How Confident Are Women Nowadays?

For International Women’s Day, Watsons released results from a regional ‘Women’s Confidence Survey in Asia’. Two major findings are: 1) Almost 50% of women feel unconfident; 2) Mentoring support and seminars on stress management & career success are the top support women need.

According to Malina Ngai, CEO of A.S. Watson (Asia & Europe), “Watsons has had a deep connection with women for over 180 years. We believe that the best version of you and your real beauty should radiate from within. Confidence is an important part of inner beauty and is what makes you feel good and positively impacts your mental well-being.

“That’s why Watsons has recently appointed WISE to conduct a survey about women’s confidence in Asia to find out what kind of support women need to feel more confident and help them become a better version of themselves.”

‘Women’s Confidence Survey in Asia’ has been conducted with over 3,100 women aged 20-29 across six markets including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The respondents were asked to rate their confidence levels and what are the things that can help to boost their confidence.

 

The findings show that almost half of all women in Asia are not confident about themselves at work and in life. Women’s confidence levels are lowest in Hong Kong, closely followed by Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Mainland China. The survey further reveals that staying healthy inside out, as well as gaining recognition from coworkers are key to helping women gain confidence. In the Philippines, women believe that they will be more confident if they are staying health (70%), doing a purposeful job (65%), and doing something good for the environment (56%).

Equitable, Supportive, and Family-friendly Workplace is Key

Notably for the Philippines, 70% are satisfied with their career progression and almost all believe that it’s possible for women to excel in their career.

 

Almost half of the respondents feel stressed in an unbalanced gender workplace and think that gender equality is important in the workplace to make women feel good and comfortable. Over 30% do not have enough support from their companies. The top support that they are looking for are mentoring support, seminars on stress management & career success, and networking events.

 

Ngai continues, “The findings show that an equitable, supportive and family friendly workplace is exactly what women need nowadays and we are keen to lead by example. With operations in 11 markets in Asia, women make up 77% of our 63,000 workforce. Therefore, it is Watsons’ ongoing commitment to create a culture that makes everyone feel welcomed, valued, appreciated and encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, and each of them is given equal career development opportunity.

 

“As a family-friendly company, we encourage more companies to join us in formulating policies to support and empower women, especially helping those working mothers to strike a balance between work and family.”

What is Beautiful? Inner Beauty Becomes Increasingly Important

 

As a trusted brand for women, Watsons has always taken pride in having a deep understanding of women’s preferences. Especially after two challenging years with COVID-19 pandemic impacting everyone’s life, we are keen to understand how women’s perception of beauty evolves amongst our over 100 million loyal customers.

 

In another recent survey Watsons commissioned titled ‘What is Beautiful’, more than 11,000 women aged under 45 in 12 markets across Asia and Europe were interviewed about how they value things around them and how they define beautiful after going through a pandemic. On average, 75% of women agree that inner beauty has become more important than ever, especially in the Philippines (96%), followed by Malaysia (91%), Thailand (86%), Hong Kong (83%) and Taiwan (82%).

 

When being asked about the definition of ‘beautiful’, taking care of your health inside out tops the list, with feeling confident and feeling happy in the second and third.

 

“These findings are consistent with those in our ‘Women’s Confidence Survey in Asia’ that reveals staying healthy inside out is important to boost confidence which is important for both physical and mental wellness,” Ngai adds.

 

With this insight, Watsons Philippines offers up to 30% off on Women’s essentials like vitamins, supplements and personal care products for the whole month of March to help ensure Filipinas feel beautiful and health inside and out, thus boosting their confidence.

 

 

‘The New Beautiful’ Campaign Promotes Inner Beauty in Women

 

‘What’s the most beautiful thing in life?’ The survey continues. Almost half the respondents feel that the most beautiful thing in life is doing good to the people around them, communities and even the planet we live in.

 

Ngai believes as our customers gradually emerge from the pandemic crisis, it’s time to empower each other. “The survey results redefine what beautiful means in people’s mind. Doing good is a way to make people feel good, beautiful and confident. To boost a woman’s self-confidence, it’s no longer just about outer beauty; instead, it’s about helping women to glow from the inside out.

