At Geeks on a Beach, a startup makes the case for reviving the Philippine textile-garments industry — one partnership at a time

Wazzup Pilipinas?! 

Cebu, Philippines - At Geeks on a Beach 2025, Cecilia Martinez-Miranda, co-founder of Isla-Tek, joined Maria Elena “Nannette” Arbon, as well as Nicky Rice and Sylbil Marie Fortuna of Unisol in a panel discussion titled “From Dependence to Self-Reliance: Reviving the Philippine Textile-Garment Industry Through Technology and Tradition.” Together, they examined how technology, design, and collaboration could help restore a once-thriving sector that previously positioned the Philippines among the world’s leading garment producers.

A window of opportunity 

“Fifteen years ago, during my visit to weaving communities in Baguio, I discovered that many were using imported Chinese threads because the local supply chain had disappeared,” Miranda said. “That made me wonder — why did we stop producing our own textiles?” 

In the 1970s to  1980s, the Philippines was one of the world’s leading exporters of textiles and garments. However, the rise of cheap imported synthetic materials, rising local power costs and a lack of reinvestment in technology led to a significant decline in the industry. “The last commercial spinning mill closed down in 2024. We have the raw materials, but lack the infrastructure to process them,” Miranda noted.

Republic Act No. 9242, also known as the Tropical Fabrics Act of 2004, mandates that government uniforms must be made from fabrics containing at least 5% indigenous fibers. However, Moderator Nannette Arbon, a former regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), emphasized the challenges of implementing such policies, even when they are well-intentioned. 

“This policy has been in place for twenty years but has never gained traction due to a lack of local supply,” said Arbon.

Miranda added that the revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of RA 9242, released in 2023, present a unique “window of opportunity” for progress. 

Weaving collaboration across the chain

Founded just a year ago, Isla-Tek is focused on developing specialty fabrics made from Philippine tropical fibers, such as pineapple and abaca. Instead of pursuing a vertical approach, the startup emphasizes collaboration by linking each stage of the supply chain. 

“We’re not trying to do everything ourselves,” Miranda explained. “We work with partners across the supply chain, from farmers, fiber processors, mills, to designers, so that value is created at every step.”

Among Isla-Tek's partners are Asia Textile Mills, a 40-year-old mill specializing in uniform fabrics which began R&D into tropical fabric in the early 2000s, and Unisol, a technology-enabled company that serves the government uniform market. “There’s a lot of innovation happening on the supply chain side,” Miranda noted. “We’re collaborating with people who have decades of experience—knowledge and skills that we can't afford to lose.”

Sylbil Marie Fortuna, Head of Customer Success at Unisol, emphasized the vital role that technology plays in connecting supply and demand. “Unisol is the go-to provider for government uniforms, offering efficient booking and delivery,” she explained. 

“Through our website, unisol.ph, clients can select fabrics and colors, upload their logos, set delivery dates, and process payments that create a hotel-like booking experience for uniform design,” said Fortuna.

Nicky Rice, Chief of Product and Design at Unisol, highlighted the importance of using local materials that resonate with consumers. She stated, “My goal as a designer is to transform fabric into something marketable, both functional and stylish, while also considering sustainability.”

A shared effort to rebuild

Challenges remain in scaling production, but the conversation at GOAB highlighted that collaboration among agriculture, manufacturing, and design could spark a new wave of domestic textile-garments innovation. 

“Competing with countries like China or India in cotton production is difficult, but few nations can produce pineapple or abaca as we do. That’s our competitive advantage,” Miranda noted.

Startups like Isla-Tek and Unisol are partnering with legacy mills, designers, and government entities, as the industry gradually reestablishes the connections between agriculture, manufacturing, and national identity. 

Although rebuilding the textile and garment sector may take time, each collaboration and partnership moves the country closer to realizing that vision. That is why the Philippine government, as the country’s biggest procuring entity, must be the first mover in supporting the local textile ecosystem by fully implementing Republic Act No. 9242.

About Geeks on a Beach

Geeks on a Beach is the Philippines’ pioneering beachside international tech and startup conference, launched in 2013. Known for its unique blend of serious conversations in a fun, laid-back environment, GOAB has connected thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, developers, creatives, and policymakers. Over the years, GOAB has helped catalyze deals, investments, and partnerships that continue to shape the Philippine and Southeast Asian startup landscape.

This year’s GOAB was held on October 1-3, 2025, at JPark Island Resort Hotel in Mactan, Cebu. It is organized by the non-profit group geeksPH with the support of its foundational government partner, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).

