Our environment may be in its most critical state yet. Between rampant economic crises, extreme calamities that leave irreparable damage in their wake, and technological advancements that drain our natural resources faster than we think, the fruitful future we’ve envisioned for the planet is getting harder to achieve by the minute.
Photo: WhenInManila.com, Aya Fernandez
For actress, host, and entrepreneur Aya Fernandez, however, a little initiative is all it takes to restore our faith in humanity bit by bit. She has always believed in the power of small but enduring calls to action, and she has diligently taken this purpose to new heights through her social enterprise, EcoUling.
Since 2015, EcoUling has “ignited lasting change” among advocates and storytellers nationwide. As the company’s founder and CEO, Aya has championed EcoUling’s efforts to promote sustainable living through its eco-friendly uling, or charcoal products, which have helped chefs, restaurants, and hotels across every region.
View this post on Instagram
By using coconut waste instead of wood as its main resource, EcoUling has become a highly recommended sustainable choice for grilling in the Philippines. This achievement means the world to Aya, who also deems it a stepping stone to help more far-flung communities preserve their natural resources.
“We supply to top chefs, hotels, and Michelin-rated restaurants like Toyo and Celera. We also started distributing sa Bacolod, the country’s inasal capital. We have a long way to go, but we’re always happy to partner with rural communities para ma-manufacture ‘yung products namin,” she explained.
EcoUling has sparked many environmental breakthroughs for Aya, her trusted team, and Gen Z change-makers who’ve brought enlightening perspectives to sustainability as a whole. There’s still plenty of work to do and large-scale dilemmas to overcome, but she believes that today’s generation can make it happen.
EcoUling’s Humble Origins
View this post on Instagram
EcoUling endured a handful of trials and tribulations in its early stages, but even those hurdles were no match for Aya’s innovative vision. Who would’ve thought that a rejected science project would evolve into a full-blown corporation that has done wonders for our common home?
“EcoUling started as a research proposal at my science high school,” Aya recalled. “Fun fact, ito ‘yung research na na-reject. But that didn’t stop me from workshopping it, hanggang sa naging livelihood project siya, and eventually, corporation na rin.”
It was this learning curve, among many of EcoUling’s community-oriented developments, that inspired Aya to implement John Elkington’s Triple Bottom Line business model from 1994, also known as “People, Planet, Profit,” in all of the company’s sustainable business strategies. The framework, which highlights shareholders’ environmental responsibilities, has helped EcoUling spearhead long-term solutions for Filipinos amid persistent crises.
“Walang na-co-compromise na future para magawa ‘yung produkto. Gumagamit kami ng mga waste, ‘yung tinatapon na. Hindi kami pumuputol ng puno para gumawa ng kalidad na product,” Aya shared. “Malaki kasing problema ang illegal logging, ‘yung kaingin sa rural areas, so ginagawa natin ‘yun ngayon, at sana they switch to EcoUling because of that.”
Moreover, Aya cited that 84 deaths per 100,000 Filipinos are due to wood charcoal. Those numbers alone can raise awareness about EcoUling’s purpose and open the floor to productive conversations about sustainable living in the long run, especially among Gen Z business owners.
Milestones, Opportunities, and Collaborations Galore
View this post on Instagram
Aya’s contributions to sustainability have taken her places—most of which she attributes to her journey so far as EcoUling’s head honcho. The company has reached many milestones over the years, but its collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is one of her proudest moments to date.
“Kami ‘yung isa sa mga awardees ng grant and partnership para makapag-deploy ng technology sa rural communities. May dalawa kaming sites ngayon sa Sierra Madre—tinatawag naming EcoUling Green Facility, which utilizes technology along with various safety and health measures,” Aya shared. Thanks to the partnership, EcoUling has also gotten to launch “farmer-first” products and programs that’ve supported various provincial businesses.
With the company’s continued support for eco-friendly lifestyles and nationwide sustainable programs, we reckon it won’t be long before Aya fulfills her goals of making EcoUling a household name and championing inclusivity for rural communities through its prominence.
She adds, “The vision is that no tree will be cut to be produced as wood charcoal, at ang ginagamit [instead] ay EcoUling. For me, milestone na ‘yung maraming big brands, fast food chains, and restaurants ang gumagamit ‘nun. It’s a testament na ‘yung quality ng product namin really speaks for itself.”
Empowering Gen Z Through Sustainability
View this post on Instagram
EcoUling’s products and initiatives have built lasting connections between Aya, policy-makers, non-government organizations (NGOs), and like-minded go-getters. Her next aim? Helping Gen Z Filipinos fully grasp sustainability at its grassroots through the company’s impact.
Getting there has been no walk in the park. But as a Gen Z founder herself, Aya would be amiss not to step up to the challenge.
“We don’t only represent ourselves, but other social enterprises striving for tangible support, too. I’m also representing all female founders and young entrepreneurs trying to find their footing in the business world. I know na it’ll reach a point na OA ‘yung thinking ko, but the pressure is coming more from the inside. ‘Yung pressure sa labas, dedma talaga.”
Sustainability has always been a long-term investment for Aya. Beyond appreciating EcoUling’s efforts, she invites today’s generation to take on sustainable practices with attainable goals in mind. She cites, “Sustainability isn’t just a passion project or an advocacy. It’s an urgent strategy that we all have to respect and take seriously.”
This is one of the many things Aya hopes Gen Z remembers when supporting sustainable brands, especially local ones. There’s no harm in being mindful of the companies we interact with and the products that grab our attention as consumers: “Hindi naman ikamamatay o ikasisira ng araw natin if we spend an extra few minutes researching kung paano ba nagagawa ang isang produkto. It’ll also pressure our leaders na magkaroon ng policies na makasiguro na may regulations in place. Mahalaga ‘yung appreciation sa pinanggalingan ng bawat produkto, hindi lang sa consumption behavior mo, kundi pati sa life.”
In pursuit of more accessible eco-conscious habits, Aya strives to disprove the common misconception that sustainability is only for people with well-off backgrounds. She expounds on this, EcoUling’s journey, and Gen Z’s perceptions of sustainability on WhenInManila.com’s podcast, Para Po!
“Filipinos have always been sustainable. Kahit wala siyang direct translation, ‘yung historians natin ay nagpapatunay na ‘yung mga indigenous communities ay sustainable na to begin with. Kaya siguro, akala natin na pang-mayaman lang ‘yung concept ng sustainability, kasi walang translation, pero nasa pamumuhay na natin na kung ano ‘yung nanggaling sa lupa, dapat bumalik dito,” she explained.
Looking Ahead With Purpose
View this post on Instagram
The tools, platforms, and resources at our disposal have encouraged young Filipinos to make sustainable choices and kickstart their own eco-friendly projects like EcoUling. Though the future of our environment remains uncertain, Aya has faith in our power to spark new conversations about sustainability that’ll impact our everyday routines.
“It doesn’t hurt to ask, ‘Saan ‘to gawa? Saan ‘to galing? Ano ang kuwento ng produktong ito?’ I hope EcoUling will help people join the movement and stay curious about where a product came from,” Aya shared. “One purchase can make a great difference. Nasa kamay ng consumers ang kapangyarihan.”
ALSO READ: Filipino Architects Can Showcase Climate-Smart Ideas in This Design Competition
We’re so proud of you, Aya! What do you think of her EcoUling project and environmental initiatives? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message on WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team, join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated on the latest from the Philippines and beyond!
