Procter & Gamble's Commitment to Equality and Inclusion: Strong Progress and New Actions in Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa

Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) recently announced new commitments aimed toward advancing Equality & Inclusion (E&I) across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa (AMA), at its fifth annual #WeSeeEqual summit for the region. The event saw participation from world-renowned advocates and personalities from the private and public sectors. 

 

P&G President for Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, Stanislav Vecera, announced new commitments to advance progress in the region:

 

1.      Through its Always and Whisper ‘Keeping Girls in School’ program, P&G will educate more than 35 million adolescent girls on puberty and menstrual hygiene across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa, over the next 3 years.

o    The company will focus on increasing awareness about the need for period education and preventing girls from missing and dropping out of school. 

 

2.      Over the next year, P&G will set up a task force of certified ‘Mental Health First Aiders’ across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

o    Studies point out that there is a close connection between mental health and DEI. The mental health of an individual can also be affected by factors such as microaggressions, lack of representation, and unconscious bias. P&G’s ‘mental health first aiders’ will be P&G employees from different workgroups who will be trained and certified by licensed authorities and organizations to provide support and assist peers experiencing mental health issues. Across markets for 19,000 employees in the region, these First Aiders will act as the first line of response and will be equipped to identify signs and symptoms of emotional distress and initiate a supportive conversation with a colleague, guide them towards available resources in the company, and encourage them to seek professional support.

 

Held in partnership with the UN Foundation, the summit focused on emerging trends and insights in the DEI space including bridging the gap between generations, particularly focusing on Gen Z, as it becomes a prominent cohort in the workforce and consumer base; diversity in leadership styles and perspectives to foster innovation and creativity; and how different stakeholders can accelerate progress to serve consumers and communities. For the first time, the summit also shed light on mental wellness as an integral part to advancing E&I, highlighting biases that can lead to discrimination and exclusion, which can have a negative impact on mental wellness.

 

Stanislav Vecera, President – Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Procter & Gamble said: “We know that everyone brings unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to the table that can unlock growth in businesses and society. We will continue to step up as a company, through our brands, and with our partners, to create value for our employees and communities.” He added: “We are delighted to host the 'We See Equal' Summit, built on the theme of ‘Unique and United’ - it's a chance for us to connect with thought leaders and have open, honest conversations about how we can continue to advance equality and inclusion.”

 

The company also shared strong progress on commitments across the AMA region made last year as part of the annual #WeSeeEqual summit in 2022:

·       Last year, P&G introduced the 'P&G ReLaunch program' in three markets - India, Singapore, and the Philippines – to welcome back talented professionals who took a break from the workforce and looking to restart their careers in STEM roles, with targeted support and development. This program is now part of the company's commitment to strengthen diversity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and will focus on people looking to relaunch their careers in IT, Research & Development, and Product Supply

·       As part of its commitment to spend a cumulative total of $300 million by deliberately working with women-owned and women-led businesses across the AMA region, from the year 2021 to 2025, P&G has made headways on this front and has already invested $175 million in this initiative. Through its flagship AMA Women Entrepreneurs Academy program, P&G has built the capability of over 1000 Women Entrepreneurs in 10 markets in the region that will enable them to make their businesses more competitive

·       P&G committed to improving the accessibility of its brand advertising, including social media content and websites, by making most of our communication accessible to people with sight and hearing impairments by 2024. The company has made strong progress on this commitment and by 2024, a majority of its communication will be accessible to people with sight and hearing impairments

·       P&G continues to work towards achieving equal representation of female directors behind the camera for the company's brand advertisements. In the AMA region, P&G has increased the representation of female directors from 16% in 2019 to more than 35% today. The company aims to achieve 50% women behind the camera through a comprehensive set of actions to build, fuel, and connect a pipeline of diverse female talent in advertising, media, and content

 

The P&G ‘We See Equal’ Summit saw the participation of influential personalities and global leaders, including:

