#ShareTheLoad: Globally Lauded Ariel Gender-Equality advocacy

“This is one of the most powerful videos I have ever seen – showing how stereotypes hurt all of us and are passed from generation to generation. When little girls and boys play house they model their parents' behavior; this doesn’t just impact their childhood games, it shapes their long-term dreams." said Facebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg in her Facebook account, lauding #SharetheLoad, laundry brand Ariel’s campaign that challenges men worldwide to be catalysts of change in issues pertaining to gender stereotypes and patriarchal systems.

She recognized Ariel's laundry ad for encouraging men to take their share of household chores and its efforts to support female initiatives.

In this campaign, Ariel India, P&G, and BBDO Worldwide show how fathers and husbands can take small steps (like doing laundry) to create more equal homes. They won a at the 2015 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for earlier work on this campaign. "The real win is the way they are changing stereotypes and showing that a more equal world would be a better world for all of us.” Sandberg’s post reads.

Children learn from what they see, and any inequality within their household is passed onto them. If their father never does the laundry, they are going to grow up believing it’s not ‘his’ responsibility. Those gender roles become ingrained. And, that is where the #SharetheLoad idea was hinged.

Aiming to break the stereotypes, Ariel sends out this powerful #SharetheLoad commercial that has gone viral across the world. The #SharetheLoad ad features an elderly father writing an apology to his daughter for his failure to address patriarchal roles in the home. The commercial ends with the elderly man sharing the laundry load with his wife hoping that one little change can make all the difference.

The video is indeed powerful, and I hope that through this video the idea that woman should only do the household chores should end. In our house my husband and I #SharetheLoad, it doesn't make him less of a man, personally, I think he's being more of a gentleman. In the process we learn to appreciate each others effort and understand each other even more.  

Ariel also took the #SharetheLoad campaign online, initiating the discussion with the hashtag as a talking point on social media. Women celebrities chimed in, asking men if laundry is only a woman’s job, and urging women to raise the question further.

You can watch the video on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArielPhilippines/videos/vb.111888422300836/617607581728915/?type=2&theater

As part of this global campaign on women empowerment, Ariel furthers gender-equality initiatives in the Philippines through the #AhonPinay campaign. Launched in March 2016 in support of the Philippine Commission on Women’s (PCW) celebration of National Women’s Month, the #AhonPinay campaign focuses on uplifting women in their selected vocations. This is in line with the theme for the 2016 National Women’s Month celebration, “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda,” which resonates the call for gender-balance in leadership and decision-making positions in the public and private sector, inclusion of women’s concerns in leadership platforms and the government’s development agenda, and capacitating women to reach their ambitions.

Ariel is the only fast-moving consumer goods brand actively involved in the National Women’s Day initiatives. As the brand continues to empower women, #AhonPinay will also support the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – Women’s Center through a grant that will help women with their training courses. #AhonPinay will also tap various women’s advocacy groups to uplift, empower, and inspire women by raising gender equality awareness and bringing relevant issues not only in the workforce but in daily lives. 

#SharetheLoad and #AhonPinay are both part of Ariel’s global women empowerment campaign, in recognition of its unique role to engage women around the world in promoting gender equality and equal opportunity.

My First Brigada Eskwela with Nippon Paint Colourful Dreams

School days will soon be upon us, parents and students are already busy buying school supplies prepping up for the upcoming school year. It makes me reminisce the time when I was still a student, now I have my own kids who I sent to school. Time flies by so fast! I know first day of school can be exciting for most students and I want to be part of that excitement even in a small way that's why when I got invited for a Brigada Eskwela in one of the schools here in Las Pinas I was excited too, as I have also wanted to do volunteer works.

Painting a tree on one of the classrooms together with my talented fellow Blogger, Martin

It was fun, and the thought of doing it for the children makes it more special.

Brigada Eskwela is a modern bayanihan where nationwide voluntary effort is done to make sure that public schools are clean, safe and conducive for learning. The Department of Education-Las Piñas Division’s Brigada Eskwela Adopt-A-School-Program encourages private companies, professionals, and education stakeholders to contribute their time and resources in helping in the school maintenance effort to ensure that public school facilities are ready for opening this June. And Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines which recently launched its flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative dubbed as Colourful Dreams, has endeavored to support this.

“We at Nippon Paint have always wanted to give back to the community and share with them our success in the three years that we have been in the Philippines. What better way to do these than to support a meaningful project like Brigada Eskwela. We are thankful to have found partners in DepEd-Las Piñas and PSID-AA, with whom we share a common goal of creating a safe, conducive and colourful environment for children’s learning and development,” relates Nippon Paint (Coatings) Philippines General Manager, Michael Chung.

