During National Cleft Awareness & Prevention Month, Listerine, Watsons Philippines, and Operation Smile Philippines introduced the #GiftASmile campaign, a meaningful initiative empowering Filipino children with cleft conditions. The campaign, launched on September 4, inspires Filipinos to help create brighter futures by supporting children with cleft lip and palate through essential surgeries, oral health education, and ongoing support.
It’s time to #GiftASmile. (from left to right) Anne Clutz with her kids, Mother of children with cleft care; Ken Tort, RSLP Head, Speech Language Pathology Unit of Operation Smile Philippines; Alde Po, Kenvue Philippines’ Franchise Head for Oral and Self-Care; Emiliano Romano, Executive Director of Operation Smile Philippines; Miggy Gamboa, Listerine Philippines Marketing Manager; Sharon Decapia, SAVP for Marketing, PR, and Sustainability of Watsons; Mikee Reyes, Listerine Ambassador [Photo courtesy: Kenvue; Watsons Philippines | Press Release]Supporting Smiles: Listerine, Operation Smile, Watsons Unite for #GiftASmile
Cleft conditions present unique challenges, often impacting a child’s physical health, social confidence, and mental well-being. While surgery can effectively treat cleft lip and palate, many families hesitate due to high costs, especially in low-income households.
Globally, cleft conditions affect 1 in 700 babies born each year, making campaigns like #GiftASmile crucial for raising awareness about accessible, life-changing care.
Mikee Reyes, Listerine’s ambassador, hosted the campaign event to shine a light on the importance of oral health, particularly for children with cleft conditions who face increased risks of tooth decay and oral infections.
Miggy Gamboa, Marketing Manager for Listerine Philippines, emphasized the brand’s mission to provide every child with a healthy smile.
“Listerine believes that healthy smiles are meant for all. As a mouthwash brand, Listerine advocates proper oral hygiene, especially for kids with cleft, so we can protect them from oral problems as early as possible to prevent further issues,” Gamboa stated. “Join us in educating the families of kids with cleft and teach them how to protect their mouths with proper oral health.”
The Power of Partnership: Listerine, Watsons, and Operation Smile
This year, Emiliano Romano, Executive Director for Operation Smile Philippines highlighted the crucial role the public plays in supporting cleft care.
“Refer any patient to Operation Smile Philippines…each of us can make a difference by helping to transform a life of a child, one smile at a time,” Romeo said.
There is an estimated 200,000 backlog of children with cleft lip and palate and many live in remote or rural communities.
Watsons Philippines has supported cleft care advocacy for years through various campaigns. Sharon Decapia, SAVP for Marketing, PR, and Sustainability, shared, “As part of our mission to Look Good, Do Good, Feel Great, we continue to team up with Operation Smile Philippines to bring perfect smiles to children afflicted with cleft lip and palate through the #GiftASmile campaign. We are proud to have Listerine as a loyal partner since 2013 in transforming the lives of these children.”
Beyond partnerships, personal stories add depth to the campaign. Anne Clutz, a mother of a child with cleft, expressed her gratitude to Operation Smile Philippines and Listerine for making essential surgeries accessible.
“Providing free comprehensive cleft surgeries to kids with cleft, is so valuable, especially for less fortunate families,” Clutz said. “I just want to thank Operation Smile Philippines and Listerine for making life-changing surgeries accessible and promoting the importance of good oral hygiene.”
How to Support the #GiftASmile Campaign
The #GiftASmile campaign aims to give more children the opportunity for healthier, brighter smiles. Listerine’s dedication to promoting oral health, along with Operation Smile Philippines’ free comprehensive cleft care—including dental services, nutrition assessments, and speech therapy—and Watsons’ commitment to spreading healthy smiles, provides these children with the confidence and care they need to thrive.
With every Listerine bottle sold, ₱10 will be donated to support Operation Smile Philippines’ cleft care initiatives. This fundraising campaign will run from September 22 to December 31, 2024, with an aim to sell 50,000 Listerine bottles, amplifying the program’s impact on children’s lives.*
*Per DOH-FDA CCHUHSRR Permit No. 0669 s. 2024.
ALSO READ: Watsons Philippines advocates for Cleaner Seas on Coastal Cleanup Day
For more details on how to support the #GiftASmile campaign, visit Operation Smile Philippines’ social media pages or their official link to donate, refer patients, or volunteer. You can also call (+632) 8351-1925.
Follow Listerine Philippines on Facebook to stay updated and learn more about the mission to spread smiles to children in need. You can also check out the merchandising materials posted in select Watsons Drugstores nationwide.
