Apart from creating awe-inspiring designs that celebrate Filipino heritage, it has been the mission of Zarah Juan to use her talent and her platform for a greater cause. She doesn’t want her bags to be just a mirror of local culture, she wants them to be a tool that will provide solutions to some of the pressing concerns the country faces. During the height of the pandemic, she created bags that supported displaced jeepney drivers. This time, she continues her mission with a special partnership that aims to empower women and further protect the environment.
Together with SM Supermalls, Spark! Philippines, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, and the Tagbilaran City Government, the Filipino fashion accessory designer unveils “The Tarp Project,” where discarded tarpaulins are turned into vibrant tote bags by female artisans. The idea first came to Zarah during the height of the 2022 Philippine election. She first partnered with Quezon City mayor Joy Belmonte in turning the materials into bags. Now, she replicates the initiative with Tagbilaran City Jane Yap, where communities from Bohol’s capital reimagine the tarpaulins provided by Pilipinas Shell.
“It is a very good alignment. In the process of converting the tarpaulins into bags, we trained the communities in Tagbilaran. We are targeting women empowerment, climate change, and sustainable livelihood for communities,” Zarah tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “Our project in Quezon City is still ongoing up to now as well as the one in Tagbilaran. We intend to continue hanggang may kalat, hanggang may tarpaulin. SM Supermalls has been very supportive in providing a venue to sell.”
“The Tarp Project” presents tote bags in three designs inspired by the designer’s visit to Tagbilaran City. The first one, the green and purple bag, highlights the city's ube production and fireflies. Second, puts the spotlight on its submerged wonders. Lastly, is the red and yellow bag, which is decked with its blooms and other flora.
meticulously work on each tarp tote bag
Joining Zarah in launching the project at SM Aura are Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, Spark! Philippines executive director Mikaela Luisa Teves, and Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. President Lorelie Osial, who all express the importance of collaboration in building a better and planet-positive future.
“What I’d like people to take away from this partnership is how it’s not just about upcycling used tarpaulins into material for the tote bags, it’s also about engaging with a local Tagbilaran community of women to put the bags together, it represents livelihood opportunity as well,” Mayor Jane says.
“SM has always been a strong supporter of women’s empowerment. When you provide women with livelihood opportunities, you have an opportunity to positively change lives, uplift families, and build more resilient communities,” Steven adds. “More than a venue to showcase these stylish upcycled totes, SM is honored to be part of a project that highlights women as catalysts for change, both for economic growth and environment protection.”
Zarah is also urging everyone, from LGUs to communities, to follow suit and find creative ways to minimize materials that will go to waste and help Filipinos get a sustainable livelihood. “I realized that there is power in collaboration and delegation. When you ask for people to help you, they are more than willing to help. If you allow them to be part of a project or a cause, people would really love to work,” she muses.
“For me, as a bag designer, my platform is my bags. When there is collaboration with LGUs and communities, it becomes much bigger than that,” Zarah continues. “This is the only time that I will say copy us because, I think, it is worth emulating.”
“The Tarp Project” collection is available at Outside the Box, located at the Upper Ground Level of SM Aura, and on smmallsonline.com and zarahjuan.com.
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