Republic of the Philippines

Sorsogon State University

Sorsogon Main Campus

SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

MODULE 1: Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship

This module will cover the following topics:

 Defining social entrepreneurship and its significance in the Philippines

 Historical and cultural context of social entrepreneurship in the country
 Differentiating social enterprises from traditional businesses
Introduction

The concept of social entrepreneurship emerged from the evolution of traditional

entrepreneurship, which is the process of creating, launching and managing a new
venture. Entrepreneurship has been recognized as a key driver of economic growth,
innovation and social change. However, not all entrepreneurs are motivated by profit or
personal gain. Some entrepreneurs are driven by a social mission, a desire to solve a
social problem or create a positive impact in the world. These entrepreneurs are called
social entrepreneurs.

Social Entrepreneurship uses innovative and sustainable solutions to address

environmental and social problems. Therefore, social entrepreneurs are individuals or
organizations that apply entrepreneurial principles and methods to create positive social
change, often by combining resources from different sectors and disciplines. Social
entrepreneurship is not a new phenomenon, but it has gained more attention and
recognition in recent years due to the emergence of global challenges such as poverty,
inequality, climate change, and health crises.

In this discussion, we will explore the concept and definition of social

entrepreneurship along with its significance, particularly in the Philippines, its historical
and cultural context, and identify the difference between social enterprises from
traditional businesses in the Philippines.

Defining Social Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurship is a term that has been defined by different authors in

various ways. Harappa (2021) defines social entrepreneurship as "doing business for a
cause" that combines business and social issues to improve the lives of people. Some
authors define social entrepreneurship as an approach by individuals, groups, start-up
companies or entrepreneurs, in which they develop, fund and implement solutions to
social, cultural, or environmental issues. Social entrepreneurs are motivated by a desire
to create positive changes in society through their innovative business ventures. They
may operate as non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid organizations, depending on their goals
and funding sources. Some examples of social entrepreneurship include microfinance
institutions, educational initiatives, renewable energy projects, and community
development programs. Social entrepreneurship differs from regular entrepreneurship in
that the main objective is not to maximize profits, but to generate social impact.
However, social entrepreneurs still need to be financially savvy and sustainable to
succeed in their causes.
Social entrepreneurship is a phenomenon that aims to create social value by
addressing social problems through innovative and sustainable solutions. Social
entrepreneurship has emerged in different countries and regions, influenced by their
historical and cultural context.
Types of Social Entrepreneurs
When it comes to driving change through social entrepreneurship, there are many
definitions. These individuals and companies represent a vast cross-section of what
they are trying to accomplish with their businesses. They also differ in terms of their
strategies and goals for bringing about social change.

1. The Community Social Entrepreneur

This entrepreneur seeks to serve the social needs of a community within a small
geographical area. These entrepreneurial initiatives could be anything from creating job
opportunities for marginalized members to building a community center. Social
entrepreneurs on this scale are usually individuals or small organizations. Microfinance
loans are one example - offering financial solutions to local people with no access to
banking.
These entrepreneurs work directly with members of the community. This means more
vested interests and a slower decision process, but it comes with the advantage of long-
term solutions. Both community members and local organizations are likely to
sustainably carry on with the project even without the entrepreneur's direct involvement.
This is where most people start, as a change in your own community is instantly visible.
You can see the results of such social entrepreneurship almost immediately and talk to
people you are helping directly. All you need to do to start this type of endeavor is find a
local isolated social problem and apply yourself to solving it.