The Communication Crisis That Could Cost Us the Planet

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

A groundbreaking report reveals why we're losing the fight for planetary health—and it's not because we don't know enough

Rotterdam, October 9, 2025 — The science is settled. The evidence is overwhelming. Climate change, biodiversity collapse, and environmental degradation are accelerating toward catastrophic tipping points that threaten human survival itself. So why aren't we acting with the urgency this crisis demands?

The answer, according to a explosive new report launched at the Planetary Health Annual Meeting in Rotterdam, is startling in its simplicity: We have a communication problem, not a knowledge problem.

"We know the science," declares Prof. Dr. Jemilah Mahmood, Executive Director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health. "What we lack is a shared story that resonates across communities, cultures, and decision-makers."

The Deadly Gap Between Evidence and Action

The report, Voices for Planetary Health: Leveraging AI, Media and Stakeholder Strengths for Effective Narratives to Advance Planetary Health, delivers a sobering diagnosis: while scientists have meticulously documented the interconnected crises threatening our planet, their message has become fragmented, inaccessible, and drowned out by the deafening roar of misinformation.

The result? Public discourse lags far behind scientific consensus. Trust in expertise erodes. Political will evaporates. And misinformation spreads faster than truth—a dangerous pathogen in the information ecosystem that undermines the collective action we desperately need.

This isn't just academic hand-wringing. The stakes couldn't be higher. As Dr. Rachel Marcus of the Planetary Health Alliance puts it bluntly: "The ecological crisis is a global health and human survival crisis. To safeguard a liveable future, we must come together across borders and silos."

A Crisis Told in a Thousand Fragments

One of the report's most damning findings is how fragmentation is killing our chances of survival. Climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, pollution—these aren't separate crises happening in parallel. They're interconnected facets of a single catastrophic breakdown in the relationship between human civilization and the planetary systems that sustain us.

Yet we continue to discuss them in silos. Environmental organizations talk about nature. Public health officials focus on disease. Agricultural experts worry about food security. Each group speaks its own language, uses its own data, appeals to its own audience.

"Current efforts are siloed by sector and discipline, limiting reach and effectiveness," the report warns. This fragmentation obscures a fundamental truth: protecting ecosystems is inseparable from protecting human health. They are the same thing.

From Abstract Data to Human Stories

Perhaps the most powerful insight in the report is its emphasis on lived experience. Abstract statistics about parts per million of atmospheric carbon or projected temperature increases by 2100 fail to move people. They're too distant, too technical, too divorced from everyday reality.

But stories of climate-related illness? A farmer watching crops fail for the third year running? Families forced to migrate from lands their ancestors inhabited for generations? Children losing cultural identities as traditional ways of life become impossible? These narratives make the crisis real and immediate.

"The challenge for planetary health communication is not a lack of evidence but the distance between that evidence and people's lived realities," explains Tina Purnat of the World Health Organization and European Public Health Association.

The report calls for planetary health advocates to bridge this gap—to connect the dots between global frameworks and local realities, helping communities see themselves within planetary health narratives rather than as distant observers of someone else's problem.

Youth Voices: The Untapped Power

Young people emerge in the report as both critical audience and powerful communicators. They're digital natives who understand instinctively how to craft compelling narratives for social media. They're the generation that will inherit the consequences of today's inaction. And they're increasingly angry, mobilized, and ready to demand change.

"Partnerships and co-design are imperative," insists Dr. Omnia El Omrani of Imperial College London and the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations. "Planetary health advocates must understand the experiences, knowledge and needs of young health professionals."

Supporting and amplifying youth voices, especially through digital platforms, isn't just good strategy—it's essential for transforming planetary health from an abstract concept into a movement that can mobilize the massive collective action needed for survival.

The AI Double-Edged Sword

Artificial intelligence looms over the entire landscape of planetary health communication like a storm cloud that could bring either devastating floods or life-giving rain. The report doesn't shy away from AI's darker potential: amplifying misinformation, deepening inequality, and giving powerful actors new tools to manipulate public opinion.

But it also recognizes AI's transformative potential. When used responsibly and ethically, AI can enhance accessibility, break through language barriers with real-time translation, and enable creative storytelling at scales previously impossible. The key word is "ethically"—AI must be deployed in ways that promote inclusion, build trust, and advance equity rather than undermining these values.

Two Strategies, One Movement

The report proposes a sophisticated two-pronged communication approach that recognizes different kinds of communication serve different essential functions.

