These Social Enterprises Enabled by Alagang AyalaLand Are Helping Uplift Local Communities

Even before the world was turned upside down in 2020, the cards had already been stacked against small businesses. Then the pandemic came along, and with it, a slew of complications that hit them especially hard. Today, many small businesses—including social enterprises that serve as lifelines for marginalized communities—continue to struggle.

Still, many intrepid social entrepreneurs choose to carry on. That's certainly true of Bogs Castro, the founder of Bukid Ni Bogs, a Zamboanga Del Sur farm that makes organic soap and provides gainful employment to women farmers in the municipality of Dumingag.

Despite the unique challenges of the time, Bukid Ni Bogs continues to sell its soaps—which are vegan, and made using regenerative practices—in big city areas like Metro Manila. As it does, it also plants trees and advocates for sustainable living.

Thankfully, Bukid Ni Bogs recently received a boost from Alagang AyalaLand, the social enterprise support program of Ayala Land, Inc. Through this program, Bukid Ni Bogs opened its second Metro Manila branch—an outlet kiosk in TriNoma Mall. "With the help of Alagang AyalaLand, we’ll be able to share our stories to a wider audience," said Castro, not forgetting the role of his customers. "We owe all of this success to our loyal patrons who continue to fuel our passion of preserving our communities and the environment."

Another social enterprise that enjoyed a boost from Alagang AyalaLand is HandKraft PH, which sells handwoven baskets, planters, and other home decor made by weavers in Bulacan and other local communities.

HandKraft co-founders Michael Santos and Michael Byron I. Quevada say that HandKraft is their reaction to the circumstances brought on by the pandemic. “We had more free time due to the work from home situation so we decided to come up with a business. We love plants and redecorating our homes so we thought of making use of baskets as planters and organizers. We are also strong supporters of advocacies so we love to help out others whenever it is possible; so we looked for a community that needed financial support and sustainability. We now produce native products made from rattan, buri, and abaca and employ 43 weavers,” says Santos.

HandKraft then sold those items in Glorietta, and eventually, with the help of Alagang AyalaLand, in TriNoma as well. The prestige of selling in malls, they say, helped motivate the craftsmen they work with. "Our weavers became more hardworking and excited because they know that their works will be made available not only in typical bazaars or tiangges, but in an Ayala Mall. The Alagang AyalaLand initiative provided us the platform to share our heritage as we help a small community," they say.

Bukid Ni Bogs and HandKraft PH are just two of the many social enterprises of Alagang AyalaLand, through which Ayala Land allocates rent-free space in its malls and estates, specifically for social enterprises. "Through our developments, primarily our malls, we want to provide social enterprises with direct access to potential customers," says Manny A. Blas, Ayala Land Vice President and head of Alagang AyalaLand Council. "Our various business units—from the estates, residential, and commercial groups—will collectively support our goal of nurturing at least 300 social enterprises in our malls and properties by December of this year."

Alagang AyalaLand also provides rent-free space to Anything Eco, a brand of sustainable bamboo straws that are handcrafted by an Aeta community in Zambales. Founder Jay Ramos is thankful to Ayala Land for helping to promote the cause of Anything Eco. "With this program, we are able to pursue our dream of changing the lives of the indigenous Aeta people for the better," he says. "Partnering with Alagang Ayala Land gave us an opportunity to reach more people and spread our advocacy, which aims to guide people towards a more sustainable lifestyle."


Also under Alagang AyalaLand's wing is the agri-enterprise Rural Rising, which holds "rescue buys" to help rural farmers manage surplus and minimize wastage. Produce from these farmers are bought in bulk, and sold to over 17,000 Rural Rising members and retail consumers in Metro Manila. While Rural Rising sells online, it also benefits from its space in Alabang Town Center, courtesy of Alagang AyalaLand. The co-founders of Rural Rising, Ace and Andie Estrada, are grateful for the opportunity given to them by Ayala Land because it allows them to continue their advocacy of helping struggling farmers.

Likewise, Alagang AyalaLand helps small businesses like The Pure Bites—a brand of clean eats and meal subscriptions. Founder Marianne Dagohoy, who loves healthy food, found an invaluable partner in Ayala Land. "This is our family's bread and butter," she says. And because Alagang AyalaLand provided them with rent-free space, they were able to stay afloat despite the pandemic. "Our workers are able to earn again after losing their livelihood. After being in a very unfortunate situation, then receiving a blessing like this, our whole team is beyond thankful for this opportunity."

Apart from providing spaces in Ayala Malls, the Alagang AyalaLand program also ensures that entrepreneurs and cooperatives are also supported across all of Ayala Land’s business units, including its estates, offices, construction, and property management groups. The program hopes to be holistic and comprehensive in its approach, showing its genuine commitment to its causes: generating livelihood through social enterprises, providing disaster relief to surrounding communities, and promoting environmental sustainability.

Visit the official Ayala Land website to learn more about Alagang AyalaLand.