2. The Non-Profit Social Entrepreneur

These entrepreneurs are focused on social, not material gain, meaning they prioritize
social well-being over traditional business needs. They reinvest any profits into the
business to facilitate the further expansion of services
Non-profit social entrepreneurs are usually companies and organizations that choose to
use their power for social good. The story of Goodwill Industries serves as a great
example: In 1902, the company started employing poor residents to work with donated
goods, reinvesting all profits into job training programs.
These entrepreneurs are usually more likely to meet their stated goals due to readily
available funding. However, they are also dependent on its successful generation for
social good.
This path is usually taken by more business-savvy entrepreneurs who want to use their
skills for creating change. While the results often take longer to manifest, they can take
effect on a larger scale. Joining a local non-profit or training program is usually a reliable
way to start.
3. The Transformational Social Entrepreneur
These people are focused on creating a business that can meet the social needs that
governments and other businesses aren't currently meeting. The transformational
category is often what non-profits evolve to with sufficient time and growth. They
become larger organizations with rules and regulations - sometimes growing to the point
of working with or getting integrated into governmental bodies.
Transformational entrepreneurs have an easier time getting top talent for these efforts.
However, they are also bound by a web of rules and regulations that larger
organizations have to create.
Such organizations usually recruit and foster talent in-house. If you apply for a job
opportunity or volunteer position and show social entrepreneurship skills, they are likely
to help you enroll in a mentorship program and facilitate your growth from there.

4. The Global Social Entrepreneur

These entrepreneurs seek to completely change social systems in order to meet major
social needs globally. It's often where big companies end up when they realize their
social responsibility and begin concentrating on positive change as opposed to just
profits..
The global need in question can be anything from free access to education to clean
water. This is usually a lofty goal that spans continents and links many organizations
and interests together. However, the trade-off is in scrutiny - if global social
entrepreneurs fail to meet the needs and gather sufficient support, their failure has a
bigger impact than those of smaller organizations.
These organizations are usually tied to a particular cause and work with other social
entrepreneurs to make it happen. As such, you are more likely to achieve these heights
if you connect with other social entrepreneurs and build a global community around
solving social issues.
Additionally, there is a growing number of organizations that blend the best for-profit
practices with non-profit missions. They fall under all types outlined above, being in
different stages of growth and scalability. We suggest finding a cause that works best for
you and charting a way forward from there.

How to Pick a Social Entrepreneurship Idea

Define your passions and areas of interest.

Do you firmly believe every child in America should have a pillow? Do you volunteer at a
food pantry on the weekends? Are you an activist for certain local charities? Define what
you’re passionate about and proceed to step two...
Identify existing market the gaps.

Once you know what you’re passionate about, it’s time to decide what the gaps are in
existing products or services and determine how you can fill them.

If the food pantry you volunteer at can’t distribute fresh, donated fruits and vegetables
before they spoil, think about how you could provide a service that makes it faster and
easier to get fresh produce to the underserved communities in your area.

Identify your key strengths and skills.

Are you an excellent writer or a salesperson extraordinaire? List your strengths and
skills, and define how they can serve your mission. This is also an excellent time to
identify your weaknesses — so you know who to call upon for help.

Decide on a business model.

Being a social entrepreneur is not always the same as starting a nonprofit. Determine
whether and how you’ll monetize your idea — and design a fitting business model.

Whether you’re interested in a cross-compensation model like TOMS and Warby Parker
or complete stewardship like Books to Prisoners, it’s important to understand how your
business will be structured.

If you’re still feeling stumped, don’t worry. Starting a business is a tedious, involved
process, but there are various, successful social entrepreneurs that you can refer to as
inspiration.

Examples of Social Entrepreneurship in the Philippines

In the Philippines, social enterprises have been recognized as important partners

in achieving national development goals and the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs. Some examples of social entrepreneurship in the Philippines are:

1. Hapinoy, a social enterprise that empowers women micro entrepreneurs through

mobile technology, business training, and access to microfinance. Hapinoy has
reached over 10,000 sari-sari store owners across the country and has helped
them increase their income by an average of 20%.
2. Rags2Riches, a social enterprise that transforms scrap fabric into high-quality
fashion accessories. Rags2Riches works with over 900 community artisans,
mostly women from low-income urban areas, and provides them with fair trade
wages, health benefits, and skills development. Rags2Riches also promotes
environmental sustainability by reducing textile waste and using eco-friendly
materials.
 3. Bambike, a social enterprise that produces bamboo bicycles and promotes
ecotourism. Bambike employs local craftsmen from Gawad Kalinga communities
and trains them to make durable and stylish bikes using natural bamboo.
Bambike also offers bike tours around historical and cultural sites in Manila and
advocates for bike-friendly policies and infrastructure.