 

“As such, Watsons is launching ‘The New Beautiful’ campaign to

encourage women to empower themselves to Look Good. Do Good. Feel Great. Featuring a series of activities across Asia, it will have three overarching themes – Go Green, Go Smile, and Go Empower, which aims to actively involve our community of over 100 million loyalty members in Asia.”

 

Programmes will begin to roll out across numerous Asian markets soon.

 

In the Philippines, Watsons also has partnered with SM Supermalls for a special event titled “Women Now & the Future”, a summit on Women Empowerment for a Sustainable Tomorrow at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall on March 8, 2:30-4pm. The conversation revolves around mentoring Womenprenuers and empowering the next generation of Women. Another program that is being planned later this year in partnership with Operations Smile is the launch of ‘Women in Medicine’ programme which aims to empower women in the field of medical science.

 

In Hong Kong, ‘Go Empower’ online seminar will be hosted to inspire women’s confidence in building personal branding. And in other markets including Mainland China, Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan, health talks and women empowerment sharing sessions will run across social media platforms and instore to surprise female customers.

 

“At Watsons, we believe in The New Beautiful, a new kind of beauty that’s good for everyone. To us, beautiful glows from the inside. It’s how we treat ourselves and each other. It’s how we live, who we are, and who we can be. The beautiful is in us all, and for us all,” Ngai concludes.

 

GOJUST awards six universities with over 12 million PHP in grants

Today, on International Women’s Day, the EU’s Governance in Justice Programme (GOJUST) officially awarded Php 12.1 million (EUR 215,000) to six universities that will put access to justice for women and girls at the center of their Clinical Legal Education Programmes. The six universities are: West Visayas State University; Adamson University; University of San Carlos; University of the Visayas; Father Saturnino Urios University; St. Louis University.

 

Filipino women want and deserve access to justice. But of the 35% of Filipinos who experienced a legal problem in the last two years, only 20% of them were able to access help, according to the 2019 World Justice Report. And women and children find it harder to access justice. 

The Governance in Justice or GOJUST is a programme of the European Union to support the Philippine Government’s efforts to improve access to justice for all. The GOJUST programme includes a grant mechanism of EUR 3.1 million (Php 170 million) over a period of four years to support civil society organizations and universities/law schools to improve access to justice for disadvantaged groups in particular women and girls. 

 

The grant signing ceremony was held virtually today with the keynote address given by his H.E. Luc Véron, EU Ambassador to the Philippines. 

 

Messages were also given by Atty. Anna Marie Melanie Trinidad, Chairperson, Legal Education Board; Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Chairperson, Committee on Legal Education; Dean Gemy Lito Festin, President, Philippine Association of Law Schools; and Ms. Jelen Paclarin, Executive Director, Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau. 

 

“Gender equality is one of the European Union’s core values. Ensuring women and girls have equal access to justice is fundamental to building a fair, inclusive, prosperous and peaceful society. The European Union has been a committed partner to the Philippine’s Justice Sector reform since 2006. Our engagement stems from the importance we attach to democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” said EU Ambassador Luc Véron. 

 

“We look forward to the transformative work of these universities in the year ahead. Women and girls are key agents of development and change. Their interventions will change lives for the better”, he added. 

 

The six universities will implement the Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) of the Supreme Court as a pathway to promote access to justice for women and other vulnerable groups. The CLEP is a credit-earning teaching course with the goal of providing law students with knowledge for the application of the law, delivery of legal services and promotion of social justice, especially to marginalized communities. 

 

The planned activities of the grantees intend to empower women as much as improve their access to justice services. West Visayas State University will set up a legal help desk for women, children and marginalized groups in need of legal support and assistance. The University will leverage its Gender and Development (GAD) Office and collaborate with the Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU) of the West Visayas Medical Center Hospital to develop the help desk. 

 

Similarly, another grantee, the University of the Visayas will also set up a legal help desk in the female dormitory of the Cebu City jail to provide free legal aid services to women deprived of liberty. 

