19/09/2026
Cornucopia Fair Showcases Ending Food Waste and Honoring Sustainable Indigenous Cultural and Culinary Traditions
BRIGHTWOODS SCHOOL, ANGELES CITY — September 11, 2026 — The recently concluded Cornucopia: A Sustainability Fair showcased practical solutions to food waste and highlighted how sustainability is deeply rooted in Indigenous cultural and culinary traditions. Students, families, environmental advocates, NGOs, LGU representatives and guests gathered for the event, co-organized by Happy Earth Eco.
The first session, Bokashi Composting, featured a Soilmate Collective video introduction and a live demonstration of bokashi composting. Bokashi, meaning “fermented organic matter” in Japanese, uses an inoculant to ferment kitchen scraps—including fruit and vegetable waste, meat and dairy—in a special bucket. Diverting food scraps from landfills helps reduce waste and methane emissions.
The second session, “Kahampatan: Sustainability through the Cultural and Culinary Lens of Indigenous Peoples,” featured culture bearer Ms. Mariel Capuno (descendant from both Ayta Mag-Antsi and Ayta Mag-Indi) talked about their traditions that emphasize living in harmony with the land and protecting resources for future generations.
Chef Laorence Castillo, co-founder of Gulay Na, presented results from their food mapping project in Indigenous communities in Zambales and Aurora. He emphasized the importance of documenting and protecting local food traditions, native plants and biodiversity, while also examining threats such as solar farms, flooding and potential industrial development, including AI data centers.
Participants then joined a cooking demonstration featuring the local root crop gabi, used to prepare putung babi, a traditional Kapampangan open-faced sandwich snack.
Guests included Vice Mayor Amos Rivera, representing Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II; Ms. Isaacris Jane David-Alipio of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office; and Ms. Erlin Due of ARAW-ACI.
Closing ceremonies featured local artist Amita, performing her original song “Mother We Share” alongside Talie, an animation created by Holy Angel University animation graduating students for Save the Trees Coalition.
Earlier, Brightwoods senior high students held their Business Start-up and Trade Exposition, presenting products and gathering customer feedback. Women-led social enterprise Ambisyosa Bakeshop and Bale Sinukuan, sister organization of Alaya Women’s Center, also joined, featuring a fast-fashion exhibit and upcycled products.
Photo Credits: Brightwoods School