Significance of Social Entrepreneurship in the Philippines

Social entrepreneurship is a form of business that aims to create positive social
and environmental impact while generating economic value. In the Philippines, social
entrepreneurship is recognized as an important strategy for reducing inequality and
achieving sustainable development. According to a study by the Asian Development
Bank in 2019, there were 164,473 social enterprises in the Philippines, constituting 17%
of all registered businesses in the country. However, most of these social enterprises
are micro-sized and face challenges such as lack of access to capital, markets, and
technical assistance. To strengthen the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in the
Philippines, the government and other stakeholders need to provide more targeted
support and incentives for social enterprises, such as financing mechanisms, capacity
building, and policy advocacy. Additionally, social enterprises need to leverage
innovative solutions and partnerships to scale up their impact and reach more
marginalized communities. By doing so, social enterprises can contribute to the
achievement of the national goals and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Therefore, social entrepreneurship is significant in the Philippines because it can
help address the pressing social and environmental challenges in the country, such as
poverty, inequality, gender gap, and climate change. The Government of the Philippines
recognizes the importance of social enterprises, which are included in the Philippine
Development Plan 2017–2022 strategy on reducing inequality.

Brief History of Social Entrepreneurship in the Philippines

In the Philippines, social entrepreneurship has a long history of empowering the
poor, promoting gender equality, and fostering environmental sustainability. Some
examples of social entrepreneurs in the Philippines are Tony Meloto, who founded
Gawad Kalinga, a movement that helps build communities for the poor; Camille Meloto
and Anna Meloto-Wilk, who created Human Nature, a beauty and personal care brand
that produces natural and earth-friendly products that help low-income communities;
and Krie Lopez, who established Messy Bessy, a brand of biodegradable and natural
household cleaners made by the at-risk youth who Messy Bessy employs; and Marie
Cavosora, founder of CalaBoo . These social enterprises provide livelihood
opportunities, skills training, and market access to low-income Filipinos, while also
producing high-quality, natural, and eco-friendly products and services.

The Philippine government recognizes the importance of social enterprises and

has included them in the Philippine Development Plan 2017–2022 strategy on reducing
inequality. However, social enterprises in the country face many challenges, such as
limited access to finance, lack of legal recognition, and low public awareness. The Asian
Development Bank (ADB) has proposed a road map for strengthening social
entrepreneurship in the Philippines, which includes recommendations on policy reforms,
capacity building, ecosystem development, and innovative financing. The ADB argues
that the public sector plays a crucial role in creating an enabling environment for social
enterprises through policies, programs, and financial support, and by promoting market-
based solutions that bring in private, multilateral, and other actors to foster the growth of
social enterprises. The ADB also suggests that social enterprises can contribute to
achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing the root causes of
poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation.

Social entrepreneurship is not a new concept in the Philippines. It can be traced

back to the dawn of civilization, when artisans traded their crafts for other items or
coins. However, social entrepreneurship has evolved over time to respond to the
changing needs and challenges of society. Today, social entrepreneurship is seen as a
viable and innovative way to create positive social change and inclusive development in
the Philippines.

Historical Context of Social Entrepreneurship in the Philippines

In the Philippines, social entrepreneurship has been recognized by the

government as a strategy to reduce inequality and achieve national development goals
and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Philippine Development Plan
2017–2022 includes social enterprises as part of its agenda to promote inclusive
growth, rural development, and environmental sustainability.

