A woman’s life comes with a lot of shifts—some we celebrate, others we’re barely warned about. From puberty to pregnancy, from our twenties to our thirties, and eventually into midlife, our bodies move through constant change. Hormones shift, priorities evolve, identities expand. Yet not all of these transitions are openly discussed, acknowledged, or properly supported.
Menopause, in particular, remains one of the most misunderstood stages of a woman’s life. Often unspoken, frequently dismissed, and rarely given space—especially as women grow older, care for families, and put themselves last. Many women begin to feel invisible, even as their bodies ask for more attention, not less.
This is exactly why Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Philippines SLPs and The Beauty Edit came together to create the Rise, Reset, and Renew—an intimate Peri/Menopause Forum. The goal was simple yet powerful: to create a safe, supportive space for honest conversations, expert-led learning, and shared understanding around this often-overlooked life stage.
Framed as a pause rather than a prescription, the afternoon invited attendees to explore perimenopause—sometimes called the “unspoken age”—through a holistic lens. From hormones and gut health to movement, intimate wellness, and skincare, each session offered not just information, but reassurance. A reminder that women don’t have to navigate this season alone.
A Powerhouse Lineup of Women Who Get It
The forum opened with a grounding, nourishing conversation led by Kim King, widely known as Asia’s Broth Queen and a functional nutritionist devoted to healing from the inside out. Drawing from her academic background in nutrition and culinary arts—alongside her lived experience as a mother of five—Kim explored the gut-hormone connection and shared accessible nourishment strategies to support mood, sleep, immunity, and energy during hormonal shifts. Practical, comforting, and deeply relatable, her session set the tone for the day, complemented by thoughtfully prepared snacks and drinks from Kim King Wellness—a delicious extension of her inside-out approach to wellness.
Next, Marilen Gonzalez-Elizalde, celebrated Holistic Wellness Lifestyle Coach, guided attendees through hormonal health and lifestyle support rooted in gentle movement, mindfulness, and sustainability. With expertise in fasting, yoga, aromatherapy, and women’s wellness, Marilen showed how even the smallest shifts—like moving breakfast just one hour later to create a “13-hour fast”—can support balance, mobility, and vitality in midlife. She also led attendees in creating their own “Darna Kit”—an empowerment toolkit inspired by the iconic Filipina superhero, reminding women of their inner strength.
The conversation then moved into intimate health with Dr. Anafe Gloria, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist with over 12 years of experience. With clarity and compassion, Dr. Gloria addressed peri- and menopausal changes that are often left unspoken, offering evidence-based, regenerative approaches to care. Her session focused on confidence, rejuvenation, and learning to stay attuned to one’s body—without fear or embarrassment.
Rounding out the expert lineup was Claudine Viquiera, menopause coach, advocate, and founder of ProAge, an advocacy-based skincare and wellness brand for perimenopausal and menopausal women. Claudine spoke about aging skin in midlife—what’s really happening beneath the surface, and how to support it with nourishment, repair, and realistic expectations. Blending professional insight with personal experience, she encouraged women to release self-blame, ask better questions, and approach aging with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
More Than a Forum—A Shared Experience
Beyond the talks, what truly defined the afternoon was connection. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions, exchange stories, and learn from one another—often discovering that what they thought was “just me” was, in fact, shared by many.
The event ended on a celebratory note with wellness-focused raffle prizes from Onelife Studio, and a giveaway from The Beauty Edit—The Beauty Edit Box Vol. 18: Greatest Hits—a fitting close to a day centered on care and intention.
Intentional, interactive, and deeply affirming, the event served as a powerful reminder: Midlife deserves informed care, honest conversations, and community. Guests left feeling supported, seen, and better equipped to rise, reset, and renew—on their own terms, and in their own time.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY REAGAN DELA TORRE.
