In a rapidly evolving world, simply displaying attractive, fashionable, and functional products is no longer enough.
culture proudly stands among the thoughtful advocates of more sustainable, meaningfully made, and locally sourced merchandise, championing the cause of green living. With a loyal customer following and many branches across the country, Kultura has made its mission to build a greener Philippines.
ivy Yep, President of Culture, promotes, “As retailers, we have the power to influence customer purchasing decisions through our product offerings, pricing strategies, and promotions—from product displays to discounts and programs. in loyalty. Leveraging this influence for good, Kultura helps consumers adopt greener lifestyles by providing a variety of products made from natural materials that are biodegradable, upcycled, or repurposed, all while locally sourced.
Today, the Culture store is full of “Green Quests,” which makes it easier for customers to embrace and lead a sustainable lifestyle. These products are thoughtfully curated to align with Kultura’s commitment to fostering a greener and more environmentally conscious society.
Platform with a Purpose
Kultura, an affiliate of SM Retail, plays an important role in promoting Green Finds – products that are sustainably sourced and support local communities.
Through Culture, SM has become a platform for the growth of MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Businesses). Especially, Millie Monday and grains are two Filipino retail brands that have benefited from their engagement with Kultura and are very grateful for the way that Kultura acted as an effective incubator for their respective businesses.
Mariel Ching on Millie Monday Shares the inspiring story of how this division of their printing company Primex was named after their mother and how it specializes in combining art and printing technology to create related products and accessories of paper that can be used for the house. The brand was born during the pandemic when regular printing jobs were reduced, and the family sought to diversify their outputs while keeping their staff and machines occupied.
Thanks to Kultura’s support, Millie Lunes expanded its product lines to include non-paper items. They even receive many orders and direct purchases from foreign countries such as Singapore and Tokyo, thanks to their collaboration with established artists. The brand credits Kultura for creating awareness and goodwill, which has greatly contributed to their success.
The sustainability aspect is of utmost importance for Millie Lunes, as they use sustainably sourced paper, soy-based ink, and have even acquired a Heidelberg offset machine with the provision of planting trees in Africa. The brand proudly holds the distinction of being the only Asian printer to receive the Green Leaf Award from Kodak in 2019, and they faithfully avoid printing on non-biodegradable materials such as tarp.
Similarly, Haspe, which translates to “wood grain” in Spanish/Filipino, featuring unique wood-based products and accessories designed and created by Arch. Eric Gonzales, a native of Baliwag, Bulacan. Haspe’s signature products include “Songka” and chess boards made of mahogany wood and solihiya (rataan weaving).
For Haspe, Kultura is very valuable in terms of brand awareness, as they do not have a Metro Manila showroom. The brand started with traditional pieces of furniture in 2016 but was inspired in 2019 to create small pieces from surplus wood. Eric has expanded his designs to include rattan, bone inlay, and other locally sourced materials, all sustainably farmed in Mindanao. Sustainability comes naturally to Haspe, as they upcycle leftover materials (“retasos”) to make their products, preventing waste and contributing to Baliwag, the pride of Bulacan.
Both Millie Monday and Haspe run their businesses with a strong commitment to sustainability, considering it their responsibility as entrepreneurs to be more environmentally conscious.
Although they have been associated with Kultura for less than a year, they honor their engagement as a god and are happy to be associated with Green Finds under the umbrella of Kultura.
SM is pleased to drive education, awareness, and marketing efforts to promote sustainability and environmental awareness. By educating customers about the importance of sustainability and providing easy access to thoughtfully crafted products, SM aims to inspire changes in consumer behavior and encourage more eco-friendly practices in the retail industry. Ultimately, this joint effort will contribute to a more sustainable and greener future for the country. The role of Kultura as a platform for MSMEs and promoter of sustainable products reinforces this commitment and promotes a positive impact on the environment and community.
