As we enter the typhoon season, recent extreme weather events have once again underscored the Philippines' vulnerability to such conditions.

As the nation grapples with the potential aftermath, it is clear that being part of the global conversation on achieving net zero emissions is imperative. This typhoon has highlighted the urgency for the Philippines to be an active participant in the fight against climate change, not only to mitigate future impacts but to also contribute to global solutions.

The concept of net zero refers to balancing the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere. For the Philippines, a country frequently in the crosshairs of severe weather, achieving net zero is a crucial step towards enhancing climate resilience. The recent typhoon has made it evident that the country cannot afford to be a bystander in the global efforts to combat climate change. Instead, it must be a proactive player, advocating for and implementing strategies that contribute to the global net zero target.

Doing beauty differently is what Avon has been advocating for 135 years.

This year, the #1 direct-selling beauty brand strengthens this movement during this year’s Pride Month, which annually celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community, alongside their stories and experiences.

Avon Philippines, in partnership with comic artist Hulyen (@hulyen), produced a three-part comic series that illustrates Beauty for All, Avon’s advocacy that puts the spotlight on democratic beauty not just for women, but for everyone—regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression.

 

“I think everyone deserves to celebrate their own version of beauty especially if it makes them feel good about themselves,” shares Hulyen. “It’s really great that a major beauty brand like Avon is rallying behind this advocacy because it encourages you to be yourself and celebrate what makes you you.”

Each strip depicts issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. The comics were distributed to hundreds of thousands of Avon representatives in more than 190 branches across the Philippines, encouraging them to learn more and understand better the LGBTQIA+ community.

 

In this scene, an individual struggles to remember the various labels in the queer spectrum. A friend reassures her that it’s important to be open about learning new things.

 

It also provides context that Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (or SOGIE, for short) goes beyond just the girl, boy, bakla, and tomboy that most Filipinos are more familiar with.

Another comic depicts a queer person who “magically” transforms into her true self when she’s with her friends. This has become a common experience with LGBTQIA+ individuals all over the world. According to Stonewall, only 46 to 47% of queer-identifying individuals feel open and confident to share their sexual orientation or gender identity with their families. Likewise, allies of the community should help create safe spaces where queer individuals can open up and express their true selves. 

  

The last comic visualizes Avon’s commitment when it comes to promoting Beauty for All. It depicts an Avon representative who managed to provide quality beauty and self-care products for her customers, allowing them to truly enjoy their version of beauty no matter what their SOGIE.

 

“I have learned so much about Pride and how times are changing. It’s something new to me, but we have family and friends who are LGBTQIA+. Understanding them is a great way to show how much we respect them, and through these, I understand them even more,” Avon Representative Jennifer Limyu shares after reading the comics about the LGBTQIA+ community.

 

Max Closa, Avon Philippines’ Business Development Manager, welcomes Avon’s efforts to rally behind its employees in causes that involve them. “I'm so proud and thankful to be a part of a company who supports the LGBTQIA+ community. The changes might be gradual but it's already a huge step for us,” Closa shares.

In line with the advocacy, Avon Philippines also recently held a SOGIE Sensitivity Seminar for Associates at their main office. Miss Trans World 2020 Mela Habijan spoke at the event where she discussed SOGIE, the different issues the community is facing, and how one can be a better ally. The trans beauty queen, host, and actress also made a SOGIE explainer video. 

 

To further extend its efforts in inclusivity, Avon Philippines also supported members of Manila’s Drag community with various products like the Limitless collection (the first gender-free intimate apparel in the country). The company also reached out to the Home for the Golden Gays, which provides support and care facilities for elderly LGBTQIA+ people.

 

“Avon continues with its commitment to create a better world for everyone. With Avon, everyone can be brave, brazen, and beautiful all at the same time because Beauty is for All—and that is how it should be in the years to come,” Avon PR and Communications Lead Marion Limlengco says.

 

Visit www.avon.ph or like and check out Avon Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.

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.

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Kwentong Pilipina: Stories of Inspiration, Insight, and Empowerment

In its advocacy to elevate the lives of Filipinas, Dermcare launched Kwentong Pilipina, a digital platform made to empower Filipinas this October 2019. 

This platform shares inspiring stories of Filipinas who overcame challenges and adversity. These contributors will also share the lessons they learned from their experiences. 

