It was watching her children shake and cower in fear during fights that finally made Mary Jane Ibo decide to leave her abusive partner. “Hindi ko akalain na magkakaroon ako ng broken family, pero ito po yung nangyari,” she says. (“I didn’t think I would have a broken family, but that’s what happened.”) With her three young boys in tow, Ibo packed up and left.

But in a tale as old as time, much like many other women in the same position, Ibo struggled to support her children. Eventually, she had to surrender her children into the care of their relatives. Many women are in situations similar to Ibo’s—at a crossroads, wondering how to make ends meet, or what to make of themselves. 

For Lordelyn Guimpatan, becoming a young mother put a question mark on her own hopes and dreams. The needs of her family came first. “Iniisip ko, may karapatan ba akong ituloy ang aking pangarap?” she says. “O dapat ko bang i-prioritize ang pangangailangan ng aking pamilya?” (“Should I prioritize my dreams or my family’s needs?”)

Princess Caballero, on the other hand, previously spent hours each day toiling in a restaurant as a service crew member. Making ends meet, however, was difficult, and her job was still not enough to provide for the needs of her children. 

It was through the local governments of Quezon City and Makati that Ibo, Guimpatan, and Caballero learned about the Digital Beauty Academy (DBA), a program developed by L’Oréal. In partnership with local government units, the non-profit organization Spark Philippines, and social media juggernaut TikTok, the DBA makes its mission both practical and far-reaching. Participants are taught the basics of beauty—skin care, hair care, and makeup—and are upskilled with training in social media entrepreneurship, such as digital content creation and e-commerce. Launched in 2023, the program has already reached over 1,400 participants and continues to grow as it empowers more women across Metro Manila. 

Courtesy of brand

The heart of the program is wielding beauty as a catalyst for change. As one of its key supporters, L’Oréal’s managing director Yassine Bakkari sees digital training as an essential part of the transformation: “Whatever their social class, Filipinos are very connected and sophisticated when it comes to media consumption. Beauty consumers not only look for products online, they also look for quality content and reviews.”

Maika Teves, executive director of Spark Philippines, adds to the fact that the pandemic shifted so many interactions and transactions online. “By mastering both beauty techniques and digital skills, graduates gain confidence in their abilities,” she shares, highlighting that the program has birthed a network where graduates are able to seek mentorships, collaborations, and further career opportunities. 

To supplement the family income and to make some of her own dreams come true, Guimpatan has already begun exploring a career in content creation. Caballero found steady work in a salon, where she says, “Nabibigay ko na ang mga pangangailangan ng mga anak ko.” (“I am able to provide for my children’s needs.”) “Na-boost ang confidence ko, at higit sa lahat, nakakapagpaganda ako ng ibang tao.”

As for Ibo, if you check the TikTok account @mjorcineibo, you’ll find a video of her applying makeup and talking about the power of lipstick—its psychological effect on women, which uplifts and motivates them to go out and achieve their goals and dreams. The short video showcases her makeup application prowess, and with her modulated voice over, plays like an informative micro-documentary.

“Nabalik yung confidence ko sa sarili ko,” Ibo says, when asked how her life changed after the program. She is now a flourishing content creator, creating videos to empower women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. She’s gone back to school, studying entrepreneurship at Quezon City University. While her journey is still unfolding, her days now look different—filled with purpose, possibility, and progress. Such is the power of beauty.

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