As more Filipinos shift to online shopping for their daily necessities, many businesses are also turning to digital platforms to widen their reach and establish a strong online presence - especially the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). To cater to the growing number of online sellers, Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, continues to partner with organizations to support MSMEs who are looking for better opportunities in e-commerce.

In 2020 Unilever and Mano Amiga, a non-governmental organization that advocates for community transformation and inclusive growth through education, first partnered with Shopee for their Beauty That Cares Campaign, to offer assistance to 25 micro-entrepreneurs. Through this partnership, Mano Amiga sellers gained a strong understanding of e-commerce and learned how to maximize the digital space’s full potential. Sellers had access to monetary funding, entrepreneurship training programs, and Shopee’s e-commerce tools to help them expand their reach. Two Mano Amiga sellers share how Unilever and Shopee supported their business growth:

Janette Lagundi of JTL Trading (https://shopee.ph/alexandermoses_0503)

For Janette Lagundi, a mother of two, it was tough when she first started her online business. Despite having no prior entrepreneurship experience, she decided to start selling cleaning products and home decor items such as Himalayan salt lamps, to get her family through the pandemic. She admitted that it was difficult for her to adjust to selling on e-commerce platforms as she was not very tech-savvy.

Through learning the ropes at Shopee, Janette saw her business thrived. “Because of Shopee, not only are my sales increasing, my store is also gaining better recognition through plenty of promotions. I learned a lot about selling online through the training programs and masterclasses. I am determined to explore more opportunities on e-commerce, and I’m glad that Shopee and Unilever helped me adjust and adapt amid the pandemic,” she said.

She added that the support from Shopee and Unilever helped her family immensely. “This business is my bread and butter and I feel more confident in growing my business because I am more competent now. Because of this opportunity, I can provide for my children.”

Cecilia Comia of C plus D Design (https://shopee.ph/designbycplusd)

Cecilia Comia used to run a food business and even designed her own food stalls, but due to the pandemic, she had to shut down her food business and focus on selling decal stickers and labels instead. “We started our business in 2018 with a passion for good design and we wanted people to appreciate and see how small design details can change an entire product or experience,” she said. The strategy shift, although promising, posed some obstacles. “The competition is tough online. Reaching a wider audience and achieving effective customer engagement are both constant challenges. We are still struggling when it comes to establishing our business. The prices of our competitors are tough to match,” she added.

Shopee and Unilever provided her with the much-needed support. “Unilever’s program connected us with Shopee. It gave us an edge in terms of knowledge in selling online. Unilever’s financial assistance also helped us with our cash flow and allowed us to increase our stocks and improve our equipment.”

To support the transition and growth of MSMEs in the digital landscape, Shopee partners with Unilever once again to give MSMEs a spotlight at their Yes to Positive Beauty Sale this May 17 to 19, 2021. The campaign is part of Unilever’s renewed purpose and commitment to bring about positive change through real actions - to do more good, not just less harm, for people and the planet.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “We are proud to partner with Unilever to support a cause that aims to uplift the lives of local sellers and their loved ones. Shopee believes that every Filipino entrepreneur can succeed in e-commerce as long as they have the right tools, opportunity, and platform. We will continue to collaborate with brands like Unilever to support the local communities, their livelihood, and their families.”

Dorothy Dee-Ching, Vice President for Beauty and Personal Care at Unilever Philippines, said, “Yes to Positive Beauty is a movement for all Filipinos to champion a new era of beauty and personal care that’s inclusive and sustainable. As the number one beauty and personal care company in the country, we acknowledge the part we play in being a force for good, and Yes to Positive Beauty encompasses our commitment to do this through our brands. This includes championing for equal opportunities, which we have been able to do through our continued partnership with Shopee and Mano Amiga, as well as lending a helping hand to MSMEs, especially those greatly impacted by the current crisis.”