Aside from stories, Filipinas will also gain access to exclusive content about health, career, women’s rights, beauty, lifestyle, and other relevant content. These will be coming from different individuals and organizations who are advocates of women empowerment.

Finally, viewers can become a part of a community where they can interact with likeminded Filipinas. This will give them a place to share their own stories, pieces of advice, and ask questions to their fellow members. 

The Kwentong Pilipina advocacy is championed by the Wellness Innovators Corporation, in partnership with different local organizations and individuals. 

Kwentong Pilipina can be accessed starting October 13, 2019, through its website www.kwentongpilipina.com

Skincare Made for the Modern Filipina

The Wellness Innovators Corporation, in partnership with the Dermcare Group of Companies, will be launching an innovative skincare line this December.

The new skincare line is designed and manufactured in partnership with Japanese beauty experts. This new skincare line is developed especially for working Filipinas who encounter a lot of glow suckersin their daily lives and do not have the time for multi-step, time-consuming skincare regimens.

According to the company, glow suckers are elements in a Filipina’s life that cause damage to her skin. These elements range from harsh weather conditions, pollution, personal and professional stressors, and unhealthy habits.

When glow suckerstake over a Filipina’s life, it creates chemical and biological reactions that cause the skin to dry up, have acne breakouts, and age prematurely. 

This inspired the people at Wellness Innovators Corporation and Dermcare to design and develop a skincare line for the working Filipina. 

“We believe that the combination of our experience in Filipina beauty, together with the technology of Japanese skin innovators, we have developed an excellent product that can help Filipinas reveal their radiant and beautiful skin,” said Mrs. Zenaida Palisoc, CEO and President of the Dermcare Group of Companies when asked about the new product line.

Meanwhile, Ms. Nicole Narvato, Marketing Manager of Wellness Innovators Corporation, stated that the new products are rich in antioxidants and other essential nutrients that can revitalize, nourish, and protect the Filipina skin.

In addition to its healing, nourishing, and protective attributes, this new skincare line promises integration in the working Filipina’s beauty regimen. 

This new skincare line will be launched on December 9, 2019, during Dermcare’s 30 Gorgeous Years Party which will be held at the Manila Hotel. Follow the launch event’s official hashtag #PinayRadiance to be one of the first people to witness this newest innovation in Philippine Skincare. 

Barley grass has long been considered an important ‘functional food’ that promotes health and supports disease prevention. For many years it has been a foundation part of the health and wellness industry and is widely used by health-conscious consumers around the world. This ‘superfood’ contains high levels of chlorophyll and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. It is a powerhouse of nutrients.

The popularity of barley grass continues to grow as more and more consumers, worldwide, discover its benefits. At Santé New Zealand Limited, we recognize the powerful properties of barley grass and, its health benefits. This has led us to develop a comprehensive selection of everyday barley-based products.



Our Barley Grass Growing Region

Our barley grass is grown in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. Canterbury lies in the central-eastern region of the country’s South Island. This is an area of 44,508 square kms and is one of the most important agricultural and horticultural areas in the country. The soils of the Canterbury Plains are formed on an alluvial plain and are particularly well suited to growing cereal crops such as wheat, oats and barley.

Our region has a long history of growing barley, but this has been mainly for its grain. The barley grain is used in the brewing industry and in baked products.

Given the local expertise in growing these barley grain crops it has been an exciting innovation to partner with expert farmers to grow ‘barley grass’. This is the same barley plant, but it is grown, harvested and dried at the green leaf stage, well before the plant matures and develops the grain. Over time, we have developed optimal growing techniques and harvest to suit growing the barley plant for its leaf rather than for its grain.


The local Canterbury climate with its cool winters and warm summers, along with the free draining soils are very well suited to growing superior barley grass crops. We consider the crops of barley grass we grow to be truly outstanding in when it comes to chlorophyll and nutrient levels. Our barley grass crops are world class.


Certified Organic Production

More than simply growing the barley grass we grow it under a certified organic system. This is an independently audited system that ensures the barley grass is grown according to organic principles. The farms on which we grow the product are all certified organic and have been so for many years. This means our barley grass is grown without chemical pesticides or artificial fertilizers. Additionally, our region is considered one of the cleanest and least polluted regions of the globe.

