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WWF-Philippines celebrates 60th anniversary with 'Bid for Nature' online auction

The World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines) is celebrating the WWF network’s 60 years of action for nature and people by bringing together local artists, arts and fashion enthusiasts, and environmental advocates in an online auction for the environment.

Founded in 1961, WWF’s mission of building a future in which humans and nature thrive has stood the test of time and continues to inspire millions.  Active in nearly 100 countries and supported by over 35 million people worldwide, today WWF uses its position to advocate with others for changes needed in response to the world’s biggest challenges. Whether that is transforming global food systems or working with financial institutions to redirect financial flows away from environmentally and socially destructive practices, there is much to do.

In 1997, WWF-Philippines began working as a national organization of the WWF network, and has since been working with the government, business sector and local communities to stop and eventually reverse the accelerating degradation of Philippine environment. Major projects include rehabilitation of Ipo Watershed, addressing plastic pollution, eco-tourism initiatives to benefit communities whilst protecting whale sharks in Donsol, promotion of sustainable fisheries and food systems, renewable energy promotion and the continuing research and conservation efforts in Tubbataha Reefs, among many others.

In line with WWF’s 60th anniversary, WWF-Philippines is launching the Bid for Nature online auction – a joint initiative with Gavel & Block by Salcedo Auctions and Bid for the Future with Tatler Philippines as media partner and ComCo Southeast Asia as communications partner. The online auction aims to raise funds in support of WWF-Philippines’ local conservation efforts and to promote ‘renewing' the lifecycle of items by reselling curated paintings, prints, vintage items, and other art and fashion pieces. It will feature over 100 items for bidding from celebrities including actress Angel Locsin, pop singer Kuh Ledesma and fashion designer Rajo Laurel, as well as WWF-PH ambassadors including Enzo Pineda and Pia Wurtzbach, who hosted the launch of the Bid for Nature online auction.

WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio said, “For 60 years, WWF has been a global voice of nature. The challenges we face today require us to respond with even more urgent action and with the scale required to change the ending. The pandemic has highlighted our broken relationship with nature and makes the case for a reboot and reprioritization like nothing else. With the power of art to evoke emotion and a response, we believe that art plays a big role in raising environmental awareness and challenging current norms. We hope artists, art enthusiasts and environmental advocates can work together with us in building a resilient and sustainable future for the country.”

Joaquin Lerma, founder of Bid for the Future, shared a short message during the launch event saying, “When I started Bid for the Future almost 2 years ago, the environment had been one of my key areas of focus. Bid for the Future strives to direct the continually thriving art market's momentum into positive change. We also harness the growing influence of online platforms in effecting this, reaching out to passionate activists and individuals willing to be our bids for the future or ‘BFFs.’”

Browse the auction catalogue and register to bid at salcedoauctions.com/auction/137/bid-for-nature.

WWF-Philippines is also set to launch more initiatives to #ChangeTheEnding for the environment and help environmental frontliners and partner communities. For more information about WWF-Philippines and its conservation efforts, visit wwf.org.ph or follow WWF-Philippines on Facebook at facebook.com/WWF.Philippines.

MAIN PHOTO: WWF-Philippines Ambassador Pia Wurtzbach; Artists Kuh Ledesma, Rajo Laurel and JJ Duque; WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio; Salcedo Auctions Senior Marketing and Communications Officer Monica Fernandez; and Bid for the Future Founder Joaquin Lerma.