Every three minutes, a child in Asia Pacific is born with a cleft condition, impacting their ability to eat, speak, and smile. In the Philippines, there is still a backlog of 200,000 cases of children with cleft lip and palate.
Believing every child deserves a healthy smile, LISTERINE partnered with Operation Smile and Watsons to provide comprehensive cleft care, including surgery, speech therapy, nutrition programs, hygiene kit distributions, and education for children and their families.
LISTERINE strengthens its partnership with Watsons and Operation Smile this year by launching the “Healthy Smiles Start with LISTERINE” campaign across Asia Pacific. The initiative aims to raise awareness about cleft lip and palate, generate donations for comprehensive cleft care, and promote oral health education and nutrition, especially for children.
LISTERINE®’s Booth in Watsons where shoppers can submit their pledge to help with cleft care awareness and merchandising stickers to show the P10 donation to Operation Smile for purchase of LISTERINE bottles.
LISTERINE and Watsons have made it easier for Filipinos to create a meaningful impact through everyday actions. From April 17 to December 31, 2025, every purchase of a LISTERINE product at Watsons (up to the first 50,000 bottles)* contributes to funding speech therapy sessions for children with cleft lip and palate in partnership with Operation Smile Philippines—transforming daily oral care into a compassionate cause. Last April, LISTERINE urged Watsons shoppers to pledge their support by spreading awareness and inspiring others to donate, volunteer, or refer cleft patients. *Per DOH-FDA CCHUHSRR Permit No. 0305 s. 2025.
“With Watsons’ strong presence across the country, we’re proud to help LISTERINE bring this movement to life and expand its reach to communities nationwide,” says Lexie Coloma, Senior Manager for Corporate PR and Sustainability, Watsons Philippines.
As part of Kenvue, LISTERINE is dedicated to promoting complete oral care through brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash in various oral health talks. “At LISTERINE, we believe a healthy mouth is more than hygiene — it’s a gateway to confidence, dignity, and opportunity,” says Kate Bulan, Shopper Marketing, LISTERINE Philippines. “Through the Healthy Smiles campaign and our partnership with Operation Smile Philippines, we aim to deliver healthier smiles and brighter futures for children with cleft lip and palate. This initiative invites everyone to join a movement that transforms lives, one smile at a time.”
Ramon Solas, an Operation Smile Philippines beneficiary turned employee, sharing his personal life-changing experience and how this fueled him to pay it forward.
Ramon Solas is living proof and a powerful example of how a single act of compassion can change the course of a life—and inspire a powerful ripple effect. Once a child born with a cleft condition, Ramon faced adversities like bullying and lack of self-confidence. After receiving life-changing surgery through Operation Smile, he gained a renewed sense of self confidence, even becoming an officer of student council. Today, he’s come full circle, serving as a dedicated coordinator with Operation Smile Philippines. With every child he helps, Ramon is not just giving back—he’s passing on the same hope, healing, and second chance that once transformed his own life.
Thousands of children’s lives changed from transformative cleft care from Operation Smile including that of Chutima’s (Paeng), Wang Nianyi’s, Supanat’s (Folksong), and Worapruch’s (Lak).
Apart from Ramon, thousands of children across Asia—including Chutima (Paeng), Worapruch (Lak), Supanat (Folksong), and Wang Nianyi—have undergone life-changing transformations through Operation Smile. From early surgeries and orthodontic treatment to ongoing speech therapy and dental care, these children and their families have gained not only healthier smiles, but also brighter futures filled with renewed hope, confidence, and opportunities thanks to accessible cleft care. Their stories highlight the transformative power of comprehensive cleft care. “Children with cleft conditions face challenges like difficulty eating, speaking, and social stigma. Our partnership with LISTERINE and Watsons enables us to reach more children and create lasting change for families and communities,” says Rachelle Alovindas, Nutritionist & Senior Officer of Comprehensive Cleft Care at Operation Smile Philippines.
Through the efforts of LISTERINE, Operation Smile, and Watsons, every purchase becomes more than a step towards one’s oral health—it becomes part of a life-changing journey of a child in need. Each restored smile represents renewed confidence, fulfilled hope, and a transformed community. Together, they are turning everyday routines into extraordinary acts of kindness. Be the reason someone smiles today—and for a lifetime.
