Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for these industry leaders
Unpredictable weather patterns. Higher global temperatures. Natural disasters at an unprecedented scale. Mother Nature is not what it once was, and the demand for sustainability is rooted in our desperate attempt to prevent any further damage to our home.
The call for sustainable practices across all industries and walks of life has taken form in pressures to avoid fossil fuels, single-use plastics, and excess waste.
But as we argue about who’s using plastic straws and glass containers, the selfless acts of many environmentalists have been easily offset by the millions of factories that release pollutants into the air and sea.
And while many continue to hide from public scrutiny under the blanket of corporate sustainability, Architect Liza Morales, chef Robby Goco, and Lexus are industry leaders who commit to sustainability—not as a buzzword—but as a way of life that transcends traditional business practices.
Architect Liza Morales: Form and function
As the founder and principal of Ecotecture Design Studio, Architect Morales’ design philosophy can be summed up in three words: authentic, sustainable, and timeless.
These tenets guide every project she touches—from high-end homes to resorts and commercial developments. But it was the birth of her first child that gave her work a sharper focus. “It made me think deeply about legacy and the kind of planet I’m leaving behind,” Morales says.
That perspective shines through in Elaia by Cyma, her firm’s project in Tagaytay. A restaurant born from adaptive reuse, Morales transformed a once-dilapidated structure into a warm, nature-filled retreat. “We embraced what was already there,” she explains. “The goal was to open it up to light, greenery, and texture and to let it breathe again.”
Morales’ work shows that sustainability and style are not mutually exclusive. “Form and function should never be at odds. Good design works well and feels right,” she adds.
Chef Robby Goco: Nose to tail
Quality Greek food is expected from every restaurant under Robby Goco, the mind behind the Cyma Group. Sustainability, as an environmental battle cry, may not belong anywhere near his kitchens, but sustainability—for what it represents—is the engine that drives both his expansion and his menu.
“It’s all about sustainability. It’s not just a buzzword, but also a practice that, because of it, you’re profitable,” says Goco.
“Nose to tail,” he’d say as he describes his menu. By utilizing every usable part of the animal or vegetable in each of his dishes, he delivers a culinary experience that is equal parts sustainable and delicious.
Elaia by Cyma, his latest concept, is located in Barangay Bucal in Silang, Cavite. He describes the restaurant as “lutong probinsya” and a back-to-basics approach to Greek food. “Cyma is like a restaurant in Athens… in the city. Souv! is Cyma’s younger sister, who traveled abroad and was exposed to different ingredients, and came back with all this knowledge. Now, Elaia is all about what a Greek grandmother would be cooking in their house.”
But if you ask Goco why he’d place his restaurant away from the city, his response isn’t what you would expect: tomatoes.
“I have the best tomatoes grown in the Philippines,” he says proudly. “The foundation of real, good Mediterranean food is the tomato, and not a lot of restaurants can get the tomato at that stage. The reason why I’m here is to be closer to the farmers who supply me with my produce.”
Lexus: Redefining mobility
Lexus continues to lead the way in electrified mobility through its lineup of hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEV). From the smooth efficiency of the Lexus RX Hybrid to the full-electric refinement of the Lexus RZ, Lexus is proving sustainable mobility can still be dynamic, luxurious, and deeply considered.
“Like Lexus, we believe in quiet craftsmanship, innovation, and making sustainability feel natural,” says Morales.
That shared philosophy came to life in a recent collaboration between Lexus and Morales, as she hosted an exclusive event: “Lexus Drive to Elaia.” Behind the wheel of Lexus’ latest hybrid and electrified vehicles, guests experienced firsthand how progressive design and responsible mobility can converge with purpose and poise.
As a proud Lexus hybrid owner for eight years, Morales sees the alignment—not just in values, but also in the everyday experience. “Lexus shows you don’t have to sacrifice performance for design—they go hand in hand. That’s the same balance I strive for at Ecotecture Design Studio,” she says.
Looking ahead, Morales remains hopeful. “We’re seeing more awareness, more demand for intentional spaces. I think the next five to 10 years will bring stronger green standards and more local solutions.”