To provide consistent support for the sellers, Shopee’s relationship managers worked closely with them to create irresistible discounts to attract more customers, and also assisted them in mapping out advertisements for their products via social media. With the sale happening in just a few days, both sellers are preparing to stock up on their inventory to meet the expected increase in demand. To support sellers like Cecilia and Janette, check out the Yes to Positive Beauty Sale this May 17 to 19, 2021.

For more information about Unilever’s Beauty That Cares campaign, visit https://shopee.ph/m/unilever-super-brand-day.

Shop, buy load and pay bills with ShopeePay. Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Unilever's toilet hygiene expert Domex announced its partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Deutshe Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zussammenarbeit (GIZ) with the goal of providing access tousable, clean and safe toilets for 7 million Filipino school children by 2021. The event, held at Lakandula High School, was graced by DepEd Usec. Tonisito Umali and joined by school division heads, staff, students, and their parents.
The program formed part of the Domex #TogetherWeAreUnstoppable campaign, which aims to rally the nation to help win the war on poor sanitation in schools. As well as part of DepEd's many efforts to improve school sanitation conditions through their Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Program (DepEd WinS).

School are a high priority for Domex. The lack of access to usable, clean and safe toilets seriously impacts the health, comfort, and learning ability of students. 84% of school teachers and school nurses say toilet-related issues greatly increase the number of sick days students take, which could also impact their learning.
"Domex believes a clean and safe school toilet is a right, not a privilege," said Vanessa Ong, Marketing Director for Unilever Home Care. "Currently, 1 in 2 schools in the Philippines still do not follow national guidelines on sanitation. Through this landmark partnership, we join forces to achieve clean, safe, usable toilets for every Filipino child."

Domex together with DepEd and GIZ reinforced their commitment to the DepEd WinS program. This program provides practical guidance on what schools must do to achieve usable, clean, and safe toilets. Domex will continue to contribute by providing the right support and training for janitors, school staff, and students to encourage schools to adopt healthy school hygiene practices.
Today, Domex also launched the inaugural Eskwelang Unstoppable Awards, an initiative to accelerate progress toward reaching national sanitation standards.Schools and division offices are encouraged and rewarded for adopting the DepEd WinS program, making stepwise improvements in school sanitation. The award aims to promote good hugiene and sanitation habits by reinforcing the importance of maintaining usable, clean and safe toilets in schools across the Philippines.

"Through the Eskwelang Unstoppable Award we hope to recognize and rewards schools that have greatly improved toilet sanitation conditions for their students and staff," continued Ong. "We believe that keeping toilets clean and safe is a shared responsibility and want to rally everyone -from partners and parents, to janitors, staff and students - to join the movement and put an end to poor santitation."

The Eskwelang Unstoppable Awards will culminated during World Toilet Day on November 19, 2020. The award will recognise the Best School Division, as well as the Most Improved Schools from the winning division based on WinS star ratings.

Join the Domex #TogetherWeAreUnstoppable movement to make a usable, clean and safe toilet a reality for every Filipino school children. Follow Domex Philippines Facebook page to find out how you can be involved.

Domex is available in all major retailers and e-commerce sites.

photo credit to Gracee Bongolan of www.itsmegracee.blogspot.com

Did you know that children around the world miss an estimated 443 million school days each year because of diseases caused by poor sanitation and hygiene practices, including using unsanitary toilets? Simply put, this number of sick days is equivalent to all grade school and high school classrooms in the Philippines being empty for one month. Every day, millions of children in rural communities and urban households nationwide are exposed to these health problems by using dirty toilets populated by disease-carrying germs.

Unilever Philippines, through its leading germ-kill expert cleaner brand Domex, celebrated World Toilet Day 2015 at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City by announcing a stronger 1 Million Clean Toilets Movement. The advocacy campaign endeavors to educate a million Filipinos every year on proper toilet hygiene towards fighting diseases caused by unsanitary toilets.

