Filipino skincare brand Bebebalm wins Gold Award at the China-ASEAN Expo

It was born from a mom’s love and desperation


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SMELLING SUCCESS VIPs try Bebebalm Bebebreathe. From left: Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz, Madame Ana FlorCruz, Bebebalm founder Carol Ong, CITEM Kate Pineda, Mr. Zhou Chengfang of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Guangzi Committee

Bebebalm, a natural skin rescue for babies, kids, and moms wins Gold Award at the China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation) Expo. The Philippines’ Bebebalm outshone thousands of exhibitions from ASEAN, China, Japan, Africa, and the Middle East. 

The CAEXPO Awards for Exhibits Program was held at Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center (NICEC) on September 28. Dr. Wei Zhaohui, CAEXPO Secretariat secretary-general, Ms. Marisol Hernandez Tolosa, ASEAN Secretariat assistant director of Community Relation Division, and Mr. Li Xuan, Guangxi Market Supervision Administration deputy director-general presented the awards.

Bebebalm was born from a mom’s love and desperation. Filipino parents Carol Ong and Dr. Michael Ong gave birth to a baby with eczema-prone skin. Nothing was working. They used science plus nature to create gentle yet effective, plant-based solutions for their baby. They developed products based on the needs of their loved ones: for itching, extreme dryness, scars, dark spots, blemishes, rash, and sleep. These products weren’t meant to be sold, they were meant to work.

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The international Gold awardee is Bebebalm Bebebreathe. It’s a blend of herbs and essential oils, designed together with simple acupressure to help ease stuffy and runny nose, scratchy throat, and motion sickness. It has three variants, Mint for grown ups, No Mint for little ones, and Ice Calamansi made from Philippine lime. 

“Winning Gold is affirmation to keep doing what’s right, not just what’s easy. I quit my expat career to pursue the dream of Bebebalm. Being a mompreneur juggling 3 young kids and a stand-up is challenging,” shares Carol Ong, Bebebalm founder. “I want to create top-quality skin health products that’s accessible to parents worldwide. I wish to modernize Philippine traditional remedies and plants.  This honor confirms that the Filipino is the best in the world.” 

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Bebebalm founder Carol Ong

Only 10 Gold Awards were bestowed among thousands of exhibits. Winners cover various fields of China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation, including food and beverage, construction materials, smart technology, household goods, textiles and accessories, machinery, and technological innovations. 

Champions were selected based on relevant innovation, being trend-setting, and their big market potential. Selection went through three rounds, by the judging panel consisting of domestic and international experts, officials from missions of ASEAN countries in China, and professionals from quality evaluation institutions; along with considerations of media coverage, online voting of the public, and their performance at the CAEXPO.