Green living never looked this good

Starfish | 03/31/2009 12:35 AM

By Marcia Czarina Corazon Medina
Ayala Young Leaders 2006; Ateneo de Manila University

As I held the interesting material made from twigs and dry bark, the first clarification I got was: Nature’s Legacy is the company, and Naturecast is that material. But the difference somehow seemed marginal for me, because at that moment, I was enamored with the products – furniture, jewelry, and shoes – displayed in their exhibit. And they’re right. Green living never looked this good…

And looking good to Nature’s Legacy meant doing good. And I found out, the company’s story has been a process of falling in love, and staying in love.

Falling In Love

Husband and wife, Pete and Cathy Delantar, established Nature’s Legacy in 1996. Their partnership is made successful by Pete’s attention to detail in their pioneering of product development, combined with Cathy’s innovative ideas. Cathy, now Nature’s Legacy’s Vice President for Administration, shares that when they were starting, she never thought that the success of Naturescast would be as it is today; “I just had the passion to do things, and I wanted to do something good.” And as a couple, the Delantars set their stand firm: the clean and green principle is part of their company’s culture.

Cathy fell in love once more – this time, to the mountains of Compostela in Cebu, where the factories of Nature’s Legacy are now located. “Yung simoy ng hangin, nakakawala ng pagod. Kakaiba ang aura. I just fell in love with the place.”

But the community didn’t immediately meet their arrival with gusto. Cathy says they had to contend with the community’s impression that the company would take advantage of the people and the resources. “At that time, we knew we had to prove that we are different [from what the community thinks of us]. We set up a foundation for them, provided housing, and explained that these things are without strings attached,” she said. The company also helped in community organizing and provided means for the community to establish other means of livelihood through farming.

And true enough, the perception changed. The community was also soon in love with Nature’s Legacy and its stance to protect and develop nature.

Staying In Love

The relationship of nature-company-community involved a great sense of social responsibility.

The process of making Naturescast (and the furniture and jewelry) involves zero waste for the environment. Nature’s Legacy takes pride in the fact that no tree has ever been cut in the production process. The community members would pick up fallen twigs, dried leaves, and branches, as well as other indigenous materials such as limestone and the local Mactan stone, and create the products mostly with their hands. Even the ‘special glue’ that holds the raw materials together is also made of eco-friendly components.

While the furniture products have been in the market for many years, the accessories are new members of the company’s product line. Marie Sol Delantar-Gonzalvo, OIC for Corporate Affairs, explained that when Naturescast material is made into furniture, there are left-overs that they thought should not be just thrown away. Thus, those left-overs were developed into necklaces, bracelets, and even shoes.

And because the contribution of the community is crucial, Nature’s Legacy continues to provide opportunity for the members of the community through the Nature’s Legacy Foundation. Sol said that, aside from the community organizing started when the company moved in the area, the foundation has scholarship programs for the children of the employees and the community. Those children are now studying in the University of San Carlos in Cebu. There is also the Summer School Internship Program which covers values education and performing arts. And most importantly, rooted in the core value of the company, Nature’s Legacy employs young people even those who have not finished their education.

Garnering Laurels

The collaboration of Nature’s Legacy and the community has earned its rewards. In 2004, Naturescast was launched in Frankfurt Germany, and a year after, Nature’s Legacy won the “Most Creative Exhibitor Award” in the 6th Annual Environmentally Preferable and Recycled Product Trade Show in Ontario, California. And in the succeeding years, Nature’s Legacy also received nation-wide and international awards and distinctions for its innovative and eco-friendly products, and for its contributions to the local community. In 2007, Nature’s Legacy Foundation won the “Child-Friendly Organization Award” from the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines, International Labor Organization, and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

But perhaps the greatest laurel Nature’s Legacy has garnered is to be able to uphold the principle which it stood for from the very beginning. The company has shown that modern technologies need not compromise the environment and local communities for gain. Nature’s Legacy is an excellent example of how collaborative efforts of a company and the community could produce world-class, eco-friendly, and undeniably beautiful items.