In its first year, the movement gathered more than one million pledges from people to keep their toilets clean and sanitized, answering the call for more responsible toilet sanitation. What’s more, with the help of UNICEF, more than 100,000 people are now living in open defecation free communities. These improvements in sanitation and hygiene are contributing to a healthier environment for children and their families, reducing the risks of sanitation-related diseases

This year, the movement is bigger and better with partners from health institutions and leading hospitals joining the advocacy, through the Philippine Public Health Association. “We wanted to help people who have suffered the consequences of poor hygiene. We want to educate them on proper toilet sanitation that will enable them to prevent sickness from happening again.” said Anna Mangilin, Unilever Marketing Director for Homecare.

The program includes training of hospital housekeeping staff on proper toilet hygiene, as well as distributing educational materials to patients. “The program is very relevant and helpful because the simple act of proper toilet hygiene can help prevent the spread of disease,” said Dr. Alfonso Nuñez III, EAMC Deputy Quality Management Representative.

Unilever also partnered with Maxicare to reinforce the 1 Million Clean Toilet Movement’s commitment to educate Filipinos on proper toilet sanitation. As the country’s leading health maintenance organization with an estimated one million members nationwide, Maxicare and its network of doctors can reach more health conscious individuals and encourage them to adopt proper hygiene practices.

Patients at the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), Rizal Medical Center, and Maxicare clinics experience germ-free toilets and are empowered to have the same for their homes, given the right tools for proper toilet sanitation.

All of these efforts on toilet sanitation are in line with Unilever Philippines’ long-term commitment to the global Unilever Sustainable Living Plan which aims to improve the health and well-being of two billion people worldwide by 2020.
“Looking toward 2016, we are confident to educate a million people more as we drive the agenda among the top hospitals and health institutions consistently throughout the year, aiming to fight diseases and save lives, one clean toilet at a time,” said Liza Vengco, Unilever Sustainable Business and Communications Manager.

Dennis Chua, Brand Manager of Domex and Cif; Tess Tatco, Head of Avida Corporate Marketing and Nancy Delegencia, Head of Avida’s Customer Care Unit

Finite land resources in the metro have led to more and more Filipinos switching to living high above the cities. The growing demand for dynamic urban environments, wherein the comforts of security, proximity to the conveniences of the city, and refreshing atmospheres reminiscent of hotels meet, made vertical living an ideal choice for life starters and most urban dwellers. The popularity of vertical living has paved the way for a booming property industry, giving rise to numerous condominiums that offer the same comforts. But whether you live in a condo or house and lot, the importance of maintaining a clean home for a healthy family is of utmost importance to Avida. “We in Avida believe that cleanliness is crucial to those seeking to set off to a great start with their new beginnings in life, largely due to our belief that starting out in a clean home will create healthy and happy families,” said Tess Tatco, Head of Avida Corporate Marketing. “Unilever Homecare is pleased to partner with Avida in its endeavor because we believe in making life’s new beginnings healthy and clean especially when it concerns families and communities,” said Dennis Chua, Domex and Cif brand manager.



