Uniquease

Another restaurant cum shop with a cause beyond providing good food worth a try is the Japanese Uniquease, pronounced yu-ni-ka-se, on Makati Avenue.

They "promote healthy lifestyle by providing nutritious foods in order to fulfill a stable profit ultimately creating opportunity for children at risk". Well, if my bowl of soup or noodles, or wow, even my sushi can help that, I'm happy.

Fair trade shop as well.

Green Pastures - farm-to-table organic restaurant

Ok, while the aim of this blog sort of is finding my - and your - way out of the malls, if there are Good Stuff in there as well, I find it totally worth supporting. Like Green Pastures at Shangri-la Plaza - a farm-to-table organic restaurant! Still have to try it out but hear it's good. Certainly looks good.





See you there!

Filip+Inna - timeless fasion

Local organic and/or "ethic" fashion seems to be a niche still in need to be filled in the Philippines. There is hope though, and I would love to see the amazing and good stuff from Filip+Inna more readily available here.

Filip+Inna is inspired by tradition, intertwined with the contemporary. Filip+Inna brings into each garment ancient techniques of weaving, embroidery and bead work from different indigenous groups of the Philippines, preserving ancient traditions that are in danger of becoming lost, working with many groups of talented artisans across the Archipeloago, giving them an opportunity to improve their livelihoods.

Available in the Philippines at Istie Bitsie in Rockwell or online at L-atitude. Check it out, it is all just amazingly beautiful.

Sustainable Manila - Shopping Guide

Once again, as recommended by a blog reader. And what lovely good stuff - a guide to sustainable shopping in Manila! There are several places on the list that I still have to go check out. Reports to come, I promise.

Sustainable Manila is all about sustainable, healthy, and happy living. Food, farming, lifestyle, art, culture, science, design, and advocacy in and around Metro Manila, Philippines.

Their Sustainable Shopping Guide includes a map and directory listing of where to buy biodynamic, organic, eco-friendly, handmade, healthy, raw, paleo (ancestral health), and sustainable food and goods in Metro Manila.

Now gotta go check that list out. Have a very happy weekend.

"Manille deco" - 18 hot Metro Manila spots

For those into interior design at least... as featured in the January issue of the French edition of Elle Decoration. Who said Manila isn't cool. Check out the whole list right here!

AETA Organics

Proudly from the Philippines, AETA Organics sells a range of spicy vegetarian-friendly organic products while creating a livelihood for the Aeta communities of Luzon.

That in combination with being amazingly yummy... well... falls straight into my shopping basket!

Ritual Store at the Collective

Ok. Time for some shopping. Head for the Ritual Store - possibly the essence of a social and environmentally conscious business - and get everything you "need". You'll shorten your supermarket/drugstore list considerably and get beautiful, people and eco-friendly good stuff instead. And why not take the opportunity to stroll around the other shops and art galleries of the Collective at the same time, a true hidden gem in the midst of busy Makati.

Ritual is a sustainable general store at The Collective. Sans plastic bags and bottles. Organic food, green cleaning, and interesting tools for living. 

More lovely pictures right here.

Heima in Kapitolyo

Kapitolyo is a really cool little area just south of Shaw Boulevard in Mandalyong City, full of small eateries and other hidden gems. Don't know where or how to start? Check out Heima's brilliant map of the area!

Heima designs quirky furniture and furnishings for your home. But, they say, Heima is more than just a store, it is a philosophy for inspired living, fueled by the passion for travel, music, and design. Advocating a lifestyle that promotes being original, standing out, and enjoying life’s whimsy, we envision everyone’s homes to be warm and welcoming. We take pride in building happy homes.

Check out their super nice website here. Or go check out their stores at Brixon Street in Kapitolyo, in Cubao Expo or at LRI Design Plaza.

Rizal Dairy Farms

From another blog reader comes yet another recommendation: Rizal Dairy Farms, a pioneer in small scale dairy production in the Philippines. As she writes, "instead of getting fake Greek yogurt at S&R for a whole lot of dough, I opt to buy and love the local Greek yogurt from Organic Rizal Farms. I've gotten the yogurt from Market Market, Sidcor and Salcedo Weekend Markets".

