group of kids approach you on the street and an intersection begging for your
and an intersection begging for your
and an intersection begging for your help what do you do how does that make
help what do you do how does that make
help what do you do how does that make you feel this is something that you know
you feel this is something that you know
you feel this is something that you know really hits you deep we’re going to feel
really hits you deep we’re going to feel
really hits you deep we’re going to feel like there’s so much you want to do but
like there’s so much you want to do but
like there’s so much you want to do but do you give them your spare change the
do you give them your spare change the
do you give them your spare change the food you have in the car or do you kind
food you have in the car or do you kind
food you have in the car or do you kind of just put your head down knock on the
of just put your head down knock on the
of just put your head down knock on the window and ignore them because it makes
window and ignore them because it makes
window and ignore them because it makes you feel uncomfortable I can’t imagine
you feel uncomfortable I can’t imagine
you feel uncomfortable I can’t imagine what it would be like to be a kid it’s
what it would be like to be a kid it’s
what it would be like to be a kid it’s so desperate barefoot
so desperate barefoot
so desperate barefoot looking for a handout it’s one of those
looking for a handout it’s one of those
looking for a handout it’s one of those things that just hits you hits you
things that just hits you hits you
things that just hits you hits you really deep as a kid I just dreamed
really deep as a kid I just dreamed
really deep as a kid I just dreamed about being a Filipino so that I could
about being a Filipino so that I could
about being a Filipino so that I could eat as many mangos as I wanted as a
eat as many mangos as I wanted as a
eat as many mangos as I wanted as a Filipino American I was able to go back
Filipino American I was able to go back
Filipino American I was able to go back and forth to the United States and to
and forth to the United States and to
and forth to the United States and to the Philippines and one of the things
the Philippines and one of the things
the Philippines and one of the things that struck me the most was seeing how
that struck me the most was seeing how
that struck me the most was seeing how some people had so much and how some
some people had so much and how some
some people had so much and how some people had so little as a young person I
people had so little as a young person I
people had so little as a young person I didn’t really understand what that was
didn’t really understand what that was
didn’t really understand what that was but as I grew up I started to embrace
but as I grew up I started to embrace
but as I grew up I started to embrace more about what it really meant to be
more about what it really meant to be
more about what it really meant to be Filipino you know the spirit of the by
Filipino you know the spirit of the by
Filipino you know the spirit of the by Mia and social entrepreneurship is
Mia and social entrepreneurship is
Mia and social entrepreneurship is something that I learned is a tool that
something that I learned is a tool that
something that I learned is a tool that can be used to help solve some of the
can be used to help solve some of the
can be used to help solve some of the biggest problems that we face in the
biggest problems that we face in the
biggest problems that we face in the planet it’s about using business
planet it’s about using business
planet it’s about using business techniques to solve some social and
techniques to solve some social and
techniques to solve some social and environmental issues that we face every
environmental issues that we face every
environmental issues that we face every day by using the three pillars of
day by using the three pillars of
day by using the three pillars of sustainability people planet and
sustainability people planet and
sustainability people planet and progress we can work to create
progress we can work to create
progress we can work to create businesses and great profits that have
businesses and great profits that have
businesses and great profits that have purpose these are the triple bottom-line
purpose these are the triple bottom-line
purpose these are the triple bottom-line measures which new companies that really
measures which new companies that really
measures which new companies that really want to make a difference in the world
want to make a difference in the world
want to make a difference in the world embrace it’s the new measure of success
embrace it’s the new measure of success
embrace it’s the new measure of success for companies that will change the world
for companies that will change the world
for companies that will change the world I learned that my mission was going to
I learned that my mission was going to
I learned that my mission was going to be something bigger than myself
be something bigger than myself
be something bigger than myself I wanted to create some of the greenest
I wanted to create some of the greenest
I wanted to create some of the greenest products in the world while helping
products in the world while helping
products in the world while helping create jobs for some of the
create jobs for some of the
create jobs for some of the even the most so BAM bike revolution
even the most so BAM bike revolution
even the most so BAM bike revolution cycles is really for me a movement that
cycles is really for me a movement that
cycles is really for me a movement that tries to bring bamboo business social
tries to bring bamboo business social
tries to bring bamboo business social entrepreneurship into a more relevant
entrepreneurship into a more relevant
entrepreneurship into a more relevant and more impactful way of doing business
and more impactful way of doing business
and more impactful way of doing business kind of a recreation of what businesses
kind of a recreation of what businesses
kind of a recreation of what businesses should be doing and the people that you
should be doing and the people that you