·       Guneet Monga Kapoor, first Indian Oscar-winning producer, CEO - Sikhya Entertainment 

·       Eddie Ndopu, Award-winning Humanitarian, Storyteller, Disability Practitioner

·       Elissa Freiha, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Womena

·       Sarah Harden, Chief Executive Officer, Hello Sunshine

·       Sia Nowrojee, Senior Director, Girls & Women Strategy, United Nations Foundation

·       Aparna Raje Piramal, Writer (Chemical Khichdi), Speaker, Educator

·       Chieko Asakawa, Visually impaired Computer Scientist, IBM Fellow 

·       Simidele Adeagbo, Olympian and Advocate

 

“Mounting evidence continues to show that gender equality is somewhere between about one to three centuries away, depending on the report you favor and what you want measured. Accumulating data points repeatedly reveal deepening disadvantage and discrimination and worrying outcomes”, said Sia Nowrojee, Senior Director, Girls and Women Strategy, UN Foundation. “But our window to act is now. We believe that companies have a unique responsibility to See Equal, and those that do will join the global team of people who believe the dignity and opportunity of all people is worth fighting for.”

 

To inspire corporates and society alike, the summit also hosted global P&G leaders including:

·       Shailesh Jejurikar, Chief Operating Officer

·       Fama Francisco, Chief Executive Officer – Baby, Feminine & Family Care and Executive Sponsor – Gender Equality

·       Bala Purushothaman, Chief Human Resources Officer

·       Markus Strobel, President – Skin & Personal Care

 

The #WeSeeEqual program demonstrates P&G’s continued commitment to creating a more equal and inclusive world and is also a winner of theU.S. Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence for Women’s Empowerment in 2019. As one of the world’s largest advertisers, P&G and its brands will also continue to leverage their influential voice in media and advertising to drive further awareness, tackle bias, spark conversations, and motivate change. 

Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, now available on Disney+

Enter the Quantum Realm and witness the beginning of a new chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania,” now available exclusively on Disney+.

Superheroes Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) continue their adventures as Ant-Man and The Wasp. After Scott’s daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton) discovers a way to enter the Quantum Realm, they embark on an adventure into the mysterious world together with Scott, Hope, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer).

Upon entering the Quantum Realm, they encounter a unique world with mysterious creatures and meet Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors). When Kang gives Scott a dangerous mission, he and the rest of the family must push their limits and brace themselves against threats within the Realm in order to save the universe.

Catch the latest Marvel Studios film on Disney+ today.

Five travel creators who are making waves with YouTube Shorts

 

When the world opened back up, one of the things people immediately set out to do was travel. Whether it was within their own cities and countries or overseas to foreign lands, going on a trip was definitely on top of many’s lists thanks to the cabin fever caused by the pandemic.

 

One great place to satisfy your wanderlust vicariously is on YouTube. Travel is one of the most popular genres on the platform, with many people from just about all walks of life watching all kinds of travel videos from all around the world, especially vlogs.  This is because videos – including short-form like YouTube Shorts – are a way to experience a place and behold its beauty without actually going there, influencing many people to eventually travel and experience the place for themselves.

 

So if you’re in the mood to get out and see the world beyond your four walls, follow these five travel creators who are making waves with YouTube Shorts:

 

1. One Armed Wanderer

The One Armed Wanderer is Ed Puno, a vlogger who roams the Philippines to find the best hotels and staycation spots. He finds himself in beaches and mountains, showing viewers different places they can rent a room in—you don’t realize how many beautiful rest houses and hotels there are until you check out his content.

 

2. Benjo D
   

 

Benjo D is a self-described hippie who stands out from the rest because of his amazing tricycle van, which doubles as his house. He’s a real-life modern nomad, traveling across the Philippines in his 100% DIY bedroom-in-a-van, and his Shorts almost completely focus on this unusual way of life. If you’re looking to figure out how to break free from the confines of one place, Benjo’s content is definitely great inspiration.

