Beauties and Brent

Before, I used to join lots of contests. I joined the ones dangling prizes such as dream vacations, concert tickets, and useless prizes all for the heck of it. I never won, unluckily. Wouldn’t it be really cool to join a contest and win the best prize of all, not a million bucks but a date with a charming prince? It would be such a treat to get other perks like ambush makeovers from head to toe and loads of freebies. This would be something girls would like to join. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with wishful thinking.

Watsons recently made this dream come true for nine women with its "Beauty and Brent" promo. Believe it or not, thousands joined this contest for the sole purpose of meeting gorgeous model Brent Javier. Isn’t that enough reason to join?

There was an interesting roster of winners from all walks of life, ages and occupations who was randomly selected. They were Joy Bocaoco, Dominic Lucien Tiojanco, Helen Baysa, Ma. Lourdes Basa, Marites Mabitado, Geraldine Cirera, Estela Tiongson, Arianne Garcia, Armie Joan Vicente, and Ma. Aleta Co.

Bobby Saneo, Watsons activation marketing manager, says, "We couldn’t have asked for a more interesting batch of winners and I am just so happy to see their transformation to a better version of themselves with the kind of pampering that Watsons and our partners gave."

So, winners did not get a radical makeover like a plastic surgery; instead representatives from Watsons partners "enhanced their beauty." Jill Mendoza Denopol, Watsons director for marketing and communications, explains, "We didn’t want to have a contest just to give away prizes since Watsons is about helping people enjoy their lives more."

The winners individually got a makeover package worth P100,000, and a royal treatment they will never forget. The package included hair treatment and styling from Kaizen Salon, skincare and makeup training session by Shiseido, an Addict mobile prepaid phone, wardrobe from Details Trading, hotel accommodations, and other gifts from Watsons partners.

At the grand unveiling of "Beauty and Brent" at Dish, winners strutted their new looks in a fashion show. Chief operation officer of Details Trading and Porcupine, Copa Joson, together with his wife Hywel Angeles-Joson, president and chief designer, helped the winners pick two sets of clothes for the grand unveiling. The women wore bright colors mixed with pastels and black for the dressier outfits. Dominic, the sole male winner, wore casual mint-green and pink long-sleeved shirts.

The question is, who did Brent pick among the winners? It was 27-year-old Marites Mabitado, who works as a finance manager.

Brent shares, "This was exciting for me because I enjoyed meeting my fans. I chose the most deserving and the person was really interested in me – and not in the value of the prizes. Also, Marites was someone I can actually talk to."

So, what is the best part of this experience? For others, it would be the makeover, freebies, or even the grand prize of dating Brent Javier for a night. For Denopol, the event is "a good way for consumers to get to know Watsons more and experience the brand as, it really is which is to help people feel good about themselves."