 

Adamson University will create a corps of paralegal volunteers, and focus on the legal empowerment and education of disadvantaged communities through workshops on the justice system, human rights, and women’s/ children’s rights. Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) will work with indigenous communities on rights awareness including women’s rights. 

 

With a total grant of  EUR19 million (Php 1.1 billion ) over a period of four years, the EU’s GOJUST Programme: 1) supports the Philippine Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, to improve access to justice for all Filipinos and thus, contribute to inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development; 2) aims at strengthening the Commission on Human Rights to exert its constitutional mandate of civil and political rights protection and enhance human rights promotion in the Philippines consistent with the United Nations’ Paris principles.

 

GOJUST is implemented through technical assistance by the British Council and logistical and grant management support from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) as well as the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AE

Cebu Pacific is proud to celebrate 26 years of making moments happen, with another exciting anniversary seat sale

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, is proud to celebrate today, 26 years of making moments happen, with another exciting anniversary seat sale.

From today until March 27, passengers can avail of yet another one of CEB’s anniversary promos, this time for as low as PHP199 one-way base fare to selected Philippine destinations. Travel date for this affordable deal starts now until June 30, 2022.

This is an opportunity for all to book their long-awaited vacay to reunite with their loved ones or enjoy sun-kissed tropical beaches and other vibrant destinations in CEB’s widest domestic network, while a lot of destinations have opened their borders or simplified travel requirements for fully vaccinated individuals.

In addition to Cebu Pacific’s anniversary seat sale, the airline will also be offering 50 per cent off on its seat selector service from March 8 to 10, for flights departing from April 1 to August 31, 2022. Passengers can fly easily with their preferred seats where they can choose either a window or aisle seat, or rows near the exits with an extra legroom option. This deal is also available for passengers with existing bookings.

Passengers are encouraged to book flights and add-ons in this #CEBSuperSeatFest, using their existing Travel Funds before they expire. Apart from the Travel Fund, other payment options may also be used, such as payment centers, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets.

“On our 26th year, we are very happy to be a part of our passengers’ life journeys, enabling everyJuan to fly. We fully support the continuous easing of travels for everyJuan, Filipinos and foreign tourists alike, and expect to welcome more guests onto our flights,” said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing & Customer Experience.

To accommodate more guests, CEB ramps up its domestic network by adding more flights to local destinations this month, like Boracay, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo, among others.

Apart from these, CEB also resumes its flights to other destinations across the country such as Siargao and Surigao via Manila, Calbayog via Cebu, Iloilo and Zamboanga via Davao, and General Santos via Iloilo.

Book flights now at www.cebupacificair.com .

CEB operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 34 destinations, on top of its 17 international destinations. It has a 74-strong fleet, one of the youngest in the world, which includes two (2) dedicated ATR freighters.

 

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in the Philippines, launched the “Here for Her” campaign

To celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in the Philippines,  launched the “Here for Her” campaign.  The Here for Her Campaign , is a call to action engaging all stakeholders to accelerate the pace in empowering women and girls to realize their rights and full potential.  This flagship campaign is launched to promote commitment to end preventable maternal deaths, end unintended pregnancies, and prevent gender-based violence and other harmful practices.

 

The launch of Here for Her Campaign is on the day of the United Nations’ International Women’s Day with the theme of “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.”  Achieving gender equality is further challenged by climate change. 

 

“Women and girls are effective and powerful leaders and change-makers for climate adaptation and mitigation. ” shared Dr. Leila Sajii Joudane, UNFPA Country Representative to the Philippines. “Climate change is not gender-neutral. It is a multiplier of existing inequalities and vulnerabilities. 

 

During humanitarian crises, UNFPA leads in upholding the health and dignity of women and girls by preventing and responding to gender-based violence, addressing the delivery of emergency reproductive health kits and ensuring safe childbirth. These efforts are seen in previous calamities, including Super Typhoon Odette (Rai). 

