THIS CHRISTMAS, BUY PRESENTS THAT MEAN MORE BECAUSE THEY DO THE WORLD A LOT OF GOOD, SAYS MARIE CALICA. PHOTOGRAPHS BY LOUIE AGUINALDO
1 These adorable papier maché piggy banks are made from recycled plastic bottles! The Philippine chapter of ATD Fourth World, a non-government organization aiming to eradicate extreme poverty, held a series of piggybank-making workshops, led by the talented artist Robert Alejandro. He taught participants how to recycle and create art. All proceeds go to the organization’s street libraries and Christmas workshops. Piggybank, PHP300 (small) and PHP800 (big), tel: +63 (2) 563.9312, email atdmnl@pldtdsl.net, www.atdphilippines.blogspot.com
2 The gift shop chain, Papemelroti sells wood ornaments in angel and animal designs, made from recycled wood from shipping crates. The company’s recycling efforts extend to the Papemelroti Planet Patrol, which provides a list of recycling centers around the Philippines online. Ornaments, PHP50. www.papemelroti.com
3 This Christmas box ornament was made from the bark of a cinnamon tree. Handcrafted by disadvantaged women in southern Vietnam, these fragrant trinkets come in snowflake and dove design. Christmas box, from S$18 (PHP613). Ornaments, S$7.50 (PHP255) each. www.museumshop.com.sg
4 When you buy any Christmas gift set from The Body Shop, two people are going to smile: the person you’re giving it to, and a child with a cleft palate. That’s because PHP1 of your purchase is given to Operation Smile, the international medical mission that helps cure children with face deformities like cleft palates. Now, that’s a lot of smiles. Products start at PHP250, www.thebodyshop.com.ph
5 Banyan Tree, together with Gift and Take (GAT) Pte Ltd and Prime Associates, produced this Square box (S$65/PHP2,206) and tissue holder (S$60/PHP2,037) made of mountain grass. Available at the Museum Shop by Banyan Tree Asian Civilisations Museum, Singapore, tel: +65 6336 9050, www.museumshop.com.sg, www.banyantreegallery.com
6 HumanªNature, the 100% organic bath and body line, maintains fair trade relations with Filipino farmers. Co-founder Anna MelotoWilk measures their success, not only by profit but by social and environmental support provided. Aloe vera, egg white and mandarin moisturizing shampoo and body wash, from PHP34.75; Moringa organic facial wash, PHP139.75; Moringa toner, PHP59.75; and Citronella bug spray, P99.75; www.humanheartnature.com
7 The Body Flavors Organic Body Bars is a start-up company that uses only unadulterated, unrefined ingredients in each of their products. “They’re pure enough to eat,” swears Azenith Badana, founder of the mom-and-pop operation. The brand is still too young to be supporting any communities, but Badana says the products have as little impact as possible on the environment, considering there are absolutely no chemicals or synthetic ingredients in its soaps and scrubs. Body bars, PHP200, www.bodyflavors.net
8 We’re all guilty of recycling presents — passing on gifts to others that were originally given to us. But EchoStore’s Second Life ring pull bags take on a whole new level of recycling. This particular purse is made of soda can tabs neatly strung together over 16 hours. You might argue that these bags aren’t inexpensive, but they are unique and beautiful, and you can rest assured that the woman who made this piece was paid justly and equitably and she toiled under favorable working conditions. Ring pull bag, PHP2,700, EchoStore, www.echostore.ph
9 Don’t we all love getting a food basket at Christmas time? EchoStore puts together your choice of drinks and snacks, all cultivated and made in provinces all over the Philippines. When you buy this gift, you help sustain local provincial communities and promote trade that improves people’s lives in these regions. Tropical Piayitos, PHP125. Masco Rocks, PHP60. Masco Flakes, PHP75. EchoStore Barako, PHP175. www.echostore.ph
10 When you give someone Messy Bessy household products, you spread the company’s message, “clean with a conscience” principle. Their merchandise is all natural, nontoxic, and contains biodegradable ingredients, which means they’re safe for you and the environment. Sales of these products benefit HOUSE (Helping OUrselves through Sustainable Enterprises), a project that aids disadvantaged individuals in rebuilding their lives by providing them with jobs, teaching them to speak English, and helping them heal past trauma. The Cleaner’s Christmas Gift Basket, PHP960, www.messybessy.com
11 Stop another dolphin or bird from choking on a plastic bag. Instead use Mama Earth bags, durable canvas carryalls made in The Livelihood Shop, a center helping disadvantaged women. Canvas tote, PHP145, www.mamaearth.multiply.com
12 Keep treasured moments alive in a picture frame of coiled, recycled magazines. This one is produced by Filipinas Fair Trade Venture (FFTV). Frame, PHP180, EchoStore.
13 Why buy a ready-made doll when the little girl in your life can design her own creation? T-shirt-making kits are also available for those who want to wear their creations. Proceeds help marginalized children deal with their trauma through art. Doll-making kit, PHP150, www.manikako.multiply.com
14 This Rapt from ICanServe, a breast cancer advocacy foundation, has 12 different uses: a headband, a hat, scarf, ponytail holder, and more. Buy a Rapt, and a cancer patient gets one, too! Rapt, PHP500, tel: +63 (2) 687 3942, icanserve.shop@gmail.com.
15 These pretty Naturecast bangles are nature’s leftovers — bark, twigs and leaves! Bangles, PHP180–PHP225, EchoStore.
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