For every woman, pain is part of unraveling her strengths. Every woman has her own story, battle, and journey in discovering who she is. Regardless of her gender orientation, skin color, or body shape, every woman is able to gain strength and wisdom through the process of conquering pain. Every woman is able to draw lessons from the struggles and challenges she face, and rise above it.
As for transgender women and other members of the LGBTQ community, facing pain and challenges is a constant part of their journeys in accepting and showing the world their true colors. Every day is a constant battle for them to conquer uncertainty and confusion from everyone around them. They constantly face incredible scrutiny not only from society but also from members of their family, leaving them no option but to strengthen themselves inside.
While the Filipino society has been slowly learning to accept the LGBTQ community, we still have a long way to go. Everyday transgender men and women still face discrimination all because of their identities – which we as a society must change.
In line with Transgender Awarness Week, Pantene Philippines is showing its solidarity with the LGBTQ community by telling the inspiring story of Kevin Balot, the first ever transgender beauty queen and now the first ever transgender hair care ambassador in the Philippines. With this, Pantene launched a heart-stirring video that celebrates the triumphs of the members of the LGBTQ community as they overcome their inner struggles. It also enlightens and inspire the LGBTQ members to be #StrongerNow.
The #StrongerNow campaign aims to inspire Filipinas to celebrate every scar, every sweat, every struggle that made them strong and the kind of woman they are today. It is a collection of stories of overcoming struggles and celebrating the triumphs of Filipinas from all walks of life – from high profile celebrities to the women we encounter in our everyday lives. It tells the stories of real Filipinas whose strength and resilience allow them to shine brighter.
Now, the girl named Kevin is a whole new movement that captures the aim of the #StrongerNow campaign. Kevin’s story inspires many LGBTQ members to stay strong and rise above the struggles and challenges they face. Her journey of being accepted by the family and accepting herself was not an easy process – similarly to what most LGBTQ members go through. Growing up, Kevin went through a lot of pain and hardships but was able to gain strength from it and now she is stronger than ever. Her triumph as Miss International Queen was a struggle in itself, but she was able to lift herself up and bring herself where she is today.
The short film highlights Kevin’s struggles that embodies the everyday battle of the LGBTQ community and at the same time serves as a message of hope and resilience for everyone. In the film, Kevin says: “When you think it’s the end, it’s not. When people don’t seem to understand, there will be others who do. Find them.”
Just as Pantene strengthens and nourishes hair, this campaign focuses on using our inner strengths to overcome the battles each one of us face. As Kevin says to the young child in the short film, “do good, be grateful, find the wins in every day. Remember, you are strong and beautiful, you deserve to be heard. Accepted. Loved.”
With the launch of the short film, Pantene Philippines has become the first ever hair care brand in the Philippines to cast a transgender woman not only as the star of their campaign video, but also as the face of the brand. With this, Pantene Philippines is breaking norms in giving the role to someone from the LGBTQ community. In doing so, Pantene Philippines is showing that the brand is #StrongerNow.
Watch the full film here: #StrongerNow The Girl Named Kevin
