Krish Catapang

Continuing the advocacy in educating young Filipinas on menstrual health

MANILA, Philippines – Johnson & Johnson Philippines (J&J Philippines) kicked off the outreach program dubbed as “#BeNextPeriodReady” in Paranaque, Metro Manila alongside ABS-CBN Foundation and Miss Universe Philippines, supporting Modess’ advocacy on menstrual health education.

Modess arranged a community engagement event attended by high school students from San Antonio High School where they discussed with an all-teen-girl audience the importance of having the right sanitary pad partner for their menstruation needs, especially as they go out and make bigger moves. 

Jason Khu, senior brand manager for Modess of J&J Philippines, talked about the reality that most of our teens experienced during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of young girls went through their first menstruation in their households while on lockdown, and it was the first time they were able to form menstrual health habits. However, these young girls’ period experience will be completely different as they go back to having face-to-face classes, meet up with friends, and engaging in more activities outside of their homes. Modess is committed to help these teens improve the state of their menstrual health, hygiene, and habits, the next time they get their period– so that they are now #NextPeriodReady. 

“For all the girls, we as a brand are committed to continue in normalizing the conversation and be an inspiration to more teens to be next period ready. We are looking forward to meeting more girls in the future to continue our advocacy of menstrual health education. It is our hope that more and more #GenFree girls be able to make bigger moves with Modess” Aldellyn Po, Marketing Manager for Feminine Care, Johnson & Johnson Philippines

ABS-CBN Foundation also joined in advancing the advocacy on menstrual health and hygiene for our young girls. ABS-CBN Foundation wants to be involved in this movement by helping distribute 2,500 menstrual hygiene kits to different schools and communities nationwide as young girls go back to in-person learning. 

“Like always, we at ABS-CBN Foundation have always trusted J&J Philippines and Modess in continuing our shared advocacy on menstrual health and hygiene education. Together, the benefit of having girls learn and treat conversations like this as a norm will bring back a lot of lessons to them personally. As for kids receiving the kits, alam ko madami ang matutuwa at magkakaron ng bagong approach sa menstrual health ngayon matapos yung conversations natin dito with our panel.” Levi Ambon-Rota, program head of ABS-CBN Bantay Bata 163.

Miss Universe Philippines, also in full attendance, participated in the #BeNextPeriodReady outreach program as they, too, believe that teenage girls today need to be educated about menstrual health and should have better access to products, like Modess, that would improve their menstrual cleanliness and sanitation.

Celeste Cortesi, Miss Universe Philippines 2022 and Anabelle McDonnell Miss Universe 1^st runner up came to support the event. Celeste gave advice to the young women who struggle with worry and anxiety due to their current menstrual health habits influenced by the pandemic lockdown. She strives to be the voice of the youth today, shedding light on issues and addressing concerns about the taboo subject — menstrual hygiene.

For Miss Universe Philippines 2022, Celeste Cortesi, “The need to bring this conversation into normal situations should come from a place of love and pride. Young girls should be proud that they are menstruating and can talk about it freely with other people, this way, girls can be ready together and be more open about the need for access to menstrual health and be next period ready. As for my connection with Miss Universe Philippines, we continue to inspire girls through our way of being relatable and campaigning the message heavily everywhere, so that young girls especially, will feel the need to value themselves as someone to be proud of.” 

Closing the event, the students together with the ABS-CBN Foundation and the J&J team joined in on the mural painting, where the girls were asked to think of the one word or phrase that they wish to empower themselves, a goal that has been set by the brand’s campaign. 

Modess continues their advocacy in creating safe and comfortable spaces for teenage girls. So that the next time they get their period, they are finally equipped with the right knowledge and products to help them navigate the outside world confidently and worry-free.

For more information about Modess, visit www.modess.com.ph or follow our social media accounts at https://www.facebook.com/modessangelsofficial and @modessph on Instagram.