‘You can be anything’

When most little girls outgrow their fondness for baby dolls, talking dolls and walking dolls, they dream of a Barbie Doll. Owning a Barbie becomes a dream, and becoming like Barbie — an aspiration. Since Barbie was “born” on March 9, 1959, over a billion Barbie Dolls have been sold worldwide.

Once upon a time, to be like the Barbie Doll meant only to look like her — tall, long-legged, slender. (In 1997, Barbie’s body was redesigned and given a wider waistline for it to look more realistic.)

According to the Economist, “By creating a doll with adult features, Mattel enabled girls to become anything they want.”

Nowadays, Barbie Dolls are no longer confined to a stereotype. Barbie Dolls can be race car drivers, doctors, chefs, journalists.

Myrna Yao, ‘Most Inspiring Entrepreneur’ Alice Eduardo and Richprime Global managing director Liza Yao-Bate.

Gone are the days when girls were either beautiful but dumb, or intelligent but plain-looking. Nowadays, you can be both — a super model with the IQ of Einstein.

In celebration of Barbie’s 60th birthday last March 9 (she has a real name: Barbara Millicent Roberts), Richprime Global Inc. (which brought Barbie to the Philippines in 1982)  recognized nine inspiring Filipino women. Held at The Block Atrium of SM North EDSA in Quezon City, the event emphasized the campaign “You can be anything,” which focuses on empowering and encouraging young girls to aim high.

“Barbie is an icon that represents little girls who would like to become somebody, someday. It’s a timeless women’s dream,” said Myrna Yao, president of Richprime Global Inc., the company that distributes Barbie dolls in the country. “This is the only doll that represents the lifestyle of the woman.”

‘Most Inspiring Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon’ Dr. Vicki Belo is flanked by Myrna Yao and Ivan Franco.

Among the “inspiring” women recognized in the event held by Richprime Global Inc., Mattel Southeast Asia and the SM City North EDSA were Sta. Elena Construction president and CEO Alice Eduardo (Most Inspiring Entrepreneur), ABS-CBN chief content officer Charo Santos-Concio (Most Inspiring Actress, CEO and Producer), Belo Medical Group medical director Dr. Vicki Belo (Most Inspiring Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon), Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano (Most Inspiring Mayor), Sen. Cynthia Aguilar Villar (Most Inspiring Senator), Chef Jessie Restaurants president and CEO chef Josefina Sincioco (Most Inspiring Chef), CNN Philippines president Armie Jarin-Bennett (Most Inspiring Journalist), Philippine Coast Guard Lt. Junior Grade Carina Dayondon (Most Inspiring Adventurer as the first Filipina to conquer the world’s seven summits) and yours truly.

I told the little girls who attended the event: “A doctor Barbie, a journalist Barbie, an engineer Barbie, and yes, even a beauty queen Barbie! The choice is yours. The stage is wide open, if you just put your hearts and minds to it.”

The author is awarded ‘Most Inspiring Editor-in-Chief’ by Ivan Franco and Rose Dylim.

For her part, “Woman of Steel” construction magnate Alice Eduardo told the girls, “The day you start believing in yourself is the day magic starts to happen.”

“I used to play with her (Barbie). I think she’s been going with the times. [She teaches] women that they can be anything they want. Before, when I was young, puro glam lang. Ngayon, [you have a] firefighter, veterinarian, engineer. It makes them dream,” said Vicki. “Of all the awards I’ve ever received, this is the most nakakakilig!”

*  *  *

The iconic fashion doll, which was manufactured in 1959, has served as an inspiration to young women around the world, including girls from the Philippines. Barbie was first introduced in the Philippines in 1982, by Myrna  Yao, when the company she owned, Richwell, was awarded the local nationwide distributor of Mattel Toys. Myrna has also introduced a Filipina Barbie Doll to the market.

Young girls in their dream career costume.

Myrna’s message to young girls: “Be yourself, trust in God, work hard and be creative.”

Be inspiring like Barbie.

(You may e-mail me at [email protected]. Follow me on Instagram @joanneraeramirez.)