Strategic communication aims to shape policy, influence decision-makers, and create enabling environments for systemic change. It's targeted, evidence-based, and designed to move the levers of power.

Democratic communication fosters open, community-level dialogue. It builds legitimacy from the ground up, ensures accountability, and creates the broad-based participation necessary for lasting change.

Far from being competing approaches, these strategies are mutually reinforcing. Top-down policy changes without grassroots support are fragile and easily reversed. Bottom-up movements without strategic policy engagement struggle to achieve structural transformation. Both are essential.

Six Principles for Survival

Underpinning all effective communication, the report identifies six guiding principles:

Equity and power-sharing — Marginalised communities most affected by planetary breakdown must actively shape the narrative, not be sidelined by elite voices

Narrative coherence — Telling planetary health as a single, integrated story rather than fragmented crises

Integration across groups and geographies — Connecting diverse stakeholders and bridging local-global divides

Sensitivity to risks — Acknowledging uncertainties and potential harms while maintaining urgency

Grounding in cultural and social context — Respecting different worldviews and values rather than imposing one-size-fits-all messaging

Awareness of ideological comfort zones — Challenging assumptions and reaching beyond echo chambers

"Applying these principles can transform planetary health from an abstract concept into a lived, actionable movement," the report argues.

From Knowledge to Action: The Path Forward

The report doesn't just diagnose the problem—it prescribes solutions. Accompanying the main analysis are nine detailed playbooks tailored for engaging specific stakeholder groups, from policymakers to business leaders to media professionals. There's also a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to help organizations assess the effectiveness of their communication efforts.

"What's missing in the current information landscape is a clear translation of planetary health risks into sector-specific business risks and value pathways," notes Prof. Pervaiz K. Ahmed of Sunway University's Institute for Global Strategy and Competitiveness. The playbooks aim to fill precisely this gap—providing clear, actionable guidance for different audiences.

Johan Rockström of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research issues a rallying cry to his fellow scientists: "We in the science community have a responsibility to communicate science. Now is the time for science to step up."

But this isn't just a challenge for scientists. As Dr. Maria Chansky of PlushCare reminds us: "Persistence is key. The goal of planetary health is for the long haul. Communications need to be repeated over and over for real impact."

A Catalyst for Change

Jayalakshmi Shreedhar of Internews, which implemented the research, frames the stakes with crystalline clarity: "Communication is not just a tool; it is a catalyst for change. By speaking with courage, coherence, and compassion, and equipping all actors to tell inclusive stories, we can turn knowledge into action and ensure no voice is left behind."

This is the fundamental promise—and challenge—of the report. We already possess the knowledge needed to understand the crisis. We have the technological tools to communicate effectively. What we need now is the will to unify our message, coordinate our diverse voices, and speak with sufficient clarity and urgency to cut through the noise.

The planetary health community must align, the report insists. Effective, consistent, inclusive communication can mobilize the collective action needed to safeguard a liveable future for all.

The Clock Is Ticking

As the delegates at PHAM 2025 in Rotterdam absorb the implications of this landmark report, one truth stands out with brutal clarity: we don't have the luxury of more time. The communication gap isn't an academic problem to be studied leisurely. It's an urgent crisis that's costing lives right now and threatening the survival of future generations.

The science tells us what we need to know. The report tells us how to communicate it. What happens next depends on whether we can finally bridge the deadly gap between evidence and action—before it's too late.

The full report "Voices for Planetary Health: Leveraging AI, Media and Stakeholder Strengths for Effective Narratives to Advance Planetary Health" along with the companion playbooks and monitoring framework is now available for download.

This research was conceptually developed by the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health (SCPH) at Sunway University, implemented by Internews, and funded by InTent.

A Turning Point in Power: How Solar and Wind Are Reshaping the World’s Energy Future

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

The dawn of a new energy era has arrived. Around the world, the hum of turbines and the silent brilliance of solar panels are rewriting the story of power — not as a far-off dream, but as a present-day revolution.

In 2025, renewable energy didn’t just grow — it transformed the global power landscape. According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Renewables 2025 Report, global renewable capacity is expected to double by 2030, adding an astonishing 4,600 gigawatts — roughly equivalent to the combined power generation of China, the European Union, and Japan. This moment marks a defining milestone in the human pursuit of sustainability: the beginning of the end for fossil fuel dominance.

