Jennifer Mercado-Punzalan and Janina Vela. Photographed by Aniken Dela Cruz.
Jennifer Mercado-Punzalan and Janina Vela. Photographed by Aniken Dela Cruz.
As part of Dove Philippines’ “Change The Compliment” campaign, the two reflect on the dynamics of their mother-daughter relationship, and the impact that their words had on each other’s growth
While well-intentioned, giving compliments on someone’s appearance can sometimes impart a message that could change how they perceive themselves later on. For Dove Philippines, these subtle cues take center stage in this year’s Dove Day campaign, which seeks to explore the long-term impact of such exchanges on one’s growth and self-esteem, particularly in a familial context.
In partnership with Vogue Philippines, Dove invites mother and daughter, Janina Vela and Jennifer Mercado, to share insights on their evolving relationship, the parallels of their upbringing, and what it means to foster a home where compliments and affirmations are rooted in empowerment.
“I think our dynamics have evolved over the years,” Mercado recalls, grinning at Vela. “I used to be very hands-on and protective, but since you’ve gotten older and more mature, our relationship has now become a friendship between two adults.”
As they revisit pivotal moments in Vela’s life, from the teenage angst to starting her online career, the content creator highlights how having her mom as her manager introduced a new facet to their bond. “I think as a child, you tend to take the things your mom does for granted, and so you managing my career kind of gave me the space to be more grateful for you having that presence in my life.”
Mercado later addresses how being intentional with their expressions of love was a conscious choice made early in their marriage. “Your dad and I really wanted to build a culture of affirmation in our home. So we were very deliberate and proactive to make sure that our children would hear those on a daily basis.”
This nurturing environment stemmed from Mercado’s own upbringing, one that adapts to a love language that didn’t rely on words to communicate. “I have to evolve, I have to keep studying because my children go through seasons, and a lot of those seasons I’m not equipped for. I don’t want to be stuck on how I knew to do things,” Mercado adds.
For Vela, growing up in such a supportive home allowed her to develop a sense of confidence early on. And even as she experienced the harshness of the internet at the early stages of her YouTube career, her mother’s persistence and encouragement remained a steady force.
Vela adds, “I didn’t think that my looks were perfect, and when that reality came to light, I didn’t fall through because they don’t see my beauty; my mom thinks otherwise. So those thoughts became the least interesting thing about me, and my personality is still alive, and that’s something you can’t take away.”
While reflecting on the impact that each other’s words had on their relationship’s growth, the two also express how such compliments and affirmations should move past the superficial aspects of one’s character. “I think it’s cultural in our nation where the first compliment is always on physical appearance,” Mercado opens. “But we’ve always talked about not stopping at the physical traits, and so we want to go beyond that and say, ‘you’re a very thoughtful person’ or ‘you’re so friendly to come to me and say hi,’ those kinds of compliments.”
As their conversation draws to a close, the two echo Dove’s belief in reshaping how we uplift one another, with a future where compliments and affirmations can instead build up each other’s values and self-esteem.
“We’re gonna be raising up a really strong and empowered generation. There is a lot that we need to change, but one thing that we can do at least is change the way we compliment.”
Jennifer Mercado-Punzalan
Watch the full video on Vogue Philippines’ YouTube channel, and visit the Dove Philippines website to learn more about the Dove Self-Esteem Project and its #ChangeTheCompliment movement
by LIAM BITENG. Featuring JENNIFER MERCADO-PUNZALAN and JANINA VELA. Video by EJ BONAGUA. Photography by ANIKEN DELA CRUZ. Sittings Editor DANYL GENECIRAN. Art direction by LARA CASTAÑEDA. Styling by SHARK TANAEL, assisted by JIA TORRATO. Hair and Makeup by LOUISE FLORABEL, JULIE SIA, and ANGELA OLONAN of NIX INSTITUTE OF BEAUTY. Video team MADMAN CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. Lighting Director ROJ MAGUYON. Production design by ARJ MADZ, assisted by JOHN MARTIN PONGOS, LANCE ANDREW MALANA, and GENESIS BALDOZA. Account Manager BETTINA MENDOZA. Project implemented by ESAB RAYMUNDO. Produced by BELLA MARISTELA. Creative production assistants ANNIKA GUCE, KAT ACEVEDO, and ODILE PAULINE ROXAS. Shot on location at BALARA CONTENT STUDIO.
