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First Quarter Issue 2013 gkonomics.com

GKonomicsInternational,Inc.isanon‐stock,non‐profitorganization,incorporatedin2009.WeareaGawadKalingapartnerinsocialenterprisedevelopment.

SILYA Chairs Are Here

The collection seeks to unleash the potential of the less fortunate living in GK communities and allow them to produce one of a kind, world class products.

SILYA is Now Available for Custom Orders

The 2012 auction of SILYA chairs brought in more than ₱1,000,000 to go towards development of the Gkonomics Trade School.

In 2013, the potential for GK communities is huge as the chairs will be available to the public to order.

“The economic and social effects can be staggering” says Yupangco, dean at the De La Salle-College of St Benilde.

P R E S E N T S

Take a Seat Afterlaunchinglastyear,Gkonomics’ownSILYAfurniturelineisreadytotakeoffin2013Page1

Something Fishy There’sanewexhibitatAyalaMuseuminspiredbytheTyphoonvictimsofBanglosvillage.ArchitectedbyRickBennettandmadebyGKvillageresidents,theexhibitisdrawingalotofattention.Page2

We’ve Got Company

Ournewinternshavearrived!Seewhatthey’reuptothistimearound.Page3

The Graduates Thetop‐of‐the‐linefashionaccessoriesofferedbyVanya’sCreationsarenowmadewiththehelpofsomeGKtrainees,whograduatedfromtheirtraininginCebu.Page3

Mabuhay! OneofthefoundingdirectorsofGkonomicshasopenedthedoorstohernewtravelcafé andmuseum.CheckoutwhatMabuhayRestophastooffer.Page3

Gkonomics SILYA chairs were introduced at an auction event last year. The elegantly designed furniture is taking the development of GK enterprises to a whole new level, and now it’s available to you...

What do you get when you combine Gkonomics social enterprises and 5 renowned designers from all over the world? You get the very first initiative in the Gkonomics Design Series and a new frontier in social enterprise development.

In October 2012, Gkonomics introduced SILYA, its line of iconic chairs contributed by top designers Joey Yupangco, Ivy & Cynthia Almario, Tobias Guggenheimer, Ed Calma and Milo Naval. The designers volunteered their talent and experience to create a furniture collection that uses sustainable materials, promotes the Filipino identity and is easily reproduced by GK communities.

How to Order

If you’re in the market for a distinctive, state-of the-art chairs and would like to make a s ignif icant social impact , contact info@gkonomics.com to place an order or find more information on the chairs.

Helping end poverty in the Philippines has never been so stylish, and comfy. So order today!

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T H E G K O N O M I S T

Over 500 hand carved fish are used in the sculpture, which is an abstract depiction of the parable of Jesus and the fishermen. It is a representation of the hardship, strength, and unity of a community that lost everything. Photos courtesy Ayala Museum

Social enterprises often start from very adverse circumstances. Out of the wreckage following extreme typhoons in Quezon Province, arose a rehabilitation initiative that offered hope to the people of GK Smart Amazing Village.

In November of 2004, the Province was hit by violent typhoons that caused massive landslides leaving hundreds dead and thousands more homeless. The devastation to the farming and fishing community is still felt today. Gawad Kalinga, together with Smart Communications, committed to help rebuild the community by making creative use of what resources nature’s wrath had left them with.

Narra, mahogany and other premium quality wood debris from illegally logged forests inundated the town and wiped out every farm and fishing ground. The townsfolk turned the wood into charcoal to be sold at ₱60/sack. Smart and GK intervened and facilitated workshops

with Rey Paz Contreras, a renowned artist who journeyed long and far to be able to teach fishermen to become sculptors. BANGLOS (short for the Filipino words bangonkilos, or rise and act) was born, but it will take several more years of workshops and practice, as well as support from GKonomics/Smart for the community to produce the works that

frequently exhibit in galleries and museums.

Now, the sculptors of Banglos and their incredible story of survival has inspired a new installation at Ayala Museum in Manila. Dr. Rick Bennett, an Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales College of Fine Arts in Sydney, chose Banglos as COFA’s outreach project for 2013. The sculpture, seen above, is the result of collaborative efforts between the staff at COFA and The Banglos Sculptors, which took over a year to create.

The exhibit at Ayala, which opened January 19th, also acted as a marketplace for the sculptures created by the villagers of Banglos. Their woodcarvings have been on sale at the museum, with proceeds going towards a new weatherproof workshop in GK Banglos.

The hand carved driftwood fish seen in the sculpture have created a new livelihood for

residents of Banglos GK Smart Amazing Village

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Last But Not Least What else is new at Gkonomics...

Meet Our New Interns

Vanya’s Hires GK Trainees

Mabuhay Restop in Rizal Park Open For Business

This January, we welcomed 3 new interns to the Gkonomics family! Joao Mira from Portugal, Marco te Hennepe from The Netherlands, and Benji Rothman from Canada joined Gkonomics on January 7th as our 2nd round of interns. Over the course of their internship, they will be visiting several GK villages and be working with the rest of the Gkonomics staff on current projects and enterprises. Joao and Marco will be doing work in the finance department while Benji will be working on marketing and branding. If you are interested in doing a Gkonomics internship, visit www.gkonomics.com. You could be the missing piece!

