Illac Angelo Diaz notes that almost 800 million people live in what he calls “energy poverty”—which is to say that they have no access to electricity. The solution, he says, “should be macro-scale as well as bottom-up,” Diaz says. His own response is Liter of Light: a global grassroots movement that uses inexpensive, readily available materials (like upcycled plastic bottles) to provide solar-powered, electricity-free lighting to communities around the world.

Inspired by the successful and impactful Ice ALS Bucket Challenge, Illac Angelo Diaz and the Liter of Light movement launched the Light It Forward challenge in 2020. It generated significant commemorative celebrations here and abroad, has been participated in by over 5,000 celebrities, organisations and distinguished personalities from five different countries as of date, and has lighted countless homes across the globe. The Light it Forward Campaign, in turn, received the Asia Pacific Social Innovation and Partnership Award (APSIPA) for empowering people, businesses and social service groups to join hands in building solar lamps for depressed communities at the height of the pandemic and quarantine restrictions.

Also in 2020, Liter of Light’s inspiration film about climate change premiered at the Expo 2020 Dubai. And in 2022, Diaz was recognised as one of Conrad Manila’s Champions of Sustainability for his contribution to society and the environment.