 

 

For more information on UNFPA Philippines, visit philippines.unfpa.org , and follow facebook.com/UNFPAph/, instagram.com/unfpaph/, and twitter.com/UNFPAph

Showcase the beauty of the PH through your best Huawei Mobile shot

In partnership with the Department of Tourism, Huawei Philippines and Manila Bulletin are set to launch their photo contest with the theme, “It’s More Fun With You” They are accepting any photos about traveling in the Philippines, highlighting subjects such as the best tourist spots and attractions, travelers enjoying the local delicacies and events, and any of the many natural wonders across the archipelago.

“Through Huawei's leading-edge mobile technologies, the beauty and energy of the Philippines are captured in vivid images that inspire an abiding commitment to preserve its natural wonders. This year's theme, 'It’s More Fun With You!' sounds a clarion call to revitalize travel and tourism in the Philippines as the nation bravely responds to the challenge of building back better." he adds.

Alongside Manila Bulletin and Huawei Philippines, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat shares “Now that many of our destinations have reopened for travel, we hope to encourage more people to visit them by seeing the beauty of our islands through other people’s lens. We thank Huawei for their support in inviting their mobile users to share their travel photos in the Philippines as a way to help promote our attractions.”

 

The Philippines was known all throughout the world as the Pearl of the Orient Sea. Rich and bountiful with tropical beauty and cultural diversity, the country dazzled the world with its fortunes. And as the country moves forward and rise up, Huawei Mobile, Manila Bulletin and DoT want to remind the world of the beauty of the Philippines once again.  

 

How to participate 

Participants are encouraged to explore the most interesting perspectives, formats, and light conditions that best showcase the beauty and energy of the Philippines. All photo entries must be taken with Huawei mobiles. They may submit to any of three categories: portraits, landscapes, and macro shots. Winning entries will be judged for their creativity, adherence to the theme, and originality.

 

There is no limit to the number of entries per participant, so long as they do not submit duplicates across the categories. Entries may be processed and edited with Huawei mobile technologies only. Black-and-white entries are not advisable and may be grounds for disqualification.

 

Visit the earthlenshuawei.mb.com.ph for the full contest mechanics and make sure to submit your photos before April 3, 2022. One representative each from Huawei Mobile, Manila Bulletin, and the Department of Tourism will confer with a professional photographer to decide on the winners.

 

Announcement of winners

On April 13, 2022, three winners will be chosen, one for each category. Each winner will receive a free Huawei P50 Pro and have their shot featured on Manila Bulletin’s FB page. Other participants will still have a chance to win a free Huawei P50 Pocket via raffle draw.

 

The HUAWEI P50 Pro and P50 Pocket

The Huawei P50 models are optimized for smartphone photography, with several cutting-edge features. With the P Series’ True-Chroma, it can capture its portrait subjects in all their pure and authentic colors. Landscape photos are transformed with its Ultra HD features, capable of capturing the smallest detail. And with its True Focus technology, users can explore creative perspectives of their subject without sacrificing its clarity. By awarding winners with the Huawei P50 Pro and participants with the chance to get a Huawei P50 Pocket, Huawei Mobile hopes to encourage and enable more Filipinos to capture the beauty of the Philippines and share it with the world.

 

Check out the HUAWEI P50 Pro and P50 Pocket full specifications through the Huawei Online Store, or flagship stores on Lazada and Shopee.  

Find out more

With this photo contest, Huawei Mobile seeks to celebrate what makes the Philippines beautiful for all the world to see. For updates on the contest, follow the hashtag #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines.

 

Visit Huawei Philippines’ official pages on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to stay updated on the latest contests, promos and devices. #HuaweiP50ProPH #HuaweiP50PocketPH #LegendReborn #BeFullyInformed. #ItsMoreFunInThePhilippines

 

Find out which products Marian plans to check out this 3.15 Consumer day

 

 Marian Rivera, Shopee’s Primetime Queen, juggles a lot of roles as a mom, wife, celebrity, and an entrepreneur. This doesn’t stop her from finding time to take care of herself, especially through retail therapy.  Just like the rest of us, Marian finds comfort when shopping online and admits she’s somewhat an impulsive buyer. If she finds something that will make her happy, she’ll check it out in a heartbeat. 

