Bakong Circular Design Challenge is an opportunity for Filipino designers, innovators, professionals, and students to explore and create circular and solution-based designs with the Bakong material.
Bakong is a perennial rhizomatous herb that grows up to 1 to 2 meters in height and is locally abundant in Sta. Teresita, Cagayan. It was considered by the local people as an obstruction in Bangalao Lake. The LGU thru DTI-Cagayan requested Design Center to check if they can find value to the plant.
The Materials Research team of Design Center conducted several experiments and manipulations and was able to convert Bakong into pellets, paper and fiber.
This project aims to create awareness on Philippines’ indigenous materials, spearhead innovation and spur economic and ecological impact.
Bakong is grounded on 4 pillars: Circularity, Innovation, Culture and Feminism.
Circularity: Anchored in Circular Principles and Strategies.
Innovation: Solution-based and responsible designs that are adaptive to consumers.
Culture: Filipinos are inherently circular because of how creative and rich our culture is.
Femininity: Birthing empathetic solutions rooted in feminine core values.
A circular economy is an industrial system that is restorative or regenerative by intention and design.
A new system must be in place - one where we create a thriving economy that can benefit everyone within the limits of our planet.
Femininity as anchor. A set of inherently feminine economic values that reintroduce and recondition the role of design.
[Read more here]
Putting the people and planet first by designing solutions and products that is rooted in empathy, compassion, gentleness and sustainability.
Designers, innovators, professionals and students. You may apply as an individual, or a team of up to 3 members
Applicant must be 18 years old and above.
Must be passionate about product and/or business model design, and willing to share an initial concept around a potential Bakong product.
The challenge is open to all residents in the Philippines regardless of citizenship.
Team members may come from different parts of the Philippines.
We can team you up! Kindly indicate it in the application form and we’ll get in touch.
The team can still proceed as long as at least one (1) representative is present during the 2-Day Circular Design Challenge.
Kindly prepare to submit your CV, Portfolio and your initial Bakong idea.
A pitch deck, a 1-min video, or PDF of your proposal (this is optional - or impress us with you initial idea)
We have prepared an application form for you here.
The cut-off for submissions is on August 25, 2021 at 6:00PM.
You will receive an e-mail from us with next steps!
10 finalists will be chosen to attend and participate in the two-day circular design challenge workshop which will be on August 28 - 29, 2021. This aims to develop, grow, iterate and refine your Bakong ideas further with the help and facilitation of Work In Progress experts.
Day 1 | August 28, Saturday
Circular Design Thinking Workshop by Billy Santos
Circular Strategies Workshop by Karl Santinitigan
Focused Team Mentoring Sessions
Day 2 | August 29, Sunday
Pitching Workshop with Shanon Khadka
Focused Team Mentoring Sessions
Networking Session
Awarding of Three Winners
We will have three (3) winners.
Each will receive a cash prize of PHP 25,000. In addition to this, winners will also be partnered with a DTI Fabrication Laboratory for prototyping of their designs. Designs and prototypes will then be showcased in the first ever Sustainability Solutions Expo in the country on November 18-20, 2021.
Winning teams will be partnered with a DTI Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab).
Experts from Altum, Circulo and Design Center will be closely working with and mentoring the winners throughout the whole journey.
At least a feasibility prototype is needed for the winners to produce after the CDC.
A feasibility prototype is realistic, high fidelity, and a clean product prototype. It can be functional, but doesn't have to be fully working. It doesn’t have to be perfect but the Bakong material manipulation and integration should be evident.
Sustainability Solutions Expo is a program by DTI-CITEM. In its first year, the SSX Conference aims to address key areas to support responsible and sustainable consumption and production, from opportunities and challenges to solutions and systems in practice. This virtual conference brings together business leaders, sustainability practitioners, and policymakers to discuss how they have adapted to change and explore key opportunities for Philippine MSMEs.
You may view the timeline here.
Yes, please! You may find our collaterals here. We’d also love to keep in touch with you so contact us anytime.
Join our mission in transitioning Filipino organizations to a circular economy. Whether you're interested in research, trainings, projects, events, or advocacy, there's a place for you in our community.
