ECI Global-Sustainability Internships: Philippine Cross-Culture Design

Submitted by Roxanne Toronto on Wed, 2007-10-03 17:05
rurungan weavers
Monday, October 29, 2007 - 4:00pm - 5:00pm

In the Spring of 2007, ECI Lecturer and PLA Coordinator, Sheila Hall and Associate Professor, Sam Carter, traveled to the Philippines to establish two internships supported by ECI for Industrial Design students Raneen Nosh and Jeff Werner. The three-month internship was divided into two separate projects. The first project was with the Rurungan sa Tubod Foundation in Puerto Princesa on the Island of Palawan. The Rurungan Foundation creates an alternative livelihood for women in the more poverty-stricken rural areas of Palawan. They teaching weaving skills using pineapple bark transforming it to Pina-fiber shown on the "haute courtier" runways of Paris. Raneen and Jeff created a website for the women of the Rurungan to market their work internationally, www.rurungan.org.

The second part of the internship took place in Baguio, in the mountainous area of the Cordillera in Northern Philippines. Jeff and Raneen worked with Narda and Wilson Capuyan in the construction of Winaca, a cultural village being established for the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of the Cordillera people. The students collaborated with local architects and builders researching the history of bamboo, working toward the creation of sustainable shelters for the future.

This summer, Sheila Hall was successful in accruing two AUCC grants to continue the work in both Puerto and Baguio. Three students are currently in the Philippines. Russel Pistun (Communication Design) was chosen to intern in Puerto through the Mayor's office, to research and develop product branding, packaging and marketing. Alex Suvajac and Jon Ighario, (Industrial Design) are in Baguio continuing the project of the Winaca Cultural Village and supporting sustainable housing and product development.

These internships involve sustainable issues establishing ECI as a leader in placing students in global learning situations.

Be sure to attend the upcoming presentation, October 29, 2007 at 4pm in the Lecture Theatre, 301.