should be doing and the people that you work with in any company are really the
work with in any company are really the
work with in any company are really the heart and soul of the business um
heart and soul of the business um
heart and soul of the business um business model for me the people in our
business model for me the people in our
business model for me the people in our communities that we work with are our
communities that we work with are our
communities that we work with are our biggest assets and investing in these
biggest assets and investing in these
biggest assets and investing in these communities is one of the most ways to
communities is one of the most ways to
communities is one of the most ways to ensure that you’re going to have a
ensure that you’re going to have a
ensure that you’re going to have a sustainable impact so I actually started
sustainable impact so I actually started
sustainable impact so I actually started out as a volunteer for a group called
out as a volunteer for a group called
out as a volunteer for a group called gawad kalinga which means to give care
gawad kalinga which means to give care
gawad kalinga which means to give care they build housing for the poor and in
they build housing for the poor and in
they build housing for the poor and in my experience with them we learned that
my experience with them we learned that
my experience with them we learned that you know just having a house over your
you know just having a house over your
you know just having a house over your head a roof over your head isn’t enough
head a roof over your head isn’t enough
head a roof over your head isn’t enough to really sustain you for a good living
to really sustain you for a good living
to really sustain you for a good living so you need a job and one of the things
so you need a job and one of the things
so you need a job and one of the things that we did was going to the community
that we did was going to the community
that we did was going to the community in a jeep a village and create jobs and
in a jeep a village and create jobs and
in a jeep a village and create jobs and what we do is we train the people how to
what we do is we train the people how to
what we do is we train the people how to build bamboos bikes and we call them our
build bamboos bikes and we call them our
build bamboos bikes and we call them our band builders they really are the soul
band builders they really are the soul
band builders they really are the soul of our company we couldn’t do anything
of our company we couldn’t do anything
of our company we couldn’t do anything without them so if you take the zoom out
without them so if you take the zoom out
without them so if you take the zoom out and you look at where we work this is in
and you look at where we work this is in
and you look at where we work this is in a community in Victoria Tarlac they’re a
a community in Victoria Tarlac they’re a
a community in Victoria Tarlac they’re a rice producing part of the country in
rice producing part of the country in
rice producing part of the country in the middle of Luzon it’s hot it’s dry
the middle of Luzon it’s hot it’s dry
the middle of Luzon it’s hot it’s dry they’re very prone to effects of climate
they’re very prone to effects of climate
they’re very prone to effects of climate change and it’s really a hard
change and it’s really a hard
change and it’s really a hard subsistence lifestyle for most people so
subsistence lifestyle for most people so
subsistence lifestyle for most people so we went in and wanted to improve the
we went in and wanted to improve the
we went in and wanted to improve the skill level and empower the community
skill level and empower the community
skill level and empower the community with certain useable techniques and
with certain useable techniques and
with certain useable techniques and skills that could add value to bamboo
skills that could add value to bamboo
skills that could add value to bamboo and create more innovative products so
and create more innovative products so
and create more innovative products so here we’ve got two of our first builders
here we’ve got two of our first builders
here we’ve got two of our first builders this is Nell and Ferdie and the three of
this is Nell and Ferdie and the three of
this is Nell and Ferdie and the three of us had to really figure out from scratch
us had to really figure out from scratch
us had to really figure out from scratch how to turn
how to turn
how to turn bamboo into a bite that you can write
bamboo into a bite that you can write
bamboo into a bite that you can write and custard life with so it’s been an
and custard life with so it’s been an
and custard life with so it’s been an incredible journey and it took a long
incredible journey and it took a long
incredible journey and it took a long time for us to really figure out exactly
time for us to really figure out exactly
time for us to really figure out exactly what we were doing so it’s really
what we were doing so it’s really
what we were doing so it’s really important to know that you can start as
important to know that you can start as
important to know that you can start as a novice if you want to do something you
a novice if you want to do something you
a novice if you want to do something you don’t let yourself get intimidated by
don’t let yourself get intimidated by
don’t let yourself get intimidated by the fact that you don’t know how to do
the fact that you don’t know how to do
the fact that you don’t know how to do it now because you put in the time and
it now because you put in the time and
it now because you put in the time and effort you can learn how to do anything
effort you can learn how to do anything
effort you can learn how to do anything so what we did was ensure that the
so what we did was ensure that the
so what we did was ensure that the people we worked with our builders had a
people we worked with our builders had a
people we worked with our builders had a sustainable livelihood and what we mean
sustainable livelihood and what we mean
sustainable livelihood and what we mean by that our full-time employment with