Avida and Unilever’s globally trusted home cleaners DOMEX and CIF share this cause, and are working hand-in-hand to promote healthy living and proper hygiene among Avida homeowners by raising awareness on the use of household cleaning products and encourage developing a habit of keeping homes clean within Avida communities.
Both are promoting healthy living through programs on proper cleaning and sanitation. In partnership with the communities’ respective homeowners associations/Condo Corp. and Avida Customer Care Unit headed by Nancy Delegencia, Unilever will conduct a series of educational talks that will initially benefit more than 6,000 Avida homeowners in Bonifacio Global City, Quezon City, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Cavite, NUVALI.
A cleaning caddy containing a range of Unilever’s household care products such as Domex multipurpose cleaner, Domex toilet bowl cleaner, and everyday household cleaning product. Cif will also be given out to new condominium and house and lot homeowners upon the turnover of their units.
The use of right cleaning products complements Avida promoting healthy living through proper ventilation, free-flowing air and sunlight present in all Avida units. Avida and Unilever thru Domex and Cif are together in this venture for clean and healthy homes, for happier families and better communities.
This partnership is aligned with the Domex 1 Million Clean Toilets campaign, which aims to raise awareness on proper toilet sanitation and provide access to basic sanitation for the less fortunate. This falls under the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan that aims to help improve the health and well-being of more than a billion people. This is in an effort to possibly see a reduction in the number of cases of diarrhea, reported to be the second leading cause of death among children below 5 years old in the Philippines.
So far, the movement has been continuously receiving pledges and it hopes to achieve one million clean toilets, in time for World Toilet Day in November.
Everyone is encouraged to join by signing up for the 1 Million Clean Toilets campaign. Simply visit www.facebook.com/DomexPhilippines, like the page, and pledge by clicking the “One Million Clean Toilets” app or “Pledge Here” button.

Most Filipinos are traveling during holy week, their plans are to spend the holiday out of town, with the family, or simply take time spiritually.  Though we all know summer season is really a time for family bonding and some series of travels.

In preparation for this, Unilever Philippines through the leading toilet cleaner Domex, partnered with Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation to provide motorists and travelers heading north and south of Luzon an access to clean, hygienic toilets for their comfort during the yearly exodus.

Leading the clean-up is Unilever Philippine Marketing Directore for Home Care Jay Go and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Vice President for Retail Anthony Lawrence Yam. North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Shell stations will experience Domex clean-ups beginning April 10.

We all know that you cannot stay long on travels and as human beings we need to do the call of nature.  That is why expressways have their service areas to accommodate that call of nature and of course some break time and gassing up.

"This coming Holy Week, when you gas up at Shell and take a break, you can expect smarter products and quality service at our stations," says Yam.

"Everyone deserves a good toilet break during the long Holy Week Journeys. With our cleanup drive, we at Unilever and our friends at Shell would like to assure the public of sanitized comfort rooms as they rest and recharge for the trip." says Go
Traveling during peak seasons introduces heightened risks of acquiring diseases, and some of the possible sources are poorly sanitized public restrooms that travelers may use along the way. Gas stations along major roads become the necessary stop over points for commuters and private motorists, resulting in the crowded and busy use of comfort rooms and other facilities.

Last Year Unilever launched the Domex 1 Million Clean Toilets, Saving Lives, One Toilet at at time during the celebration of World Toilet Day every November 19. Now, through the clean up drive is part of the 1 Million Clean toilets program, an advocacy of Unilever through domex to empower and inspire Filipinos to properly clean their own toilets with the right product in an effort to reduce incidences of disease that are related to lack of proper toilet sanitation.

With this, Unilever Philippines is providing six (6) months worth of Domex products for proper toilet sanitation of selected Shell gas stations. In support of the 1 Million Clean toilets advocacy, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation submits their corporate pledge for clean toilets and continue to execute proper toilet sanitation throughout the year.
Everyone is encouraged to join the 1 Million Clean Toilets campagin by pledging for clean toilets. Simply visit the Facebook fan page www.facebook.com/DomexPhilippines, like the page and click the "Pledge Here" button below the cover photo. For every pledge received, Unilever Philippines donates P5 to UNICEF's Sanitation program which helps thousands of people get improved access to basic sanitation.

Good news to every one!  Here is another treat for everybody from Unilever and I'm very sure that we will enjoy it.  Of course, I'm pretty much sure that a lot of us are using Unilever hair products and other brands.  With this we can, that all of us will be having  a greater chance in winning different prizes in every pack. 



