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about LOKAL
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Our ethos has always been to work with the community.
In 2017, our vision was to create a snackbar tucked away in a quiet village away from the touristic area of Siargao —a place where a visitor could feel the laidback island culture and at the same immerse themselves in the community
Our goal was to create food that felt like home while locally sourcing at least 80% of the ingredients.
It was only when we began to source ingredients did we realize that the majority of the produce sold in the market was not grown by the local farmers. We learned that 97% of produce was imported to the island.
Our goal was to create food that felt like home while locally sourcing at least 80% of the ingredients.
It was only when we began to source ingredients did we realize that the majority of the produce sold in the market was not grown by the local farmers. We learned that 97% of produce was imported to the island.
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“buyers and sellers couldn't easily connect because there was no marketplace.”
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As we got to know the community better, we realized there was a problem: buyers and sellers couldn't easily connect because there was no marketplace.
After their morning harvest, the farmers would “suroy suroy” around the town to sell their produce hoping that they’d find a customer to buy their produce.
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so, we built the Lokal Tabo—our very first community project.
Eventually, to address the gap of the misconnect between the farmers and the market, we built the Lokal Tabo, our very first community project.
We converted an old ancestral house in Burgos to become a zero waste marketplace for farmers and artisans & at the same time use the space as a community hub.
We converted an old ancestral house in Burgos to become a zero waste marketplace for farmers and artisans & at the same time use the space as a community hub.
lokal lab was born as an ngo in 2019.
As we listened to the stories of the local community members and shared our own, we couldn't help but be inspired by them. It became clear to us that with the right tools at their disposal, we would be able to co-create solutions towards a self-sustainable island.
After 2 years of running community projects, we realized we had to formalize as an NGO to get more grants and funding thus LOKAL LAB was born in 2019.
After 2 years of running community projects, we realized we had to formalize as an NGO to get more grants and funding thus LOKAL LAB was born in 2019.
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our vision is a self-sustainable island crafted by an empowered community.
Our mission is to serve as a platform for the local community to explore their potentials by…
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we envision that in a few years time, our NGO disappears as we are able to successfully hand off all the projects to the community.
our pillars
social development
Capacitate local communities on nature-based and climate adaptive knowledge, methods and practices.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Advocate for regenerative design and approaches with stakeholders for sustainable development and livelihoods in Siargao.
sustainability
Co-creating nature-based solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges of Siargao.
culture
Promote localized knowledge and practices as a catalyst of systemic change in favor of island communities.
MEET THE team
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OG Founder, Executive Director
Mark Pintucan
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OG Founder, Farm Consultant
Analyn Dulpina
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Co-Founder, Public Relations Director
Kara Rosas
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OG Founder, Social Enterprise Director
Iris Aroa
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Board of Trustees Member
Nicole CuUnjieng-Aboitiz
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Board of Trustees Member
Gloria Paredes
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Board of Trustees Member
Vina Concepcion
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Board of Trustees Member
Sam Wilson
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Tropical Academy Manager
Ciara Venezia
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Community Building Program Manager
Robeen John Gerodiaz
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Project Manager for Grants and Internal Initiatives
Kate Louise Ariate
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Finance Associate
Mary Joy Dua
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Administrative Assistant
Erika Jean Sulapas
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Lokal Experience Manager
Mika Fellner
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Marketing & Communications Manager
Ella Alvarez
Ihayas Farm Assistant
Adelaido Nogaliza Jr
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Composting Coordinator
Arbien Domagtoy
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Community Liaison/Farmnet Coordinator and Artisans Coordinator
Jolina Mecate
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Lokal Tabo Market General Luna Coordinator
Jay Ann Camingue
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Farmer, Ihayas Farm
Christopher A Romano Jr.
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Ihayas Farm Lead
Ronnabelle Vertudazo
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Maintenance Team Member, Tropical Academy
Rosalyn Tormento
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Tropical Academy Coordinator
Jann Bryan Lubino
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Community Coordinator
Jelyn Sulapas
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Lokal Snackbar Burgos Team Leader
Margarita Salvacion
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Farmer, Ihayas Farm
Lucy Luspe
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Maintenance Team Member, Tropical Academy
Jampol Arlan
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Tropical Academy Cook
Helen Clavis Vertudazo
Latest Program
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