by that our full-time employment with
by that our full-time employment with benefits so Social Security benefits and
benefits so Social Security benefits and
benefits so Social Security benefits and health benefits health insurance so that
health benefits health insurance so that
health benefits health insurance so that they can focus on the work and not worry
they can focus on the work and not worry
they can focus on the work and not worry about what it takes you know on a
about what it takes you know on a
about what it takes you know on a day-to-day basis to to make a living and
day-to-day basis to to make a living and
day-to-day basis to to make a living and this guy is a third employees name is
this guy is a third employees name is
this guy is a third employees name is Fred he was born with a physical light
Fred he was born with a physical light
Fred he was born with a physical light deformity but he was still harvesting
deformity but he was still harvesting
deformity but he was still harvesting rice as his primary occupation he also
rice as his primary occupation he also
rice as his primary occupation he also was doing a joke with one leg you know
was doing a joke with one leg you know
was doing a joke with one leg you know doing a tricycle driving but we found
doing a tricycle driving but we found
doing a tricycle driving but we found that his hands are some of the most
that his hands are some of the most
that his hands are some of the most talented in our group and he’s one of
talented in our group and he’s one of
talented in our group and he’s one of our best craftsmen so we wanted to
our best craftsmen so we wanted to
our best craftsmen so we wanted to ensure that you know his commute to work
ensure that you know his commute to work
ensure that you know his commute to work was literally just riding his BAM bike
was literally just riding his BAM bike
was literally just riding his BAM bike about a hundred meters from his home to
about a hundred meters from his home to
about a hundred meters from his home to the workshop that we put in the
the workshop that we put in the
the workshop that we put in the community this was a conscious decision
community this was a conscious decision
community this was a conscious decision that made life a little more difficult
that made life a little more difficult
that made life a little more difficult for me because you know it’s in the
for me because you know it’s in the
for me because you know it’s in the middle of Victoria Tarlac but it was
middle of Victoria Tarlac but it was
middle of Victoria Tarlac but it was right in the middle of their village
right in the middle of their village
right in the middle of their village which was convenient for them and again
which was convenient for them and again
which was convenient for them and again taking care of the people in our company
taking care of the people in our company
taking care of the people in our company is one of our most important things
is one of our most important things
is one of our most important things furthermore we invest a percentage of
furthermore we invest a percentage of
furthermore we invest a percentage of all of our sales to go into the
all of our sales to go into the
all of our sales to go into the community you want to reinvest in the
community you want to reinvest in the
community you want to reinvest in the future and one of the ways in which we
future and one of the ways in which we
future and one of the ways in which we do it is if we have a feeding program
do it is if we have a feeding program
do it is if we have a feeding program for some of the kids so the kids that
for some of the kids so the kids that
for some of the kids so the kids that attend school get the feeding program as
attend school get the feeding program as
attend school get the feeding program as part of our reinvestment and then we’re
part of our reinvestment and then we’re
part of our reinvestment and then we’re also supporting the preschool teacher’s
also supporting the preschool teacher’s
also supporting the preschool teacher’s salary and the scholarship program so we
salary and the scholarship program so we
salary and the scholarship program so we want to ensure that people can see the
want to ensure that people can see the
want to ensure that people can see the value and then
value and then
value and then in getting a proper education and
in getting a proper education and
in getting a proper education and actually ferdy’s daughter is going to
actually ferdy’s daughter is going to
actually ferdy’s daughter is going to graduate college this year and she’ll be
graduate college this year and she’ll be
graduate college this year and she’ll be the first kid from the community to get
the first kid from the community to get
the first kid from the community to get college degree and that’s one of the
college degree and that’s one of the
college degree and that’s one of the ways in which we can work to break the
ways in which we can work to break the
ways in which we can work to break the cycle what I’ve really been focused on
cycle what I’ve really been focused on
cycle what I’ve really been focused on what really drives me is working to
what really drives me is working to
what really drives me is working to uplift the community and I love seeing
uplift the community and I love seeing
uplift the community and I love seeing the kids you know every time I go back
the kids you know every time I go back
the kids you know every time I go back to the village they start screaming
to the village they start screaming
to the village they start screaming quia Brian and you know what I see are
quia Brian and you know what I see are
quia Brian and you know what I see are smiles and I see people growing and I
smiles and I see people growing and I
smiles and I see people growing and I see that their capacity to dream of a
see that their capacity to dream of a
see that their capacity to dream of a better future is present and to break
better future is present and to break
better future is present and to break the cycle of poverty you need kids to
the cycle of poverty you need kids to
the cycle of poverty you need kids to feel like they have the power to dream
