Weaving together love and bamboo

The Dumaguete Bamboo Pavilion, a 16.5-meter-tall masterpiece designed and built by Kawayan Design Studio and operated by Henry Hotel, currently holds the record as the tallest bamboo structure in the Philippines. (Hilti Foundation)

What began as a shared vision to make a difference has blossomed into a thriving, love-fueled construction supply business—and it all started with romance.

Kawayan Collective transforms treated bamboo into a durable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional construction materials like cement and steel. Their commitment to sustainability and promoting local resources has earned them a 2024 Newsmaker of the Year award from the Manila Bulletin.

But long before this sustainable business took root, two dreamers fell in love, put their life skills to the test, and discovered how their journey could inspire other couples to start businesses together.

Where it all began

Social entrepreneur Amy Villanueva and architect Ray Villanueva combined their talents to build not just a life together, but a thriving business.

Every successful business starts with a solid foundation, and sometimes, with the union of two distinct professions. Amy Villanueva, a social entrepreneur, shared with the Manila Bulletin how she met her life partner, Ray Villanueva, who eventually became her business partner. Their shared love of sports sparked their journey together.

“We’re celebrating our 14th anniversary this year. It’s almost 18 years total since we met,” she said. “We were playing on a co-ed soccer team. Just a shared love of soccer, a chance to get out and get some exercise. Ray at the time was still in grad school finishing his architecture degree, and I was working.”

Along the way, their bond grew beyond the soccer field. They discovered a shared desire to use their careers to make a difference. Amy, the entrepreneur, initially envisioned starting a business, a dream she shared with Ray as their family grew to include two children.

“This is what I want to do,” she recalled. “And at the time, we had two young kids, and I really wanted to do this as a family. Because otherwise, I’m going to miss everybody. I’m going to be busy all day working for somebody else, right? And then come home and I’ll be exhausted and have no energy left.”

Ray supported Amy’s proposal but with one crucial request: “He had known for at least 10 years that his desire as an architect was to work with bamboo, specifically in the Philippines, where his ancestral roots are, and just be able to connect his culture with his profession,” Amy explained.

Kawayan Collective's bamboo poles are ISO 19624 compliant, guaranteeing superior quality and performance in every construction project. They meet rigorous standards for maturity, moisture content, strength, and pest resistance.

Balancing life and work

Some advise against mixing family and business. But when your spouse is also your business co-founder, how do you separate the two?

Starting a small company with a loved one can be challenging, with work conversations easily spilling over into family time. While balancing company responsibilities and family duties can seem daunting, the Philippines has a rich tradition of family-owned businesses. Amy saw the advantages, recognizing that running the business allowed her to spend more time with her loved ones.

“I recognize that it is not for every married couple, but I do feel so fortunate that my partner in life is also my business partner, and that we complement each other’s skill sets,” she said. Open communication has been key, she added.

Their distinct professions allow them to work harmoniously. Amy emphasized the importance of working in different, yet interconnected, fields.

“We definitely have job descriptions of who’s doing what, helping us separate and have our independent pieces to work on alongside the constant shared responsibilities,” she said.

She likened the experience to parenting, where she and Ray are not only raising their children but also sharing the responsibility of running Kawayan Collective.

“At the core of it, because it’s something we care so much about, it is similar to the choice to raise kids together, the choice to start this business together,” Amy added.

Building more homes

While many co-founded businesses gravitate toward food and beverage or hospitality, Amy and Ray chose a more sustainable path.

The Dumaguete Bamboo Pavilion wouldn't be possible without the amazing team.

Since its inception, Kawayan Collective has treated nearly 100,000 bamboo poles for construction, contributing to prominent projects like the Philippines' largest bamboo structure, the Dumaguete Bamboo Pavilion at the Henry Hotel, which stands at approximately 16.5 meters (nearly 55 feet).

But beyond achieving local recognition, Amy and Ray believe their most significant accomplishment is helping families settle into newer, more resilient homes. Their own home serves as a testament to this.

“This is the bamboo home we live in,” Amy shared. “Before we could sell to anyone else, we had to test it ourselves, see how it performed. One month after moving in, we were hit with a huge storm. Trees were falling outside, and roofs were flying off our neighbors’ houses… But inside our house, it was calm and dry, even with the rain and everything going on outside. It was a sanctuary.”

Inspired by the resilience of their own home, Ray saw an opportunity to help others affected by severe tropical weather.

“So that’s when we came up with the starter home kit,” Amy explained. “It’s 14.5 square meters. It’s really just a basic building block, but it’s easily expanded. The starting price is ₱150,000. And that already is a house that will survive the next typhoon. It’s well-designed, tied into the foundation, and will be your safe room.”

“It was exciting to get that project going and to get the attention of great organizations. We also partnered with the diocese and were able to help with rebuilding. Since then, we’ve built 20 starter home kits, all throughout Negros Oriental. We’ve also provided expansion kits, helping people add on to the house.”
 

Families have moved into the starter homes, and Amy cited a retired couple who expanded their home using Kawayan Collective’s kit.

Who knew that bamboo—renowned for its ability to withstand nature’s toughest pressures—could become a key driver of a successful business? This vision was brought to life through Amy and Ray’s passion for sustainability.

Their combined efforts not only showcase the quality of Kawayan Collective’s products but also prove that working together as a couple can lead to success.