However, the historical background of a country can also affect social

entrepreneurship. History can shape the entrepreneurial culture and legacy of a region,
as well as its economic and institutional development. Fritsch et al. (2021) examined the
historical roots of regional entrepreneurship in Poland, a country that experienced
different types of disruptive developments, such as wars, partitions, occupations, and
regime changes. They found that different types of historical self-employment in regions
of Poland have different effects on contemporary regional entrepreneurship. For
example, they found that regions with higher historical self-employment in agriculture
have lower contemporary entrepreneurship, while regions with higher historical self-
employment in crafts have higher contemporary entrepreneurship. They also found that
historical self-employment in trade has a positive effect on contemporary opportunity-
driven entrepreneurship, but a negative effect on necessity-driven entrepreneurship.
One way to understand the historical context of social entrepreneurship in the
Philippines is to look at how it has emerged and evolved in response to the various
socioeconomic challenges and opportunities that the country has faced over the years.
According to some sources, social entrepreneurship in the Philippines can be traced
back to the 1970s, when civil society organizations, cooperatives, and nongovernment
organizations started to address the needs of marginalized sectors such as farmers,
fisherfolk, women, and indigenous peoples. These groups were often motivated by a
sense of social justice, empowerment, and solidarity, as well as a desire to promote
sustainable development and environmental protection.
 In the 1980s and 1990s, social entrepreneurship in the Philippines gained more
momentum and recognition, as the country underwent political and economic
transitions. The People Power Revolution of 1986 restored democracy and opened up
more spaces for civic participation and social innovation. The Asian financial crisis of
1997 exposed the vulnerabilities of the Philippine economy and highlighted the need for
more inclusive and resilient models of development. During this period, social
entrepreneurs started to explore more market-based and enterprise-oriented
approaches to create social value, such as microfinance, fair trade, organic farming,
and social franchising.

In the 2000s and 2010s, social entrepreneurship in the Philippines continued to

grow and diversify, as the country faced new opportunities and challenges in the context
of globalization, digitalization, urbanization, and climate change. The emergence of new
technologies, platforms, and networks enabled social entrepreneurs to access more
information, resources, and markets, as well as to collaborate with different
stakeholders across sectors and borders. The rise of new social and environmental
issues, such as poverty, inequality, corruption, disaster risk, and pollution, also
increased the demand for more innovative and scalable solutions that can address the
root causes and systemic factors of these problems.

Today, social entrepreneurship in the Philippines is recognized as an important

driver of national development and a key contributor to the achievement of the
Sustainable Development Goals. The Philippine Development Plan 2017–2022 includes
social enterprises as part of its strategy on reducing inequality. The government has
also enacted laws and policies that support the development of social enterprises, such
as the Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Poverty
Reduction through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) Bill, and the Innovative Startup
Act. Moreover, there are various initiatives and platforms that aim to strengthen the
ecosystem of social entrepreneurship in the Philippines, such as Gawad Kalinga
Enchanted Farm, Human Nature, Messy Bessy, CalaBoo, Unlad Kabayan, IIX
Foundation, Villgro Philippines, BPI Sinag, Benilde Center for Social Innovation, Ateneo
Center for Social Entrepreneurship, British Council Active Citizens Programme, Ashoka
Philippines, and many more.

Cultural Context of Social Entrepreneurship in the Philippines

According to a study by ADB, as of July 2019, there were 164,473 social

enterprises in the Philippines. That’s 17% of the total registered businesses in the
country. Furthermore, 71% of the social enterprises are micro, small, and medium-sized
businesses. The remaining 23% are NGOs and 6% are coops.

Another factor that influences social entrepreneurship is the cultural context of a

region. Culture can affect the values, attitudes, and behaviors of individuals and groups,
and thus shape their motivation and orientation towards social entrepreneurship.
Neumann (2020) conducted a systematic review of the literature on the impact of
entrepreneurship on economic, social, and environmental welfare, and identified some
cultural determinants that can affect this impact. For example, he found that
individualism-collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, power distance, and masculinity-
femininity are some of the cultural dimensions that can affect the propensity and
preference for social entrepreneurship. He also found that religion, language, ethnicity,
and education are some of the cultural factors that can influence the social
entrepreneurial mindset and behavior.
The cultural context of social entrepreneurship in the Philippines is also an
important factor to consider, as it influences how social entrepreneurs perceive and
pursue their opportunities. According to Hofstede's framework of cultural dimensions,
the Philippines has a high score on power distance, individualism, masculinity,
uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation, and indulgence. These cultural values can
have both positive and negative effects on social entrepreneurship.