feel like they have the power to dream
feel like they have the power to dream and to make better lives for themselves
and to make better lives for themselves
and to make better lives for themselves so this is one of the reasons why we do
so this is one of the reasons why we do
so this is one of the reasons why we do what we do with regards to the planet
what we do with regards to the planet
what we do with regards to the planet business as usual for a lot of companies
business as usual for a lot of companies
business as usual for a lot of companies has treated our earth like an
has treated our earth like an
has treated our earth like an externality meaning you know they can
externality meaning you know they can
externality meaning you know they can mine materials over here poison the
mine materials over here poison the
mine materials over here poison the rivers over there taking care of the
rivers over there taking care of the
rivers over there taking care of the planet has been something of an
planet has been something of an
planet has been something of an afterthought we wanted to integrate this
afterthought we wanted to integrate this
afterthought we wanted to integrate this into the core principles of what we do
into the core principles of what we do
into the core principles of what we do and have sustainable manufacture so we
and have sustainable manufacture so we
and have sustainable manufacture so we use bamboo arguably it’s the greenest
use bamboo arguably it’s the greenest
use bamboo arguably it’s the greenest building material on the planet it’s
building material on the planet it’s
building material on the planet it’s super strong it absorbs carbon dioxide
super strong it absorbs carbon dioxide
super strong it absorbs carbon dioxide it stabilizes soil prevents flooding and
it stabilizes soil prevents flooding and
it stabilizes soil prevents flooding and there’s a whole host of ecological
there’s a whole host of ecological
there’s a whole host of ecological benefits that bamboo provides so using
benefits that bamboo provides so using
benefits that bamboo provides so using that as a raw material is really
that as a raw material is really
that as a raw material is really important because we know that it
important because we know that it
important because we know that it contributes to sustainable manufacturing
contributes to sustainable manufacturing
contributes to sustainable manufacturing and the bicycle is arguably the most
and the bicycle is arguably the most
and the bicycle is arguably the most efficient machine ever created by math
efficient machine ever created by math
efficient machine ever created by math in terms of the amount of energy you put
in terms of the amount of energy you put
in terms of the amount of energy you put in and the distance and energy that you
in and the distance and energy that you
in and the distance and energy that you can cover to get out you can see that
can cover to get out you can see that
can cover to get out you can see that bicycles are a great way that people
bicycles are a great way that people
bicycles are a great way that people have been getting around forever and
have been getting around forever and
have been getting around forever and this is a shot from Metro Manila where
this is a shot from Metro Manila where
this is a shot from Metro Manila where you all know the traffic’s like it’s
you all know the traffic’s like it’s
you all know the traffic’s like it’s miserable you’re stuck you’re inhaling
miserable you’re stuck you’re inhaling
miserable you’re stuck you’re inhaling fumes you can’t control your own time
fumes you can’t control your own time
fumes you can’t control your own time and you’re
and you’re
and you’re Destinee but with the proper
Destinee but with the proper
Destinee but with the proper infrastructure and on a bicycle you’re
infrastructure and on a bicycle you’re
infrastructure and on a bicycle you’re in control of your time and the biking
in control of your time and the biking
in control of your time and the biking industry around the world is growing so
industry around the world is growing so
industry around the world is growing so we want it to be a part of this to
we want it to be a part of this to
we want it to be a part of this to create a movement towards sustainability
create a movement towards sustainability
create a movement towards sustainability so with Bamm bike we really see
so with Bamm bike we really see
so with Bamm bike we really see ourselves as a sustainable lifestyle
ourselves as a sustainable lifestyle
ourselves as a sustainable lifestyle company we wanted to help create the
company we wanted to help create the
company we wanted to help create the environment where people can make good
environment where people can make good
environment where people can make good decisions that are healthy for them
decisions that are healthy for them
decisions that are healthy for them their communities as well as our planet
their communities as well as our planet
their communities as well as our planet so in our manufacturing techniques we
so in our manufacturing techniques we
so in our manufacturing techniques we actually use this kind of philosophy
actually use this kind of philosophy
actually use this kind of philosophy where it’s waste equals food and what we
where it’s waste equals food and what we
where it’s waste equals food and what we mean by that is some of the rice hulls
mean by that is some of the rice hulls
mean by that is some of the rice hulls that would have normally been burnt in
that would have normally been burnt in
that would have normally been burnt in the middle of the field just to get rid
the middle of the field just to get rid
the middle of the field just to get rid of them we capture them and we burn them
of them we capture them and we burn them
of them we capture them and we burn them in a controlled environment through a
in a controlled environment through a
in a controlled environment through a smoker which we’ve developed which
smoker which we’ve developed which
smoker which we’ve developed which treats the bamboo so we put the bamboo
treats the bamboo so we put the bamboo