 

3. Martin Solhaugen

 

This list wouldn’t be complete without a foreigner who’s fallen in love with the beauty of the Philippines. For this, we have Martin Solhaugen, a travel vlogger who hails from Norway. He’s settled here, and is dedicated to showing the world everything that could be found in our 7,000+ islands, from the views to the unique culture and the warm people. If you’re interested in looking at our country through a foreigner’s eyes, check out his content.

 

4. Hello Shayne

 

Hello Shayne is a local vlogger on a quest to travel on a budget and share stories in the process. She initially started out vlogging about her personal life and her learnings, but shifted to showing her trips around the Philippines as she started traveling more. Most will find her quest to get the most out of the country on a budget, as well as her recommendations in different places all too relatable.

 

5. Rachel Gania

 

With all these travel content creators showing various places, 25-year-old Rachel Gania is not quite like the rest of them—she’s a fashion YouTuber and stays firmly in that lane. Despite that, she does post travel content from time to time, and her well-edited Shorts focus on outfits you can wear wherever you’re going. You’ve gotten the recommendations on where to go and stay from these other creators, now get the inspiration on fits you can flex in your travel photos and videos.

 

Explore great content from your favorite creators and more on YouTube Shorts on youtube.com or the YouTube app.

 

Netizens finally #LetItchGo, thanks to JoshDrea and Head & Shoulders

 

Love is in the Hair 

Recently, A-listers, Joshua Garcia and Andrea Brillantes have made history for almost breaking social media with their exciting team-up announcement. #JoshDrea landed on the top trending topics on Twitter as netizens instantly went into a frenzy with curiosity and anticipation for the project. 

Not long after sparks started flying for JoshDrea, however, the duo already had their first spat. During the filming of their latest collab, the camera caught Joshua and Andrea in a tense ITCHuation. In the collab video, Andrea can be seen repeatedly uncomfortably scratching her head during her on-screen and off-screen moments with Joshua. 

 

Who can blame Joshua for jumping to conclusions and thinking the actress was uncomfortable working with him. The ITCHuation comes to a head with Joshua ultimately confronting Andrea by asking, “May nagawa ba akong mali?” (Awww.*BRB sniffing)

 

“It’s not you, Itch me.”

Thankfully, in the same video, Andrea was quick to clear up the misunderstanding by blushingly revealing the real cause of her uneasiness– her persistently itchy scalp! Andrea has explained her unfortunate ITCHuation to Joshua, and the pair has since put this misunderstanding behind them. What a relief for us JoshDreamers! But at the same time*gasp* ITCHING? DANDRUFF?! The horror!

 

Still, we don’t judge. ITCHuations can happen to anyone. In fact, even celebrities AC Bonifacio and Nico Bolzico have struggled with the awkwardness, embarrassment, and miscoms caused by having an itchy scalp and dandruff. 

In a recent TikTok post, AC Bonifacio’s dance rehearsal even took a disastrous turn leading to a heated moment with her instructor when her constant head-scratching made it appear as if she was not happy with the choreography.

 

Nico Bolzico also recounted in a funny skit that moment when his head was almost bitten off by Wifezilla because of his seeming passive-aggressive displeasure over her home renovation plans (but it was really just dandruff). 

 

Good thing, JoshDrea, AC, and Nico all have gotten past their ITCHuations and finally #LetItchGo with Head & Shoulders.

 

The Lessons of Letting Itch Go

While hilariously unfortunate, these ITCHuations instilled valuable lessons on how to avoid future misunderstandings and discomfort for our netizens. With the wave of online ITCHuation stories came a significant shift in the way netizens approached their hair care routine, sparking the #LetItchGo movement. 

 

In TikTok, users have started to empower others by sharing their everyday #NoItchuations tip featuring the world’s no.1 anti-dandruff shampoo, Head & Shoulders. 