Therefore, understanding the cultural context of social entrepreneurship in the

Philippines can help identify the opportunities and challenges those social
entrepreneurs face, as well as the strategies and interventions that can enable them to
succeed.

Difference of Social Enterprises from Traditional Businesses

The key differences between social entrepreneurship and traditional entrepreneurship

are as follows:
1. Mission and goals: The primary goal of traditional entrepreneurship is to create
a profitable business, while the primary goal of social entrepreneurship is to
create social and/or environmental impact. Social entrepreneurs often prioritize
impact over profit.
2. Measuring success: Traditional entrepreneurship measures success primarily in
financial terms, such as revenue and profit, while social entrepreneurship
measures success in terms of the positive social and environmental outcomes
the business creates, such as job creation, poverty reduction, and carbon
reduction.
3. Customer base: Traditional entrepreneurship often targets a broad customer
base, while social entrepreneurship may target a specific underserved or
marginalized population that is most in need of the business’s products or
services.
4. Funding sources: Traditional entrepreneurship typically relies on venture capital
or other forms of investment to fund growth, while social entrepreneurship may
rely on grants, impact investors, or other sources of funding that prioritize
social impact.
5. Business models: Traditional entrepreneurship often relies on traditional
business models, such as selling products or services, while social
entrepreneurship may use innovative business models that integrate social and
environmental impact into the core of the business.
6. One of the ways to differentiate social enterprises from traditional businesses is
to look at their goals, processes, and outcomes. Social enterprises use business
 to solve a social or environmental problem, while traditional businesses aim to
maximize profits for their owners or shareholders. Social enterprises also
incorporate commercial revenue strategies, create a professionalized
organizational form, and legitimate a socio-commercial business model, while
traditional businesses may not have these features. Social enterprises are
becoming more prevalent in the modern era, as traditional nonprofit
organizations transform themselves into social enterprises to cope with the
reduction of donations and government funding (Ko and Liu 2020). Social
entrepreneurship is also seen as a way to make a difference in the world or in
one's community by addressing specific issues that matter to the social
entrepreneurs (Shopify 2023).
7. Another way to differentiate social enterprises from traditional businesses is to
compare them with corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. CSR is the
practice by which a business views itself within a broader context: as a member
of society with certain implicit social obligations and environmental
considerations (OpenStax n.d.). CSR may involve donating to charities,
volunteering in the community, reducing environmental impact, or adhering to
ethical standards. However, CSR is often reactive, meaning that it responds to
external pressures or expectations from stakeholders, rather than being driven by
an intrinsic motivation to create social change. CSR may also be peripheral,
meaning that it is not integrated into the core business activities or mission of the
company, but rather an add-on or a public relations strategy. Social
entrepreneurship, on the other hand, is proactive, meaning that it initiates and
leads to social change through innovative solutions that address specific social or
environmental problems (Shopify 2023). Social entrepreneurship is also central,
meaning that it is embedded in the core business model and mission of the
company, and that it creates both social and economic value (WOS 2018). Social
enterprises do not see social responsibility as a trade-off or a cost, but rather as
an opportunity and a competitive advantage. For example, TOMS Shoes is a
social enterprise that has a one-for-one model: for every pair of shoes sold, the
company donates another pair to a child in need. The company's social mission
is not separate from its business model, but rather an integral part of it.

Overall, social entrepreneurship is a distinct model of business that seeks to

create positive social and environmental impact while also generating revenue, and is
driven by a sense of purpose and a desire to make the world a better place.