 

“Ang tip ko when shopping [my tip when shopping], if it makes you happy, then go get it!” says Marian, who treats herself while keeping the home neat and orderly for fellow Shopee brand ambassadors, her husband Dingdong and their daughter Zia. This 3.15 Shopee Consumer Day, Marian’s looking to buy these items to reward herself with and spruce up their home:

 

Marian spends most of her time in the kitchen which is why she always wants it to be kept spotless. Just like Marian, organize your refrigerator space and make the most of its storage with these nifty Ref Organizer. Not only does this make your refrigerator more pleasant to look at, it also helps keep ingredients fresh.

 

Things can get tricky when cooking, especially when you need to go around the kitchen to collect all your ingredients. As an avid home cook herself, Marian knows this struggle and plans to get this 3-Layer Storage Cart. Put all your key ingredients in this cart and roll it right beside you for an easier time moving around while preparing meals.

 

“After a full day of work, gusto ko mag relax and i-pamper sarili ko [I want to relax and pamper myself] because I know I deserve it” says Marian. Kick those shoes off after a long day of working and running errands. With the Plush Indoor Slippers that come in gray, black and orange, you’ll feel comfort with every step at home and feel rejuvenated.  

 

 

Marian’s greatest joy is seeing her children smile. “When I see my kids happy whenever we bond, instantly ako din nagiging happy [instantly I also become happy]” adds Marian. Bring joy to your loved ones with the Marble Race Mini Blocks that will keep you busy for hours, so you can enjoy precious memories together.

 

 Most of us can relate to Marian, who is a self-confessed impulse buyer when shopping online. Interestingly, her purchases are mostly useful house items that keep her valuables organized, so she knows exactly where everything is. This Minimalist Jewelry Organizer guarantees that your prized beauty essentials are displayed in a spacious and sturdy acrylic compartment that looks perfect alongside your vanity mirror. 

 

 

Discover more products for your self-care this 3.15 Consumer Day. Enjoy big discounts on your purchase with promos such as free shipping with no minimum spend, ₱1 Deals, and 10% off daily. For more info, visit  https://shopee.ph/m/consumer-day .

 

Just like Marian, you too can purchase your own self-care and home essentials—without breaking your budget! Make sure to activate ShopeePay to access exclusive perks and promos such as daily free shipping and cashback vouchers. This March, enjoy 20% cashback when you scan to pay at ShopeePay’s partner merchants such as Nature Republic, Novo Department Store, Brow Haus, Vice Cosmetics, Zen Zest, and more. You can also save while you shop when you checkout ShopeePay ₱1 Deals and redeem discounts in stores.

 

Continue your rewarding cashless experience with ShopeePay’s free transfers feature and get a chance to win ₱100,000 when you send money to any bank or to any Shopee user via ShopeePay. As an additional treat, new users can get free ₱100 on their first-ever transfer (promo runs from March 8 to 17). This 3.15 Consumer Day, don’t miss out on more exclusive vouchers, 50% off on load across all networks and up to 100% cashback on your monthly bills from over 60 billers when you use ShopeePay!

 

Looking for the best customer care on all things Shopee? For all your questions and concerns, Shopee Cares PH is here to help. Follow @ShopeeCaresPH on Twitter and Facebook, where you and the rest of the Shopee Fam can come together to find answers and get the care you deserve.

 

Have an even more rewarding shopping experience when you tier up your Shopee Loyalty level to Gold and Platinum so you can avail for unlimited Free Shipping vouchers. For more info, visit https://loyalty.shopee.ph/ in the Shopee App.  

 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Smart launches GIGA Arena for Filipino mobile gamers

As a huge step in enabling Filipinos to pursue their passion in mobile gaming, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has launched GIGA Arena, the country's first all-in-one esports platform that aims to simply bring the total esports experience at the fingertips of Filipino mobile gamers.

