we expect that our products, processes, and customers will also evolve. Even now, we have plans to begin installing refill stations for liquid products in our 1,000th store. As a leading health and beauty retailer, we feel the responsibility to be agents of change, and provide opportunities for our shoppers and partners to be able to do good too," said Chiong.

 

You may read the full Sustainability Report Philippines 2021, Doing Good For The Community and Planet here.

Watsons Philippines has recently garnered multiple awards from different award giving bodies for its sustainability program

Watsons Philippines has recently garnered multiple awards from different award giving bodies for its sustainability program as it takes the lead in the health, wellness and beauty retail sector in spreading the word about the green lifestyle and encouraging its customers to live more sustainably by offering products that allow them to do so.

 

Watsons Personal Care Stores Inc. has received the Sustainability Initiative of the Year – Philippines award from the 17th Retail Asia Awards in recognition of the health, wellness and beauty retailer’s Sustainable Choices campaign.

The award is one of three that Watsons got from Retail Asia Awards, a prestigious and exciting event that gathers the region's best retailers and recognizes the most outstanding retail initiatives. The two other awards that Watsons received are Health & Beauty Retailer of the Year - Philippines and the Omnichannel Strategy of the Year.

 

Watsons Philippines was also recognized in the Green Leadership Category-2021 by the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) for its DOING GOOD Through Sustainable Choices campaign.

 

The Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) is an annual awards that recognize and honor Asian businesses that champion sustainable and responsible business practices.

 

Sustainable Choices is the cornerstone of Watsons’ sustainability strategy and Do Good initiative as part of its proposition Look Good Do Good Feel Great. Watsons is the only health, wellness and beauty retailer in the Philippines with over 1,521 sustainable SKUs that consumers can choose from. Sustainable Choice products at Watsons contain no harmful ingredients (Clean Beauty), are made from responsibly sourced palm oil and FSC-certified paper, use better packaging materials and support refilling through refill packs.

 

Watsons has also dedicated spaces in its over 900 stores nationwide for Sustainable Choices products. Highlights within the stores encourage customers to explore and try eco-conscious choices, driving new shopping behaviors.

 

For the campaign, Watsons collaborated with various stakeholders, including non-government organizations, social enterprises like Plastic Bank, its supplier partners, and SM Malls.

 

“We encouraged Watsons suppliers and manufacturers to introduce more environmentally responsible alternatives for customers. We also helped educate customers, empowering them with the knowledge to make eco-conscious purchase decisions and reduce waste. To disseminate all this information, we held sustainability webinars and encouraged our media guests to help cascade whatever was shared to their readers,” said Viki Encarnacion, PR and Sustainability Director at Watsons Philippines.

 

On the home front, Watsons shared its Sustainable Choices initiative across all departments. The Watsons trading and purchasing teams operate under the mandate to actively seek out products that are more sustainable. The marketing teams continue to educate customers and help influence shopper preferences. Meanwhile, stores and staff highlight these alternatives and make sure that shoppers know about the advantages of choosing sustainable products. In addition to that, Watsons also encourages customers to live more sustainably by promoting the use of eco friendly bags as well as advocating recycling.

 

Watsons takes great pride in the awards that it has received and it also serves as an inspiration to the organization to further strengthen its commitment and efforts to DO GOOD for the planet and the community.