Why is Championing a Circular Economy Important? We Hear From Bea Valdes and Smart Infinity

May 04, 2022

Cover Bea Valdes (fourth from left) with (from left) Melvin Nubla, FVP and Head of Go To Market (GTM) and Subscriber Base Management at Smart; Ruth Coloma, AVP & Center Head for Smart Infinity GTM and Subscriber Management; Sofie Borromeo-Alvarez, AVP and Brand Head for Smart Infinity; Noel C. Lorenzana, PLDT-Smart Chief Commercial Advisor; Carlo Delantar, Lead for Circulo; Richard Mathew Dimagiba, VP and Department Head for Smart Postpaid; and Lloyd Manaloto, FVP and Head of Corporate Marketing and Strategy for Smart at the launch of TV documentary series Infinite Legacies. (Photo: Courtesy of Smart Infinity)

In the pilot episode of Smart Infinity’s docuseries, Infinite Legacies, Bea Valdes amplifies the dialogue on sustainability and circular economy

As Smart Communications Inc.’s luxury postpaid brand, Smart Infinity, continues to empower today’s Changemakers to create lasting change and impact through its recently launched TV documentary series in partnership with Cignal TV, there was indeed no better guest to grace its pilot episode than the inspiring Bea Valdes.

“I’ve always had this impulse to make or create something,” mused the world-renowned designer, sharing that her love of the arts had blossomed since her time in school. It was at home, however, where her passion for design and Filipino handicraft truly flourished. She recounts seeing her grandmother’s 14-seater mantel made of piña, intricately embroidered by a group of women for months on end. Enthralled by the story and craftsmanship behind it, Valdes forged on with a quest to create and advocate for slow, sustainable design in all of her creations since.

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In the Infinite Legacies episode, Valdes asserted that she is not in the business of speed, but instead aspires to craft modern heirlooms with durability and long-term emotional value in mind. “In our craft, we try to expose these ideals of slow fashion, making things that are durable and have long-term engaging values. It’s this concept of things that are not thrown away—things that are heirlooms and are passed down from generation to generation.”

See also: Her World: Bea Valdes

Above Bea Valdes graces the first episode of Smart Infinity's docuseries, Infinite Legacies (Photo: Courtesy of Smart Infinity)

Valdes finds much of her values aligned with Circulo, a Manila-based design and strategy studio committed to promoting a circular economy: a model wherein most of the material things we consume are recycled or reused instead of thrown out and disposed of. This is in contrast to the linear economy that runs through the majority of the world, wherein the supplier takes, creates, and disposes, while the consumer buys, uses, and disposes as well.

“The goal is to bend the line to make it circular,” said Carlo Delantar of Circulo. “The founding principles of a circular economy are: designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. We need to work with stakeholders of respective industries in order to apply these.”

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With the fashion industry’s undeniable impact on the planet, it is through visionaries like Valdes and her awe-inspiring creations that the importance of sustainability in the industry is put to the fore. “The legacy that we would like to leave is really about this conversation on craft and on slow design. We believe that the things that you make reflect the things that you value. It’s imperative that this work of hands continue because they really speak to a greater humanity,” she shared.

Valdes added, “I think some of the things that we are really looking forward to is Smart Infinity sponsoring some of the talks we are doing with Circulo to begin the conversation on the circular economy in the lens of fashion.”

Through Infinite Legacies, Smart Infinity makes it easy to learn more about what different communities can do to participate, what it means to focus on materials, how to apply the circular economy principles to their supply chain, and how to collaborate with other like-minded individuals—each granting us the tools to become changemakers, too.

The next episodes of Infinite Legacies feature Len Cabili, Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez, and Kenneth Cobonque each championing their advocacies.

For more information on Smart Infinity’s offers and for updates on future Infinite Legacies episodes, visit the Smart Infinity website and follow them on Instagram.

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Why is Championing a Circular Economy Important? We Hear From Bea Valdes and Smart Infinity