Healing Horizons: Ascott Philippines Extends Its Culture of Care to the Environment with Marikina River CleanUp Drive

The Ascott Limited Philippines strengthened its commitment to being an active member of the community by launching a cleanup and awareness project aimed at rehabilitating the Marikina River, in partnership with the Marikina River Parks Authority.

The initiative, called “Healing Horizons: River of Life,” gathered volunteers from the trusted global hospitality company at Marikina River Esplanade on October 10. Around 60 participants took part in the meaningful activity, helping clean up Marikinia River Park’s pathways, rails, rip-rap areas, and river proper. Among the volunteers were Ascott Limited Philippines’ Cluster General Managers Cecille Teodoro and Rennan John Reyes, property managers, property leaders, and Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma.

The “Healing Horizons” project aligns with Ascott’s global sustainability programme, Ascott CARES, which stands for its five fundamental pillars: Community, Alliance, Respect, Environment, and Supply Chain. Ascott CARES extends the company’s culture of care and hospitality to the people and environments it interacts with through its business and across its supply chain.

As a testament to its efforts, Ascott has received Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)-Committed status. The company lives up to the billing by forging strong alliances with partners who share the same cause. For the “Healing Horizons” project, Ascott Philippines joined hands with Marikina River Parks Authority, an organization dedicated to the rehabilitation and preservation of the sprawling 220-hectare urban park system along an 11-kilometre stretch of the Marikina River.

Aside from mobilizing volunteers for the cleanup drive, Ascott also pledged to donate all cleaning equipment used during the event to the Marikina River Park Authority, supporting its long-term maintenance of river banks and parks in the area. The donations included brooms, dustpans, garbage bags, and rubber boots, among others.

Moreover, the event marked the launch of Ascott x Gouache bags, developed in partnership with the local social enterprise known for making sustainable artisan products. The collaboration centred on an upcycling project that transformed discarded hotel linens into limited-edition bags.

Aside from the clean-up drive in Marikina, Ascott Philippines’ “River of Life” initiative also reached other parts of the country. On September 20, Citadines Cebu City and lyf Cebu City, in partnership with the provincial Department of Environment and Natural Resources, teamed up with passionate volunteers who walked toward the Kinalumsan River in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City. The event signified how marching together can spark a meaningful movement for the environment.

Meanwhile, on September 29, Citadines Amigo Iloilo held its own version of the event, featuring a mangrove restoration activity in support of environmental conservation and community engagement in the province. In partnership with the local government and the Leganes Integrated Katunggan Ecopark, the hotel’s associates, guests, and members of Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) programme, gathered at the ecopark to plant 100 bungalon mangrove sprouts along the coastal area where the Jalaur and Tigum rivers meet the sea. The initiative highlights Citadines Amigo Iloilo’s commitment to sustainability and its ongoing efforts to give back to the community by helping restore the natural mangrove ecosystem that protects shorelines, supports biodiversity, and nurtures marine life.

Lastly, Ascott Philippines’ River of Life project was also held at the City of Smiles through Citadines Bacolod City. Mounted on October 10 at Barangay Sum-ag, the Bacolod leg of the national initiative saw a team-up between volunteers and Citazens, or Citadines employees, spearheaded by General Manager Caleb Han. The team collected an estimated 400 kilograms of waste, preventing it from being directly funnelled into the sea, which could have endangered marine life, while showcasing the importance of collective action. The initiative also stands as a testament to how festive spirit can be channeled into meaningful impact, where every act of care becomes a ripple in the greater tide of sustainability and community connection.

In the spirit of goodwill, Ascott Philippines’ “Healing Horizons: River of Life” project also proved to be the perfect opportunity for the official donation handover to one of its partner beneficiaries. On behalf of the CapitaLand Hope Foundation, The Ascott Limited Philippines’ executive committee handed over a check donation worth P2 million to SOS Children’s Village Philippines, a non-government organization that provides long-term, family-like care to children who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care. Established in 1967, SOS Children’s Village Philippines operates several communities across the country.

According to Ascott Philippines Limited Country Sustainability Co-Champion and Citadines Roces Quezon City General Manager Faith Quijano, the River of Life initiative demonstrates the group’s commitment to supporting social and environmental issues.

“Ascott CARES is a genuine effort to promote the company’s culture of care and hospitality beyond our guests and extend it for the whole world, especially those in need,” Quijano says. “Aside from the River of Life project, Ascott also works to support food security, environment protection, reduction of food waste, biodiversity protection, and other important causes.”