Malina Ngai, CEO of AS Watson (Asia & Europe) says, “At AS Watson, we are dedicated to empowering women to be more beautiful and confident. With over 80% of our 160 million members and over 70% of our 130,000 colleagues being women, our top priority is to inspire and support every woman to become the best version of themselves.

We are also proud to create an inclusive work culture where women are valued and offered equal opportunities for career growth. AS Watson aspires to leverage our scale for good and inspire every woman to radiate beauty from the inside out. We believe in The New Beautiful – a new kind of beauty that exists within everyone.”

Nurturing Women in Medicine and Healthcare

AS Watson’s commitment to women’s empowerment is demonstrated through its partnership with Operation Smile in the Women in Medicine program, which empowers women in the medical and healthcare fields by providing them with educational opportunities and specialty training for them to become global leaders in medicine, healthcare, and surgery.

This program has successfully trained 30 female plastic surgeons through all-women surgical and educational programs and thousands of smiles will be reconstructed every year. AS Watson is committed to sponsoring a total of 10,000 surgeries by 2030.

Driving Positive Change Worldwide

In echo with the “Inspire Inclusion” theme of International Women’s Day, AS Watson and its 12 retail brands across 28 markets will launch a series of women empowerment activities for both their people and customers.

Watsons will kick off with “Our Time is Now” campaign on International Women’s Day, furthering the commitment to empowering women to be their true selves. Throughout the month, Watsons will actively engage the community through various activities.

In Asia, Watsons will sponsor YWCA’s “ChariTea” program in Hong Kong, supporting self-financed women empowerment services for women in marital adversity, young mothers, and strengthening elderly services while Watsons Thailand is organizing the “Green Ribbon” campaign, encouraging women to unleash their full potential and donating all proceeds to the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Woman, helping women and children with mental and physical issues. Furthermore, in the Philippines, Watsons is collaborating with Punlaan to offer an Apprenticeship program, which provides young women from vulnerable communities the opportunity to jumpstart their careers as Assistant Pharmacists at Watsons. This initiative aims to support 400 young women this year, empowering them through professional growth and development.

In Europe, Superdrug will feature the health and beauty brands founded by women across its stores and organize a series of programs to empower its female colleagues including photo competitions and podcasts. Drogas will host the Ladies’ School event, sharing skincare and makeup tips with female customers to inspire them to lead confident and beautiful lives. Meanwhile, The Perfume Shop has curated inspirational videos for its female colleagues, empowering them to become the best versions of themselves.

Leading the Charge in Women’s Empowerment

As the leading health and beauty retailer, AS Watson is dedicated to contributing to creating impact, and promoting gender equality, empowering women, and building a more inclusive world for all. Ngai emphasizes, “We believe that empowering women is not only our responsibility but also our passion for creating a world with equality and inclusion, where everyone’s uniqueness is recognized and valued. We cannot achieve it alone, so we will continue to advocate women empowerment and encourage more customers, colleagues, and business partners to join us in contributing to a better world.”

While any couple can declare their commitment for each other with traditional rings, this doesn’t have any bearing for members of the LGBTQIA+ community since marriage equality in the Philippines has yet to be legalized.

However, a handful of same-sex couples residing in Quezon City are turning the tide and are actually doing the next best thing—”preposing” to their partners with a Right to Care Card!

Mirroring usual prenup videos, each couple has published videos on their social media showing how they preposed to their partners with a Right to Care Card, which legally allows LGBTQIA+ partners to make decisions on behalf of their partners should they be hospitalized or be in need of medical treatments, a right that is only previously reserved for heterosexual married couples, if not next of kin.

Rea Leen shared the preposal video of her long-term partner via Facebook post, thanking Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte for giving them an opportunity like this. “For [those] outside Quezon City, I hope your city will have this too soon, and maybe in entire Philippines. Let’s spread love and enjoy!”, she shares.

Watch Rea’s Preposal here: [https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1766519250491149]

Winch, who also shared their preposal to their partner, Anne, also expressed similar sentiments while thanking the Quezon City government for this initiative. “Isa itong malaking step para sa lahat ng LGBT couples na magkaroon ng karapatang legal na maalagaan ang aming mga partners,” they said through the caption posted.