We grow our crops in a method called ‘broadacre’. This means the crops are grown in large paddocks (i.e. fields) often 10ha or more. In this method the barley grass receives natural sunlight, airflow and rain as the main water source. The soils these certified organic barley grass crops grow in are in a ‘rotation’ of animal grazing and cropping. This naturally balances inputs of nutrients (i.e. from the grazing animal’s manure and from legume plants) with the extraction of nutrients from cropping. Typically, the farm rotation may involve 3 years of animal grazing (sheep or cattle) and 3 years of growing a variety of crops including barley grass.



Ensuring the quality

The production of premium barley grass requires that the plant receives enough water (either via rainfall or irrigation), sufficient macro-nutrients along with enough magnesium, Sulphur and calcium from the soil. The macro-nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) or NPK for short. Often the availability of the macro-nutrients to the barley plant is governed by the soil pH level, presence of micro-nutrients and the levels of organic matter in the soil.

Farming under organic principles is demanding as there are a limited number of ways the organic farmer can influence the availability of nutrients. This requires careful planning and great attention to the soil’s fertility and structure. Our farmers spend a great deal of time considering all aspects of what it takes it make a healthy soil including the soil microbiology and the presence of enough earthworms and other beneficial soil dwelling creatures. Application of certified organic compost and other approved fertilizers is a key part of maintaining fertility in the cropping phase.

An important part of the crop husbandry is to prepare a fine seedbed when the barley seeds are sown. Generally, barley grows to about 30 cm high before it is harvested with and specially designed harvester. Time to harvest depends on the time of year – it takes longer in the colder autumn months of the year.

It is important that, at harvest, the leaf is cut and delivered to the dryer as quickly as possible since it can’t be kept in a heap too long. The drying process is designed to reduce the moisture content and stabilize the barley leaf as a safe and nutritious food product.

Milling the barley leaf is an art and a science. Well-milled barley leaf can be easily absorbed by the body and is a perfect ingredient for drinks and smoothies.



Respecting the land

Santé New Zealand Limited knows that the way we produce our crops impacts the health and purity of the environment. We are extremely mindful to grow according to organic principles and strive to leave the environment better than we found it.

The farms are certified organic by BioGro Ltd, one of two government approved certifiers of organic production and products in New Zealand. BioGro auditors ensure that our products and systems conform to their standards which include paying attention to the health of the ecosystems in and around our farms,

As BioGro-certified producers, the products developed from our barley can carry the BioGro logo. This helps our customers know that the product they buy is genuine and has been grown under organic principles. Additionally, our products come from a system in New Zealand where there is no genetic modification allowed.

To know more about Santé, and its product offerings, and other upcoming events, visit the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pg/santeofficial.ph or their website at www.santebarley.com/ph.

This coming July 17-19, 2019, over 1,500 people managers will gather together at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino for the 56thPMAP Annual Conference, the biggest and preeminent HR event in the country.

With organizations facing the challenges of disruption and the 4th industrial revolution, it becomes crucial for people managers to EXCELLERATE. For its 56th annual conference, PMAP pushes innovation one step further by invoking poetic license and creating a new word that captures the twin challenges facing the organization and people management in the country today – driving and inspiring EXCELLENCE in the practice of people management and increasing the degree of ACCELERATION of people programs to become up-to-speed with technology and innovation.

The PMAP 56th Annual puts the spotlight on Filipino People Management, featuring a full learning session on the 2019 PMAP Awards finalists’ best practices and programs. It also seeks to bring people managers up-to-speed with the challenges of a digital and inclusive world through updates on trends and emerging HR technologies through business unusual workshops. Lastly, it will take Filipino people management back to its roots and wings through local studies, theories and applications.


This PMAP annual conference hopes to be a veritable marketplace of ideas, emergent theories, endless solutions best practices, advocacies and state-of-the-art HR technology with an unparalleled roster of speakers with global, regional and national stature. It will be a proactive balance of session topics and learning fora, offering a variety of sessions that target various levels. This conference will feature a dynamic learning design that allows attendees to customize their participation based on their individual agenda. It will be a great showcase of best practices, award-winning programs and cutting-edge resources and technologies, with extraordinary potentials for networking and mentoring.


For more information regarding the 56th PMAP Annual Conference, you may contact the PMAP Secretariat through telephone number 726-1532 or email carol.alcances@pmap.org.phor kevin.jacinto@pmap.org.ph.

For pioneers in the e-commerce industry to remain relevant and stay ahead of the pack, they must not solely bank on their experience and know-how – and partner with companies that will help them grow their business.