In this time and age, when the clamor to protect nature is reaching its loudest call, Nature’s Legacy holds the Filipino flag high and says, “We did it.”

And they will continue to do so.

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First published as one of the Cover Stories in Starfish Magazine Back to Basics, Volume 3 Issue 4 & Special Issue (February 2009).

Starfish Magazine is the First Youth Empowerment Magazine in the country, organized and managed by the Ayala Young Leaders Alumni. For more information, log on to www.starfishmagazine.com, or www.ayalayoungleaders.ph. You can forward your inquiries to starfishmagazine@gmail.com or (02)752-1065.

Cebu’s first green fair

Cebu’s first green fair

Cebu Daily News
First Posted 13:35:00 03/24/2009

Filed Under: Environmental Issues

In a step to solidify its corporate social responsibility, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa is spearheading the “Go Green Cebu Fair” from March 27 to 29 at the resort’s The Marquee.

The first green fair in Cebu is the most comprehensive conference and exhibit on the subject of going green.

Corporate executives, government agencies, suppliers, non-government organizations and other advocates will discuss and learn the impact of businesses and individuals on the environment.

A panel of speakers will share their expertise and best practices on environment protection and conservation.

Environment Undersecretary Lucille Sering will open the seminar series with a talk on the department’s various green initiatives.

Other topics to be tackled on the first day include “Developing Green Building Rating System for the Philippines” by Architect Chris dela Cruz; “Green Initiative: the Key for Sustainability and Taking Care of the Environment” by Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival; “Green Practices on Permaculture and its Contribution to Households” by Joel Lee and “Children’s Environmental Awareness” by Maricris Sarino.

A coastal clean-up dive will open the second day. The afternoon sessions will be devoted to topics such as: “Hybrid Cars” by Bobit Mamawal; “Bantay Kalikasan” by Winnie Dimalig; “Community Engagement in Sustainability of Cebu’s Water resources” by Architect Socorro Atega, “Solutions for Sustainable Future to Rheinland Philippines” by Eric Santos and “Philippine Business for Social Progress and Aboitiz Foundation Environmental Thrusts” by Antonio Aboitiz.

An exhibit showcasing green products and other initiatives will also be held at the venue.

Exhibitors include Philippine Business for Social Progress, UV Rheinland Philippines, ASWPC Weddings, Cebu Holdings Inc., Powerbooks, Bright Academy, Artizans, Arkane International Corp., Naturescast, APY Cane Incorporated, Island Souvenirs, Cebu GlobeNet and Avatar Accessories.

For inquiries and ticket reservations, please call the Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa at 2318267 or email gwen.hufano@shangri-la.com.

Green Daily: Club Chair and Stool

Naturescast Club Chair & Stool
If Austin Powers had a cabin the woods...

Green Daily: Aylin Necklace

Naturescast Aylin Necklace
Groovy, pretty and natural!

Green Daily: Barque Table

Naturescast Barque Table
A mod conversation piece in the living room.

Green Daily: Stride Stool

Naturescast Stride Stool
Like a very large chess piece for the living room.

Green Daily: Agnes Bracelet

Naturescast Agnes Bracelet
The mix of natural fiber and geometric shape makes this a conversation starter.

Innovation: Materials and Design

By Arch. Karl Aries Emerson F. Cabilao

Cebu, known for its vibrant furniture industry, is consistently pushing the envelope for imaginative designs and the creative use of indigenous materials.
Who would think that a termite mound and barnacles would make beautiful furniture and home furnishings pieces? And you'd be surprised with the usefulness of loofah beyond the vicinity of a bathroom.
Even cassava and tobacco have joined this fascinating list of innovative use of materials.
And nothing really goes to waste for Cebu's manufacturers. Several materials, like waste-wood, which would have been destined towards the trash bin are given their so-called second lives.

The upcoming Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition (Cebu X) will showcase more of these unique creations and original designs. The annual event will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Cebu, Philippines on March 5-8, 2009.

