{"id":70804,"date":"2018-08-06T08:41:34","date_gmt":"2018-08-06T00:41:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/?p=70804"},"modified":"2024-05-10T14:25:43","modified_gmt":"2024-05-10T06:25:43","slug":"kayu-x-curma-sea-turtle-conservation-through-wooden-watches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/kayu-x-curma-sea-turtle-conservation-through-wooden-watches\/","title":{"rendered":"Kayu x CURMA: Sea Turtle Conservation Through Wooden Watches"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is now a growing awareness when it comes to locally-made products with more and more businesses popping up to cater to the many demands of consumers. When searching for Filipino brands, shoppers may be surprised to discover that the country now offers more than just locally-made clothes, shoes, and bags.<\/p>\n

\"\"Ivana and Mazari Watches (Php 2,300)\/IMAGE Kayu Facebook page<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Back then, when Filipinos wanted a watch, they usually had a few imported brands to choose from. These days though, they have local brands like Kayu<\/strong> added to the list.<\/p>\n

\"\"Kayu Ivana (Php 2,300)\/IMAGE Kayu Facebook page<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In Ivatan and Ilocano,\u00a0kayu<\/em>\u00a0translates to \u201cwood\u201d and that\u2019s exactly what the watches are made of. Its owner, Reiner Fabi, is\u00a0a designer\u00a0who was raised in Basco, Batanes. The team behind Kayu are all nature lovers and environmental advocates, which is why Kayu watches are all about bringing the wearer closer to nature.<\/p>\n

\"\"Kayu Mazari \u00a0(Php 2,300)\/IMAGE Kayu Facebook page<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Humans have a long-standing fascination\u00a0with\u00a0sea turtles. Believed to be an aphrodisiac among many other things, they are prized for their eggs, meat, skin, and shells. Sea turtles play an important part in the marine\u00a0ecosystem\u00a0as they prevent the waters from being infested with\u00a0jellyfish\u00a0since they eat jellyfish.<\/p>\n

\"\"IMAGE Carlos Tamayo<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In all, there are seven different species of sea turtles, most of which are classified as endangered. Now, conservationists are racing to prevent this from worsening.<\/p>\n

\"\"IMAGE CURMA Facebook page<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Of the seven species, five of them call the Philippines their home. Unfortunately, all five are classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species. One of the organizations working to save sea turtles is SIFCare (Science of Identity Foundation) through their project called CURMA (Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions).<\/p>\n

\"\"IMAGE Carlos Tamayo<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

In celebration of its 1st<\/sup>\u00a0year anniversary, Kayu teamed up with CURMA to produce the CURMA watch. The watch is 45 mm in diameter, made of bamboo, and has a\u00a0Pawikan<\/em>\u00a0(sea turtle) outline on its dial. It also comes with two interchangeable straps; one is\u00a0black\u00a0perlon\u00a0while the other one is an olive green NATO strap. These colors were inspired by the grayish green to\u00a0olive\u00a0color of the olive ridley sea turtle, which are common in La Union during nesting season.<\/p>\n

\"\"CURMA watch with olive green NATO Strap \u00a0(Php 2,300)\/IMAGE Reiner Fabi<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"CURMA watch with black\u00a0<\/em>perlon<\/em>\u00a0strap \u00a0(Php 2,300)\/IMAGE Reiner Fabi<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Profit from every CURMA watch bought will be given to the organization. In turn, the organization will use the money as an incentive for sea turtle poachers to turn over sea turtle eggs and sea turtles to the CURMA hatchery in San Juan, La Union.<\/p>\n

\"\"IMAGE CURMA Facebook page<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Each CURMA watch costs Php 2,300<\/strong> and can be bought at the following stores:<\/p>\n