Last June (2025), the BioChamps 3.0 youth camp was held in Southern Palawan, a meaningful initiative that brought together Indigenous youth from the Tagbanua and Palaw’an communities to celebrate their heritage, deepen their connection with their ancestral lands, and strengthen their role as stewards of the forest.

As part of the project, I co-created the visual identity and camp materials in collaboration with the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA) network in Palawan, which includes the SILG* Program of Forest Foundation Philippines, NTFP-EP Philippines, IDEAS, and ELAC, under an initiative we called Project AMPLYFIED: Awareness Merchandise Production Aimed for Limitless Youths: Forest Conservation Information and Education Camp Kits.

The designs, from the BioChamps Palawan logo to the camp kit illustrations, were all inspired by endemic flora and fauna, local dances and rituals, food, crafts, and valuable insights shared during a co-design Zoom session and consultations with the youth.

A screenshot from our co-design workshop and consultation Zoom session with the Palawan indigenous youth. 

We produced Camp Kits containing t-shirts, tote bags, tumblers, stickers, and other functional items that could serve as daily reminders of their advocacy. Seeing the participants wear the finished items against the backdrop of Palawan’s forest landscapes was a full-circle moment. A visual celebration of the land and the young people working to protect it.

We hope these materials will continue to remind the youth of their important roles in preserving Palawan’s forests and heritage. Truly grateful to have been part of a project that amplifies Indigenous youth voices while championing both biodiversity and culture.

Team photo from our first in-person inception meeting in early 2025. 🙂

*Thanks so much to Forest Foundation Philippines’ SILG (Sustainable Program team for this meaningful project. <3

• John Mark Ayap
• Nelissa Maria Rocas
• Rosemarie Joy Quetula

* Download a copy of the #ProjectAMPLYFIEDPh Publication for more info on our project.

* Download the free desktop wallpaper.

* Social media project documentation:
1. Introduction to the AMPLYFIEDPh Project
2. Our Youth Are Culture Bearers
3. Protecting Biodiversity = Protecting Our Identity,Traditions, and Culture
4. From Design to Delivery
5. Behind the Scenes Reel
6. Camp Complete! BioChamps Palawan, From Vision to Reality

*On-site activity photos are courtesy of Forest Foundation Philippines

* I post most frequently on Instagram, so for a sneak peek at the latest projects (that might take a while to land here), feel free to follow along there! 😉

Local homeware brand Casa Juan MNL commissioned me to create the Filipino Food trinket dish collection, featuring recipes by Chef Reggie Aspiras. Building on our past collaborations (such as the “Bulaklak” and “Ibon” plate collections), Ms. Michelle Fontelera once again entrusted me with complete creative freedom to illustrate the elements in my signature style.

This collection showcases traditional Filipino dishes, including Pinakbet, Sinigang, Adobo, and Lechon. Pancit Bihon was also initially designed, but unfortunately it didn’t make the final cut.

*The Pancit Bihon design (above) did not make it to the final collection.

* I post most frequently on Instagram, so for a sneak peek at the latest projects (that might take a while to land here), feel free to follow along there! 😉

Local homeware brand Casa Juan MNL commissioned me to illustrate and design the “Ibon” collection. As with our previous project (see “Bulaklak” collection), Casa Juan’s Ms. Michelle Fontelera gave me total freedom to come up with a list of Philippine endemic birds to showcase. Because of how well their colors work well together in a set, I ended up choosing the Cinnamon Ibon (Hypocryptadius cinnamomeus), Red-eared Parrotfinch (Erythrura coloria), Blue-headed Fantail (Rhipidura cyaniceps), Palawan Flowerpecker (Prionochilus plateni).

For a natural and accurate depiction, I consulted bird expert Ms. Trinket Constantino of ADMU’s Department of Biology and member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines regarding Philippine native trees that the featured birds normally perch on. She identified some and provided me with a short list which I then chose from and made artistic interpretations of alongside their “partner” bird species. (Please check out her and Ms. Abby Favis’ wonderful campus biodiversity documentation project, The Ateneo Wild!)

The collection is available in sets consisting of salad plates featuring the four bird-and-tree pairings, and a dinner plate decked with elements of the native trees.

* I post most frequently on Instagram, so for a sneak peek at the latest projects (that might take a while to land here), feel free to follow along there! 😉

#ForestLandscapesPh is a collaborative initiative with Forest Foundation Philippines that began in 2021. Building on our earlier campaigns that centered on native trees and wildlife, we wanted to grow the love even further, this time by spotlighting the country’s most important forest landscapes.

These beautiful places are vital ecosystems that so many communities depend on for food, livelihoods, cultural pride, and protection from the effects of climate change. From the storm-shielding Sierra Madre mountains (Luzon’s backbone!), to Bukidnon’s lush farming fields, Leyte’s carbon-rich peatlands, and Palawan’s sanctuary for unique species, each region has its own special story that shows how forests are tightly woven into our lives.

To showcase these connections, we designed a set of notebooks, one for each landscape, with covers featuring a special site, an endemic bird, and a native plant. We also made bird pins so that people can wear and take a piece of the landscapes in their day-to-day.

In 2023, contnuing our collaboration, we created illustrated forest maps of the four key landscapes: Sierra Madre, Mindanao, Palawan, and Samar & Leyte. The maps highlight protected areas, indigenous communities, local industries and produce, ecotourism spots, and native biodiversity to show all the different ways these regions help keep our forests healthy and self-sustaining.

The advocacy items aim to help support genuine conservation work and keep the stories of our forests alive for generations to come. A percentage of profits generated from the sale of all items were donated to the Foundation’s partner NGOs in the landscapes. (You can see how much we were able to raise and contribute here.)

Huge thanks to the amazing FFP Project Management Team for guiding and supporting me every step of the way. <3

• Diane Estephanie Bagui
• Schenley Anne Belmonte,
• Eric Buduan
• Atty. Jose Andres Canivel
• Ana Veronica Gabriel
• Xyla Mercedita Gualberto
• Marjorie Pamplona

* TMxCBA Collab photos are courtesy of Team Manila Graphic Design Studio

* I post most frequently on Instagram, so for a sneak peek at the latest projects (that might take a while to land here), feel free to follow along there!