The Boat That Could Change the Story of Plastic Waste

By Zedrik Avecilla, Managing Director, Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation

May 15, 2026

For many years, the Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation has been committed to protecting our oceans and promoting sustainability in Subic Bay.

Faith Pagulayan presenting the latest updates on the Tidy Up the Tides Cleanup Program, a continuing initiative of the Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation in partnership with Muovere Veloce Consultancy Inc.

Through coastal cleanups, environmental education, responsible tourism initiatives, marine conservation programs, and partnerships with local communities, we have seen both the incredible beauty of our marine environment and the growing challenges it faces.

A beach cleanup activity at the Lighthouse Marina Resort using the power of AI through the Plastizen App developed by UP Marine Institute in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology.

One of those challenges is plastic pollution.

Whether washed ashore during cleanups, trapped in rivers, or carried by currents into the open sea, plastic waste has become one of the defining environmental issues of our time.

Yet every challenge also presents an opportunity. If we are willing to rethink how we design, use, recover, and repurpose materials, waste can become part of the solution rather than the problem.

During the Subic Bay Regatta last April 8, 2026, one of our partners, Evergreen Labs, showcased a boat made from 250kgs of post-consumer recycled plastic sachets.

At the same time, we believe that some of the most powerful solutions come from reconnecting with our identity as a maritime nation.

It was with this perspective that I recently visited the Balangay Florentino Das, the sixth and largest Balangay built by renowned explorer and expedition leader Art Valdez.

According to Sir Art, the vessel was preparing to return to the water after spending more than two months in drydock for repairs and fiberglass reinforcement to protect the wooden structure from deterioration.

With wood becoming scarce, fiberglass shields the balangay from rot and stress. Florentino Das on drydock for more than two months at the MMDA floor control station along the banks of the Pasig River.

Florentino Das is unique among the Balangay fleet. It is the only motorized Balangay and the only one reinforced with fiberglass. While firmly rooted in tradition, it also demonstrates how heritage must sometimes adapt to survive.

Standing beside the vessel, I found myself reflecting on a reality that extends far beyond boatbuilding.

Our maritime heritage is facing modern challenges.

Quality wood is becoming increasingly difficult to source. Traditional materials are becoming more expensive and less accessible. At the same time, our country continues to struggle with the growing volume of plastic waste entering our communities, waterways, and oceans.

Looking at the boat, I found myself asking:

What if the next chapter of Filipino boatbuilding could also help solve one of our greatest environmental challenges?

During the Subic Bay Regatta welcome party last year, Mr. Valdez announced the goal of making a Balangay made out of recycled plastics.

Last year, Sir Art brought the Balangay to Subic Bay not only to celebrate our maritime heritage but also to spark conversations about sustainability and the future we want to build.

During that visit, we shared a dream.

To someday build a Balangay made from recycled plastic waste.

At first, the idea sounds impossible.

But perhaps that is exactly why it matters.

Throughout history, Filipinos have adapted to changing conditions. Our ancestors crossed vast stretches of ocean using ingenuity, courage, and a deep understanding of the natural world. Today, we face a different challenge, one that requires that same spirit of innovation.

Meet Kenya’s Flipflopi Project—a stunning 9-meter Swahili dhow built from 10 tonnes of recycled plastics and beach-combed flip-flops. It has already sailed thousands of kilometers to prove that plastic waste can be transformed into high-value cultural heritage.

A Balangay made from recycled plastic would be more than a boat.

It would be a symbol of transformation.

A demonstration that waste can become something valuable.

A platform for education and awareness.

A way to connect maritime heritage with circular economy solutions.

And a reminder that innovation does not have to come at the expense of tradition. In fact, it can help preserve and strengthen it.

Imagine a vessel built from materials that might otherwise have polluted our rivers and coastlines. Imagine it sailing from community to community, sharing stories about responsible consumption, waste segregation, recycling, and ocean stewardship. Imagine young Filipinos seeing firsthand that environmental challenges can inspire creativity, collaboration, and hope.

For the Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation, this vision reflects a belief that sustainability is not only about protecting nature. It is about empowering people to become part of the solution. It is about building bridges between culture, community, innovation, and environmental responsibility.

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One day, a Balangay made from recycled plastic may sail across Philippine waters.

Not as a symbol of waste.

But as a symbol of what is possible when we combine the wisdom of our past with the innovations of the future.

The same spirit that once carried our ancestors across the seas may yet help guide us toward a cleaner, more sustainable Philippines.

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Interested in supporting initiatives that promote maritime heritage, environmental stewardship, and circular economy solutions? The Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation welcomes partnerships with communities, schools, government agencies, businesses, and sustainability advocates who share this vision for a cleaner and more resilient Philippines.