Carrying the theme “Create Joy Today, Hope for Tomorrow”, Nippon Paint Colourful Dreams has also partnered with the Philippine School of Interior Design Alumni Association (PSID-AA), whose members have volunteered to share their skills and talents. 

Nippon Paint Colorful Dreams’ first Brigada Eskwela beneficiary school is Pamplona Elementary School Central in Las Piñas City, which welcomes about 3,000 students every school year. Together with volunteers from PSID-AA, Teachers, Parents and Pupils and Bloggers too, Nippon Paint painted the school’s library, reading corners, hallways, and exterior premises with designs that inspire creativity and fun learning.

As part of its Green movement, which emphasizes on developing and offering green products to ensure sustainability, and the agreement with DepEd - Las Piñas, Nippon Paint used its new toluene-free Pylox Spray Paint and Green Choice Series, a line of high-quality coatings that are water-based, no added lead and mercury, and near-zero Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) coatings. This means these products are environment friendly and most significantly, safe for everyone specially children.

Being a paint company, Nippon Paint knows that even a little bit of paint and colour can go a long way in making learning fun and engaging. Through its Colourful Dreams and Brigada Eskwela CSR program, Nippon Paint aims to motivate students to learn with joy, be their best and hope to achieve their most colourful dreams.

There were also a Story telling session, afterwards the kids also joined the mural painting.

I'm proud of our finished product! I hope the kids will love the fresh coat
of color and hope we have poured in our works together with Nippon.

As a final note, Chung concludes, “While this is the first time that we are launching Colourful Dreams in the country, we have been reaching out to the academic community through the Nippon Paint Young Designer Award, which recognizes the talents and potentials of student interior designers and architects, a service that we do for the professional design industry. Brigada Eskwela, on the other hand, is geared towards younger students and the community as a whole. In the future, Nippon Paint aims to expand its CSR initiatives by working with more communities on projects that are meaningful and beneficial to people.” 

For more information about Nippon Paint, visit www.nipponpaint.ph or check out www.facebook.com/nipponpaintphilippines

Modern Urban Moms Gathered at the Good Houskeeping MUMS of Manila

I like participating on activities that help me develop my skills, help me become a better mom and person as a whole. That's why when I got an invite for the gathering of Modern Urban Moms (MUMS) or MUMS of Manila event I did not think twice.

MUMS of Manila was held last May 28, Saturday, from 1:00 to 6:00 PM, at the SM Mall of Asia Main Mall, Atrium. It was presented by SM Supermalls and Scotch Brite and organized by Good Housekeeping Philippines, the leading family and home magazine in the country, in partnership with SmartParenting.com.ph and Yummy magazine.

“May is a special month for Good Housekeeping, not only because Mother’s Day falls on this month, but also because it’s the magazine’s anniverary. This year, we turned 18! We would like to thank all our loyal readers for being with us all this time and for making Good Housekeeping stronger every year. Holding events like MUMS of Manila is our way of reaching out to our readers and giving back to them for their support.”  said Tisha Alvarez, Editor-in-Chief of Good Housekeeping.

MUMS of Manila was a whole-day event where moms could SHOP, LEARN and ENJOY.

There were a total of 30 concessionaires to SHOP from, each offering the latest products covering beauty and wellness, food, kids, and home, among others.

At the Goldilocks booth, they offered "Decorate Your Own Polvoron" wherein mommies and kids can participate on with a minimum purchase requirement. Goldilocks and Downy Baby Gentle are the minor sponsors of the event.

Pufft homemade marshmallows has the cutest booth of all. they have different mallow flavors to choose from and I got to taste the salted caramel one, yummy! They also have toasted marshmallows and offer caterings.

The Iced Cacao Tea from Southern Folk was so good! They also have the Crunch Tablea Spread which is a perfect pair to your graham crackers or anything!

I together with my Mommy Blogger friends had our photo taken at the Pioneer Epoxyclay booth, which is one of the major sponsors of the event together with Baby Company.

At the Home Boulevard, Home Suites had a booth wherein they gave out that colorful rainbow sofa bed as a raffle prize. Joining was super easy, a co-Mommy blogger won, so lucky!

I was tempted to get pampered at the Pamper Ave. but tried to hold off as we have lots of activities ahead.

Instead, I joined Beauty and Butter's Spin the Wheel game hoping to score some goodies or service discount but just didn't got the luck. "Maybe I'm luckier in love" as stated on my wheel of fortune. Hahaha

The event was also a time to LEARN from a series of talks from Good Housekeeping editors and experts.

For hardworking moms who don’t want to compromise style and beauty, Ara Fernando, Lancome PH Ambassador for Make-up, conducted a “Basic Brow Masterclass.” while Elaine Natividad, Beauty and Features Editor of Good Housekeeping, shared “10 Ways to Style Your Scarf”

I'm one of the moms who face the perpetual problem of clutter, so it was nice listening to the Editor-in-Chief Tisha who talked about organizing homes with “Say Goodbye to Kalat.”

