The Spark Project Radio

It's one thing to build the infrastructure to house people; it's another to create the systems and environment that nurture a community. At the non-stock, non-government organization Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, persons with disabilities can secure work and be productive citizens. They are able to move with ease within the sprawling property, which houses dormitories, workshops, offices, and a gift shop. 

We had a chat with Carmelita Narciza, the Public Relation and Fundraising Manager of Tahanan, about the challenges of PWDs and how the organization has been empowering its members for the past 50 years by providing sustainable livelihoods. Ms. Carms also gave us a tour of the place, prompting us to think about inclusivity at a bigger scale and how we, as a nation, still have a long way to go in ensuring nobody gets left behind.

A new year, a new episode! This time, we start with a story about a little girl who grew up to be a Princess Ant. We sat down with ANTHILL co-founder Anya Lim to talk about creativity, culture, and love for the country. What does it mean to be a creative entrepreneur/professional in this day and age? How does she solve a problem creatively? And how does she deal with the doubts and worries that come with being a creative person?

Listen in as we discuss this and more with Anya! Feel free to have a notebook or journal open so you can jot down your own insights and plans for 2024.

Let's not forget the wildlife that exists in our environment. What's there to know?

As a woman, have you ever felt like you have to be everything to everyone, all at once? Our two guests have certainly been through that kind of situation. Coach Kitty Ferreria is a leadership coach who empowers High Achievers to live their best in the different roles they play, in and outside work. She is also a wife and a mom to two kids whom she homeschools. 

Maan Sicam, on the other hand, is a social entrepreneur who co-founded a professional home cleaning service called Happy Helpers. As a mom herself, Maan aims to lessen the load for busy moms everywhere, and connect mothers to work that provides them the means and time to take care of their family.

Both women talk about their respective journeys in building the life they lead now - from leaving their corporate jobs to pursuing further studies to raising children alongside running businesses and consultant work.

Co-host Aya Fernandez also dives into the topic with her own perspective as a 20-something juggling entrepreneurship, career, and family as we tackle the question of multi-tasking: is it possible to find balance and can She truly have it all?

This episode is made possible by The Spark Project and The Sasakawa Peace Foundation.

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Deepen your awareness and understanding of critical environmental matters with Dev Albao💡

Can designing for good truly make a difference? In the fashion industry, waste is a big problem and brands are continuously being challenged to be more conscious of their impact on the environment. Luckily, there are designers like Rio Cuervo of RIOtaso who are leveling up the eco-conscious fashion scene, one patch at a time. Right from the beginning, she decided that if she wanted to be in fashion, she had to find a way to make it more sustainable for her business.

Meanwhile, in the branding scene, Roxy Navarro and her team are designing the futures we deserve through Dapat Studio. She isn't afraid to tackle the difficult social issues that we face today and imagine new ways to do good.Both female founders talk about their processes, philosophies, and design journeys in this first episode of Why SHE Works.

Delve into upcycling waste with Jamie Naval, and discover how you could help our planet in simple ways 🙌.

Dive deeper into clean and renewable energy with Aries Paye 🔋.

Do you remember the video that went viral in 2015 of a marine turtle with a straw in its nostril? This video sparked a global movement to reduce plastic straws. Our guest for today, Poch Espina, rode this wave and traded what could have been a stethoscope for steel straws. He founded Sip PH in 2016, an environmental enterprise that started with the aim to reduce the number of plastic straws we use daily. And since then, he co-founded Loop, a store that sells what they call “better goods,” like reusable food containers, cork yoga mats, and paper-based packaging. In this episode we talk about how it feels like emptying a 20ft container at the port, paying off a multi-million business loan, and dreaming bigger for the environmental and sustainability movement.