Clean water, clear impact
For 11 years now, the nonprofit Waves for Water Philippines (W4W) has been working to provide clean water access to communities in need. “We’ve been able to provide filters in all 82 provinces but there’s still so much work to be done,” says Meg Manzano, director of communications and partnerships for Waves For Water Philippines.
She shared how, in some parts of the country, families have to travel to another island just to get clean water for their families. “I’ve come across a community in Cebu that would go by boat to Bohol to buy water for the week,” Manzano said. “We’ve also found that, on average, people in underserved communities would have to walk roughly 5 kilometers just to gather water from unprotected wells, rivers, springs, and manual hand pumps for their families.”
Today, World Water Day, W4W is holding a Women’s Month event. Why? “It’s really women that are disproportionately affected by the global water crisis,” Manzano said.
“It’s often women who are tasked to go on these daily water walks … In Palawan in 2016, I remember talking to a midwife from the barangay health center who told me that whenever someone is pregnant, she asks them to save about P400 for when they give birth.” That P400 would be used to purchase mineral water for washing her wounds after childbirth—as other women have experienced infected wounds because they didn’t have clean water. “These are just glimpses of the realities that Filipinos have to contend with.”
Filter
W4W has a solution. “We have this nifty little device that costs P3,000 that filters over a million gallons of fresh water. It works without electricity, making it perfect for disaster response during typhoons or blackouts, or even incredibly remote places. The filter lasts up to 10 years for as long as it’s taken care of, and when you put it in a school, evacuation center, or community kitchen, it can serve up to a hundred people.”
But, of course, funds are needed to be able to bring the filters to those who need it, thus today’s event at Aya Cabauatan’s creative hub Balay Kobo (66 Mahogany Road, Pilar Village, Las Piñas City). Manzano said, “We wanted an opportunity to honor creatives, teachers, founders, and brands who wanted to add meaning into their daily commerce. We dreamt up collaborations that could showcase the craft of different Filipinos.”
She said that the creed of their founder, retired professional surfer Jon Rose, was to always plug in purpose into one’s passions, whatever they are. “We wanted to celebrate this day by staying true to the line that has guided us as a nonprofit all these years: ‘Do what you love, help along the way.’”
And that’s what a number of creatives will be doing today, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Said Manzano, “We have a matcha workshop that will be hosted by Jacque de Borja of Jacque and Matcha, a pottery workshop by Mana Studio, portrait sessions by photographers and longtime W4W collaborators Artu Nepomuceno and Colin Dancel, and art print sales and blueprint readings with Wiji Lacsamana.”
How to help
These are just some of the creatives and business owners helping W4W with their mission.
“We found ourselves talking to brands and business owners who were interested in dedicating a portion of their sales to the cause and we partnered with folks who wanted to share their spaces … We really wanted a way to work with creatives to showcase their craft, as well as collaborate with brands who share the same values as us. I think there’s this misconception that you have to sacrifice your time, your life, your health, if you wanted to be involved with a nonprofit organization.”
W4W makes it easy to help. Here’s how you can do it:
Join Jacque and Matcha’s matcha workshop.
Making matcha at home gave De Borja comfort during the pandemic, a time that, she said “shifted a lot of things” for her. Today, she has been sharing the comfort and joy of matcha through her workshops.
“After learning and meeting so many people through tea—here, in Japan, and the rest of the world—I finally felt something click. In social media, there is a lot of misinformation, there are a lot of trends, so I thought of sharing everything that I learned along the way with people who have similar passions or interests. It’s my way of helping others access the information that I didn’t have access to and help them have a more fruitful tea journey.”
She is happy to be working with W4W. “It’s a dream, too. I’ve always supported them in ways that I can. This time around, I get to do what I am passionate about and, thankfully, because of W4W, help along the way.”
Get a cosmic blueprint reading or buy an art print from Wiji Lacsamana.
Lacsamana will be giving astrology readings today at Balay Kobo. “I am quite literally doing what I love and helping along the way. Learning and understanding the patterns of my life via astrology has helped me extend more compassion toward myself and others. It has also empowered me so much that I have pivoted away from patterns that no longer served my life well. I hope to extend these understandings, this strong sense of compassion and self-knowing to others. And by getting these readings, you not only help yourself, you are greatly impacting others, too.”
She was part of a mission with W4W last year. “I saw how necessary, efficient, and sustainable the W4W projects are. I love that I am able to help not just by being physically there, but even now, where I live in the city, by doing what I actually love and I know I’m good at. It gives even more purpose to my passions.”
Go hiking with Mia Azurin and the Sunday Hike Club.
Sunday Hike Club is more than just getting to the top, said Mia Azurin. “It’s about truly connecting with nature. And when you care about something that much, taking action just feels natural. That’s why we’re organizing our first-ever fundraiser hike to support Waves For Water Philippines, helping more communities gain access to clean water.”
The fundraiser’s hike in Luisina, Laguna, will be on April 6.
“This is just the beginning. We’re excited to do more initiatives like this in the future.”
Dance at The Safe Studio.
Isabel Ipapo said, “Dance has always been about connection—and this time, it’s about creating real change.”
On April 6, the dance studio in BF Homes Parañaque will hold a collab class with Jemai De Guzman and Jigs Lo in support of W4W. “Let’s move with purpose,” Ipapo said.
Drink cold brew from Group and Boiler.
“At Group and Boiler, we believe great coffee can create meaningful change,” said Paolo Yupangco. “Since water makes up about 98 percent of a brewed coffee’s composition, its quality is essential to every cup.”
The coffee shop, located in Molito Lifestyle Center in Muntinlupa, is happy to donate proceeds from their cold brews to W4W. “Purpose and passion go hand in hand, and this collaboration allows us to turn something we love into something that makes a difference.”
Move at Nude Floor.
“Nude Floor believes in the strength of collaboration and the importance of giving back,” said Shayna Cua. “We love the idea that by doing what we’re passionate about, we can contribute to building a better future—one where communities have access to clean water. It’s a powerful reminder that our work can make a real difference in the lives of others.”
From today until March 28, 30 percent of all Nude Floor class proceeds will go to W4W. After that, they will be donating proceeds from one class each week to the cause.
There are different classes to choose from—barre, jazz funk, adult ballet, calisthenics, contemporary, hip hop, house, choreography, and more.
“Move for a cause, move for water,” said Cua.
And if you are a creative or a business owner who wants to add purpose to your passion, W4W would also love to hear from you. Manzano said, “W4W Philippines has been awarded a donee institution by the BIR, so donations made to us in kind or in cash may be 100-percent tax deductible.” INQ
Reach out to @wavesforwaterphilippines on Instagram.
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