treats the bamboo so we put the bamboo in these chambers
in these chambers
in these chambers it’s just steel drums which we’ve up
it’s just steel drums which we’ve up
it’s just steel drums which we’ve up cycled to turn into a kind of natural
cycled to turn into a kind of natural
cycled to turn into a kind of natural bamboo treatment method so the heat
bamboo treatment method so the heat
bamboo treatment method so the heat helps dry the bamboo the smoke helps
helps dry the bamboo the smoke helps
helps dry the bamboo the smoke helps treat the bamboo from the powder beetles
treat the bamboo from the powder beetles
treat the bamboo from the powder beetles and then the ash from what we burn gets
and then the ash from what we burn gets
and then the ash from what we burn gets back into the field so it’s a
back into the field so it’s a
back into the field so it’s a closed-loop system we don’t allow
closed-loop system we don’t allow
closed-loop system we don’t allow anything to be wasted because waste
anything to be wasted because waste
anything to be wasted because waste equals food for some other cycle and
equals food for some other cycle and
equals food for some other cycle and some other system in our process
some other system in our process
some other system in our process furthermore some of the offcuts that we
furthermore some of the offcuts that we
furthermore some of the offcuts that we have when we build the bikes and we
have when we build the bikes and we
have when we build the bikes and we don’t use the whole poles for the bikes
don’t use the whole poles for the bikes
don’t use the whole poles for the bikes but we’re left with these little odds
but we’re left with these little odds
but we’re left with these little odds and ends and bits and pieces so we
and ends and bits and pieces so we
and ends and bits and pieces so we created a new brand in the new product
created a new brand in the new product
created a new brand in the new product called bamboo type we work with the
called bamboo type we work with the
called bamboo type we work with the women in the community to hand sand and
women in the community to hand sand and
women in the community to hand sand and carve these little pieces of bamboo so
carve these little pieces of bamboo so
carve these little pieces of bamboo so that we can add as much value as
that we can add as much value as
that we can add as much value as possible to something that would have
possible to something that would have
possible to something that would have otherwise been seen as something you
otherwise been seen as something you
otherwise been seen as something you just disposed up so again waste equals
just disposed up so again waste equals
just disposed up so again waste equals food the offcuts of bamboo turned into a
food the offcuts of bamboo turned into a
food the offcuts of bamboo turned into a new light we hood that creates jobs for
new light we hood that creates jobs for
new light we hood that creates jobs for women in multiple communities and we use
women in multiple communities and we use
women in multiple communities and we use indigenous woven fabrics for the birth
indigenous woven fabrics for the birth
indigenous woven fabrics for the birth of ties so it’s just a matter of
of ties so it’s just a matter of
of ties so it’s just a matter of rethinking your concept of way
rethinking your concept of way
rethinking your concept of way and trying to upcycle it’s better than
and trying to upcycle it’s better than
and trying to upcycle it’s better than recycling because you add value and
recycling because you add value and
recycling because you add value and that’s really important as you’re
that’s really important as you’re
that’s really important as you’re thinking about social entrepreneurship
thinking about social entrepreneurship
thinking about social entrepreneurship is systems that can add value to the
is systems that can add value to the
is systems that can add value to the resources you have around this and
resources you have around this and
resources you have around this and lastly we want to ensure that we don’t
lastly we want to ensure that we don’t
lastly we want to ensure that we don’t ever run out of bamboo so what we’re
ever run out of bamboo so what we’re
ever run out of bamboo so what we’re doing is working with communities around
doing is working with communities around
doing is working with communities around the Philippines to grow more bamboo than
the Philippines to grow more bamboo than
the Philippines to grow more bamboo than we harvest it’s a long long process but
we harvest it’s a long long process but
we harvest it’s a long long process but it’s much shorter than you know having
it’s much shorter than you know having
it’s much shorter than you know having to plant and grow trees because in 3 to
to plant and grow trees because in 3 to
to plant and grow trees because in 3 to 5 years you can have mature bamboo poles
5 years you can have mature bamboo poles
5 years you can have mature bamboo poles which can be used for structural
which can be used for structural
which can be used for structural building progress progress for me is
building progress progress for me is
building progress progress for me is another way of saying profit with a
another way of saying profit with a
another way of saying profit with a purpose and what we’re working towards
purpose and what we’re working towards
purpose and what we’re working towards is developing a new green economy where
is developing a new green economy where
is developing a new green economy where social enterprises can have a platform
social enterprises can have a platform
social enterprises can have a platform to really grow and create more
to really grow and create more
to really grow and create more sustainable industries for people in the
sustainable industries for people in the
sustainable industries for people in the developing world and again this concept
developing world and again this concept
developing world and again this concept of value-added we are trying to take a
of value-added we are trying to take a
of value-added we are trying to take a raw material let’s sustainably harvested
