In a bid to reopen classes in affected areas after super typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in the Visayas region, the Department of Education (DepEd) called out for donations to aid public school teachers as they prepare to resume classes.

This call for donation was initially inspired by one of Luistro’s visits during the early aftermath of the Yolanda devastation. “When young kids and children are out of school for a long time, a lot of problems arise. The school is still the best place to welcome the youth back, and to take care of them, too. That’s why we insist that schools reopen,” he said.

In his keynote speech during the recent DepEd-hosted luncheon to welcome close to 150 teachers and non-teaching staff from the Yolanda affected regions 6 and 8, Luistro narrated, “I met a public school teacher in her duster, wearing footwear that is different from the other foot. But what struck me was that despite everything that had happened and what she had lost, she never forgot to wear her red lipstick. Apparently, the lipstick was among the few things she chose to save.”

When asked why she chose to keep a lipstick in the face of tragedy, Luistro shared, “It was because she didn’t want her students to see her grief-stricken look. To her, it would only remind the children of the calamity that almost wiped out their area.”

Heeding the Secretary’s call for donations of lipsticks which can make a big difference in boosting morale of the teachers, AVON immediately stepped forward.

“Avon has always taken pride in being the company that provides beauty products and earning opportunities to women,”said Faith Fernandez Aranton, Avon Philippines Head for PR & C0mmunications.”But in responding to DepEd’s call in behalf of these teachers affected by the super typhoon, Avon feels very much humbled to be given this privilege, through our lipsticks, to have a role in these teachers’ heroism as they return to their teaching posts for the sake of the students whom they serve. We are grateful to DepEd for this privilege of being a partner in this initiative of helping make lives beautiful again for these teachers.”

Present during the welcome luncheon  were  DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, DepEd undersecretary Mario Deriquito, along with Ms. Universe 2013 3rd Runner-up Ariella Arida, Bb. Pilipinas 1st Runner-up Pia Wurtzbach, and Bb. Pilipinas-International 2013/Bb. Avon Bea Rose Santiago, all of whom sat alongside the teachers to encourage them and help them apply the lipstick.

“Even if it’s just for a little bit of time, even if it’s just for lipstick, it means a lot to [the public school teachers] because it will teach them to smile again,” Santiago said. “More importantly, this will positively impact their students, as seeing their teachers smile and confidently face life will encourage them to do the same.”

Close to 150 teachers and non-teaching staff received beauty packs that included a lipstick, a pressed powder, a hand and body lotion, and a T-shirt. Avon has committed to provide lipsticks to the rest of teachers in Yolanda affected areas in Regions 6 and Region 8.


Beth Corro, a Filipino teacher of Cirilo Roy Montejo National High School, reveals, “We still don’t have the money to rebuild everything, or buy what we’ve lost, like our make-up kits. That’s why I’m grateful for these gifts from Avon. Little things like these not only make us ready to face our students when school starts, it also reminds us that there are still beautiful things in life to look forward to.”