I couldn't agree more and have to admit I'm also already totally hooked on their Greek Yogurt  Apart from being local and organic it's delicious, fresh - and cheap. The only downside might be it is also totally addictive...

Now I want to try all their other good stuff, as milk and cheese and everything else... They do home delivery all over Metro Manila!

Muni

Muni is a community of Filipino Cultural Creatives, sharing articles, advice and tips on mindful living and holistic wellness, not just for the individual, but also for the community and the planet - suitable, they promise, also for newbies to this kind of good stuff.

Browse through there website and find loads of references to inspiring Local Culture & Art events, Ecological Travel, Social Enterprises, Slow Food & Good Eats and loads more. Or like them on Facebook and keep yourself updated on more local good stuff!

Healthy Options

Healthy Options is another of the metro's great one-stop-shops for all things organic. I get my organic whole wheat and other flours there, different kinds of beans and grains and now there are fresh organic veggies at their Organic Local Farm as well, just as a million of other good stuff you maybe didn't even know you needed.

Healthy Options aim to offer only the best, most nutritious, and healthiest products that benefit people and our planet – with no preservatives, no additives, no artificial ingredients.

Ministry of Mushrooms

I just love mushrooms and was very happy when I received a recommendation from a blog reader about the locally grown mushrooms from Ministry of Mushrooms. I still have to try them out but it sure sounds like very interesting good stuff.

Ministry of Mushrooms is committed to developing a sustainable, world-class mushroom industry in the Philippines. Over the years it aims not only provide a variety of fresh mushrooms and mushroom products to the Philippines and the global market, but also to be a proactive company in restoration of our planet through mycological applications and solutions.

And, certainly not less important:

We hope to be a source of happiness to all who share our love for mushrooms.

Find out how and where to get some by clicking just right here

Pinoy Organics

An online community with more than 3.000 members Pinoy Organics is a great resource for all of us who care and want to know more about what we eat, what's in the stuff and what producing it does to the environment.

Pinoy Organics supports fair trade and fair prices of sustainable products that are produced or manufactured locally, without nasty additives, without bad and harmful synthetic ingredients, without chemical pesticides, without being genetically modified (GMOs) and without antibiotics or growth hormones on animals.

I totally prefer that kind of food as well. Who doesn't?

Got Heart Shop

Got Heart Shop is a lovely little shop totally worth a visit, especially if you are up on Katipunan street - just where Pasig meets Quezon City - shopping for new plants. Located on the same side as all the plant shops, at "the end" or northernmost side of the strip. Take the opportunity to get some organic rice and veggies and anything else of the more and more other good stuff on sale. It seems like a second shop is about to be opened, but location tbc.

The Got Heart Shop is exactly what its name stands for. It’s a shop with a heart. It’s a market made with love for farmers and marginalized communities. Recently launched last November and now open daily, the shop is made of a refurbished container van and recycled materials. 

Lilom Anilao

Lilom in Anilao is one of my hidden Philippines favorites  Less than a three hour drive from Manila, it makes for the perfect weekend escape. So nice that I would almost like it to remain "hidden". But really too nice to not share. Now they've just launched their own Lilom Resort website. Have a look and start planning!

Rustic and built from local material it certainly is not a five-star resort in the traditional sense - if that's what your'e looking for. It's more of a home away from home. I love the serenity, the attention to detail, the personal and attentive service - you'll be spoiled with a constant flow of meriendas and even mojitos. And lots of good food.

"Here at Lilom we'd like you to master the art of doing nothing ... or do things that will calm your spirit ..."

And that's exactly what happens as soon as you set foot "under the shade" - which is what Lilom means in the local dialect. See you there!

Portable Window Solar Power Socket

Oooaaahhh... can someone please start importing these Portable Window Solar Power Outlets to the Philippines. Good for the environment. And looking totally cool. I want. And - plenty of sun here lately so should work wonders. Always happy to lower my electricity bill as well.

Lots of other interesting good stuff on Smart Planet as well, by the way.

