00:00Now joining us via Zoom is Chastity Eunice Hedaria Mendoza, or Chase Mendoza, organizer of an upcoming year-end declutter, to tell us more about what we can expect from this initiative.
00:16Chase will discuss how the event aims to help residents declutter their homes, donate reusable items, and foster a culture of sustainability and community support.
00:25She will also share how this initiative will make a direct impact on local families and promote a more mindful, eco-conscious approach to consumption.
00:34Good evening, Chase. Charm Zespina here from PTV News Tonight. Welcome to Interface.
00:40Good evening, Charm. Thank you for having me.
00:44You're welcome. Great. I'm very excited. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the year-end declutter and donation event?
00:51What motivated you to organize it? I'm a huge fan of decluttering.
00:55Well, the inspiration really came from the values we uphold in Ethos' initiative, stewardship, purpose, and sustainability.
01:05We wanted to bring these big concepts closer to everyday life, and that means using these resources wisely, reducing waste, and making choices that protect the environment, support communities, and keep systems healthy in the long term.
01:20The decluttering thing looks simple, but it teaches people to reflect on what they own, how much they consume, and how they can share what they no longer use.
01:31This event lets people practice sustainability in a real and personal way, and that is by decluttering and donating what they don't use and helping another household directly.
01:43Okay, Chase, how do you see, well, you mentioned that it is just more than just a physical process, but what emotional and mental benefits do you think the participants will experience?
01:54Okay, so decluttering is not just removing items, it's also removing stress.
02:03When people release things that they no longer use, they often feel lighter, clearer, and more intentional.
02:11It teaches us mindful consumption.
02:13Many studies show that physical clutter affects mental load.
02:18Decluttering helps reduce stress, improves focus, and creates a calmer and more positive environment.
02:27Okay, just wondering, personally speaking, Chase, was there one specific event that led you to finally say,
02:33I want to start the Ethos' initiative, I want to start decluttering my life, my heart, and my mind?
02:38How did it all begin for you?
02:40Well, personally, it came from when I was young.
02:47It was just, it was not a big moment, right?
02:51So it was very gradual.
02:53It often stems from stewardship for me.
02:58All right.
02:59Now, speaking of the donation process, what types of items are you encouraging people to give,
03:06and how will these donations directly benefit the local community?
03:10We encourage items that are usable, functional, and in good condition.
03:17These items include clothes, small household appliances, books, educational materials, toys,
03:25anything reusable that could still support another household.
03:28These donations go straight to local families who need them.
03:33It becomes a circular system.
03:36What one home no longer uses can become a blessing to another.
03:39Okay, as we all know, it is really important to declutter, but how important is it for individuals to evaluate our consumption habits?
03:50And what role, as you mentioned, stewardship, stewardship of responsible ownership, they're all an interplay of words that mean the same thing.
03:58But how can all of this create a more sustainable community?
04:01Well, evaluating our consumption habits is essential.
04:08Every item we keep, store, or throw away has an environmental footprint.
04:13Responsible ownership for only keeping what we use and repurposing what we don't helps build a sustainable community.
04:21And when we manage our resources wisely, we support a community that meets people's needs without harming the environment or the well-being of the future generation.
04:32And I think that is really important.
04:35It becomes a place where people care for each other, reduce waste, and make choices that keep the community healthy in the long term.
04:43Okay, what are some common misconceptions about decluttering or donating?
04:50Are there any items that people should not donate to begin with?
04:55Okay, one misconception is that donating and decluttering means just give anything.
05:01If you don't like it, use it, just give anything.
05:05But donation is still an act of respect.
05:08People should avoid items that are broken, non-functional, heavily damaged, expired, or unsafe.
05:16And that includes food, personal care items, medicines, hazardous materials, and sharp objects.
05:24We want the receiving households to feel valued and not burdened.
05:29Right.
05:30I like what you said.
05:30Donation is an act of respect.
05:32So we should feel good about our donation.
05:34We should make sure that it's not just dumping garbage, you know, to get rid of it,
05:40but it's also to give joy to the next person that ends up using it.
05:44So we're very excited about the event.
05:46Please walk us through the event day.
05:48What can participants expect when they arrive at the donation stations?
05:52And we're also very curious how you can make sure that these donations are sorted
05:58and distributed properly to those who need them the most.
06:02Okay, it's a two-day event full of activities.
06:07It will happen on December 21st and 22nd of this year.
06:11So after registration, we begin with Zumbagan sa Umaga to energize everyone.
06:17Then we have opening remarks followed by postal cleanup activity.
06:22Simultaneously, we'll have an art booth with both the volunteer artists.
06:27We also have a free coffee booth and the decluttering and sorting area.
06:31We also have talks on decluttering, an afternoon festival with performances and an open mic for poetry.
06:39It's really a celebration of community and sustainability.
06:43Just talking about it makes me feel excited about the event.
06:47Okay.
06:47What kind of community involvement are you hoping to see at the event?
06:51I mean, this needs collaboration with those that are there as well.
06:55What can local businesses or organizations contribute to make it a successful event?
07:00Okay, so the event is volunteer-driven.
07:06We have a very dedicated team handling, sorting, claiming areas, and logistics.
07:11We have also coordinated with the local government unit of Agolo Union, especially for the venue, safety, and traffic flow.
07:20We also have different organizations like PILTAG, the tattoo artist group, and also CSC, and they will help with everything.
07:31So everyone has a clear role so that items are sorted properly, redistributed responsibly to the families who need them the most.
07:39Okay, this is a great initiative to make it a yearly thing.
07:46Looking ahead, how do you plan on making it an animal event or expanding it to include more aspects in the future?
07:53What's next for this initiative after this year-end declutter?
07:55Well, what's next for this?
08:10Yes, what is next for the Ethos initiative and your donation event, this Disclutter event?
08:18What are you planning to expand into after this year-end event?
08:22Okay, so we're looking at expanding it, more barangays, more families, and eventually including other causes like education, sustainability training, and community empowerment.
08:35Well, all I can say is this is just the beginning.
08:39Okay, very, very importantly, how can people take part?
08:43Where can people go?
08:44Where can all the details be found?
08:46Please invite our audience to take part in this worthwhile venture.
08:49Okay, so you can follow us on Facebook, Ethos Initiative, and you can find all the details there.
08:57Well, it would be better if everybody would be there and volunteer.
09:02We would need the help, and we would need your decluttered items as well.
09:06We look forward to seeing you.
09:08So December 21st and 22nd, right?
09:12Yes.
09:12Okay, you guys heard it, Ethos Initiative.
09:14Look for it on Facebook.
09:16Many thanks, Chase Mendoza, founder of the Ethos Initiative.
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