As part of Dove’s 10th year anniversary line-up of activities in 2010, Dove joined hands with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and the City of Taguig to kick-off the annual Women’s Month celebration at the Fort Bonifacio Global City on March 1, 2010.
Over 5,000 women participated in this historic affair that highlighted the recent enactment of the Magna Carta of Women’s Rights into the Philippine law. The whole-day event started off with a Walk for Women’s Rights, a 30-minute march on a designated route around Fort Bonifacio lead by ten Dove ambassadors – women of beauty and substance who epitomize Dove’s platform for 2010: “Dove at Ten: Totally Beautiful.” These women include: Philippine Sports Commissioner Akiko Thomson, stage performer Pinky Marquez, educator Nicole Fonacier, model and writer Raya Mananquil, fashion photographer Sara Black, DJ and radio host Pia Magalona, retail heiress Marielle Santos-Po, peace advocate Timmy Cruz, socialite Susan Campos, and events and image consultant Chiqui Hollmann-Yulo.
The march was followed by a program which was hosted by the dynamic Tessa Prieto-Valdes with Pinky Marquez co-hosting alongside her. The ever gracious first lady of Taguig, Kaye Tinga, got onstage to welcome the crowd which included contingents from the various government agencies, NGOs, colleges and universities, LGUs, and private organizations. Unilever Philippines’ Managing Director for Health and Beauty, Gilbert Simpao then spoke about Dove’s continuing advocacy to help women see real beauty in themselves, no matter what shape, size, or color they may be. Also present to show their support and share their messages regarding the Magna Carta of Women’s Rights were DOH Secretary Esperanza Cabral, DSWD Acting Secretary Celia Yangco, and PCW Commissioner Apolonia Tolentino.
After the program, women were invited to the NBC Tent for a mini fair which had various booths catering to women’s health, beauty, wellness and livelihood. Dove set up a product demo booth and offered massage treatments with takeaway Dove beauty bars and deos. Pascualab gave out samples of their natural medications. Anlene conducted bone screening tests. Other exhibitors included Natasha Goulbourn Foundation, Brahma Kumaris, Nurture Spa and Century Tuna, among others. Women were also offered free counseling and legal services as well as NSO civil registry services.
Looking back at a decade of real beauty in the Philippines, Dove has consistently promoted positive self-image through campaigns that trained the spotlight on issues important to real women. From its new-millennium opener Dove Moments to Dove’s Bukod Tanging Pilipina, to the internationally- acclaimed Campaign for Real Beauty, Dove’s battle cry through the years has stayed true to its advocacy: to encourage women to accept, celebrate and nurture how beautiful they truly are, just as they are.
