Shell Pilipinas Corporation has joined forces with the SoFA Design Institute and the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST–PTRI) to help young designers transform discarded textiles into functional, socially relevant products.
The formal partnerships will strengthen Shell’s Balik-Likha initiative by combining the resources and expertise of industry, academe and government in promoting circular design and responsible material reuse.
Under the agreements, SoFA Design Institute will guide the participation and development of fashion and interior design students. DOST–PTRI, meanwhile, will provide technical services, specialized training and access to textile research and innovation.
Shell Pilipinas will support program activities, learning sessions and industry immersions designed to help students turn creative concepts into practical applications.
The partnerships were unveiled during a signing ceremony that also introduced the SoFA student finalists competing in Balik-Likha 2026.
Now in its third year, Balik-Likha is a design advocacy program under Shell’s Likas-Kaya campaign. It challenges aspiring designers to give used clothing a second life by converting it into functional fashion pieces and interior products.
Beyond sustainability, the students’ creations are expected to address real-world concerns, including disaster preparedness, mental health and Filipino values.
“By bringing together creative talent, scientific expertise and practical industry support, we can help young designers develop ideas that encourage textile reuse and create value for people and communities,” said Serge Bernal, vice president for corporate relations at Shell Pilipinas.
The initiative responds to the growing environmental cost of the global textile industry. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, fashion and textiles generate an estimated 2 percent to 8 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions. Around 92 million tonnes of textile waste are also produced annually, alongside concerns over water consumption, chemical use and microplastic pollution.
Through Balik-Likha, students can apply creativity, technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to discarded materials that might otherwise end up in landfills.
SoFA students have participated in the program since 2024. The newly formalized partnerships are expected to expand their access to technical training, research resources and hands-on exposure to circular-design practices.
The collaboration also builds on Shell’s support for the Anthill Circularity Hub in Payatas, Quezon City, which promotes material reuse while creating community-based livelihood opportunities.
By connecting students, researchers, communities and industry partners, Balik-Likha aims to show that old textiles are not merely waste. In the hands of a new generation of designers, they can become useful products—and fresh solutions to pressing social and environmental challenges.
