In 2015, Bewilder started working with global media platform, VOX POPULI in The Philippines. In response to mounting pressure, as one of the top five ocean polluters, VOPO Expeditions were formed as a means to increase awareness and generate income locally, through regenerative initiatives that address environmental challenges. Previously in 2016, team members Charlotte Rose Mellis and Jesika Ellul developed a sustainable design program. This would form the basis of Bewilders remote, experiential eco-incubator training suite. In collaboration with communities of the Palawan islands and Tao Philippines ecotourism, a series of eco-enterprise workshops were facilitated with women and girls - as part of a sailing voyage through paradise.

The following year, Bewilder returned to The Philippines in partnership with Philippine Reef & Rainforest Conservation Foundation and Danjugan Sanctuary for the first official VOPO Impact Adventure. Charlotte designed and delivered an intersectional challenge-solving methodology, that took 8 local staff and scholars, alongside 8 international participants through a signature Brainmelt experience. Through this process of cross cultural mediation, the diverse groups were able to disseminate the underlying cause of our challenge: Rogue Plastic, while defining unique approaches to alleviating its symptoms.

Dave Albao, Executive Director Philippines Reef & Rainforest Conservation Foundation asked the question,

‍

"Can we redesign the sari-sari store to be free of single-use plastic? How can we sell consumer goods with the same “tingi-tingi” volumes available, with the same price points, but without the sachets?"

‍

The Danjugan Sanctuary team utilised this opportunity to conceive the preliminary idea of the Wala Usik "zero-waste" dispensary store model, as a socio-economic strategy beyond the scope of awareness initiative, SWEEP (Sea Waste Eradication Program). The local, Negros island solution obtained USAID funding to implement the Wala Usik franchise concept, with 9 female sari-sari store owners trained and supported to successfully transition away from single-use plastic products.

Bewilder returned with VOX POPULI media and a global crew of explorers to sail an inter-island voyage to Danjugan Sanctuary - to celebrate the launch of our local friends in Bulata's Wala Usik store. Watch VOPO Philippines, Earth Voyage 2019!

‍