II. CHALLENGES OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISES

Social enterprises are fast emerging as an entity of the alternative economy. When the
traditional economic systems of a country or market-based solutions fall short to ensure
well-being in the society, social enterprises can spearhead disrupting models to solve
burgeoning social problems. But the social enterprises face a myriad of challenges and
adversities. Some of these challenges are more contextual and some are generic in
nature. Among the many challenges the following four appears to be more obvious and
general regardless of the context and other influencing factors –

Lack of funding support

Funding is by far the biggest challenge for the social enterprises. Literature identified
that most social enterprises failed to secure start-up capital. Given that most of the
social entrepreneurs are individual entities, it is therefore difficult to accumulate enough
funds at the beginning. Over time some ventures flourish but a vast majority of the
ventures struggle to maintain its existence and sustainability due to capital or ongoing
sources of income. The traditional support mechanisms, such as – bank or financial
institutions that foster the development of social enterprises is quite scarce as
compared to commercial enterprises. This is to a lot extent due to the fundamental
misconception that socially driven organizations are not profitable and there is risk
involved whether to money being lend will be given back or not. Therefore, social
entrepreneurs struggle to accumulate the required capital and mostly invest their own
savings to tackle social problems.

Ability to scale-up

Social enterprises primarily spring up from the social inequity or the market failure when
the traditional systems are not enough to meet the needs. The primary problem-
involving majority of the social enterprises is that, it lacks the ability to scale-up the
enterprise to the next level. Most of the time it starts with immense enthusiasm or a
social outlook to address any specific problem. However, the lack of support and
structured polices affect the social enterprise to scale it up to the next level. Partly due
to the discontent across the societies and the skepticism towards socially driven actions
which is mostly neglected. This also affects the sustainability of the social enterprises.
Given that most begin with addressing social problems where the government support
is scarce, the expansion opportunities become limited overtime due to resource
constraints.

Duality of mission

Social entrepreneurs aspire to create social value by addressing various social

problems existing in the societies. This aspiration, however, is not deviant from
economic objective as it can also aim to earn profit through the innovative business
model. The traditional conceptualization however, associates the social enterprises
largely with the notion of philanthropy or non-profit venture. The duality of this identity
has remained a big problem for social enterprises. Some social entrepreneurs earn
money through their ventures considering this as a more ethical way to do business,
some do this with the mission to create a social impact and some try to create social
value and develop a sustainable business model. Thus, it is apparent that the identity of
social enterprises has become more ambiguous due to the diverse identity.
Lack of proper business strategy

Another major challenge that most social enterprises face is the lack of proper business
strategy leading to non-competitive products. Given the focus largely remains on social
needs that to some extent impedes the development of the actual product or service
offered by the social enterprise. This also hinders the development of a proper business
strategy to compete in the market as many of the social enterprises compete with
commercial enterprises. In addition, another fact is that the social entrepreneurs often
embark on the journey without having any prior business background which is entirely
out of goodwill. Due to this most of them would not have the required managerial skill
allowing them to plan, undertake strategic planning, financial forecasting etc.

Additional 10 Filipino Social Enterprises That Will Amaze You

Community service doesn’t need to be painful. In fact, when you support a social
enterprise, saving the world can be as easy and exciting as going on a shopping spree.
A social enterprise is a revenue-generating business that reinvests its profits in
humanitarian and/or environmental causes. Simply put, they use the money you give
them to provide jobs for people in need, to protect natural resources, to improve run-
down neighborhoods, and much more.

In the Philippines, there is ample opportunity to support social enterprises. And with
rising expectations from discerning Filipino customers, the quality of work has risen as
well. Supporting local business is no longer synonymous with settling for less.

Bambike
This hip socio-ecological enterprise hires people in need to build bikes made from
locally-sourced bamboo. When you buy a Bambike, you not only support the cause, but
you also walk (or ride) away with a sturdy vehicle that doubles as a work of art. But if
you don’t want to commit to buying a bike, you can still ride one at the Bambike
Intramuros Ecotour.

Messy Bessy

Messy Bessy promises “all-natural, worry-free” cleaning products for your home, office,
linens, body, and even your baby. When you support this company, you do two things at
once: Messy Bessy keeps harmful chemicals out of your life, and also provides
employment for young adults who have survived abuse, trafficking, and poverty.

