Colgate, the leading oral health brand in the Philippines, partnered with the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) to the launch of “Isang Milyong Sipilyo, Angat Ngiting Pilipino” program last February 5, 2024 at the Timoteo Paez Elementary School in Pasay City.
During the event’s Luzon kickoff, more than 500 students from Timoteo Paez Elementary School learned the value of good oral hygiene and how to properly brush their teeth from Colgate and the PDA. As part of the “Isang Milyong Sipilyo, Angat Ngiting Pilipino” program, Colgate offered free dental check-ups and distributed oral hygiene kits to 550 students. Dr. Rabbit, Colgate’s mascot, also made an appearance at the event, ensuring that the children had an exciting and enjoyable day. As a father whose son experienced missing school due to toothaches, Mr. Rannie Robles, president of Timoteo Paez Elementary School’s Parent-Teacher Association, rallied parents and guardians in a pledge to always protect their children’s teeth – staying true to his commitment of keeping children at school and away from absenteeism.
“In the next two months, our Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program will be making trips to the VisMin regions. Following our visit to Timoteo Paez Elementary School here in Pasay, we will visit a chosen elementary school in Iloilo and Davao City, as we stay committed to spreading the importance of taking charge of their dental health to improve their overall well-being of Filipino children they grow older,” says Mr. Diomar Escat, Public Health & Scientific Affairs Manager at Colgate Palmolive Philippines Inc. “It is our shared hope to empower these bright young children throughout the nation to prioritize their oral health and set the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles, one city at a time.”
120 dental chapters of the Philippine Dental Association participated in a simultaneous toothbrushing event, alongside thousands of schoolchildren from 193 schools nationwide in honor of National Toothbrushing Day. This strong display of unity demonstrated the steadfast dedication of the country’s dentists to promoting proper oral hygiene habits nationwide
“It is our commitment at PDA and as a professional organization to continuously make valuable and sustainable programs that would contribute to better oral health for our community,” said Dr. Emmanuel Centeno, President of the Philippine Dental Association. “With the help of our partners at Colgate Philippines, we will be distributing more than one million toothbrushes to public schools across the country. Our shared goal is to equip students with the fundamentals of oral hygiene by teaching them proper tooth brushing techniques.”
Colgate-Palmolive Philippines Inc. and the Philippine Dental Association are both firm believers that every Filipino deserves not only a bright smile, but also a bright future. Join us throughout National Dental Health Month in celebrating the power of Filipino smiles. Stay tuned for more exciting activities and updates as Colgate and the Philippine Dental Association work together to spread the gift of smiles throughout the nation.
