Brightwoods School recently concluded “Cornucopia: A Sustainability Fair,” highlighting practical ways to reduce food waste while promoting sustainable Indigenous cultural and culinary traditions.
Co-organized by Happy Earth Eco, the event brought together students, families, environmental advocates, non-government organizations, local government representatives, and other guests.
The fair featured a demonstration on Bokashi composting, introduced through a video presentation by Soilmate Collective. The method uses an inoculant to ferment kitchen scraps, including fruit and vegetable waste, meat, and dairy, helping divert food waste from landfills and reduce methane emissions.
The session “Kahampatan: Sustainability through the Cultural and Culinary Lens of Indigenous Peoples” featured culture bearer Mariel Capuno, a descendant of Ayta Mag-Antsi and Ayta Mag-Indi communities. She discussed Indigenous traditions that promote harmony with the land and the protection of natural resources for future generations.
Chef Laorence Castillo, co-founder of Gulay Na, also presented findings from the organization’s food mapping project in Indigenous communities in Zambales and Aurora. He emphasized the importance of documenting and preserving local food traditions, native plants, and biodiversity amid threats such as solar farms, flooding, and potential industrial development, including AI data centers.
Participants also took part in a cooking demonstration featuring gabi, a local root crop used in preparing putung babi, a traditional Kapampangan open-faced sandwich snack.
Among the guests were Vice Mayor Amos Rivera, representing Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II; Isaacris Jane David-Alipio of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office; and Erlin Due of ARAW-ACI.
The closing program featured local artist Amita performing her original song “Mother We Share,” alongside Talie, an animation created by graduating animation students of Holy Angel University for the Save the Trees Coalition.
The event also highlighted entrepreneurship, with Brightwoods senior high school students presenting products at their Business Start-up and Trade Exposition. Women-led social enterprises Ambisyosa Bakeshop and Bale Sinukuan, a sister organization of Alaya Women’s Center, also showcased their initiatives, including a fast-fashion exhibit and upcycled products.
Photo Credits: Brightwoods School