Vanya’s Creations, INC., located in Cebu City, is a leader in fashion accessories for the luxurious and modern consumer. Recently, with the help of Gkonomics training in a GK village in Cebu, Vanya’s has hired some GK trainees to manufacture her unique fashion products. Much like the SILYA chairs, the hiring of GK trainees by Vanya’s Creations is yet another example of the top quality products GK residents are able to produce. Visit www.vanyacreations.ph to view some of Vanya’s fashion accessories and learn more about her company.

Rose Cabrera, one of the founders of Gkonomics and its current Enterprise Director has a new venture on her hands. She recently opened the doors to Mabuhay Restop, an innovative travel café and museum in Rizal Park. It offers unique tours, exceptional shows, great food and nation-building in Rizal Park. Mabuhay Restop also employs residents of Gawad Kalinga communities, showcases GK village merchandise, and, on top of that, 30% of its net income goes towards GK. People have been flocking to Mabuhay Restop's Manila Vanilla!, a pop-cultural musical-comedy show by Nestor Torre and Ryan Cayabyab, which is accompanied by a sumptuous dinner buffet. To view show times or to book a tour, visit www.mabuhayrestops.com.

T H E G K O N O M I S T

GK Sunshinville at the Manila CITEM Fame The GK Sunshineville team participated in the recently concluded Preview of the Creative Environment at the Manila Fame Show held at the SMX Convention Center last March 14 to 17, 2013. Products showcased at the exhibit are bags, purses and mats for plates and glasses. The GKonomics team attended the event and helped in the marketing efforts of GK Sunshineville.

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Smart Living It was the high from the SILYA Auction that was the springboard for GKonomics designers to do more for Gawad Kalinga. After seeing the impact their contributions could create, they offered to design a “smart living” community and later decided that it could be in Sorsogon, the place where Milo Naval and his family are deeply rooted and where he will open his breathtaking resort SIAMA within the year. On 23-24 February, 6 designers, 3 GKonomics ladies, 1 ad executive, and 1 foodie trooped to Sorsogon to explore the possibilities. The Gawad Kalinga area coordinating team represented by Tito Senen arranged for us to visit several GK villages in Sorsogon, which included GK Castilla, GK Guinlajon, and GK Prieto Diaz. We were warmly welcomed by the villages, as well as treated to local delicacies of pili, camote and other local produce. The architects observed the GK structures and have ideas on how best to improve them and use more sustainable and locally available materials. Sorsogon province is lush due to its location by the Pacific Ocean; however, the weather is treacherous during the rainy season as it receives the first impact of the typhoons. The sturdy GK homes keep residents safe and unharmed during these regular occurrences. Watch out for more updates on this ambitious project!

Smart City The Next Generation During the SMART CITY THE NEXT GENERATION FOCUS ON SOUTHEAST ASIA on March 16, a talented group of architects and designers presented their solutions to the problems of urbanization, such as congestion, pollution and lack of mobility. Some of the designers present were Ed Calma, Joey Yupangco, Domonic Galagalicia, Tina Periquet, Niki Buensalido, Bong Recio, Toby Guggenheimer, Alfred Weineke, Carlos Hubilla and much more. The solutions presented are to be featured in The Smart Cities Exhibition in Berlin from May 17 to July 4, 2013, which GKonomics has been invited to be part of. This is one of the first steps towards finding a solution to end poverty.

T H E G K O N O M I S T

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GKonomics Joins the Bayani Challenge in Alaminos, Pangasinan

“We have a beautiful country, we have a wonderful people. What we are saying through the Bayani Challenge is that we will grant the wish of the poor and fulfill the dreams of every Filipino. I believe this is the real picture and story of our country. Not the violence, not the poverty, not the crises, but the solutions we are embodying today.” – Jose Mari Oquiñena (Director General, PIA) The GKonomics team headed to Alaminos, Pangasinan last March 23-27, 2013 for the Bayani Challenge 2013: Isang Bayan, Isang Bayanihan. With a total of 80,000 volunteers in 37 sites within the 33 provinces of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The massive number of participants and the multiple locations they served makes Bayani Challenge the biggest volunteer movement in the history of the Philippines. Organized by Pilipinas Natin! And Gawad Kalinga, the Bayani Challenge was held in partnership with different government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations and the CSR foundations of local and international private corporations. The activities done during the 5-day Challenge include the building of houses, painting of national road signs and markers, tree-planting and coastal clean-up, school refurbishment, medical mission activities and education sessions for children. Next year, the Bayani Challenge will be held on April 12-16, in 300 sites all over the country. 300 sites may mean more work, more output, more activities, but it also more opportunities and possibilities. See you there!

T H E G K O N O M I S T

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