Dove launches not a beauty contest

It’s a crusade to champion unknown women by society’s most distinguished women. To find the extraordinary among the seemingly ordinary. To discover the empowered among the most marginalized. To showcase mystical femininity through commitment and hard work.

Take note: This is not a beauty pageant.

Dove Cream bar continues its mission to "awaken every woman’s potential" with a timely event this coming women’s month of March: the first-ever nationwide Search for Dove Bukod Tanging Filipina 2003.

The search is a culmination of Dove’s continuing efforts in celebrating the Filipino woman through widely publicized events on well-being and empowerment. It adheres to Dove’s commitment to endeavors that encourage women’s self-actualization.

"What is important in this search is not the woman, but the substance of the woman," said Toni Gregory of Bridges@Comm, who emphasized that the search was not a popularity contest but rather a quest for recognizing unrenowned Filipino women who are making a difference in their communities.

In the presence of some of the country’s most celebrated women, this quest for new unsung heroines was launched at a well-attended luncheon at the serenely decorated Reading Room of the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati City, where the guests were dressed symbolically in all-white.

Among those who lent their support to the cause were Marietta Goco, recently conferred with the prestigious Eleanor Roosevelt Award for her work in poverty alleviation; Beng Puyat, president of UNIFEM; Sr. Christine Tan of Alay Kapwa; Bing Ledesma of Bukas Palad; supporter of Mindanao causes and former Miss Universe Margie Moran-Floirendo; and Bambi Harper who has been very active in the preservation of Philippine heritage.

Unilever CEO Howard Belton, one of the few gentlemen in the party, lauded the undertaking as in keeping with the company’s dedication to the needs of the family and women in particular.

From Feb. 5 to March 8, Dove Bukod Tanging Filipina search will accept nominations for faceless women in society and the community, quietly making a mark through their selfless dedication to improving the lives of the great majority. A Dove Bukod Tanging Filipina candidate is someone at least 18 years of age, and engaged actively in any of the following areas: livelihood, environment, health, peace & order, and education. She is unrecognized and, therefore, has not had any previous awards. She belongs to the marginalized sector of society, is of good moral character and has inherent leadership qualities. No minimum educational attainment is required.

Three winners (one each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) and nine finalists (three from each region) will be awarded cash prizes, a trophy, Unilever products, and pampering treatments on March 29, in Manila.

Tasked to lead the search is the all-female Zonta Club of Muntinlupa and Environs whose president is Eugenia Server. This group belongs to the exclusive Zonta International, an organization of top female executives and professionals committed to the upliftment of the status of women. Zonta’s driving principle is "Investing in women is investing in a country’s future."

Search engines were set up for the various regions. Irene Santiago and Margie Floirendo of the Mindanao Commission on Women will tackle the towns and cities of Mindanao while Elena Chiongbian Young of Zonta Cebu II has been appointed search engine for the Visayas.

The Dove Bukod Tanging Filipina 2003 nominations may be sent to the following regional search centers: Luzon – Carmita Francisco, Zonta Club of Muntinlupa and Environs, Room 1808 Medical Plaza Building, Ortigas Center, Pasig City with tel. 687-0990/687-1281and fax 687-0989; Visayas – Elena C. Young, Zonta Cebu II, Old Banilad Road, Cebu City with tel. (032) 231-2854 and fax (032) 231-3945; Mindanao – Irene Santiago, Mindanao Commission of Women, 121 University Avenue, Juna Subdivision, Davao City with tel. (082) 298-4032 and fax (082) 298-4031. Deadline for submission is on March 8.