Happy Women’s Month, ladies! For the gents, don’t let me hear you yapping about the lack of a Men’s Month because you were never marginalized to begin with. Learn your history, okay?

Anyway, to celebrate the occasion, we’re happy to share 7 women who have recently been recognized by Downy and the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) as their #NeverFade Awardees.

What does it mean if you’re a #NeverFade awardee? Just like Downy Premium Parfum which was created to give long-lasting fabric fragrance which was inspired by such women, this means you’re not afraid to sweat it out in pursuit of the advocacies that you believe in. The 7 women who have been honored have their own stories of passion that paved way for women to have a voice that creates positive change – they inspire, they empower, and they never fade.

MEET THE STRONG WOMEN AND THEIR ADVOCACIES

Atty. Kristine Yuzon-Chavez: Champion for Gender Equality

As the new Executive Director of Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), Atty. Chavez vows to strengthen Gender and Development (GAD) programs and policies by creating and implementing plans and programs that empower women in their livelihood, employment, health, and safety among others. As a mother of two, her vision is to continue to push forward programs that seek gender equality and women empowerment. That’s what made her the #NeverFade Awardee – Champion for Gender Equality!

“My advocacy, in line with that of PCW, is to advance women’s rights and ensure the availability of equal opportunities for all women. Because only through women’s empowerment and gender equality can we achieve genuine progress that will never fade.” answers Atty. Yuzon-Chavez.

Kara David: Advocate for Education

As a broadcast journalist and TV host, Kara has produced award-winning documentaries that shed light on the extreme inequalities of society. Through her stint as an investigative journalist, Kara was moved by the need to help the less fortunate Filipino children and since 2002, she founded  Project Malasakit -a scholarship program built on her story of compassion and hope for these children. She’s the #NeverFade Awardee – Advocate for Education!

“Project Malasakit has been in existence for almost 20 years. Through our outreach program, we have made food, medicine and education accessible to remote communities that otherwise, had no basic government support. There is indeed a lot more that needs to be done. But if we harness the power of our collective compassion — we can make a change that will never fade, one school at a time, one child at a time.” says David.

Bianca Gonzales-Intal: Advocate for Maternal Health

As the #NeverFade Awardee – Advocate for Maternal Health, Bianca’s strong advocacy on breastfeeding allowed her to empower other moms to face their own struggles with breastfeeding. With a total combined social media following of more than 5 million, Bianca utilized her online platforms to openly talk about her own breastfeeding battles on low milk supply. A resounding real-life issue that resonated with a lot of moms who found comfort in Bianca’s personal stories on the ups and downs of motherhood.

Gonzalez-Intal candidly shares: “I started posting my real struggles as a new mom using the hashtag #mommydiaries, to share not just the beautiful but also the ugly side of motherhood. I had no idea that a simple hashtag could spark many conversations. To this day, I continue to share my pains, my learnings, hacks and tricks I’ve discovered, to hopefully make a never fading impact and help make other moms feel a little less alone.”

Jasmine Curtis-Smith: Leader of Equal Social and Economic Development

Not a lot of people would know about this but in 2015, she was appointed as World Vision Ambassador, and has five sponsored children through the organization. Her first sponsored kid from five years ago will start her college education this year. That’s what made her a Leader of Equal Social and Economic Development.

“A fair access to education encourages a better future for all. When a child has access to education, he or she will grow up empowered to see the possibility of a self-capable, successful future. I use my voice as an extension of their voices, my dream is to create a bright future for these children that will never fade” shares Curtis-Smith.

Iza Calzado-Wintle: Advocate for Women Empowement.

Lauded as a prolific actress, Iza is also a co-founder of She Talks Asia, an empowering community committed to increase the representation of Asian women globally, and support efforts that give women seat at the table. Iza has a prominent voice against issues that thwart women from believing in their capacity to succeed. She advocates for body positivity and self-love and creates open discussions for mental health and equality.

Calzado-Wintle believes that “we have to start teaching young women to change their standards on how they see themselves as women. Today, we teach them to look beyond the expectations of perfection – where beautiful traits like bravery, confidence, and sense of humor can be found. What will never fade? It’s how you see and accept yourself as your own standard of beauty.”

Joy Wong: Woman of Resilience

Joy is a cancer survivor. At age 27, she had Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD), which is a group of pregnancy-related conditions that develop inside the uterus. Since bearing a child is no longer possible, Joy and her husband became active advocates of legal adoption. Today, they have built a family they call their own and are proud parents to two adopted children. Her health condition also did not stop her from crossing the finish line at the Ironman 70.3 triathlon race in 2017. She lives a life of purpose as a Smile Train Charity athlete where she was able to raise $3,864 to fund free surgeries to children with cleft lip and palate.

“At 27, I came into terms with the possibility of dying young. I had cancer. But something inside me knew that it cannot be the end of my life just yet, and so I fought, and I fought really hard. My cancer survival story is not the end of my journey. Today, I am a charity triathlete for Smile Train, and I help raise funds for children born with cleft lip and palate. I also support People Ignite Foundation in helping disadvantaged teens with ages 13 to 19. My personal tragedy led me to this purpose to create a legacy that will never fade.” Wong shares.

Pia Wurtzbach: Advocate for Sexual and Reproductive Health

A very vocal queen, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach has been steadfast in her advocacies on HIV awareness, proper sexual education, and gender equality. Appointed as UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific, Pia has launched campaigns that support public HIV screening as well as proper sex education through social media. Five years after her reign, Pia continues to walk the talk – her strong voice has opened the discussion on issues that used to be taboo.

 “To never fade does not mean that you will always reign. To #NeverFade means to use your voice and platform to create meaningful change that impact people’s lives now and for years to come. I have always believed that a lasting legacy can only start when you choose to take a stand, and you stand by this belief wherever you go – wherever life takes you…I am proud to be part of Downy’s #NeverFade Awardees and once again be given the opportunity to use my voice to inspire more people, so that they too will take a stand and make choices that will never fade,” Wurtzbach shares.

Downy Premium Parfum for Filipinas who #NeverFade

 “The Downy Premium Parfum experience is one that stays with you from wash to wear. Inspired by the long-lasting passion and relentless spirit of the Downy #NeverFade Awardees, Downy creates premium fresh fragrances that remain on your fabric even when you sweat it out on your passion points. Our innovations are designed to keep up with the dynamic lifestyle of women. Our premium product offering is where we want to showcase our timeless commitment to empower more Filipinas, with a fresh boost of confidence, through our long lasting fragrance,” shares Christina Vilalta, Country Commercial Leader, Downy Philippines.

Rebecca Kan, Regional Brand Communications for P&G Asia Fabric Care says, “We always envision the Downy woman to be confident and beautiful inside out, and tonight, our Downy #NeverFade Awardees become the true embodiment of these characters. We are truly proud to present these remarkable Filipinas and their stories of passion. As we support the National Women’s Month Celebration led by the Philippine Commission on Women, Downy celebrates all Filipinas for their inspiring passion and never-fading spirit to make positive change in the society.”

To all Filipinas who never fade, Downy Parfum carries a collection of sophisticated long-lasting scents that match women holding different beliefs, personalities, and character. The premium parfum experience comes in the scent of Passion, Mystique and Sweetheart – that women can identify with to find one that truly reflects her sophisticated character.

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