CICCADA

Sayaw ng Butanding at ni Mayon

As an environmental storyteller who champions the ocean, it felt personal for me to design a shoe inspired by two Bicol icons, the Butanding and Mayon volcano, holding both a scientific and personal story.

From a scientific perspective, whale sharks don’t regularly visit the Albay Gulf. They are more commonly found in Donsol, Sorsogon. But on rare occasions, a whale shark is seen exploring the gulf’s waters. And that means something. Whale sharks are indicators of ecological richness, of life. Their presence is a quiet sign that the gulf is still alive, still hopeful.

On a personal level, as a young journalist who has volunteered in efforts to rehabilitate parts of the Albay Gulf, I’ve witnessed how complex its reality is. The reefs continue to battle pollution and ecological imbalance. Since 2018, I’ve worked alongside marine biologists and a small office called Integrated Coastal Resources Management (ICRM) Legazpi to help restore these areas. So when whale sharks appear, even briefly, it feels like reassurance that our efforts matter.

On a deeper level, I see myself in the Butanding. I am from Sorsogon, where whale sharks are often found, but I grew up in Albay, home to Mayon. As a young creative navigating the waters of life, I am the Butanding. Moving gently through both challenges and opportunities, carrying a galaxy-like pattern on my back, where I choose to see myself as one of the stars.

And still, I find myself revolving around Mayon, a constant presence, a reminder that life is a long climb. It is full of challenges, but we keep moving, we keep shining, WE KEEP SWIMMING 🐋

As the National Footwear Design Competition 2026 and International Footwear Design Competition 2026 ended with 'Sayaw ng Butanding at ni Mayon' being:

-3rd Place - Ladies Boot Category, IFDC 2026 at Guangzhou, China
-Top 2 Best in Storytelling, NFDC 2026
-Finalist in IFDC 2026
-Finalist in NFDC 2026

We conclude this design journey with deep gratitude to everyone who helped make this shoe come to life. This win would not have been possible without all your support.

MARAMING SALAMAT!