I signed up for 2 workshops to give way to other mommy attendees as each workshop only has limited slots, beside we also left early for a scheduled event. Some of the events are Simple physical exercises at home which was presented by Managing Editor Angela Constantino Aquino in “Health Hacks,” while Anika Ventura, professional travel and lifestyle writer and editor, talked about “Everyday Fitness.” Roselle Miranda, Good Housekeeping’s Food Editor, demonstrated some no-cook dishes for moms pressed for time. And lastly, a calligraphy class was conducted by Staff Writer Nicole Sindiong, together with professional teacher and calligraphy artist Paola Esteron.

Above all these activities, all Mums of Manila attendees ENJOYed games, raffles, prizes, and entertainment! Looking forward for more events like this.

For more details, follow Good Housekeeping on Facebook: facebook.com/goodhousekeeping.ph, and

on Twitter and Instagram: @goodhousekeepingph. Good Housekeeping is available on newsstands, and in bookstores, convenience stores, and supermarkets nationwide. A digital edition of Good Housekeeping is also available for download through Apple Newsstand, Buqo, and Zinio.

Sparkle and Shine with Citi PayLite

Be rewarded when shopping, PayLite with your Citi credit cards and enjoy exclusive treats with Jewelmer Joaillerie. Get a free P5,000 gift card when you PayLite a minimum single-receipt transaction of P75,000 for up to 12 months. Valid until July 31, 2016, enjoy the gift card along with a free Jewelmer Golf Umbrella, perfect to ward off the summer heat! Claim these rewards simply by presenting your valid charge slip up until August 31, 2016 at participating Jewelmer Joaillerie outlets: Peninsula Manila Hotel, Alabang Town Center, Makati Shangri-la Hotel, Trinoma, Greenbelt 5, SM Megamall Bldg. B, Glorietta 4, Shangri-la at the Fort, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Abreeza Mall Davao, SM Mall of Asia and Ayala Center Cebu. 

To learn more about this and other offers, visit www.citibank.com.ph/jewelmer or call the 24-hour CitiPhone Hotline at (02) 995 9999.

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Gerald Anderson Found His Solemate at the Ipanema Perfect Pair

Photo credits to FuentesManila Public Relations Facebook Page

Ipanema, the fun, chic, and colorful Brazilian made sandals and flip flops revived the summer romance back as they presented its newest summer collection in a romance-themed event dubbed as the Ipanema Perfect Pair where Gerald Anderson, one of the hottest young actors today, found his "solemate" held at the Trinoma Activity Center last May 25, 2016.

There were variety of booths at the event, tailored for each Ipanema flipflop style, for the enjoyment of attendees: Nail Art & Foot Spa; DIY Flower Crown & Foot sticker tattoo and Make-up and Hair Styling and of course a photo booth, which I'll never miss. Haha!

But of course, the highlight of the event was helping Gerald Anderson find his Ipanema perfect pair.

Congratulations to Nina Canares representing Sweet and dainty.  

Prior to the Ipanema Perfect Pair event, Ipanema held a  "selfeet" online Facebook promo and chose 3 finalist who took the runway through an exciting fashion show during the event proper. Each one of them showed off their distinct Ipanema summer style; Sweet & Dainty, Sexy Chic, and Bold & Artsy! Adding more thrill and suspense, the participating girls picked a random Ipanema pair and modeled down the catwalk with their masks to hide their identities. 

Gerald Anderson with the 3 best "selfeet" finalists, Sexy chic-Stephanie Tugadi (left), Bold and artsy-Pinky Reedus Villegas (right) and the winner, Sweet and dainty-Nina Canares (middle)

Each distinct Ipanema summer style was designed and is reflective of the different personas and tastes of Ipanema’s fun, fashionable wearers. “Ipanema knows that every wearer is unique,” shares ELRO Retail Corp. Head of Marketing Cecille Loretizo. “That is why for their newest collection, they’ve introduced three cool and individual styles – all designed to match different, free spirited personalities and identities.” 

Gerlad Anderson made all the audience kilig with his song numbers

Cool Ukelele artists led by Theobromine Band and Mang Pedring as well as Aia de Leon of Imago added to the summer romance feel. 

Of course each event wont be complete without a selfie or should I say a groufie with my event buddies, Lhyzie and Eihdra. We were hoping to have our photos taken with Gerald Anderson but to no avail. Better luck next time ladies! Haha. 

And to top it all, the lucky winner of Ipanema Perfect Pair got the chance to spend an unforgettable kilig date with Gerald Anderson, plus an exciting all-expense paid trip to the Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu! Wow!

For more details and promo updates visit Ipanema Philippines on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IpanemaPhilippines/?fref=ts