In a bid to turn waste materials into more useful resources, real estate developer Amaia Land Corp. recently launched the first Amaia Steps Parkway Nuvali Upcycling Challenge last Saturday, Oct. 17, at Solenad 1, Nuvali, in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Members of PSIDream, Julian Agustin, Princess Dumpit, and Roxanne Ramos, tries to turn plastic bottles into a “Sit-n-Sleep Bottle Couch-Bed.”
Amaia’s Upcycling Challenge saw the participation of a slew of design students, professionals, and upcycling enthusiasts, out of which thirteen were chosen finalists. All the participants are given sufficient time to create marketable and practical home products from scratch using a selected material—in this case, plastic soft drink bottles.
Team Mirror composed of Denver Aurallo and Kate Oliva prepares their materials for the Amaia Parkway Nuvali Upcycling Challenge.
The ongoing environmental competition is scheduled to hold its awarding ceremonies on Sunday, October 25, where only three of the most creative ideas and designs will be chosen.
Ricky Celis, Amaia Land Corp. president, said the upcycling contest was meant to encourage the public to creatively reduce waste by turning these into useful and aesthetically pleasing products.
Carissa Patricia Del Rosario and Jose Masucol of Kneutral Collection creates a useful table out of green plastic soda bottles.
“When waste products are not biodegradable, these occupy space out there and possibly pollute the environment. Thus, before throwing anything out, why not consider upcycling them?” Celis pointed out.
“Caring for the environment has always been part of our advocacy. We wanted a project that would push this cause, so the Upcycling Challenge was 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 added.
Duo Janneal Avy Chug and Kirk Cedrick Moaje is making a different kind of table lamp made out of plastic bottles, which they will call “Cap-wise Clockwise Table Lamp.”
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.
For the Amaia Steps Parkway Nuvali Upcycling Challenge, in particular, the finalists were tasked to create home products that must be useful to Amaia homeowners—an endeavor that was consistent with the development’s theme: “Living Re-Imagined.”
Louie Lucena of Team Bulahao puts a game face on when the Amaia Steps Parkway Nuvali Upcycling Challenge officially started.
“We are doing this to inspire our residents and future homeowners to contribute to preserving our environment,” Celis said. “We believe that even seemingly small ways such as these will have greater impact if everyone adopts the habit of upcycling waste materials into something useful again.”
Louie Ermitanio and John Henry Lazaro of Team Get Backers discusses how will they start making their upcycled wall clock, which they call “Positive Time.”
Each team was provided transportation to the site and P3,000 for raw materials.
The finalists’ entries will be displayed at Soledad 1 in Nuvali while its images will be showcased in Amaia Land Corp.’s official Facebook page. The entry with the most number of likes on Facebook will receive a special prize.
Raffy Lacaden and Anthony Lau of Team Makati Folks brainstorm the best game plan to finish their “Plastic Bottle Chairble” on time.
Danny Kalinga, Jojean Aguilar, and Johnedel Ogalesco of Team DJE are working on the “Bubble Coral” floor lamp made up of plastic bottles and a junk bike wheel.
The grand winner will be awarded P100,000 in cash and a glass trophy. The first runner-up will receive P50,000 and a glass trophy and the second runner-up will get P25,000 and a glass trophy.
Anzella Casica and Gethymane Cobico of OCCA Design works on their upcycled chair, hoping to bag the first prize in the first-ever Amaia Steps Parkway Nuvali Upcyling Challenge
Students from UP Fine Arts, Nico Macabuhay, Andrea Anatacio, and Tolits Tanaka, are working together as team UP IndDes to come up with “Duâ,” a coffee table that is convertible into 2 chairs.
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.
Designer Duo Janica Uy and Christine Mariano sure knows how to have fun while making their coffee table with hidden storage box during the Amaia Steps Parkway Nuvali Upcycling Challenge.
Rhanmar Dacayo and Joan Tay of Team Companio tries to make a 2-level chair called “Atom” out of plastic bottles and other waste materials.
Nuvali, which is located in the cities of Sta. Rosa and Calamba, and is 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 you could proudly raise a family.
Jensen Gonzales, Jeremiah Mendoza, and Klingeln Castillo of Victorious Secret wastes no time in creating their upcycled hanging lamp to ensure a win during the Amaia Steps Parkway Nuvali Upcycling Challenge.
