08/06/2026
WOMEN BEYOND THE MARGINS | No environmental action, however small, leads to waste. Championing an all-women reuse business since 2019, Laarnie Cancio tells a story of re-shaping the ‘tingi’ culture through starting from small-scale community efforts and mini pop-ups to what Maginhawa street knows today as the Back to Basics Ecostore in Quezon City.
In testing the market for their ecostore, the ‘Amazona’ team (as the founders fondly call themselves - for the strength they endured in carrying five-gallon containers whenever they set up their booths in various offices, mostly NGOs) often hosted reuse and refill networking parties to boost community participation and engagement. Shortly after racking up pre-orders and deliveries amid the pandemic, these people-led initiatives helped them sustain their momentum as they formally opened their physical store in 2022.
Despite the challenges in consumerism or with large plastic and waste producers, the ‘BtB Amazonas’ hard work, dedication, and passion to advocate for a sustainable and mindful consumption proves strength beyond carrying heavy refill tools and containers. It's a strength that impacts and ripples towards communities through a woman’s natural ability to care and love, for her environment and for her people.
