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By NIKA ROQUE, GMA Integrated News
Published June 5, 2025 4:25pm
GMA Network held the Kapuso ng Kalikasan Fair on Thursday at the GMA Network headquarters in Quezon City in celebration of World Environment Day on June 5 and the network's 75th anniversary this month.
The Kapuso ng Kalikasan Fair is part of GMA's Kapuso ng Kalikasan Project, an initiative that aims to encourage love and compassion for the environment. The project is now in its 15th year.
The fair featured a slew of products from various exhibitors and environmental advocates, including organic food, handmade soaps, and eco-home goods from Ritual PH; plantable bamboo toothbrushes and reusable tumblers from Bambuhay; plastic-free, handcrafted personal care products from Ecoshift; repurposed tarpaulin lifestyle items from Side B Upcycling; handwoven and beaded goods by the Payatas women’s community from Project Payatas; and fresh food from SaladStop.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources sold local food products below market price and distributed free seedlings at the fair.
Flor’s Garden, an eco-resort in Antipolo operated by Mrs. Flor Gozon-Tarriela, and the Carolina Bamboo Garden operated by Mrs. Carolina Gozon-Jimenez, known as the Philippines’ Bamboo Queen, also set up booths at the fair and gave away free seedlings.
Angela Javier-Cruz, Vice President and Head of GMA Corporate Affairs and Communications and Kapuso ng Kalikasan Fair Project Lead, told GMA News Online that the merchants were chosen because of their sustainable and organic products.
She added that the event aims “to promote and push sustainability among the employees.”
GMA Network is the only media organization member of the United Nations Global Compact Network in the Philippines.
“So kailangan, as employees, in our everyday lives, ‘yung mga green habits [we apply them], para magawa din natin ‘yung pinromise natin at ‘yung commitment natin,” Javier-Cruz said.
According to Javier-Cruz, the Kapuso employees supporting the fair's products promote the advocacy for sustainability “definitely in our everyday practices, everyday habits, and in the products that we use.”
Employees were also encouraged to bring their own eco bags for their shopping and to register to receive free seedlings to plant in their homes.
Kapuso artists also visited the Kapuso ng Kalikasan Fair, including Herlene Budol, Faith Da Silva, and Vince Maristela.
Leah Marie Ayeng, the CEO of Prestige Paper Products, told GMA News Online that being at the fair was important as they also get inspired and learn from their fellow merchants.
She added that when employees pass by their booth, they hope that more people support sustainable businesses.
“It’s also like an investment to our future. Kasi sometimes, being sustainable lang is costly, but it should be treated like the food that you eat. That you have to check the label if it’s something that nourishes your body and if it’s something that nourishes the environment. It’s loving yourself, loving also the environment,” Ayeng said.
She also said that these actions are for the next generation to have a good life.
Carolina Rivera Tarriela, the teen granddaughter of Flor’s Garden’s Mrs. Flor Gozon-Tarriela, shared she practices sustainability by being mindful of her consumption.
“I do this by using usable items, reducing waste, and using eco-friendly products when possible. I also tried to limit my electrical usage at home,” she told GMA News Online.
“Lastly, I try supporting local and sustainable brands to reduce my carbon footprint and encourage responsible production,” Tarriela added.
—CDC, GMA Integrated News