Solar Ascends: The Star of the Energy Revolution

The rise of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy has been nothing short of breathtaking. It now accounts for nearly 80 percent of all new renewable capacity, making it the defining force of this decade’s energy transformation. Once seen as an expensive experiment, solar power has become the world’s cheapest and fastest-growing energy source.

The IEA report reveals that in the first half of 2025, solar energy generated a record 1,303 terawatt-hours (TWh) globally — a 31 percent increase from last year. Solar alone met 83 percent of global electricity demand growth, according to independent energy think tank Ember. That is not just progress — that is a power shift.

China remains the world’s solar superpower, installing more panels than the rest of the world combined. Yet the real story is that solar is spreading across new frontiers — in India, Saudi Arabia, and Southeast Asia — where sunlight is now being turned into sovereignty, sustainability, and survival.

The Winds of Change Continue to Blow

Wind power, though challenged by supply chain bottlenecks and rising costs, continues to soar as one of the great engines of renewable progress. The IEA projects wind capacity will nearly double by 2030, surpassing 2,000 GW globally. Offshore wind faces policy uncertainty in the United States and delays in Europe and Japan, but remains indispensable to the global transition.

Together, solar and wind met all of the world’s electricity demand growth in early 2025. For the first time in recorded history, renewables produced more electricity than coal — 5,072 TWh versus 4,896 TWh — marking a symbolic and strategic victory for the planet.

“This is the first sign of a crucial turning point,” said Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, Senior Electricity Analyst at Ember. “Solar and wind are now growing fast enough to meet the world’s appetite for electricity.”

Grid Strains, Supply Chains, and the Cost of Progress

But as the sun rises higher, so do the challenges. The IEA warns of mounting pressures in grid integration, financing, and supply chain security. Manufacturing of solar panels and rare earth elements for wind turbines remains dangerously concentrated, with over 90 percent of key production still in China.

Moreover, the surge in renewable output has created new complications: negative electricity prices, rising curtailment, and the urgent need for massive investments in grid modernization and energy storage. Power systems across continents must now evolve to manage clean yet variable energy sources — a technical and political challenge of unprecedented scale.

Global Momentum: Asia Leads, the World Follows

While China and the United States dominate the narrative, India’s renewable revolution shines brightest this year. With record auction volumes, new rooftop solar programs, and faster hydropower approvals, India is on track to become the second-largest renewable growth market in the world, comfortably meeting its 2030 goals.

In the Middle East and North Africa, a quiet but powerful transformation is underway. Saudi Arabia’s solar capacity has tripled year-on-year, driving the region’s renewable energy forecast 25 percent higher than previously expected. Across Southeast Asia, nations like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand are rapidly scaling their solar and wind portfolios through innovative auction programs and corporate power purchase agreements.

Even in Sub-Saharan Africa, long burdened by energy poverty, progress is accelerating. Solar mini-grids and hybrid systems are illuminating remote communities — a testament to how renewable energy can power both development and dignity.

Beyond Electricity: Heating, Transport, and the Future

Renewables are also expanding beyond the electricity grid. Their share in transport energy is projected to rise from 4 percent to 6 percent by 2030, driven by electric vehicles and biofuels in markets such as Brazil, Indonesia, and Canada. In heating, renewables are forecast to supply 18 percent of global demand, up from 14 percent today, supported by widespread adoption of heat pumps and industrial electrification.

However, the IEA cautions that the world is not yet on track to meet the COP28 goal of tripling global renewable capacity by 2030. Without faster policy implementation, greater investment in power grids, and streamlined permitting, global progress may fall short — reaching just 2.6 times the 2022 capacity level instead of the desired threefold expansion.

The Dawn of a Cleaner Civilization

Despite these hurdles, 2025 stands as a watershed year. Ember’s mid-year analysis confirms that fossil fuel generation fell globally for the first time, by 0.3 percent, as clean power finally outpaced demand growth.

“The fact that renewables have overtaken coal marks a historic shift,” said Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council. “But to lock in this progress, we must accelerate investment in solar, wind, and battery storage — ensuring clean, affordable, and reliable power for all.”

This is no longer an environmental aspiration; it is an economic inevitability. What began as an ecological movement has evolved into a global reordering of markets, industries, and mindsets.

From Paris to Pasig, from Nairobi to New York, the energy of the future is being written — not in smoke and soot, but in sunlight and wind.

As the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, I see this not just as a global headline, but as a personal mission. The story of renewables is more than data and forecasts — it is a story of hope, resilience, and human ingenuity. It is the story of a world rediscovering its power to choose a cleaner, fairer, and brighter tomorrow.