If there’s one thing these men and women have in common, it’s a compassionate, giving heart. Angola Consul Helen Ong and the committee members of Best Dressed Women of the Philippines (BDWP) have been persistent in raising funds and awareness for their cancer awareness advocacy.
As the pandemic continued, the drive to give back only grew stronger. While quarantine restrictions have prevented the annual fashion show to take place, BDWP found creative ways to help raise funds, generate awareness and gather this year’s honorees together through a coffee-table book.
“Going through this pandemic for the second year only intensified our desire to continue raising awareness and funds to help our fellow Filipinos who have been gravely affected by cancer,” says Ong, BDWP chair.
“It’s been a trying two years, to say the least, but we are determined to continue making a difference. We decided to raise funds not through the festivities of our annual fashion ball, but through the publication of a timeless coffee-table book for the second year in a row.”
This year, BDWP aims to surpass the money raised last year for the benefit of Philippine Cancer Society (PCS). They are optimistic in reaching this objective, with the help of their sponsors—the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., IPM Holdings, Hermès, Museo Orlina Foundation Inc., St. Peter Life Plan and Chapels, BA Securities Inc., Flora Chua, Beging Soriano, Aspen Philippines Inc., book committee chair Ruby Chua and San Miguel Corp.
The launch of the first coffee-table book last year raised P8 million. Funds raised will go directly go to PCS, to help sustain their existing programs, as well as implement new ones in aid of cancer patients. Despite the pandemic, PCS mobile clinic services were able to conduct 26 outreach missions, and performed 1,189 clinical breast examinations and 797 cervical cancer screenings. For the cancer awareness program, PCS conducted webinars for cancer patients and support groups, organizations, offices and schools.
Before the pandemic, the highlight of the fundraising initiative was the annual staging of the selected BDWP night. The candidates all exemplify elegance, sophistication and style, and they all lead with a compassionate, giving heart.