If you’re in your 30s or 40s, you probably remember having pillow cases or clothes made out of katsa that has been softened through many washes. Although courser than your usual cotton or polyester, the cloth is quite durable, which is also one reason why it’s used for industrial purposes like packaging.
The katsa is the main raw material of Arapilak Zero Waste Products, a Palawan-based business that pushes sustainable products, including a clothing line called Ba’law, which upcycles old flour sacks.
“Considering as fast fashion industry ‘yong second [largest] polluter ng mundo, dumating po kami sa point na nakapag-isip din kami ng para sa sustainable clothing,” explains Jude Rivera, one of the foundes of Arapilak. “So ‘yong Ba’law—from the Cuyonon word which means ‘awareness’—we came up with the idea of reviving the good old practice of using katsa or flour sacks... Sino-source namin siya from bakeries here in Palawan. Kami mismo ‘yong naglalaba, naglilinis, nagpapatuyo, tapos dadalhin namin sila doon sa mga mananahi namin.”
Watch the video below for their full story:
Video Producer: Jean Saturnino
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Want to learn more about Pinays who started their own businesses? Check these articles out:
- This Pinay's Accidental Home Business Earns up to P7,000 a Day During the ECQ
- Here's How I Started My Dream Cookie Business With Only P5,000
- How This Celebrity Nail Artist Started a Baked Sushi Business with Only P10,000
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