 

Open to all Smart and TNT customers, GIGA Arena lets users match up with fellow players to compete in daily, weekly, and monthly tournaments on gigaarena.smart for prestige and cash prizes. Registration starts on March 9. 

 

For its launch, GIGA Arena features four most popular mobile games in the country, such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, League of Legends: Wild Rift, Call of Duty Mobile (CODM), and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Mobile (PUBGM).

Aside from enabling users to compete in live tournaments, the all-in-one platform also comes with innovative features that allow mobile gamers to set-up tournaments, stream live competitions, play arcade games, purchase e-load, and conveniently link their e-wallet to secure their tournament winnings via GigaPay with PayMaya, among others.

 

To power the platform, Smart has partnered with global esports company LEET Entertainment. Smart also marks its five years of partnership with mobile game developer Moonton as it includes Mobile Legends: Bang Bang among its featured mobile games. 

 

Training ground to greatness

 

Envisioned as a training ground for greatness, GIGA Arena comes amid the rise in the number of Filipino mobile gamers who want to level up their skills and enhance their gameplay.

 

“Through GIGA Arena, we are giving mobile gamers a venue to showcase their skills and talents, which many of them devote time and effort to hone. This is aligned with our commitment to enable our subscribers to pursue their passions and live the Giga Life,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

 

“We have designed GIGA Arena to be as dynamic as the esports scene, so our subscribers can expect more innovative features aimed at delivering the best mobile gaming experience,” she added.

 

To access GIGA Arena, subscribers can go to gigaarena.smart and create an account using their Smart or TNT mobile number. To join ongoing tournaments, users need to use ‘tickets,’ which they can earn and accumulate every time they register to GIGA Games data packs.

 

Enhanced GIGA Games 

 

In time for the launch of GIGA Arena, Smart has also announced the enhanced GIGA Games, which now includes data for PUBGM, on top of Mobile Legends and Facebook Gaming.

 

Smart and TNT subscribers can conveniently register to GIGA Games via the GigaLife App, which is available on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and Huawei Mobile Services. Customers may also avail of GIGA Games by dialing *123#.

 

Patron of esports in PH

 

Giga Arena is the latest in Smart’s efforts to provide the best mobile gaming experience to Filipinos through innovative services, strategic partnerships with leading game creators and tournament organizers, and network improvements and rollouts across the country.

 

Among leagues Smart has supported over the years are: The Nationals, the country’s first franchise-based esports league; all-female esports league Liga Adarna; and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Pro League tournaments, along with many other esports programs and tournaments from the grassroots to the pro levels.

 

Smart has also been a big supporter of Sibol, the Philippine national esports team, its own PLDT-Smart Omega esports team, and many other esports players and mobile gaming content creators.  Smart is also a founding and active member of the Philippine Esports Organization (PESO), the country’s National Sports Association for E-Sports.

 

Philippines’ fastest 5G mobile network

 

GIGA Arena is powered by Smart, the fastest 5G network in the Philippines as reported by Ookla®, the global leader in mobile and broadband intelligence.

 

Ookla recently declared Smart as the country’s fastest 5G mobile network and the winner of its Speedtest Awards for Q3-Q4 2021 with a Speed Score of 201.95, while its closest competitor posted a Speed Score of 116.08.

 

To bag this award, Smart posted a median download speed of 218.82 Mbps and a median upload speed of 22.46 Mbps, while its closest competitor posted a median download speed of 116.92 Mbps and a median upload speed of 10.81 Mbps.

 

To know more about GIGA Arena, visit gigaarena.smart and follow Smart’s official accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Dance and sing along to ‘My Mekeni’ with the whole family!

 

Mekeni Food Corporation has yet again surprised its Filipino customers after it unveiled its brand new campaign jingle that will make you groove and move.

 

Titled “My Mekeni”, the two-minute song showcases why Mekeni is a brand of choice among consumers. “We wanted to highlight the attributes of the brand, making it the top Filipino households’ choice for their families. ‘My Mekeni’ embodies everything the brand is all about– #TimplangAtin favorites that have continued to delight everyone in the family for over 35 years,” said Kathlene Gomez-Schultz, marketing head of Mekeni.

