I’ve always loved all things handmade. Over the years, I’ve learned to make candles and soaps, sew pillowcases, and even crochet a blanket with my daughter.
Because of my affinity for handcrafted products, I’m naturally drawn to items that share the same care and effort, with exceptional craftsmanship. The more I got to know the business behind the products I love, the clearer it became how important it is to support companies that value community, authenticity, and green living.
When a brand checks all three, you can be sure I’ll support them right away by buying their products and sharing these finds with my circle of friends. This is also what I appreciate about SM Green Finds by SM Store, which are also carried in SM Retail Affiliates such as Kultura. Items under this category are eco-friendly, sustainably sourced, made with natural materials, and often support local communities.
This June, let’s celebrate Independence Day by championing homegrown Filipino labels not just through patriotic pride but by getting to know their stories and the positive impact they bring to our communities and the environment. Supporting these local brands is a modern way to honor our heritage and exercise the freedom to live a more conscious way of life.
This is exactly what you’ll find at Kultura, a store that carries over 100 Filipino brands in one thoughtfully curated space. From handcrafted textiles and artisanal home goods to natural skincare and sustainable fashion, each product lets us rediscover and learn how rich our culture is.
When Kultura opened its 50th store in Greenhills Mall last March, two display areas immediately caught my eye—vibrant, colorful patchwork blankets and other home pieces crafted from traditional Bicolano weaves by Our Little Ideas (OLI), alongside naturally infused handmade soaps, candles presented in acacia wooden vessels, and other self-care essentials by Koko Slow Living.
OLI handwoven bath towel
Weaving stories
OLI’s founders, Chris Olimpo and Ian Origenes, started with 10 pieces, joined a bazaar, and sold out before the day ended. That leap of faith didn’t just spark a business, it opened their eyes to the quiet power of Filipino weaving and how little support these communities actually receive.
“From the very beginning, we have always prioritized the welfare of our weavers and mananahi. We understand that, at the heart of it all, they are not just artisans but mothers, wives, and the backbone of their families. That’s why we ensure they work from home, offering flexibility and convenience. Our role is simply to facilitate logistics, always with deep respect for them as local artists,” Chris shares.
As one of Kultura’s partners in green living, OLI has stayed true to its roots, which center on people, purpose, and sustainability. They now work with over 70 weavers in Camarines Sur and about 15 sewing families from Gawad Kalinga communities in Bulacan and Mandaluyong. Many of their fabrics are upcycled from excess cotton collars.
“Since joining Kultura, it has been a journey of blessings and new opportunities,” Ian adds. “One of our proudest moments was when one of our original 19 weavers in Bicol was able to replace their nipa hut roof with a concrete slab—no longer fearing every typhoon season—thanks to the steady income she earned through OLI. We’ve also seen college students continue their education during the pandemic because of the stable work we provided. And now, the Bicol weave is slowly making its mark not just locally, but globally.”
Koko Slow Living’s frankincense and myrrh soap
Worth the wait
Koleen Davila-Palaganas envisioned a slower, more meaningful lifestyle for Koko Slow Living, honoring nature and Filipino culture. Inspired by the idea of SLOW living (Sustainable, Local, Organic, and Whole), she began making hand-poured candles and soaps using plant-based ingredients and local materials.
What won me over were the thoughtful details such as hand-carved acacia wood vessels for the candles, intentional scent combinations, minimal packaging, and the healthful benefits of slow processing. Though fairly new to Kultura, launched just before Christmas 2024, Koko has already found a true home. “They didn’t just put us on the shelf,” Koleen shares. “They took time to understand what we stood for. That’s rare.”
Koko Slow Living’s French lavander candle
Koko Slow Living is one of Kultura’s partners in green living as a wellness brand that’s committed to sustainability and community. What started as a personal shift quickly grew into a brand that connected with others seeking an eco-conscious lifestyle. Koleen’s mindful approach shows in every product. It isn’t just about self-care but about slowing down, creating calmness, and choosing better for ourselves and the planet.
Koko Slow Living’s French lavender aromatic natural soap
The humble company now works with a small community of local makers, many of them women, who share the same values. Each product is made in small batches, which allows both the makers and users to reconnect with the process. In a world that constantly moves fast, Koko is a reminder that meaningful things take time, and it is worth the wait.
Supporting Kultura’s brand partners in green living isn’t just about patriotism, it’s about connection, care, and choosing to uplift. This is what real Filipino pride stands for—grounded, authentic, and community-driven.
