Cosmetics could boost spirit of conflict-stressed teachers

By MERLINA HERNANDO MALIPOT

Manila Bulletin (Read on site)

To boost the spirit and morale  of women during crisis,  donations of cosmetics–particularly lipstick, face powder, foundation, rouge and the like–are being suggested  to be given to teachers and volunteers in war-torn Marawi.

Former Education Secretary Armin Luistro, F.S.C., and former Undersecretary Reynaldo Laguda said that the “continuing crisis in Marawi and the surrounding towns have affected thousands of families who are in need of support and assistance [and] public school teachers are among the most affected.”

Currently, Luistro is the President of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) while Laguda serves as the Executive Director.

“In our experience during Typhoon Yolanda, we found that aside from physical nourishment, it is important to also help uplift their spirits and give dignity,” Laguda said.

One effective way to do this, he stressed, was to help teachers “feel beautiful” by giving new makeup such as lipstick. “Consequently, the smile on teachers’ faces can infect thousands of students and provide hope,” he added.

Luistro, when he was still DepEd secretary, first made the unusual request for donation of makeup after talking to a Yolanda-affected public school teacher who – despite wearing slippers – still managed to put on lipstick to look good in front of her students.

PBSP is the “largest corporate-led social development foundation in the Philippines” and a first of its kind in Asia leading the “promotion and practice” of corporate social responsibility (CSR)..

Hoping to achieve the same effect, PBSP is appealing for donations–make up such as lipsticks  for 5,000 teachers and volunteer workers in the front lines of humanitarian work. “We hope you can be part of this simple but effective gesture of solidarity by providing dignity through beauty,” Laguda said.

As of June 13, Luistro said that PBSP was able to collect donations combined with pledges totalling Php 5.68 million. “These contributions from corporations and individuals will help us provide needed assistance to at least 4000 families including hundreds of public school teachers from Marawi currently displaced in Iligan and nearby towns,” he added.

PBSP, Luistro said, is “working with local non-governmental organization (NGO) partners and government to deploy assistance” since last week. “We hope to get more information about other needs as well as plans for rehabilitation and provide updates thereafter,” he added.

Luistro and Laguda stressed that in times like these, “acts of generosity and solidarity ground us with hope amidst the darkness” and that “no amount of support is too small as an act of solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters.”