raw material let’s sustainably harvested
raw material let’s sustainably harvested in this case bamboo bringing it into
in this case bamboo bringing it into
in this case bamboo bringing it into communities where they can do semi
communities where they can do semi
communities where they can do semi processing breaking it down into poles
processing breaking it down into poles
processing breaking it down into poles treating the bamboo so that it can be
treating the bamboo so that it can be
treating the bamboo so that it can be part of a building chain that adds as
part of a building chain that adds as
part of a building chain that adds as much value so working throughout the
much value so working throughout the
much value so working throughout the supply chain and creating as many jobs
supply chain and creating as many jobs
supply chain and creating as many jobs along the way as possible is something
along the way as possible is something
along the way as possible is something really important so that we can have
really important so that we can have
really important so that we can have what we consider an inclusive growth
what we consider an inclusive growth
what we consider an inclusive growth economy so I’m not just making money for
economy so I’m not just making money for
economy so I’m not just making money for one company up top but throughout the
one company up top but throughout the
one company up top but throughout the value chain adding as much in terms of
value chain adding as much in terms of
value chain adding as much in terms of employment and sustainable livelihood as
employment and sustainable livelihood as
employment and sustainable livelihood as you can and I consider investing in
you can and I consider investing in
you can and I consider investing in bamboo plantation better than putting
bamboo plantation better than putting
bamboo plantation better than putting your money
your money
your money in a bank the the rural economy can
in a bank the the rural economy can
in a bank the the rural economy can really be augmented in the developing
really be augmented in the developing
really be augmented in the developing world by planting more bamboo here on
world by planting more bamboo here on
world by planting more bamboo here on the left you see the beginnings of a
the left you see the beginnings of a
the left you see the beginnings of a bamboo shoot’ on the right you see a 30
bamboo shoot’ on the right you see a 30
bamboo shoot’ on the right you see a 30 plus meter pole which grew in less than
plus meter pole which grew in less than
plus meter pole which grew in less than a year so the rate at which bamboo grows
a year so the rate at which bamboo grows
a year so the rate at which bamboo grows is phenomenal and you’d be better off
is phenomenal and you’d be better off
is phenomenal and you’d be better off investing in this kind of industry and
investing in this kind of industry and
investing in this kind of industry and putting your money into a bank in some
putting your money into a bank in some
putting your money into a bank in some cases so this whole concept of the BAM
cases so this whole concept of the BAM
cases so this whole concept of the BAM business I feel can help transform our
business I feel can help transform our
business I feel can help transform our rural likelihood seeing here in the
rural likelihood seeing here in the
rural likelihood seeing here in the Philippines and throughout the
Philippines and throughout the
Philippines and throughout the developing world and we’re trying to
developing world and we’re trying to
developing world and we’re trying to improve on an industry that you know
improve on an industry that you know
improve on an industry that you know previously is considered the poor man’s
previously is considered the poor man’s
previously is considered the poor man’s lumber bamboo is used for the by HUBO it
lumber bamboo is used for the by HUBO it
lumber bamboo is used for the by HUBO it gets broken in two or three years you
gets broken in two or three years you
gets broken in two or three years you know this this whole industry hasn’t
know this this whole industry hasn’t
know this this whole industry hasn’t changed much in decades so we’re
changed much in decades so we’re
changed much in decades so we’re breaking the bamboo down actually into
breaking the bamboo down actually into
breaking the bamboo down actually into slots which are then ingredients for a
slots which are then ingredients for a
slots which are then ingredients for a more advanced engineer bamboo product
more advanced engineer bamboo product
more advanced engineer bamboo product and in this case we’re creating new
and in this case we’re creating new
and in this case we’re creating new engineered poles which can really
engineered poles which can really
engineered poles which can really showcase the excellence in the material
showcase the excellence in the material
showcase the excellence in the material and the craftsmanship of the Filipinos
and the craftsmanship of the Filipinos
and the craftsmanship of the Filipinos and we’re also trying to just encourage
and we’re also trying to just encourage
and we’re also trying to just encourage innovation within the bamboo industry
innovation within the bamboo industry
innovation within the bamboo industry taking existing building materials and
taking existing building materials and
taking existing building materials and applying them in different ways coming
applying them in different ways coming
applying them in different ways coming up with new ideas experimenting with
up with new ideas experimenting with
up with new ideas experimenting with what we have at hand and here you can
what we have at hand and here you can
what we have at hand and here you can see we’ve used some of the poles that we
see we’ve used some of the poles that we
see we’ve used some of the poles that we use in the bicycle building process and
use in the bicycle building process and
use in the bicycle building process and apply it to furniture so really the
apply it to furniture so really the
apply it to furniture so really the possibilities for what you can do are
possibilities for what you can do are