Sesou Nature Source

Sesou's little store at MarketMarket! or their flagship store at Alabang Town Center Mall is jam-packed with nice and nature friendly good stuff, like mosquito repellents, biodegradable soaps, shampoos, dish washing liquids... all you need to keep yourself, your kids and your home clean. Without polluting the environment.

Sesou Nature Source was conceptionalized by a group of friends after several exchanges of green living and the fact that they had to really go out of their way to buy products to meet their eco-lifestyle choices. They realized there was no one-stop-shop where they could get all these eco-friendly goods. So they set off to start and grow a business providing everyday green products that could promote wellness and eco-awareness for the family and at home.

Making "profit with principles", Sesou's stuff is not only better for the environment, but for yourself as well. Make sure you make a stop next time your're hanging out at MarketMarket!, Glorietta or the Alabang Town Center Mall.

Invisible Sisters

Although the Invisible Sisters is more of a project than an actual company, the things they make are just so cool, it doesn't really matter. And bags we really cant get too many of, can we. Their new collection makes for the perfect beach bag or recyclable shopping bag, the colors will keep you happy also in rainy season. Great quality and nice both to the environment and to people, what more can we ask for.

INVISIBLE uses only waste as raw material, exploring the inherent qualities, and transforming it. Plastic bags, metal guts and wires from computers, old cassette tapes all find their way into INVISIBLE for a next life. 
INVISIBLE doesn't bring people to work, we bring jobs to people who cannot work. We work around the edges, outside of traditional factories, and labor markets giving real skills to otherwise unemployable women, enabling them to manage their time and life needs. 

For sale at Kultura Filipino's Crafts for a Cause and EchoStore and many other places.

Bags by Rubbertree

I first came across these bags at one of 10A Alabama and Resurrection Furniture's many events. Completely irresistible, my husband got one and my friend as well. I just couldn't make up my mind of which to pick.

Hand-cut and hand-stitched by designer couple Ruben and Trina Flores, each Bags by Rubbertree piece has its own distinct leather wash giving each its own identity. Another truly unique local product.

Old Manila Walks

If you're interested in what's actually out there beyond the Malls and CBDs - and there sure is a lot - but don't really have the courage or knowledge to venture out yourself, problem is solved. Just sign up for any of OldManilaWalks ... eh, walks. Around Old Manila. Their most famous one probably the "Nibbling our way around Chinatown" Binondo tour. Comes with a great map of the area and all, to keep for whenever you're going back.

Insider Picks: Manila by Day

The definite guide to interesting and unique places and things in the city. A treasure trove for all of us who want to shop, eat and do things beyond the "same old, same old" - but without having to leave the city.
Divided into shops & services, lunch-outs & light bites and recreation & activities it is full of unique finds of all kinds and all over the city. Mine is full of post-its and folded pages. Get it at any major bookstore and start exploring.

Lagu

Want to hang out on the beach and help protecting it at the same time - while looking good? I do.

From Lagu comes great "Proudly Filipino" beach towels that at the same time help raising awareness of the fact that every time we step foot on a beach, we leave with several handfuls of sand. Counting all the people coming and going, that is a lot of sand. I honestly don't know exactly how these towels will prevent my kids from leaving the beach with their hair full of sand and buckets and shovels as well, but being aware of it, might help me to brush them off one extra time. With the towel I'll be constantly reminded, and as they also look and feel great, I now want one of every color.

Ysabel's Daughter

Direct from Manila comes Ysabel's Daughter, a true Filipino company producing a great range of ecological bath and body products, with the aim to handmade high quality, all-natural local alternatives to what is commercially available in the market today. High quality, great packaging, and oh, the smell. The perfect gift, for friends, family - or yourself. Can be found in selected spa's around the city, as well as at the Echo Store.

the Firefly Brigade

Continuing on the bikes and green transportation theme, every third Sunday of the month, the Firefly Brigade sets out on a leisurely bike ride crisscrossing the metro, every time with a new theme and a new destination. A great way to see and actually "feel" the city, in a much different way than from inside the car. Biking together with hundreds of others makes it safe and is also a lot of fun.   