Plush and Play

This up-and-coming toy manufacturer aims to set new standards in the local toy industry
by focusing on safety, social, and environmental impact. They provide jobs and help
underprivileged women develop skills, and are passionate advocates for children’s
rights. Most importantly, their safe yet adorable toys are kid-approved.

ANTHILL Fabric Gallery

ANTHILL is an acronym that stands for Alternative Nest and Trading Hub for Ingenious
Little Livelihood Seekers. This social enterprise promotes Filipino culture and tradition
through high-end indigenous textiles. Their unique fabrics support sustainable
employment in rural communities.

Taclob
Online transactions and bazaars only. This social-enterprise started as a response to
the need for employment in the wake of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). The sleek, utilitarian
backpacks are made from upcycled materials, and are produced by survivors of the
typhoon. With each bag you purchase, a child affected by the typhoon will receive a
floating backpack full of school supplies.

Theo & Philo

Using cacao from Davao and sugar from Bacolod, Theo and Philo proudly sources their
ingredients from local farmers, thus positively impacting rural Filipino communities. And
instead of opening a huge factory full of machines, the social enterprise consciously
chooses to hire people to handcraft chocolate bars in a “micro” factory setting. Their
commitment to quality is undeniable, and it is apparent in every bite. Theo & Philo
started out with just two variants: milk chocolate and 70% dark chocolate. Now they
have 10.

Bayani Brew
It’s no surprise that Filipinos love iced tea. But this all-Filipino, all-natural tea brewery
sets itself apart from its competitors with its philosophy and practices. Not only does it
employ the nanays of a Bulacan community in order to promote sustainable living, it
also promotes native ingredients such as lemongrass and pandan in order to celebrate
being "crazy in love with our country." You can grab a brew at various resellers
nationwide. Bayani Brew teas use indigenous ingredients like lemongrass, pandan, and
sweet potato tops.

The Paper Project

The Paper Project provides employment for Filipino women escaping from prostitution.
The women create environmentally sound, locally sourced paper handicrafts such as
greeting cards, and sell them for a profit internationally. In addition to providing the
women with employment, The Paper Project provides them with guidance in self-
esteem, stress management, finances, and self-defense. Every card created by The
Paper Project is handmade.

Human Nature
Instead of the usual “start with a why”, Human Nature started with a “why not”? During a
year-long tour in the US for Gawad Kalinga (GK) in 2007, spouses Anna Meloto-Wilk
and Dylan Wilk observed the growing trend of affordable, natural, eco-friendly and
ethically-made products entering the mainstream market. The ingredients of these
products were coconut, elemi, sugarcane, aloe, etc. which were abundantly available in
the Philippines. Something clicked and they thought, “Why not produce these products
back home and employ the poorest of the poor that GK was already serving?”

The following year, the first line of Human Nature products was launched, together with
sister Camille Meloto. Soon after, they received prestigious awards here and abroad for
their social enterprise. Among them were Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Ernst &
Young, then followed by similar awards from Schwab Foundation for Social
Entrepreneurship, Asia Society, and more.

Today, Human Nature manufactures a number of affordable, natural, eco-friendly, and

ethically-made products in their Canlubang, Laguna plant which uses the highest
standards many times stricter than the required benchmark in the cosmetic industry.
They continue to grow, employing hundreds of residents from GK and other poor
communities.

Kawil Tours
Go on vacation in a tropical paradise, and help bring life to a sleepy island and its
locals. Kawil Tours is a social enterprise that aims to connect the world to Culion, a
former leper colony, through a “meaningful journey” that involves historical walks, beach
outings, and acts of environmental “voluntourism” such as planting mangroves. The
folks at Kawil caution their guests about the island’s lack of parties and entertainment,
emphasizing instead, the opportunity to fully commune with nature. Culion is two hours
south of Coron. The town is dominated by La Inmaculada Concepcion Church, which
makes for fantastic travel photos.