#NoPeriodOnLife: DDB Group Philippines joins PCW, stakeholders in forum to break menstruation myths

From Left to Right: Honey M. Castro, Chief Corporate Affairs and Information Resource Management Division of Philippine Commission on Women, Dr. Zenaida R. Sarmiento, Vice President for Student Affairs and Services of Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Jessica Marie Bodo, Assistant Brand Manager of Modess, Anna Chua-Norbert, Chief Culture Officer of DDB Group Philippines, Ms. Emmeline Verzosa, Executive Director III of Philippine Commission on Women

Manila, Philippines-- May 28, 2018 is World Menstruation Health Day. With half of the 106 million Filipinos living with monthly menstruation, one can assume, that this is no longer a cause for shaming, bullying and stigma. However, many Filipino women and children still live with deficient menstrual hygiene information, limited access to toilets, taxes on affordable sanitary products, and scarcity of basic clean water.

On top of these, they also receive in abundance, are outdated passed-on information and behaviors about menstruation hygiene, still taught to this day. Not following the traditional rituals are perceived to result in comical and sad consequences such as illness, interruptions to or increases in menstrual flow, cramps, and insanity.

These unhealthy behavior is the main reason the Menstrual Hygiene Day was created.

The Philippine Commission on Women, in partnership with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Modess and DDB Group Philippines, held a forum entitled "From Womb to Tomb: Forum on Women's Health" on May 28 at PUP Sta. Mesa, Manila.

The forum, aimed to break myths and misconceptions on menstruation and menopause. The event gathered around 300 participants from state universities and colleges, national government agencies, civil society organizations, and women's groups.

Invited resource speakers to the forum are Dr. Carmen Quevedo of the Philippine Obsterical and Gynecological Society (POGS), Dr. Natasha Estemban of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH)- Adolescent Medicine, and Dr. Soliman Dalisay of UP Diliman Anthropology.

Said activity is part of the country’s sustaining initiative in support of the International Menstrual Hygiene Day, celebrated worldwide on May 28. Started in 2014, the international observance is being spearheaded by WASH United to promote awareness of the challenges that women and girls worldwide face due to their menstruation and to highlight solutions that address these challenges, including through media work.

“This forum is just the beginning. We still have a lot of work to do in shaping the mind of the people – women and men alike – about menstruation and menopause. May this activity spark a change in each of us. Our mission is to spread the word in our families, workplaces, schools and communities. The stigma continues until we correct it and break our silence about it.” said PCW Executive Director Emmeline L. Verzosa.

“Today is Menstrual Hygiene day! And if you care about your mom, sister, daughter, wife, cousin, aunt, niece, girlfriend, grandmother, friend and about 51% of Filipino population, you should understand why it's important to get the right education about periods.

The stigma and shaming of women regarding menstruation should end today. Not only is it economically disruptive, but it hinders progress for all humanity. Menstruation is nature's way of ensuring human kind will continue to exist, and the fight to provide basic needs like clean water, toilets in the schools and no taxes on sanitary napkins is not a gender issue, #MenstruationMatters to humanity.” said DDB Group Philippines Chief Culture Officer, Anna Chua-Norbert

For those who want to learn more, join us online and ask your questions in the comments section of the PCW facebook page! Leave all kinds of questions about periods, menopause, or even period preparedness during disasters and emergency situations.

Finally get to know your monthly flow for the event streaming atwww.facebook.com/PCWgovph

Develop Creative “Cheeseventions” with Cheez Whiz!

Moms, did you know that it’s important to help develop kids’ creativity? Being creative does not only mean they will be good in doing art, it also helps develop them mentally, socially and emotionally. It is every mom's important role to foster creativity in their child in every way they can.

What is a better idea to foster creativity than to let them create their everyday snacks?

Cheez Whiz, the number one cheese spread in the country, has been spreading goodness during snack time for over 50 years. What makes it the leading cheese spread in the county is its thickness and amazing cheesy flavor.

Cheez Whiz' thickness is an explosion of flavor that goes with everything. Cheez Whiz is not only for making Creamy Cheesy Sandwiches but for creating different “Cheeseventions” snacks as well.  Kids of all ages can enjoy creating and mixing Cheez Whiz with other ingredients. Its two amazing flavors Original and Pimiento can drive kid’s imagination to create snacks! Make a sandwich tower! Cheez Whiz Mac and Cheese!  Use Cheez Whiz as a dip! The possibilities are endless!

Here’s one example moms and kids can create:

Solar Cheestem:
A delicious snack that’s out of this world!

