A youth group in Leyte has bagged a US$30,000 (P2 million) project funding for their program aimed at reducing textile waste through upcycling.
The "Waste to Wear, Waste to Build" initiative of the Alangalang Lingganay Performing Arts (ALPA) in Alangalang, Leyte has been named one of the 50 global winners of the 2026 Youth4Climate Call for Solutions of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Italy
The project aims to transform textile waste into products such as tiles and wall cladding while creating green skills training and livelihood opportunities for young people and the local community.
“Waste to Wear, Waste to Build” proposes to repurpose discarded textiles into sustainable construction materials, including tiles and wall cladding.
The initiative will be implemented in Alangalang as part of ALPA’s vision of establishing a community-based Sustainability and Cultural Hub where young people can develop practical solutions to environmental challenges.
BAYO Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing sustainable development through environmental stewardship, circular economy initiatives, and community empowerment, and Race to Net Zero Philippines (RtNZ), a national movement supporting the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions “Race to Zero” campaign, collaborated with and supported ALPA in developing the winning proposal.
Dawn Cabigon, campaign lead of Race to Net Zero Philippines, said ALPA’s achievement demonstrates how young people and creative organizations can turn local knowledge into practical climate solutions.
“We have always believed that climate solutions can emerge from communities and sectors that are often overlooked in conventional climate discussions,” Cabigon said.
The international recognition comes as ALPA celebrates its 15th anniversary, marking its journey from a youth group founded on a shared passion for dance and culture to an organization expanding its work into environmental innovation.
Co-founder Jan Kairel Guillermo said the group wanted to challenge the perception that artists and performers are limited to cultural presentations, emphasizing their role in addressing pressing community concerns.
“As creatives, we have a responsibility to respond to the challenges facing our communities, including the climate crisis,” Guillermo said.
Fellow co-founder Kristel Lind Cabalona said environmental protection is closely linked to cultural preservation, noting that Filipino dances, music, festivals, and traditions are deeply rooted in the natural environment.
She emphasized that protecting the country’s cultural heritage also means safeguarding the land, waters, and natural resources that sustain these traditions.
The project reflects ALPA’s effort to combine cultural expression, environmental sustainability, and community development by engaging young people in waste reduction and the circular economy.
Representing ALPA and the Philippines in Italy were Jan Kairel Cabalona Guillermo, co-founder; Diodel Quemado, research lead; and Jastene Kim Juntila Abud, senior member.
(With report from PIA/OpinYon News Team)