Two community projects anchored on the same passion for civic engagement and people empowerment.
The projects – “Locks of Love” and “Eko-Ukay” – were launched by Lasallian students Thea Kerl Gealon and Eunice Yra, respectively, in compliance with their Senior Project requirements under the A. B. Communication program.
Locks of Love
• THEA KERL GEALON
A community coming together to support cancer warriors facing hair loss during cancer treatments.
This has been the vision I had while planning for my senior project, “Locks of Love,” an initiative that aims to empower cancer patients with confidence. Prior to this, I’ve been doing hair donation drives since 2020 as a birthday project by collecting hair donations through meet-ups and now adopted it into my Senior Project.
***
The goal was to collect hair donations to benefit the cancer patients experiencing hair loss due to cancer treatments by providing them with free, natural-looking wigs. “Locks of Love” is the first advocacy in Bacolod that focuses on hair donation drives, as most organizations are from Metro Manila, making it harder for hair donors and cancer warriors alike to donate hair and avail free wigs.
Last April 25, I conducted the “Strand Up! Haircutting Event” – a free haircut event for hair donors that was held at Ayala Malls Capital Central. I partnered with Cradle Massage and Wellness Living, and with their hairstylists, we were able to cater to 21 hair donors and gathered a total of 33 donated hairs. The event served as my culmination for all the activity done by Locks of Love.
***
Earlier, on April 11, I conducted an immersion called “Experiential Sharing: Connecting Hair Donors and Cancer Warriors” held at the Riverside Bacolod Cancer Care Center. The mini event bridged the gap between the hair donors and cancer warriors through sharing their experiences and for hair donors to fully understand the purpose of hair donations and their role in the lives of cancer patients.
We were joined by Gigi Campos and Dr. Connie Rose Benjamin as guest speakers, having both undergone hair loss during their cancer journey. Attendees were the hair donors of the project and ladies who donated their hair at least once in the past.
On April 21, I conducted another mini event aimed to raise awareness on cancer called “Educational Talk: Cancer Prevention, Detection, and Early Treatment” led by medical oncologist Dr. Raye Abella-Gevile. The talk was held at the University of St. La Salle and aimed to educate Lasallian faculty and students and emphasize the importance of recognizing early signs and symptoms of cancer.
Dr. Abella-Gavile focused on breast, lung, cervical, and colon cancer, highlighting common warning signs and available screening methods.
On April 26 and 27, I launched a hair donation marathon, and I was also able to partner with Eko-Ukay, a fellow senior project advocacy, to hold a drop-off station during their Panublion Pop Up Markets at the Shophouse Heritage. There were a total of six drop-offs during the pop up.
It has been heartwarming to realize the satisfaction hair donors feel after becoming part of my campaign. “I’m overjoyed,” said Psychology student Belle Herbolario, “I’ve waited years for this opportunity, and finally being able to tick off an item from my bucket list makes me really happy.”
***
I express my gratitude to lawyer Joevel Bartolome, a Communication department mentor, who agreed to be the consultant for this project; to my official partner, Ugyon Cancer Support Group Bacolod; my Senior Project instructor, Hannah Papasin-Mariveles; and USLS Communication Department Chair Agnes Lira-Jundos.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks also to the hair donors, future volunteers, and most of all, cancer warriors.
Locks of Love was built because of you. To everyone who supported me from the beginning of this project until the end of it, my heartfelt appreciation.
As I close this chapter of my journey with Locks of Love, I am reminded that the strength of a community lies in its willingness to come together for a greater cause. This initiative has shown that even the simplest gestures, like donating hair, can create ripples of hope.
May this be just the beginning of many more forms of kindness as we continue to stand united for our cancer warriors, today and always.
Eco-Ukay
It’s gaining ground as part of a cultural movement – the Senior project of Lasallian Communication program student, Mary Eunice Elizabeth Yra.
The project, dubbed “Eko-Ukay,” has revived discussions on sustainable fashion and the vibrant weaving culture of Negros Occidental.
Grounded in advocacy and innovation, Eko-Ukay embarked on a mission: to minimize textile waste by upcycling second-hand clothing, honor the artistry of local weavers, and motivate the youth to reconsider their perception and appreciation of fashion. What ensued was a month-long series of events that wove together narratives of sustainability and social impact.
She tapped the assistance of Jeremiah Gazo, an artist and fashion designer, as project consultant.
***
A focal point of her initiative were the “Paghan-ay Talks and Creative Workshops” held at the Bagani Community Center at 6th-Lacson Streets in Bacolod City on April 12 and 26.
Young people from different schools and organizations came together to explore the importance of sustainability in fashion, fashion design and upcycling, as well as storytelling through fashion. These gatherings transformed into interactive sessions where attendees imagined and crafted their designs using second-hand clothing and handwoven textiles.
“Fashion reflects our values and the choices we make every day,” Eunice said in an interview. “With Eko-Ukay, I wanted to show that sustainable fashion is also about reconnecting with our culture and building a community that’s more aware of its impact.”
To enhance participants’ comprehension of local craftsmanship, a cultural immersion took place with the weavers from OISCA Bago Training Center. Participants witnessed the weaving process in person, engaged with the weavers, and gained insight into the cultural and environmental importance of local fabric.
“It revolved around connecting with the individuals who sustain ou culture, the local weavers,” Eunice said. “It provided our participants with a greater appreciation and insight into the fabrics they were working with,” she added.
***
To aid the project’s events, Eko-Ukay initiated the Panublion Pop-Up Market on April 26-27 with another run set on June 12-15 at The Shophouse Heritage at Barra Extension.
The night market featured local brands and artisanal crafts, fostering an environment where people shopped with purpose and supported small businesses. Funds generated from the market are used for project activities, ensuring the project’s long-term objectives. Yra said.
Another popular event was the Grand Swap Party, which set a local record as the biggest clothing swap in the Visayas, attracting at least 50 participants.
Held on April 27, also at The Little Shops of The Shophouse Heritage, the gathering united individuals for clothing exchange in a celebratory atmosphere and encouraged a more sustainable approach to fashion consumption. The event emphasized the significance of wearing second-hand clothing to decrease textile waste while also prolonging the lifespan of garments and reducing the environmental effects of fast fashion.
“It was wonderful to witness individuals excited about swapping their pre-loved clothes without spending money or negatively impacting the environment,” Yra said. “We had attendees of every age, from parents to older adults, which made me realize that fashion is really for everyone.”
***
The culminating event, Habilin: The Eko-Ukay Fashion Show, was held on May 3, also at The Shophouse Heritage, where workshop participants proudly displayed their completed upcycled creations. Models strutted down the runway in outfits that blended handcrafted textiles with contemporary street style, all with their own unique stories.
Yra stated: “I aimed for the fashion show to serve as a significant highlight to the project.” She added, “It was the participants’ big night after all their efforts and hardwork, and I wish for Habilin to remain a lasting testament to what we created together.”
***
An interactive exhibit is planned on May 13-15 at the University of St. La Salle College of Arts and Sciences Lobby to expound on the conversation and showcase the project’s reach. It will feature the Eko-Ukay participants’ works, handcrafted goods from the OISCA Bago Training Center, and a timeline that shows every event that took place during the project.
Eko-Ukay, the project proponent said, encourages people to think carefully about fashion and its impact on the environment and society.
As it progresses, it emphasizes how fashion can be a legacy we can be proud to share with others and a powerful tool for change. “When we choose to care for our clothing, where it’s made and who made them, we are already shaping a better and sustainable future,” she said. ||