Unilever, one of the leading brands in hair and other brands like Dove, Sunsilk, Vaseline and Clear are partnering with the biggest companies in the country for a celebration like no other.  The Great Hair Blow Out is Unilever's way of rewarding its loyal customers who have made Unilever's Shampoo brands leaders in its category. Together with Ford, Smart, Cebu Pacific, Samsung, McDonald's David's Salon, Cebuana Lhuillier and National Book Store.



If you have read my article about the Unilever's Sachet Recovery Program last month well your in luck because this is their another treat for those who patronize their products and of course this is their campaign targeting to collect 18 million sachets. All these empty sachets will then be shredded and used to help create various materials such as cement pavers. These will be donated to selected communities all over the Philippines to be used to construct pathways and pavements.



It seems that they are not only thinking about the company but they are also thinking and helping the communities to save the environment and help others as well.  Well perhaps this is their way of making housewives to be more vigilant in saving the environment since most of us Moms are left inside the house and the products have some of moms widely used household products. 

"The Great Hair Blow Out is our treat for the people we serve for their continous support throughout the years. We are excited for them to receive the many surprises that we've prepared for them. And of course, we couldn't have done this without our partners", says Gina Lorenzana, Unilever's VP for Personal Care.

So hurry mommies buy now your favorite products from Unilever to have a chance to win on The Great Hair Blow Out that will lasts from October 1 to December 30, 2012. To join, just buy any specially marked packs and peel back to reveal your prizes.

As part of this year's World Food Day celebrations, Unilever Philippines has again renewed its commitment to help improve the health and well-being of Filipino children by donating Php6 million to support the United Nations World Food programme's (WFP) school feeding programme in remote and conflict-affected areas of Central Mindanao.


The amount is being donated through Unilever's number one food brand, Knorr, and will be used to provide 600,000 hot nutritious school meals to 100,000 public elementary school children in the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte.  WFP will be carrying out the programme in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Department of Education.



"We would like to thank Unilever for its consistent and valuable support to WFP in the Philippines.  Over the years, Unilever has mobilized its different brands to come up with innovative and creative ways to help raise awareness of, and mobilize resources for, the fight against hunger - they are true champions of the cause," said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson.


"The support that we give to school feeding is just one part of the overall sustainable living plan of Unilever to help improve the nutrition levels of Filipino children and contribute to the Philippines' effort to meets its Millennium Development goal targets.  But we cannot do this alone.  We are privileged to have as a global partner such as the World Food Programme to help us in achieving this goal," added Unilever Philippines foods and Customer Development Director Carl Cruz.


Unilever has contributed to WFP and its fight against hunger in the Philippines since 2008, through the global event "Walk the World," organised in collaboration with TNT Express and DSM to raise funds and awareness for WFP's work.  In the Philippines, Walk the World has generated over Php13.8 million to fund school meals.

Globally, Unilever has been a WFP corporate partner since December 2006 donating a total of US$18.7 million to support WFP's work around the world.

About WFP
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.

WFP now provides RSS feeds to help journalists keep up with the latest press releases, videos and photos as they are published on WFP.org.  For more details see:  http://www.wfp.org/rss.

Twitter: @wfp_asia and @wfp_philippines and @wfp_media
Facebook: WFP Philippines

About Unilever
Unilever works to create a better future every day.  We help people feel good, look good and get more out of life with brands and services that are good for them and good for others.  We are one of the world's leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods with strong local roots in more than 100 countries.  Consumers buy 170 billion Unilever packs around the world every year, and our products are used over two billion times a day.  Our portfolio includes some of the world's best known brands such as Knorr, Lipton, Dove, Sunsilk, Surf and Rexona.

Our ambition is to double the size of our business, while reducing our overall environmental impact (including sourcing, consumer use and disposal).  We are also committed to doing what we can to improve health, nutrition and hygiene, with goals to help more than a billion people take action to improve their health and well-being, as well as to source all our agricultural raw materials sustainably by 2020.  Supporting our three big goals are more than 50 time-based targets in the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan. 

For more information about Unilever and its brands, please visit www.unilever.com.