By Reni Salvador
IN a bid to turn waste materials into more useful resources, real-estate developer Amaia Land Corp. continues its advocacy for cleaner environment by encouraging its homeowners and the public to practice the method of “upcycling.”
Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of turning old and discarded goods or waste materials into something useful and beautiful and with better environmental value.
The real-estate brand recently held its first-ever Upcycling Challenge at Solenad 1, Nuvali in Santa Rosa, Laguna, where a slew of design students, professionals and upcycling enthusiasts participated in the exciting competition. All the participants were given 24 hours to create marketable and practical home products from scratch using plastic soft-drink bottles.
The 13 finalists in the Upcycling Challenge all produced highly creative designs and innovative upcycled household materials, such as lamps, chandelier, sofa bed and tables, among others, which are all on display at Solenad 1, while their images are showcased on Amaia Land Corp.’s official Facebook page.
Ricky Celis, Amaia Land Corp. president, said the upcycling contest was the brand’s simple way of caring for the environment, and teach the public to creatively reduce waste by turning these into useful and aesthetically pleasing products.
“Caring for the environment has always been part of our advocacy. We want a project that would push this cause, so the Upcycling Challenge is really perfect for us. Here in Amaia Steps Parkway Nuvali, we encourage everyone to live a life that is one with nature—to not just enjoy its beauty, but also care for it,” he said.
Emerging at the top of the podium, Team DJE, composed of Danny John Kalinga, Jojean Aguilar and Johnedel Edward Ogalesco, made a floor lamp called “Bubble Coral” out of different sizes of plastic bottles. Coming in second with an upcycled chandelier are Danilo Perez, Charlie Cannal and Louie Luena of Team Bulahao, whose work is among the crowd’s favorite.
Meanwhile, Kia del Rosario and Jose Masucol of Kneutral Manila bagged the third prize with an upcycled table and storage named “EpitoME.”
Amaia Marketing Head Anna Garcia-Ramos said during the awarding ceremonies on Sunday that the three teams stood out because their works are marketable.
“We chose these three because of marketability and alignment with the brand Amaia. These upcycled materials are very simple, modern, contemporary and, more important, in line with the brand’s character.”
The grand winner bagged P100,000 in cash and a glass trophy, while the first and second runners-up both received glass trophies and P50,000 and P25,000, respectively. Meanwhile, the upcycled material with the most number of “Likes” on Facebook will receive a special prize.
The contest was judged by socialite-philanthropist and interior designer Tessa Prieto-Valdes, acclaimed painter/poet and columnist Igan D’ Bayan, and Ramos. Both impressed by the works of the winners, judges Valdes and D’ Bayan showed interest on Team DJE’s Bubble Coral and Team Bulahao’s chandelier, respectively.
Ayala Land’s Nuvali, which spans 1,750 hectares, is an inspiring model of a green, sustainable eco-community. Built on the pillars of environmental, economic and social sustainability, community development remains a primary objective of Nuvali in achieving this balance.
Nuvali, which is in the cities of Santa Rosa and Calamba, and in the municipality of Cabuyao in Laguna, is part of the growth corridor of the Calabarzon region. Its campus-like environment integrates a community where residences, business and recreation flow seamlessly. It is a community where homeowners can proudly raise their families.