While it is encouraging to note that the concepts of Sustainability and ESG (Environment, Social & Governance) agendas have progressively entered the mainstream, and enjoy extensive media coverage; the fact remains that for many, it’s about approval and agreeing with the concepts, but still not seeing them as courses of personal attention and/or individual action. The Manila Bulletin Sustainability forum we’ve been mounting since 2022 has been showcasing how progressive companies can embed Sustainability-driven initiatives in their corporate DNA; and the thrust has been to encourage our audience to adapt Sustainability, even if only on a soft impact basis, into their everyday lifestyles.

Today, I’d like to highlight and commend a retail SME, and a hospitality resort; for embracing sustainability, and making it a cornerstone of why they exist, and how they operate.

KOKO SLOW Living - In the course of my dealings through the years with SM investments corporation, I’ve been lucky to meet people I like to consider are friends as well. Koleen Davila-Palaganas, VP and head, SM group Sustainability office at SM investments corporation, is one such person. So I’m proud to be able to say that I was around when she embarked on a personal passion project in 2024 - her small batch, handmade natural products for home and personal care.

The SLOW stands for Sustainable, Local, Organic and Whole, the four cornerstones of the brand’s value proposition; and how it aims to make sustainable living accessible for every Filipino home. The first line of products were hand-poured soy candles in acacia wooden bowls that were sourced from carvers in the Mountain Province, and nourishing facial and body soaps that I admired for their natural ingredients and fine quality. The candles would be topped with dried flowers and herbs - a really great touch. While the soaps would come in unique shapes, and really highlight the core ingredients.

Kultura is Koleen’s major retail partner, and they’re now located in 8 sites; and she has expanded the brand to Shopee and Lazada. They’ve since developed plant-based, non-chemical home care products that include laundry soap, fabric softener, and dishwashing soap. They have a wonderful linen spray, and now offer plant-based pet care products - a shampoo and conditioner, a pet balm, and a fresh breath oral spray.

KOKO SLOW Living has new packaging, and when I mentioned to Koleen that I would write about it, she insisted that I credit Kultura, as they’ve been such a supportive retail partner from the very beginning. The people at Kultura were the ones guiding her on this repackaging, and I love the new, improved packaging. If KOKO is about elevating the everyday rituals of personal and home care into moments of calm, care and intention; the evolution of the products and the packaging are so in harmony with this vision.

It’s a constant balance for Koleen, her position and duties with SM investments on one hand, and her role as entrepreneur/founder of KOKO SLOW Living. So I can only salute the great work she’s accomplishing on both fronts; and wish her the best.

Anya Resort Tagaytay is situated at Buenavista Hills, technically falling under Silang, Cavite, but of close proximity to the Tagaytay ridge area. It’s led by Anya Hospitality Corporation and Roxaco Land Corporation, and gained formal acceptance into the Small Luxury Hotels of the World shortly after its’ 2017 opening. Just recently, Anya was included in this year’s Michelin Guide Selection of Hotels in the Philippines. And I was happy to be invited to their ninth anniversary celebration.

Themed Reflections, I enjoyed the collaboration between Chef Chele Gonzalez of Samira and guest Chef James Antolin of Ikomai Tachi. It resulted in a reimagining of Spanish and Japanese street food, delectable roasts, and a bounty of desserts - via the terrific buffet spread.

But what really struck me was when both Anya GM Mikel Arriet and Resort Manager Melody Amacio reiterated their commitment to responsible and sustainable hospitality. It’s about conscious luxury, and curating meaningful travel experiences; while recognizing how Sustainability is an increasingly defining factor for the discerning traveler of today.

Anya is very proud of its Soulfully Sustainable program. It consists of multiple sustainable touch points - efforts in environmental stewardship, in community engagement, in cultural preservation, and in responsive tourism. The concrete measures taken to support this program have been recognized and lauded, both here and overseas. And this all falls under the belief ‘umbrella’ that exceptional and responsible hospitality should be creating a positive impact for the guests, for the staff, for the environment, and the local communities that the resort interacts with.

Adapting Sustainability into one’s personal lifestyle is essentially about choices. And I’m happy to report how in diverse arenas such as Retail and Hospitality, there are players who recognize and adhere to the Sustainability imperative. If not now, when? And so now, it’s our move.