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By Kendrick Go
Everyone wants to change the world, to make a difference, to be a
hero. So where does one start? Or more importantly how can we help,
we’re not Bono or Oprah, we don’t have billions to spend on
charity, so what do we do? Besides, most of the available options
involve some type of deprivation or sacrifice on your part so why
bother? What if there is a best of both world solution that allows
you to shop while at the same time help others.
A month and a half ago, three friends
chatting over dinner about this, came together in an “Aha!”
moment. The result of this moment was the ECHO Store located in
Serendra, ECHO means Environment & Community Hope Organization
the store aims to provide a shoppers with eco friendly, stylish
lifestyle options while at the same time change lives. In opening
the store, Owners Chit Juan, Reena Francisco, and Jeannie Javelosa
aim to promote a lifestyle that is more equitable, cleaner, and
collaborative, with healthier and environmentally sound. It does
this by representing products from small marginalized, cultural
communities, creative industry practitioners, women groups and
foundations. With products that aim to help break the cycle of
poverty through livelihood programs and fair trade practices. Each
product represents their ideals of health and personal development,
nurturing the environment, social justice and poverty alleviation.
All this while, at the same time highlighting and supporting the
development of Filipino design excellence.
But more than just selling products, the store
sells a lifestyle that challenges consumers to take part in the
emerging trend of the conscious and caring consumer group. With a
philosophy that’s anchored to a holistic philosophy that has at
its core, the harmonious alignment of one’s relationship to Self,
the greater Community and the Environment the store carries a wide
range of products from cosmetics, to food, to accessories embodying
this lifestyle. This stands in stark contrast with the decadent and
materialistic lifestyle promoted by our society. With every
purchase, you literally touch lives.
Jeannie Javelosa says that Filipinos have
long been aware of the alternative lifestyle and all that their
doing is “bringing this new lifestyle forward.” With interesting
and novel products like bags woven from used magazine, every product
comes with its own stories. It is even possible to trace the product
to the person who made it giving a human face to the product. With
this, the bag that you buy isn’t just something you put stuff in
you see the story behind it as well. Their designs are also
fashionable as the products are made under the supervision of some
of the countries top designers.
Besides bags, they also sell a range of all
natural cosmetics. These products include colognes, makeup, body
scrubs, etc. Each of these products are all made without chemicals
in keeping with the stores theme of eco-friendliness and
sustainability. These products come in a range of different types
and scents. All are guaranteed to give a natural and holistic
approach to the wellness. The store also features organic food like
rice, coffee and tea. Besides these, there are also gourmet twists
to ordinary food like their delicious malunggay pesto that goes well
with their piaya cocktail and bangus pate. Besides fashion and food
products, the store also sells a range of books and cds to get one
started to a healthier life.
With its plan to revolve their products on
display guarantees that every visit will be unique. In one place,
you can get everything you need to start you on your way to living a
sustainable lifestyle. So go ahead visit the store and take the
first step to changing the world.
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