Cebu Retains Its "Wow" Factor

Powell Slaughter

View More Posts

While the show's a third the size it was when I first visited here eight years ago, in terms of exhibitors, the Cebu International Furniture Foundation's annual Cebu X has lost none of its "Wow!" factor for someone used to seeing product in High Point and Las Vegas. Nothing against those U.S. venues, but when it comes to real design imagination in just about every display, Cebu's hard to beat. The region's been hit hard by imitators in other source countries and a tough market for furniture in major destinations for the Philippines' exports such as the United States, but for eye-grabbing product with creative use of materials, Cebu still shines.

It does an old product writer's heart good.

Green Products Expo NYC

Green Products Expo NYC

By: Sara Wilson | February 26, 2009 7:26 AM

There's nothing quite like a room full of entrepreneurs to lift one's spirits. Just when stock market lows were getting me down and doubts about how helpful the Economic Stimulus Plan would actually be for entrepreneurs were sinking in, I shut off the computer and headed to the Green Product Expo in NYC. There, I reveled in the energy and optimism of entrepreneurs. Never mind that they're in the thick of things, serving as the first line of defense where they're personally battling it out with the credit crunch and nervous, price-conscious consumers.

In that room, on the fourth floor of the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, I soaked in the entrepreneurial spirit and felt protected somehow from what was happening on the other side of the door.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that the economy never came up in my discussions with the entrepreneurs in attendance. Lee Archer, cofounder of New Wave Enviro Products, a manufacturer and distributor of eco-friendly products, admitted that his business has been affected by the economy when the company that was making the filters for his reusable bottles apparently went out of business and that he has had to deal on several occasions with retailers that don't pay up. Yet, despite the challenges, Lee was overall optimistic and was excited to see what types of innovative companies would emerge from this recession as has been seen in past recessions.

Other than New Wave Enviro Products, which Lee started more than a decade ago, and b. happybags, which launched six years ago and was one of the first to bring reusable bags to the market, many of the entrepreneurs were startups. Michael Dwork just launched his line of environmentally-friendly dinnerware made from fallen leaves (literally) last month but can't get the product out fast enough to meet the demand. It seems as though fortune has been with him since the beginning. In order to compete in a business plan competition, he had to create a one-page website for his company, Verterra. With zero advertising, site visitors were soon inquiring about ordering products. So is green still hot even in this economy? Michael believes that as long as the product is authentic and offers a unique value proposition, consumers will definitley be interested.

Products ranged from 100% biodegradable doggie doodie bags (created by three guys who met in law school) to reusable waste-free lunch bags (created by two friends who were both moms and who cringed at the avoidable waste occurring at schools) and the startup stories, as usual, didn't disappoint.

Maggie Mohs was cleaning houses with traditional cleaners when she started suffering from an allergic reaction. When she couldn't find a green cleaner that didn't have fragrances or dyes added in, she called upon her sister-in-law to help her develop her own line of products.They incorporated the company, Simply Neutral, in August 2007.

Pete and Cathy Delantar founded Nature's Legacy, a global manufacturer of home furnishings and garden accessories, in 1996, but, during a cleanup of agro-forest debris, they came up with the idea of turning that debris into sustainable products. In 2004, they launched NaturesCast, a manufacturer and distributor of sustainable and versatile products such as furniture, home accessories and jewelry.

As a writer for Entrepreneur magazine, I talk to a lot of entrepreneurs, but since I'm interviewing entrepreneurs across the country, I don't always get to meet them in person. To be surrounded by them, feel the energy and excitement in the air, and get a taste of the innovation and ideas, was truly invigorating and refreshing. The economy isn't the best right now--it's hard to not be reminded of that constantly--but the spirit is still alive, and the entrepreneurs that I met today are far from slowing down.

Naturescast to showcase its sustainable fashion accessories and sandals

LAS VEGAS, USA (AVING Special Report on 'MAGIC Marketplace 2009') -- Naturescast(www.naturescast.com) showcased its sustainable fashion accessories and sandals at the MAGIC Marketplace from Feb 17-19, 2009 in Las Vegas.








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