What began as an afternoon of mug-making session and shaping clay became something far more meaningful. At first glance, it looked like a typical creative workshop: women gathered around tables, hands deep in clay, carefully molding mugs into shape.
But as the session unfolded, the experience became less about pottery and more about reflection, intention, and an often-overlooked form of self-care: preventive health.
That was the heart of Because She Can, a creative wellness experience organized by MSD through its Guard Against HPV campaign.
A participant shapes her clay mug during the hands-on workshop.
The event brought together women from different walks of life — young professionals, mothers, advocates, and individuals navigating personal milestones — for an afternoon that blended creativity with conversations on prevention and well-being.
Though each participant arrived with different stories and responsibilities, many shared a common reality: amid the demands of daily life, making time for oneself often becomes an afterthought.
Shaping more than clay
Mug-making has quietly become a favored activity for those seeking a pause from the rush of everyday life. The process of shaping soft, formless clay into something functional requires focus, patience, and presence.
That same spirit of intentionality defined the workshop.
Guided through a hands-on session in partnership with Tahanan Pottery Shop and Studio, participants learned the basics of mug-making — molding, refining, and shaping clay with their hands.
But beyond the technique, the process revealed something deeper.
The mugs became symbols of care, resilience, and quiet support.
Each mug reflected its maker. Some were carefully structured; others were beautifully imperfect and expressive. All carried intention.
Much like the many roles women navigate daily, the mugs became symbols of care, resilience, and quiet support — objects designed to hold space for moments of pause.
For Dr. Mary Ann Galang-Escalona, that connection between creation and care reflects how women shape their own lives.
“We are constantly planning for our goals, our families, and our future,” she said. “But part of building that future is making sure we stay healthy enough to enjoy it. That’s where intentional choices, especially around prevention, become important.”
When conversations shift to health
Participants work on their own mug designs, each piece reflecting a personal touch.
As clay took shape, so did the conversations.
The session naturally evolved from creative expression into personal reflection, prompting a simple but important question: how often do women carefully plan for everything else, yet postpone caring for their own health?
Through Because She Can, preventive care was framed not as something separate from everyday life, but as an essential part of it.
“Health is not something we think about only when something goes wrong,” Dr. Galang-Escalona emphasized. “It’s something we protect early and consistently, because it allows us to continue showing up for the life we are building.”
Participants were encouraged to see preventive care as a practical and proactive decision — one that involves staying informed, consulting healthcare professionals, and taking steps to reduce future health risks.
Understanding the risks women shouldn’t ignore
The workshop also grounded its message in pressing health realities.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common viral infections affecting both women and men. Health experts note that 80% to 90% of sexually active individuals may acquire HPV at some point in their lifetime.
While many HPV infections clear on their own, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is responsible for nearly 99% of cervical cancer cases.
That makes prevention especially urgent in the Philippines, where cervical cancer remains a major public health concern, with around 12 Filipinas dying from the disease each day.
“Many of these cases are preventable,” Dr. Galang-Escalona noted. “But prevention starts with awareness, and more importantly, action.”
Prevention as an everyday decision
IMAGE CREDIT: Freepik
Building on this, discussions turned to what women can do to protect themselves.
Cervical cancer is considered one of the most preventable forms of cancer through a combination of regular screening, informed lifestyle choices, and vaccination, all of which help reduce the risk of HPV-related diseases.
Participants were reminded that prevention is most effective when approached early and consistently, rather than only when symptoms appear.
“We now have the tools to significantly reduce the risk of HPV and cervical cancer,” Dr. Galang-Escalona shared. “The important thing is making these part of your routine health decisions, speaking to your doctor, understanding your options, and taking that step when you can.”
By placing these conversations within a wellness-centered setting, the event made a clinical topic feel more approachable and personal.
Because she can
Women from diverse backgrounds come together for an afternoon of creativity, conversations.
By the end of the workshop, participants held their finished mugs — each one distinct and shaped carefully by hand.
They were more than just creative outputs.
They became quiet reminders that just as clay can be shaped with intention, so too can the choices women make for their health and their future.
“Empowerment starts with recognizing that you have a choice,” Dr. Galang-Escalona said. “And choosing prevention is one of the most meaningful ways to protect the future you’re working toward.”
In shaping something tangible, participants were reminded of something equally real: their ability to shape their own well-being.
Because they can.
For more information, visit Guard Against HPV or follow the campaign on social media.
