In a bid to turn waste materials into more useful resources, real estate developer Amaia Land Corp. recently held its first-ever Upcycling Challenge last Oct. 17, 24 and 25 at Solenad 1, Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
The three-day event witnessed a slew of design students, professionals, and upcycling enthusiasts participating 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. Each team was provided with P3,000 for raw materials and was transported to the site.
From L-R: Columnist Igan D’ Bayan, Chris Cahilg and Interior designer Tessa Prieto-Valdes
The 13 finalists in the Upcycling Challenge all produced highly creative designs and innovative upcycled household materials out of the plastic soft drink bottles such as lamps, chandelier, sofa bed, and tables, among others, which are all on display at Soledad 1, while their images are showcased on Amaia Land Corp.’s official Facebook page.
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.
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 last 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 importantly, 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 first-ever Amaia Upcycling Challenge declares Team DJE as champion who came up with an upcycled floor lamp out of plastic bottles. (From L-R: Igan D’Bayan, acclaimed painted and columnist; Tessa Prieto-Valdes, designer and socialite-philanthropist; Anna Garcia-Ramos, Amaia’s marketing head; and Team DJE composed of Jojean Aguilar, Danny Kalinga, and Johnedel Ogalesco.)
Team Bulahao who made a chandelier out of plastic bottles snatches the second prize during the first-ever Amaia Upcycling Challenge last Oct. 25 at Solenad 1, Nuvali. (From L-R: Interior designer Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Team Bulahao composed of Louie Luena, Danilo Perez, and Charlie Cannal, Amaia Marketing Head Anna Garcia-Ramos, and columnist Igan D’ Bayan.)
Kneutral MNL composed of Kia Del Rosario and Jose Masucol bags the third prize with their upcycled table and storage. (From L-R: Interior designer Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Kia Del Rosario, Amaia Marketing Head Anna Garcia-Ramos, and columnist Igan D’ Bayan.)
The winners of the first-ever Amaia Parkway Nuvali Upcycling Challenge with judges Igan D’Bayan, acclaimed painter and columnist; Tessa Prieto-Valdes, designer and socialite-philanthropist; and Anna Garcia-Ramos, Amaia’s marketing head.
Ricky Celis, Amaia Land Corp. president, said the upcycling contest is meant to encourage 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.
The first-ever upcycling challenge was judged by Socialite-Philanthropist and Interior Designer Tessa Prieto-Valdes, acclaimed painter/poet and columnist Igan D’ Bayan, and Marketing Had Anna Garcia Ramos. Both impressed by the works of the winners, judges Prieto-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 located in the cities of Sta. 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.
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