 

Lesson 1: Beautiful hair should start from 5 layers deep – One of the lessons that resonated with TikTok creator @0xc05 is learning that, unlike ordinary and beauty shampoos, Head & Shoulders goes 5 layers deep into the scalp to treat dandruff that causes itch at the source and prevents it from coming back. This ultimately results in healthier, silkier, and smoother hair. 

 

Lesson 2: You deserve to be dandruff-free and itch-free everyday – Another valuable lesson shared by TikTok user @ig_marjorieer is that by using Head & Shoulders everyday, she is not just saying goodbye to itchy scalp and dandruff, but also reclaiming her confidence back. She captioned her video by flexing, “Always confident and protected from dandruff with Head & Shoulders…Kaya mapa-day or night man and gala mo, there are #NoItchuations 💙.”.

 

Lesson 3: Once you’ve #LetItchGo, never go back – With the #LetItchGo movement, user @satrinnet have found a new level of empowerment to take control of her hair and say goodbye to ITCHuations for good. As captured in her video, she learned that when it comes to preventing recurring dandruff, consistency is key – which is why it's important to use Head & Shoulders every day, not just when dandruff is already visible. 

 

 

#NoITCHuations with Head & Shoulders every day!

You shouldn’t have to keep dealing with ITCHuations. Start every day with Head & Shoulders for itch-free, dandruff-free, and beautiful hair! And why keep your hair transformation to yourself? Join the #LetItchGo challenge and flex your upgraded hair care with the new Head & Shoulders Cool Menthol, now available at leading supermarkets, Lazada, and Shopee.

 

Kuya Kim Atienza Unveils His Fitness Routine: A Path to a Healthier Lifestyle

A fitness routine is essential to good health. An activity as simple as walking, when done frequently, can have tremendous benefits to the body.^[1] Some benefits of a regular fitness routine include weight loss or maintenance, the improvement of physical functions, and the strengthening of bones and muscles. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and several common cancers.^[2]

 

Kim Atienza, popularly known as Kuya Kim, is a fitspiration to many because of his physique. His fitness journey, however, had a rocky start. The TV host had a stroke in 2010, followed by a life-threatening disease called Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2013. These incidents pushed Kuya Kim to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle.

 

Today, Kuya Kim runs, cycles, and swims. He has competed in several triathlons and races in the Philippines and abroad. When he’s not competing, he swims and runs twice a week early in the morning. He also does Crossfit.

 

While he has a rigorous routine, he believes that health doesn’t have to be complicated. According to Kuya Kim, “Good health is an accumulation of small but meaningful changes. A sport or a workout is helpful but something as simple as changing how you move can lead to better health,” says Kuya Kim.

^{PHOTO by Mark Jesalva - Kuya Kim Atienza on Watsons Race for Wellness}

 

The TV host shares some elements in his fitness routine:

 

Starts the day with stretches

 

Kuya Kim starts his day with stretching, especially when he can’t squeeze in a workout in the morning. Stretching lengthens the muscles and reduces tension, increases blood flow to improve mobility, and brings on feelings of positivity.^[3]

 

To help keep his fitness in check, Kuya Kim does “intermittent fasting” or “IF”. In simple terms, this diet allows 16 hours of fasting, and eating what you want for the remaining 8 hours of the day. Because of this, he only gets to eat breakfast occasionally. But when he does, it’s still on the healthy side.  

 

“There’s truth in the saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I make sure to have a nutritious and filling breakfast that can power me throughout the day,” says Kuya Kim. He eats a balanced breakfast that has protein and fiber, such as eggs, Greek yogurt, and oatmeal. For the rest of the day, he minimizes sugar and eats mostly vegetables.

 

Uses the stairs instead of the elevator

 

Elevators and escalators may get you to your destination faster but there are more benefits to taking the stairs. Climbing stairs can strengthen the muscles and increase body resistance, burn body fat, and improve heart and lung function.^[4] Kuya Kim shares, “I take the stairs when I can, especially when I only have to go to the second floor.”

