IS there something more beautiful than the natural charm of a woman? It seems that there is: an empowered woman.
This answer comes from no less than L’Oréal Philippines, the renowned global beauty brand that’s been making Filipinas beautiful for about 25 years, and which is amping its efforts toward female empowerment with its revamped Beauty for a Better Life program.
“In a deeper way, beauty can positively impact and improve lives through programs, like Beauty for a Better Life, which, beyond uplifting the spirit, guides women on the path to employment,” L’Oréal Philippines Corporate Communications Manager Carmel Valencia notes.
Formerly Bigay Daan, L’Oréal Philippines’s outreach to educate and train unemployed women in the ways of beauty care, Beauty for a Better Life aims to continue that endeavor of not only boosting a woman’s self-confidence but also opening the doors of opportunity. This time, it’s for 75 underprivileged women from Barangay Santo Niño, Marikina City. Barangay Santo Niño, Marikina City, is home to some 41,000 residents, of which 2,500 are unemployed women of working age. This same locality has been identified by the Office of the Vice President as part of the Angat Buhay Program, a government thrust to help the poorest communities in the country. With this in mind, L’Oréal Philippines partnered with Philippine Business for Social Progress and select 75 women, grouped into three batches of 25, to train in cutting, styling and hair care under the tutelage of L’Oréal professionals. These women will then serve as internees at salons before giving them career options at the end of the three-month training.
“Fulfilling our role as a good citizen, we at L’Oréal Philippines believe that beauty has the power to change lives. Beauty contributes to feeling better and living better, and gives women that extra boost of confidence they need to truly feel their best,” Valencia added.
The program was jump-started on April 19 and is currently on track in the training and empowering of its women beneficiaries, help them gain confidence and control of their lives and their future.