The brand’s newest campaign jingle featured a Filipino family, jovially sharing Mekeni favorites at the dining table. Several family specialties were highlighted, supporting the brand’s promise that there is a Mekeni product for everyone in the family. Starting with the brand’s flagship product, Mekeni Picnic Hotdog, the song also featured the classic sweet and tamis-alat variants of Mekeni Specials Pork Tocino as well as the Mekeni GoLite Chicken Longanisa. 

 

The catchy, danceable song posted on Mekeni’s Facebook page is complemented with easy-to-follow dance moves. Mekeni collaborated with Zumba/Fitness content creator, Live Love Party, and BP Dance Studio to make the steps easy, fun, and for everyone.

 

“The new campaign song sums up what Timplang Atin is for us Filipinos. If you want something that is #MomApproved when it comes to quality, we have your Mekeni Picnic Hotdog. If you want variety with your food, we have Mekeni Specials Pork Tocino that are perfect even for the pickiest eater. For a guiltless, healthier alternative, you can have our gluten-free Mekeni GoLite Chicken Longanisa. Whatever your preference is, there is a Mekeni specialty for you,” said Gomez-Schultz.

 

Earlier this month, Mekeni also launched its new brand packaging for its new product categories—Gold, Specials, GoLite, and Suki Choice. The brand also unveiled its newly renovated factory outlet called Mekeni Marketplace in its hometown, Porac, Pampanga, featuring all their family specialties.

 

Just last month, Mekeni further expanded its reach in the US by bringing its own streetfood line to Island Pacific Supermarket, one of the biggest Asian/Filipino supermarkets in the West Coast. 

 

Sing and dance to Mekeni’s new song, ‘My Mekeni’, with the whole family! To know more about one of the industry leaders in food manufacturing, visit Mekeni’s official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/mekeniph.

Celebrate and support local sellers like Anjelica, Emerald, and Shine at the 3.15 International Women’s Day Sale

More women in e-commerce continue to excel in the industry and are stepping out of their comfort zone to pursue their dreams and transform their lives. On March 8, the world will celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) and this year’s campaign theme, #BreakTheBias, promotes gender equality and a community that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusivity. In celebration of IWD, three local female Shopee sellers share how they overcame the challenges they faced and how they’re breaking barriers. They hope that their stories may serve as an inspiration to other aspiring women entrepreneurs venturing into the world of e-commerce. 

 

Embracing the Shift to Online Selling

Setting up an online business requires a lot of focus and can be intimidating. Shine de Luna was pregnant when she started selling online, and eventually decided to focus on her online business when she gave birth so that she can spend more time taking care of her child. She knew it was risky and faced many difficulties when she first set up her online shop. “I had zero orders in the beginning, but I persevered, pushed forward, and didn’t give up. I made sure I boosted my posts every four hours and replied to inquiries fast. It took months before my business picked up the pace, and now, I’m getting a hundred orders daily.” In addition to traveling to Divisoria to source products to sell, she also had to tend to her child and bring them along. 

 

The same goes for Anjelica Tullao, who started with zero ratings and zero items sold. “Establishing the customer’s trust was my main obstacle. For them to consider buying from my shop, they need to trust me and that my products are of high quality,” she said. 

 

Emerald Sin, on the other hand, was already selling her pre-loved clothes in college to finance her studies. She invested in a brick-and-mortar store located around the University Belt and shifted online to cater to her clients who were going home to their provinces. 

 

Rising Above the Challenges One Step at a Time 

Despite the hardships faced, Shine, Emerald, and Anjelica rose above the challenges, determined to succeed no matter what. For Shine, not only was she able to provide for her family, but she also became a channel of blessing to the few workers she employed to get her business running. “I am grateful to my team for helping me through it all. It was risky, but it was worth it because I can also help others during this difficult time.” It was also through online selling that she was able to help achieve her parent’s lifetime dream of owning their own house. 