The Firefly Brigade wants the fireflies back in the city - as they are indicators of the balance in ecology, if you don't see them anymore, it's because the air is really polluted - and actively promotes the bicycle as a sustainable form of transportation. Help raising awareness - and have lots of fun at the same time - by joining their next ride! Check out the Firefly Brigade Facebook page for latest info.

Bambike

Bambike is a socio-ecological enterprise with the goal "to do better business and to make the greenest bikes on the planet", by hand-making bamboo bicycles with fair-trade labor and sustainable building practices. And, actually, even US president Barack Obama's got one! A gift from the Filipino ambassador and his wife. Wish I could afford one as well... or the baby stroller on the photo below - if I still'd had a baby... Anyway, I think any company that tries to promote eco-friendly production and transportation in Manila, at the same time, are worth supporting.

Only Wood

From their Alabang based work shop comes Only Wood's great wooden furniture, all made from reclaimed wood. It is all locally sourced and recycled - no tree cutting done here! - thus both sustainable and environmentally friendly. Not to mention how cool and good looking everything is. Great quality as well. The shop certainly worth a visit.

Only Wood specializes in using the finest old reclaimed wood from old houses. These are then created into beautiful pieces using environmentally friendly, sustainable finishing methods. Sustaining the commitment to quality and the environment, company-wide recycling/ up cycling efforts, and ethical business practices are done.

Corner Tree Cafe

Nested among trees in a corner of busy Jupiter street in Makati is the lovely little Corner Tree Cafe. A vegetarian restaurant perfect also for non-vegetarians. The food is just so good. And the ambiance just so warm and welcoming. Reservations recommended!

Resurrection Furniture and Found Objects Gallery

In the heart of Quezon City, on a lush side street - on 10A Alabama street to be exact - is the Resurrection Furniture and Found Objects Gallery, a creative space offering totally unique furniture and other home decoration items of great quality, all made of "found objects". It is definitely worth the trip to Quezon City, preferably when they are hosting any of its many great events. Keep updated on those through 10A Alabama!

Echo Store

Echo Store is the perfect one-stop-shop for the environmentally and socially conscious - and who doesn't wanna be that! - its flagship store conveniently located at the Fort High Street.

Echo Store is a for-profit company, but also a social enterprise and retail store with a heart, carrying a wide range of products. Echo Store give market access to small or marginalized groups, bridging the gap to bring products to the hands of people who need and can appreciate them. But never compromising on quality. Good stuff for sure!

Echo store also runs the sister branches of Echo Market and Echo Cafe, all at the same spot.

Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates

I am totally addicted to chocolate, but I also know that way too often the stuff is not produced in a very ethical way. It is also often imported and transported a long way from the source. Good news is that there is now not only locally sourced and produced chocolate, it is also completely super yummy, and comes in a range of flavors, all just as good.

At our factory, Theo & Philo says, each batch of chocolate is produced in small quantities (actually, it would be "micro" in industry standards) and overseen personally by people instead of machines. We take great care, time and effort to ensure that each step starting from the selection of the cacao bean to the final step of molding and packing, we are only offering the best.

You can get your bar at a number of Manila outlets, check out where here.

Panda Cleaners

Ok, laundry is probably not very high up on anyone's like-to-do list. Still, sometimes we have to, and what is then better than try to be a bit kind to the environment at the same time.

Panda Cleaners is the largest eco-laundry chain in the country.

The Farm at San Benito

A centre for holistic healing and wellness, where people balance their mind, body and spirit with nourishing live foods in an eco-friendly environment. The Farm is a healing journey, a “must have” in every individual’s life at least once a year.

Or in my words, an amazingly beautiful place with incredible food and such a relaxed environment there is a big risk you never want to return back to kids and work and traffic jam in Manila... Has to be experienced! And less than a couple of hours drive from Manila!

the Ipil Collection

The coolest bags in town come without doubt from the Ipil Collection. Get your hands on one of these and you'll have your own lucky number!

The IPIL collection promotes local craftsmanship and traditional weaving by sourcing textiles from indigenous producer groups from the islands of the Philippines. By adding value to these products, the IPIL collection aims to sustain and revive the rich weaving culture of the Philippines.