International Women’s Day is commemorated every March 8, but for 2022, HERSHEY'S Philippines is celebrating it for the entire month by recognizing the contributions of four Filipino women who are inspiring and creating social change in the country.
Get to know these Pinays, whose faces, names, and stories you’ll see on the limited edition sleeves of HERSHEY'S chocolate bars that are exclusively available in the Philippines!
When 50 dogs in a Bacolod City pound were in line for execution, Malou took it upon herself to rescue and give them a home. This became the spark that pushed this animal lover to establish PAWSsion Project, a non-government organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes animals that have been abused and neglected. It now has two rescue centers — one in Bacolod and one in Bulacan — through which people can donate, adopt, and even sponsor rescued animals.
Learn more here: PAWSsion Project Facebook page
A former full-time fashion and beauty editor, Kate left her glamorous job to pursue her many passions — traveling, writing, and acting. Along the way, she also discovered her life's mission: to become an advocate for mental health awareness in the Philippines. Kate, a depression survivor, founded SOS Philippines - Survivors of Suicide and Depression, an online mental health resource that helps individuals with mental health conditions and their families get the support and healing they need.
Learn more here: SOS Philippines Facebook page
From being a one-woman team devoted to giving free meals, Sabrina now manages Project SMILE (Simple but Meaningful Acts Intended to Leave a Lasting Effect), a youth-led NGO that organizes community outreach programs. Some of its notable projects include the #PeopleWith campaign that recognizes and empowers persons with disabilities (it even launched the country's first-ever PWD-friendly tricycle!) and #OperationBayanihan, which raised around P650,00 that went into supporting front-liners and marginalized communities during the early days of the pandemic.
Learn more here: Project SMILE Facebook page
A cancer survivor herself, Winnie knows how important meaningful connections and a strong support system are to cancer survivors and patients. This personal insight led her to set up Philippine General Hospital's Cancer Survivors Organization. What started out as an informal online support group grew into a tight-knit community and recognized non-profit organization where hundreds of cancer survivors and individuals undergoing treatment provide strength and support to each other.
Learn more here: PGH's Cancer Survivors Organization Facebook group
Putting a spotlight on these inspiring Pinays isn’t all there is to HERSHEY'S Philippines' campaign. Part of the proceeds from these limited edition sleeves will be donated to Girl Up Philippines, the local arm of the United Nations Foundation’s worldwide campaign to empower girls across the globe.
Plus, HERSHEY'S Philippines is also inviting everyone to join its ongoing #HerShe social media movement. To join, post about the women who inspire you on your social media platforms, and make sure to include the hashtag #HerShe!
The HERSHEY'S chocolate bars with special, limited edition sleeves are available on Lazada and Shopee. For more details, follow HERSHEY'S Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.