Watch Winch’s Preposal here: [https://www.tiktok.com/@kain.mars/video/7336049700245605637?_r=1&_t=8jvQBzzgjBK]

Both couples also attended the fourth iteration of Quezon City’s commitment ceremony, with over 200 LGBTQIA+ couples participating. Mayor Joy Belmonte reiterated during the ceremony that this is a way to fulfill the city’s promises since it passed the Gender-Fair Ordinance a decade ago.

During the ceremony, 15 couples were the first ones to officially receive their Right to Care Cards since registering last year. Quezon City’s Gender and Development Office shares more will be distributed soon, but those who have not yet received their card may show their copy of the Special Power of Attorney contracts at hospitals.

Since its launch during Pride month in 2023, Quezon City made waves as the first city in Asia to launch such an initiative. As of February 2024, over 700 LGBTQIA+ couples have signed up for the Right to Care Card, which can be registered via the  Quezon City Gender and Development Council office or through bit.ly/RightToCareReg.

#TCLxKathryn #KathForTCL #KathrynInspireGreatness #TCLPhilippines

TCL Electronics, a leading consumer electronics brand and the world’s top two TV brand, renews its enduring partnership between one of the country’s most beloved celebrities and the most influential endorser Kathryn Bernardo as their brand endorser.

“I just renewed my contract with TCL Electronics so I am very excited with the partnership that we’ll be doing this year,” Kathryn enthuses during the contract signing session held at her studio.

The partnership was sealed at Baked Studios last February 6. Present in the contract signing were Loyal Cheng –  TCL PH Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shae Xiaoling Yu – Marketing Head and Joseph Cernitchez – Brand Manager.

This partnership is truly a match made for Kathryn as she vividly remembers her childhood having their TCL TV and the bonding moments with her family. Having grown up with the TCL brand. “I would remember that big gray box, wala pang smart TV dati and ang ganda ng memories ko with that TCL TV because every night after I finish my homework, we would go to my parent’s room just to bond and watch our favorite shows and cartoons.”

She continues, “I didn’t expect that one day, move forward to 2023 when I first became their brand endorser that’s why I’m so grateful and it’s also a humbling experience for me coz I grew up with TCL and now, they’re offering other products pa like Air Conditioner, Washing Machine, and Refrigerators. It’s also more interesting because they have more offers on TVs with a lot of models/options and so much more. So nakakatuwa na nag grow din yung brand kasabay ko.”

Aligning with TCL’s brand message of ‘Inspire Greatness’, Kathryn’s journey on becoming the most-sought-after actress in the Philippines has become an inspiration to a lot of people. She has become a perfect embodiment of empowerment and ambition that continues to illuminate and inspire more. Likewise, TCL continues to strive harder to develop and roll out innovative products to uplift the Filipino lifestyle.

As for TCL, the executives have all praises for the 27-year-old actress in helping the brand to set the trail as a leader in the industry.

“We are very thrilled to have Kathryn once again as our brand endorser. She embodies the company’s vision to provide products that inspire and empower people to pursue greatness in their lives,” TCL Electronics Philippines CEO Loyal Cheng says.

Kathryn will be headlining upcoming campaigns for TCL products such as TVs, Washing Machines, Air Conditioners and Refrigerators.

“We are planning for a lot of things for Kathryn for this partnership and we are very happy to have her onboard once again.  She’s a perfect match for TCL. She has become an inspiration for a lot of people.  Just like TCL’s brand message, she also strives to ‘Inspire Greatness’ that is why a lot of people also aspire to be successful like her,” says Shae Xiaoling Yu, TCL’s  Marketing Head.

“I’m looking forward to a lot of exciting launches for TCL products.  I’m also grateful that we have partnered once again. For someone who have grown up and loved TCL ever since as a kid, it’s such a happy feeling to be part of their biggest campaigns this year,” Kathryn testifies.

TCL Electronics is also set to launch its newest air conditioner model in a few weeks. Likewise, TCL has a growing list of innovative consumer electronic products—from TVs and smart appliances such as Washing Machines, Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, and Air Purifiers. The company strongly upholds its promise to continue to Inspire Greatness for more Filipinos.