EMPOWERING WOMEN TO TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES: L'OREAL PHILIPPINES' BEAUTY FOR A BETTER LIFE CELEBRATES ONE YEAR OF CHANGING LIVES
Last April 3, 2018, L'Oreal's Beauty For A Better Life has completed one full year of training for a total of three batches of beneficiaries. I met some of them November last year when they treated my hair from hair color. Time really flies and I just realized that L'Oreal has now completed three batches. Just wow!
When I first learned about L'Oreal's Beauty For A Better Life Foundation, I also believed in it. As they place beauty at the heart of re-building identities and lives, they were able to create a long-term social impact to those (women or men) who are vulnerable both in social or economic situations. Since it was launched in the Philippines, 62 beneficiaries were given an opportunity to go into jobs and even own businesses in the field of hairdressing.
Led by the L'Oreal Foundation, Beauty For A Better Life is deployed in 27 countries globally and their key programs to empower women in situations of social and economic instability by training them for careers in the beauty sector. For its first run, L'Oreal Philippines along with the partner organization, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), all decided to focus on training women within one barangay to allow for growth within the community and co-empowerment among themselves.
The program's first adopted community is Barangay Sto. Niño in Marikina as it is one of the priority areas for unemployment.
As shared by Ms. Carmel Valencia, L'Oreal's Philippines Corporate Communication Manager, "We believe in the power of beauty to change lives, and Beauty For A Better Life expands the definition of beauty by using it as a way to provide skills and livelihood opportunities to those most in need. A renewed sense of self-confidence, dignity and motivation are fundamental changes that we see in our graduates and it is our hope and vision that Beauty For A Better Life empowers these women to gain a better quality of life through increased access to livelihood opportunities, and thereby becoming socially and economically empowered to also serve as beacons of hope for their own families and communities.".
Chairman Rizaldy Josef holding the photos of all Brgy. Sto Niño's graduates.
Up to this day, 62 individuals were able to complete the program, 22 of which come from the third batch that recently graduated this April 2018. Each batch of beneficiaries underwent daily classroom sessions in Barangay Hall for three months wherein they were taught different hairdressing skills such as blowdrying, hair coloring, hair cutting, and application of hair treatments - under the tutelage of L'Oreal Philippines trainers.
L'Oreal Trainers: Ms. Haydee Longanilla and Ms. Emelyne Pulido
The skills that they acquired were modeled during the graduation. Photos of before and after were also shown. I am happy to see how good their skills have become. All their exposure to one-week internship in L'Oreal's partner salons across Metro Manila definitely paid off.
Chairman Rizaldy Josef of Brgy. Sto. Niño now turns over the program to Chairman Ariel Lazaro
As the last batch from Barangay Sto. Niño's graduations signals to a new chapter, the program was now turned over to a new Barangay in Marikina. Ms. Carmela Valencia concluded, "It is truly heartwarming to see the hope that the program has brought about to the lives of the women (and men) of Brgy. Sto. Niño. For the next cycle of Beauty For A Better Life, we are hoping that we will also open opportunities to individuals from Brgy. Dela Peña and continue our advocacy of changing lives through beauty.".
The graduates received a starter kit for home service business from L'Oreal. It was awarded together with their certificates during the graduation. Special awards were also given as well as to the top notchers of the batch.
Ms. Ricalyn Bernadette Sioson received the Neatness Award.
Ms. Remy Desonia received the Behavior Award.
Ms. Jenny Lou Esmabe received the Initiative Award.
Ms. Aimee Darlena Camacho as Top 5.
Ms. Erlie Soliven as Top 4.
Ms. Anna Lou Rejalde as Top 3.
Ms. Kenche Lyn Arana as Top 2.
Ms. Lovely Gladice Mae Guibao as the batch Valedictorian also gave her speech to inspire the upcoming batches and she also imparted on how much she appreciates the L'Oreal Beauty For A Better Life Foundation.
Ms. Lovel Gladice Mae Guibao - Class Valedictorian
Starting April 4, 2018, the first batch of beneficiaries from Barangay Dela Peña began their training. During the turn over, the new batch also got their uniforms.
I hope that this foundation will flourish more and venture out to more far places in the Philippines so that they will be able to help more people! I am grateful for this foundation, it is nice to see how it changed the lives of this women (and men) who now feel more empowered.
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