MANILA, JANUARY 18, 2013 – Who knew “stylish” and “ethical” will ever come together in describing a pair of sunnies?
Handcrafted bamboo sunglasses, aptly called Panda, made its way to the Philippines through Director Sid Maderazo of 88storeyFilms.
Maderazo first fell in love with a pair of Panda Monroe ethical and sustainable sunglasses from the US website. Knowing that the brand would be a hit in the Philippines, Maderazo brought the brand to the country.
The frames are handcrafted from sustainable bamboo and the lenses are made from recycled polycarbonates. “It is an ethical brand, changing the way how sunglasses should be made,” Maderazo said.
In addition to the ethically-viable sunnies, the company itself has an advocacy called t of Vision in partnership with the international charity group Tribal Outreach Medical Assistance (TOMA) Foundation.
Through the charity, a free pair of eyeglasses will be given to the needy for every Panda sunglass sold. “As of the moment, TOMA has concentrated their efforts in the poor sections of Central America, but in the future I plan to localize and bring the t of Vision program here in the Philippines,” Maderazo said.
What started out as a hobby for Maderazo and his wife became a full-blown business as the Philippine market has received the high-end brand well.
The brand is currently available online at www.wearpanda.ph and www.ava.ph. This year, the sunglasses will make its way to select retail stores and even expanding to countries in Asia.
