MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Two years into its mission of reaching patients where they’re at, Kindred has firmly established its presence as the go-to resource for all things women’s health. Of the many things Kindred advocates for, preventive care is at the top of mind as it is a key aspect in delivering better health outcomes.
For its June 2024 campaign, Kindred sought to empower each one of its patients to be a Future Ready Filipina with accessible, affordable, and non-discriminating healthcare services. This came to fruition with month-long promos encouraging bookings and Kindred’s first pop-up clinic featuring OBGYN consults, mini IV drips, and vaccines in One Ayala Mall, Makati.
Capping off its anniversary month was the culminating event called Own Your Flow, a cycle house that underscored the importance of listening to your body and equipping yourself with knowledge about your menstrual cycle. The cycle house is a taboo-defying concept that rewrites the shame associated with menstruation and instead celebrates the natural changes that happen in a woman’s body throughout every phase.
On June 29 in KMC One Ayala, Kindred hosted members of their community for Own Your Flow, with various activities that catered to women’s needs during each phase of their menstrual cycle. Jessica de Mesa-Lim, Kindred’s CEO and Co-founder, started the event with opening remarks highlighting pertinent women’s health statistics in the Philippines. She mentioned how Kindred is here to help improve outcomes through preventive care with their products, services, app, and future clinics — starting with the second opening in Quezon City next month. “We’re doing our best to keep our community engaged and well-informed,” said Jessica. “Our promise at Kindred is to be your partner in becoming future ready. It’s only our second anniversary, and we are only going to grow for you and with you from here.”
Jessica then introduced five panelists: Sabina Yulo, Founder of body acceptance community Hi Smithy!; Ceej Tantengco, children’s book author and host of Go Hard Girls podcast; Claire Ongcangco, Founder of Parlon; Doc Jean Palis-Filomeno, Kindred doctor and OBGYN; and Amanda Cua, Founder of BackScoop.
The five panelists explored what it means to be a Future Ready Filipina, how investing in yourself means investing in the future, and what advice they’d give their younger selves. Ceej encapsulated it perfectly, “Being a future-ready Filipina means having your own vision for what you want to achieve and having it not be limited by the challenges you’re facing.” “When you expand your imagination, you will gain clear direction,” she added.
Afterwards, attendees were free to explore various simultaneous activities, including an IV drip hydration lounge, DIY trail mix bar, breathing room, interactive vision boards, engagement walls, and rooms to record letters to their future selves. Partner booths included a body acceptance photobooth by Hi Smithy! and an express facial corner by The Collective and Sacred Skin. Attendees with tickets for the Art Workshop participated in a session on embracing their sexuality through art, led by Expressive Arts Facilitator Belle Mapa.
There was a carefully curated cycle syncing menu by Kraver’s as well as matcha, a period-friendly beverage by Lokal Coffee for energy and nourishment. In the spirit of community, Kindred partners Tapies, La Rosa, Baby Spice Jewels, Bonsoy, Twin Relief, Strip, Browhaus, Honest Junk, Unprude, Medicol Advance, and Mediclick supplied freebies for all attendees to fill their own loot bags, alongside branded Kindred merch.
The energy at the venue was palpable, with attendees making new friends and reuniting with old peers. In light of their ongoing partnership with worry-free period company Halia, Kindred OBGYN Doc Jean Filomeno and Halia COO Kim Bigornia held a lesson on hacking your cycle through cycle syncing. Doc Jean covered the four phases of the menstrual cycle, while Bigornia recommended several ways of adjusting your lifestyle to suit each phase. To summarize each phase’s goals, Bigornia taught the audience the acronym “POWR.” Prepare, Open Up, Work, and Rest during the follicular, ovulation, luteal, and menstrual phases respectively.
Kim then introduced Halia’s joint initiative with Kindred called Better Flow For All because menstrual health education cannot be discussed without acknowledging the reality of period poverty. Individuals could purchase Halia products at a discounted price. Proceeds would be used to donate menstrual products to The Laura Vicuña Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps Filipino children living in poverty, victims of sexual abuse, and out-of-school youth.
Vida Yoga capped off the day with Vinyasa Flow, a signature end to a Kindred event where participants were able to reconnect with themselves and with each other before heading back home refreshed and energized.
As the event emphasized, to own your flow is to take charge of your health, be kind to yourself, and honor the natural changes that happen throughout your menstrual cycle. At Kindred, they do their best to educate patients on the importance of staying future-ready while supplying them with the right avenues, products, and services so that they can optimize their well-being.
Own Your Flow is just another revolutionary concept that came to life in Kindred’s two-year tenure as the first hybrid women’s clinic in the country. A preview of what’s to come for the femtech brand: Kindred will continue to empower Filipinas to become ready for the future.