 

Both Emerald and Anjelica focused on how to market their products effectively. Emerald branched out and became a direct manufacturer, hiring local seamstresses to produce high-quality fashion products, while Anjelica maximized the in-app features of Shopee to improve customer trust and retention. “Whenever I encounter issues, Live Chat is always available to answer all my queries. I am also grateful to the Shopee team who helped me become a ‘Preferred Seller’ and recommended me to join big campaigns.” With her shop’s good performances, she went from being a one-man team to having seven additional team members.  “With our shop’s growth, we were able to expand our office, rent a warehouse, and purchase two vehicles for personal and professional use.” 

 

Supporting Women in E-commerce 

This International Women’s Day, Shine, Emerald, and Anjelica encourage other women to step up, break stereotypes, and reach for their dreams. “I’m encouraging those who are hesitant, to take a leap of faith. I believe that we can do so much more. Don’t let the circumstances stop you from being successful and from helping others. A successful journey always starts with someone determined to overcome anything life throws at us,” said Emerald. 

 

Shine, on the other hand, is proud to be both a mother and a successful entrepreneur. “Sobrang saya ko kasi natupad ko ang pangarap ng aking mga magulang na magkaroon ng sariling bahay sa tulong ng pagiging online seller ko.” (I’m very happy because I was able to fulfill my parent’s dream of having our own house, and this was made possible by being an online seller). She also adds that women should pursue their dreams and work hard towards it. “Huwag kang aasa sa magulang or partner mo. Naging makahulugan ang pagiging anak at ina ko dahil nabigay ko sa kanila ang pangangailangan nila mula sa negosyo ko.” (Don’t just expect things from your partner or parents. I feel fulfilled as a mother and daughter since I can provide my family what they need thanks to my online business.)

 

Anjelica also pushes aspiring female entrepreneurs to grab the opportunity. “Find your own purpose, challenge yourself, and pursue your goals. Being a successful woman in business means being your authentic self and showing up, day after day, to get to work your dreams.”

 

Celebrate and support local sellers like Anjelica, Emerald, and Shine at the 3.15 International Women’s Day Sale this coming March 8. Here, users can look forward to 90% off on select categories like Lifestyle, Fashion, and many more. For those who are considering online selling and want to explore the evolving digital space, they can Get Started on Shopee right now. 

 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

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Frizzy, brittle hair that usually comes with a dry scalp may seem fixable by putting essential oils, but give it a quick think, don’t you want a long-term fix? Read on because we have some hair-mazing tea to spill! Herbal Essences continues to provide revolutionary products so Filipinas can have hair so food that they just #CantUnfeelIt! You can now cleanse your scalp without washing away its natural oils, all while restoring your beautiful hair with the NEW Herbal Essences bio:renew Scalp Soothing Tea Tree Oil Shampoo and Calming Conditioner. 

This new line from Herbal Essences should definitely be on your next beauty haul! Why? It is certified and endorsed by KEW Royal Botanical Gardens on using real plant-based ingredients including Tea Tree Oil extract which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties-- Long story short, your hair and scalp are guaranteed to get only the best treatment with Herbal Essences Tea Tree Oil!

So, what’s the tea with Tea Tree?

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Washing your hair with the new Herbal Essences Soothing Tea Tree Oil Shampoo can be very effective at breaking down and removing excess oil and debris. After your wash, take the freshness to a whole new level by conditioning and run your fingers for that #CantUnfeelIt sensation!

 

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These properties found in tea tree oil can decrease that itchy dandruff significantly! Switch to Herbal Essences Soothing Tea Tree Oil Shampoo and Conditioner today and flip your hair with no worries of embarrassing flaky moments.

 

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A clean scalp is the key to faster hair growth! Treat yourself to a quick massage while conditioning - come out refreshed everyday. 

 

The tea has been spilled, so what are you waiting for? Soothe your scalp and achieve hair you can’t unfeel now! 

 

Get your hands on the all NEW Herbal Essences bio:renew Scalp Soothing Tea Tree Oil and Calming conditioner in Shopee during Consumer Day this coming March 15 for deals up to 27% off!