Pinoy EcoChic trashformation at Pamasko ni Kuya Trade Fair

I’m always excited to go to any Megamall Trade Fair event, and going to Pamasko ni Kuya last Sept. 24-27 was no different.  Of course, it was not really the same with it being the time Ondoy (typhoon) hit Manila.  But it was an opportunity to see and share more of what Filipinos can do.

They even extended the exhibit up to the 28th because of the typhoon so the exhibitors can make up for the lost day(s).

I am always excited to attend these fairs because I find more and more Pinoy Eco products with each exhibit.  Here are the newest green products I saw and some I saw with new eyes.

Can you imagine all the crazy water lilies disappearing in Pasig River?  And the best part is, it takes Filipinos to ingeniously think of ways to productively and beautifully make use of materials that many will merely dismiss as just trash.

There are a lot of communities who are able to harness local grasses and other “weeds” and turn them to beautiful home products, a lot come from Bicol and the Visayas.  But what is more encouraging and even noteworthy is that these products here are already made in Las Pinas.  Whereas before, the cooperatives were able to harvest the waterlilies for free, now with growing demand, they need to “buy” waterlily stalks at Php0.25 / 3 meters.  At that rate, we may be able to see a cleaner Pasig River after all, now if we can just get someone to trashform the other debris in our rivers, hmmm.

Up north, in Abra, they have their own way of trashforming wastes.  Aside from making decors, (which I’m not too fond of living in the Metro with all the dust) I was surprised to find out that these wood clocks come from the irregular cut-offs from timber wood.  It’s not maybe for every home style, but definitely will be at home at any county Eco Home.

Now for the more girly finds.  Are you familiar with Rags2Riches?  Those upcycled rag bags by Rajo Laurel and Aranaz.  This women’s group in San Jose, Del Monte, Bulacan have their own version.  It’s probably not as fancy as their upscale counterparts in the city, but just as worthy an effort.

The women members can sell their wares to each other or people around their community, but they still have to develop a more viable marketing strategy to make it available to a wider market.

We all know patronizing Filipino-made products help countless communities, but now more than ever, this takes on a new meaning as more communities need rebuilding after the storm.

Make the Quaint things count,

Theresa

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Waterlily products
Project of Villar Foundation
C. Masibay St., BF Resort Village, Las Pinas City
(02)874-2921

Woodclock
David’s Well Crafts
Central East, Buang, La Union

(0920)4784658, (072)7051595

Rag bag

D.M.T.K.- Linggap ng kababaihan

San Jose del Monte, Bulacan City

(0915)7676823