Ingredients:
* Cupcakes
* Cheez Whiz 220g
* Planet toppers

Procedure:
Spread thick Cheez Whiz on top of the cupcakes.
Lay out the Solar System placemat on the table.
Place a cupcake on each planet outline.
Stick the toppers into the cupcakes.

To teach moms and kids to create their #CheezWhizCheeseventions, Cheez Whiz recently held a demo and workshop event at SM Megamall Activity Center last May 8, Tuesday. Attendees were able to visit all stations where they take photos with Cowcium at CW Photowall, create Cheeseventions with the help of ScienCheez at CW Spreadometer, prepare their own Cheez Whiz merienda dependently at CW Cheeseperiment, and express their love for Cheez Whiz at CW Freedom Wall. Leading the pack of moms and kids who attended the event are celebrity mom and daughter Bettinna and Gummy Carlos.

Workshop Area

Kids creating their cheeseventions at the station

Chef DJ Santos leading Cheese 101 

Bettina and Gummy Carlos at the Workshop Area

Guests expressing their love for CheezWhiz at the Freedom wall

Aside from the stations, Chef DJ Santos also led the Cheese 101 workshop where he demonstrated three (3) fun and easy recipes to make with your favorite Cheez Whiz – Cheesy Pepperoni Tower, Cheesy Cupcake Pops, and Cheesy Burrito.

Two more legs are coming up within the month, second leg is on May 22, Tuesday, at Glorietta 3, while the last leg will be held on May 28, Monday, at Trinoma. Everyone is invited!

Now, it’s time to create your Cheeseventions and submit them at cheeseventions.com for a chance to win 10,000 pesos and be featured in the Cheez Whiz (@CheezWhizPH) Facebook page.

Inspiring others through hard work and healthy lifestyles

They come from different backgrounds and generations, but the new Century Tuna Superbods Ageless winners have one thing in common - they all want to serve as inspiration to other people.

Angel Jones, Johann Ludovica, Jules Aquino and Maureen Montagne have fulfilled their dreams after emerging as winners in the competition. They now serve as fitspirations so that others can become better versions of themselves.

Greg Banzon, EVP and COO of Century Pacific Food, Inc., said, “Through Century Tuna Superbods Ageless, we do not only recognize fit and sexy individuals but also promote healthy lifestyles for everyone regardless of age, gender and status in life.”

This year’s competition, which had its finals at the Cove in Okada Manila, was divided into two categories: the Superbods, which consisted of 20 finalists aged 18-37; and, for the first time, the Ageless category, which consisted of 20 finalists aged 38-50. Montagne and Aquino won in the Superbods category while Jones and Ludovica were the first winners in the Ageless category.

Jones, a 40-year-old mother of two, found the Century Tuna Superbods Ageless competition a good venue for meeting other people, learning their stories and inspiring others. She said, “I want to show every woman that it’s possible to have kids, have a career and survive all the struggles but still look fantastic and gorgeous.” Typical day for her consists of breakfast preparation for her actor son Tony Labrusca at 6AM, workout at 8AM, lunch preparation for her daughter at 10AM, errands and meetings in the afternoon, and finally, a quiet and cozy evening with kids.

On the other hand, Ludovica’s daily activities always include basic fitness routines like basketball, weight lifting and regular gym workout. He remains disciplined, responsible and driven despite the stress caused by his work as a BPO (business process outsourcing) trainer. The 42-year-old is fit, sexy body and self-confident. He advised his fellow contestants to “believe because you can. And if you need help, ask me.”

Although she grew up in the US, female Superbod winner Montagne had always been proud of her Filipino roots and showed her appreciation for her heritage by helping and inspiring Filipino children. The 24-year-old Fil-Am model said, “I hope to use my new found resources to continue volunteering and be able to give back to others.” Montagne stays fit by going to the gym 3 to 4 times a week or doing exercises on a yoga mat at home.

Aquino, like Montagne, also believes in setting goals. His advice for achieving a healthy physique is to stay consistent and do something fun.  “Enjoy the activities and have a positive outlook in life and you will reap countless benefits,” the 24-year-old said. His fitness routine includes Olympic lifting, calisthenics, plyometrics, high-intensity interval training or HIIT, animal flow, yoga, plenty of stretching and mobility work, running (long distances or short sprints), and gymnastics.

Indeed, through Century Tuna Superbods Ageless, these four winners have proven that whatever the age, there is no limit and no boundaries to what you can do to be fit, sexy and healthy.

For more details and updates, visit Century Tuna on Facebook: www.facebook.com/centurytuna.