possibilities for what you can do are endless
endless
endless building materials can be replaced and
building materials can be replaced and
building materials can be replaced and what I envision is kind of a new lumber
what I envision is kind of a new lumber
what I envision is kind of a new lumber yard for the future where you don’t need
yard for the future where you don’t need
yard for the future where you don’t need to cut down trees but where we can use
to cut down trees but where we can use
to cut down trees but where we can use the rapidly renewal
the rapidly renewal
the rapidly renewal bamboo to plug into existing building
bamboo to plug into existing building
bamboo to plug into existing building systems so that we can grow and build a
systems so that we can grow and build a
systems so that we can grow and build a better future and encourage other social
better future and encourage other social
better future and encourage other social entrepreneurs to use the materials to
entrepreneurs to use the materials to
entrepreneurs to use the materials to create whatever they dream of and in
create whatever they dream of and in
create whatever they dream of and in order to ensure that we work well with
order to ensure that we work well with
order to ensure that we work well with our community
our community
our community the distance between Metro Manila and
the distance between Metro Manila and
the distance between Metro Manila and tar-like for example is about 120
tar-like for example is about 120
tar-like for example is about 120 kilometers how do we make sure that
kilometers how do we make sure that
kilometers how do we make sure that we’re building the right things that
we’re building the right things that
we’re building the right things that were staying on track we installed the
were staying on track we installed the
were staying on track we installed the Internet
Internet
Internet in the community and we gave them a
in the community and we gave them a
in the community and we gave them a tablet and we’re now able to communicate
tablet and we’re now able to communicate
tablet and we’re now able to communicate and connect and that’s been really
and connect and that’s been really
and connect and that’s been really important not only is internet access as
important not only is internet access as
important not only is internet access as you all know so crucial to being able to
you all know so crucial to being able to
you all know so crucial to being able to connect with each other but what it can
connect with each other but what it can
connect with each other but what it can do for rural communities is connect them
do for rural communities is connect them
do for rural communities is connect them to marketplaces and to new ideas and to
to marketplaces and to new ideas and to
to marketplaces and to new ideas and to education so with the bamboo industry
education so with the bamboo industry
education so with the bamboo industry we’re trying to look back to nature and
we’re trying to look back to nature and
we’re trying to look back to nature and change your perspective on a material
change your perspective on a material
change your perspective on a material that previously was really considered
that previously was really considered
that previously was really considered this poor man’s lumber but now changing
this poor man’s lumber but now changing
this poor man’s lumber but now changing our perspective looking at it as the
our perspective looking at it as the
our perspective looking at it as the building blocks of the future and with
building blocks of the future and with
building blocks of the future and with social entrepreneurship I have to tell
social entrepreneurship I have to tell
social entrepreneurship I have to tell you this has been a challenging
you this has been a challenging
you this has been a challenging challenging journey with bamboo and I
challenging journey with bamboo and I
challenging journey with bamboo and I had many days where I felt alone and was
had many days where I felt alone and was
had many days where I felt alone and was pressed to figure out you know how do i
pressed to figure out you know how do i
pressed to figure out you know how do i how do I move forward with this and and
how do I move forward with this and and
how do I move forward with this and and grit
grit
grit I found grit the stick-to-itiveness is
I found grit the stick-to-itiveness is
I found grit the stick-to-itiveness is one of the things that kept me going
one of the things that kept me going
one of the things that kept me going I found that grit by understanding my
I found that grit by understanding my
I found that grit by understanding my purpose and really knowing why I got
purpose and really knowing why I got
purpose and really knowing why I got into this so again the people the planet
into this so again the people the planet
into this so again the people the planet and the progress the triple bottom line
and the progress the triple bottom line
and the progress the triple bottom line those things kept driving me forward and
those things kept driving me forward and
those things kept driving me forward and without that I would have been a little
without that I would have been a little
without that I would have been a little lost so finding out what your purpose is
lost so finding out what your purpose is
lost so finding out what your purpose is your passion these are challenges that
your passion these are challenges that
your passion these are challenges that you guys face is young future
you guys face is young future
you guys face is young future entrepreneurs and in order to understand
entrepreneurs and in order to understand
entrepreneurs and in order to understand what it is you want to do and people
what it is you want to do and people
what it is you want to do and people always say follow your passion it’s
always say follow your passion it’s
always say follow your passion it’s almost an impossible thing because as a
almost an impossible thing because as a
almost an impossible thing because as a high schooler you can’t
high schooler you can’t
high schooler you can’t we know exactly what you’re passionate