 

Walks or bikes to a nearby destination instead of taking the car

 

“I walk or bike when the opportunity presents itself,” says Kuya Kim. That means leaving the car at home when running simple errands like doing the groceries or going to nearby locations like a favorite restaurant or a friend who lives nearby.

 

The TV host adds, “Walking is one of the easiest ways to stay fit and can be done by anyone, anywhere. You don’t need special clothes or any kind of equipment.”

 

 

Ends the day with a quiet meditation and stretches

 

Kuya Kim ends his day the way he starts them: with more stretches and meditation. He finds a comfortable spot at home, closes his eyes, and watches his breath. Frequent meditation reduces stress and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and strengthens the immune system.^[5] The TV host reveals, “I want to end my day on a good note, and a few minutes of meditation improves my mood so I can readily face future challenges.”

 

 

Helping Filipinos with their fitness journey

 

Kuya Kim, who is an ambassador for the Watsons Brand Vitamin B Complex, trusts the leading health retailer for his fitness journey.

 

Watsons is committed to being the Filipino’s partner by offering a complete and wide range of products, such as fitness equipment, multivitamins and overall wellness items, health drinks, and supplements for digestive detox, and immunity and energy.

 

Filipinos can access these through Watsons’ network of over 1,000 stores in the Philippines, all of which offer expert care through in-store pharmacists, specialists, and staff.

 

They may also download the Watsons app to browse prescription and over-the-counter medicines and personal care products. For added convenience, customers can purchase online and pick up their orders from their selected store in 30 minutes or less, or have them delivered to their doorstep within three hours.

 

Download the Watsons on  iOS and Android for access to products that can help you with your fitness journey. For more information, please visit https://www.watsons.com.ph/.

 

 

---

^[1] 5 surprising benefits of walking. (2022, Aug 25). Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/5-surprising-benefits-of-walking. Accessed 29 March 2023.

^[2] Benefits of Physical Activity. (Last reviewed 2022, Jun 16). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm#:~:text=Regular%20physical%20activity%20is%20one,ability%20to%20do%20everyday%20activities.. Accessed 29 March 2023.

^[3] The Special Benefits Of Stretching In The Morning. (2022, May 12). Bustle, https://www.bustle.com/wellness/stretching-in-the-morning-benefits. Accessed 30 March 2023.

^[4] Benefits of Stair Climbing. (2020, Jan 6). Centre for Health Protection, https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/static/90006.html. Accessed 30 March 2023.

^[5] 10 Science-Backed Benefits Of Meditation. (Updated 2022, Oct 20). Forbes Health, https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/benefits-of-meditation/. Accessed 30 March 2023.

Jollibee’s iconic Peach Mango Pie as the perfect sweet add-on to any meal

Want to make the most out of your favorite meals or get something extra to satisfy your cravings with? A delicious dessert is the answer.

 

Even the tastiest dishes and most filling meals can be leveled up with a delightful dessert. Fortunately, you can always grab Jollibee’s iconic Peach Mango Pie as the perfect sweet add-on to any meal. This all-time Filipino favorite dessert is a crispy burst of peach mango goodness. Its signature sweet-salty crust is filled with the scrumptious combination of real peach and mango filling. It’s the perfect addition to all your favorite Jollibee Value Meals!

The best part? This luscious dessert pie won’t put a dent in your wallet. You can add the Peach Mango Pie to your Jollibee Value Meals (Meals with Drink) for only Php 30. Can't get enough? Order it ala carte or the Large Peach Mango Pie for a sweet snack, and even share with family and friends through the 3 Pies To-Go or Large Peach Mango Pie 3 Pies To-Go.

 

Check out https://www.jollibee.com.ph/menu/desserts to find the stores selling the Peach Mango Pie near you.

 

Aside from Take-Out and Drive-Thru, you can also have it safely delivered via the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, and Foodpanda! 

  

For more info and updates on Jollibee products, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

 

#JollibeePH