we know exactly what you’re passionate
we know exactly what you’re passionate so I encourage you to stay curious
so I encourage you to stay curious
so I encourage you to stay curious follow your curiosity volunteer for some
follow your curiosity volunteer for some
follow your curiosity volunteer for some organization take an internship with
organization take an internship with
organization take an internship with some company that you admire and then
some company that you admire and then
some company that you admire and then figure out what drives you think about
figure out what drives you think about
figure out what drives you think about what kind of vehicle for change you will
what kind of vehicle for change you will
what kind of vehicle for change you will be and understand that the road to
be and understand that the road to
be and understand that the road to entrepreneurship is tough you’re going
entrepreneurship is tough you’re going
entrepreneurship is tough you’re going to fall you’re going to get some bumps
to fall you’re going to get some bumps
to fall you’re going to get some bumps and bruises but with enough grit
and bruises but with enough grit
and bruises but with enough grit you can sit to it and you’ll find out
you can sit to it and you’ll find out
you can sit to it and you’ll find out that you’ll build the skills necessary
that you’ll build the skills necessary
that you’ll build the skills necessary again it’s okay to start as a novice you
again it’s okay to start as a novice you
again it’s okay to start as a novice you don’t have to know exactly what you’re
don’t have to know exactly what you’re
don’t have to know exactly what you’re doing this two-year-old didn’t know what
doing this two-year-old didn’t know what
doing this two-year-old didn’t know what he was doing when you got on the bike
he was doing when you got on the bike
he was doing when you got on the bike for the first time but after you know a
for the first time but after you know a
for the first time but after you know a little bit of practice and some
little bit of practice and some
little bit of practice and some stick-to-itiveness you see this kid so
stick-to-itiveness you see this kid so
stick-to-itiveness you see this kid so psyched so psyched so you know social
psyched so psyched so you know social
psyched so psyched so you know social entrepreneurship is a winding way and as
entrepreneurship is a winding way and as
entrepreneurship is a winding way and as you figure out how to balance your life
you figure out how to balance your life
you figure out how to balance your life what’s important is understanding the
what’s important is understanding the
what’s important is understanding the kind of impact you want to have to make
kind of impact you want to have to make
kind of impact you want to have to make the world a better place and how to make
the world a better place and how to make
the world a better place and how to make a living doing it that’s the real trick
a living doing it that’s the real trick
a living doing it that’s the real trick of social entrepreneurship so really
of social entrepreneurship so really
of social entrepreneurship so really think you know what your story is going
think you know what your story is going
think you know what your story is going to be don’t be afraid to start small
to be don’t be afraid to start small
to be don’t be afraid to start small look at the things in your community
look at the things in your community
look at the things in your community put your iphone down when you’re at an
put your iphone down when you’re at an
put your iphone down when you’re at an intersection and see what’s around you
intersection and see what’s around you
intersection and see what’s around you start small in your school in your
start small in your school in your
start small in your school in your community in your country these things
community in your country these things
community in your country these things can grow and make a larger scalable
can grow and make a larger scalable
can grow and make a larger scalable impact remember social entrepreneurship
impact remember social entrepreneurship
impact remember social entrepreneurship is a tool that can help you make a
is a tool that can help you make a
is a tool that can help you make a profit purpose and the relative
profit purpose and the relative
profit purpose and the relative sustainability will always be critical
sustainability will always be critical
sustainability will always be critical so people taking care of the planet
so people taking care of the planet
so people taking care of the planet people taking care of the communities
people taking care of the communities
people taking care of the communities lending or planet being stewards of the
lending or planet being stewards of the
lending or planet being stewards of the environment and progress working for
environment and progress working for
environment and progress working for inclusive growth economy and ultimately
inclusive growth economy and ultimately
inclusive growth economy and ultimately with these tools you’ll be able to find
with these tools you’ll be able to find
with these tools you’ll be able to find you
you
you purpose and really make a difference in
purpose and really make a difference in
purpose and really make a difference in this world you’ll be able to make a
this world you’ll be able to make a
this world you’ll be able to make a profit with a purpose and that’s what
profit with a purpose and that’s what
profit with a purpose and that’s what really is important and over on 10 years
really is important and over on 10 years
really is important and over on 10 years here I mean within the Philippines and
here I mean within the Philippines and
here I mean within the Philippines and social entrepreneur I’ve learned one key
social entrepreneur I’ve learned one key
social entrepreneur I’ve learned one key lesson and it’s that success is only
lesson and it’s that success is only
lesson and it’s that success is only real when share thank you
real when share thank you
real when share thank you [Applause]
”
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