Hope Comes to Muzon: New Classrooms for Brighter Futures

Every Filipino child deserves a space where they can learn, grow, and dream without limits. Yet for millions of students nationwide, the reality is far from this ideal. With a classroom shortage that runs in the hundreds of thousands, many children are forced into overcrowded rooms, shifting schedules, or even makeshift learning spaces.

But in Muzon Elementary School in Alitagtag, Batangas, hope has taken a concrete form—two brand-new classrooms that will now serve as safe and nurturing spaces for young learners.

On August 15, 2025, HOPE, the Philippines’ first certified B Corp and a pioneer in impact-driven initiatives, together with beloved lifestyle brand Sunnies Studios, officially turned over these new classrooms to the school community.

A Partnership for Change

This milestone is more than just a construction project—it’s the beginning of a promise. The classrooms at Muzon mark the first step in Sunnies’ pledge to fund 10 classrooms through HOPE’s flagship Generation HOPE campaign, a movement dedicated to closing the education gap by uniting purpose-driven organizations.

Reflecting on this milestone, HOPE Founder Nanette Medved-Po shared:

“I really thought we should approach the most beloved brands in the country and say we want to do something bigger, and we want to do it together. To inspire the nation to nation-build for education, we have to do it with the support of brands and businesses in the country. We are deeply grateful to Sunnies for partnering with us on this important mission.” 

More Than Four Walls

For the children of Muzon, the classrooms mean more than new desks and fresh walls. They represent a safe space where ideas can flourish, friendships can form, and futures can be built.

“Every classroom we build represents more than just four walls, it’s a place for learning, dreaming, and transformation. Sunnies’ commitment of 10 classrooms will create ripple effects that reach far beyond the students inside them,” said Selena Ortiga, Business Development Manager of HOPE.

This is the power of a classroom—it doesn’t just serve today’s students, it becomes a stepping stone for future generations.

When Style Meets Substance

For Sunnies Studios, this partnership is deeply aligned with their values. Known as one of the country’s most beloved lifestyle brands, Sunnies has long believed that business can be a force for good.

“We’ve always believed that style and substance can go hand in hand,” said Bea Soriano-Dee, Co-Founder and Head of Product Development at Sunnies Studios. “Partnering with HOPE allows us to make a meaningful contribution where it’s needed most. Education is something we deeply value, and we’re proud to help provide learning spaces that empower the next generation.”

A Ripple Effect for the Nation

Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara praised the initiative, calling it “something truly game-changing, made possible with the support of the Philippines’ private sector. Partnerships like these show how the private sector can help shape the future of our students.”

From eyewear to sustainable product design, and now to building classrooms, Sunnies is proving that businesses can create lasting impact when they choose purpose alongside profit. Just this June, the brand launched the Sunnies Studios X HOPE Clean Lens, with proceeds going toward classroom construction—showing that even everyday choices can drive meaningful change.

A Future Built Together

With 10 classrooms pledged by Sunnies, and over 144 already built by HOPE across the country, each new school building becomes a symbol of what’s possible when communities, brands, and organizations work hand in hand.

For the students of Muzon Elementary, stepping into their new classrooms means stepping into a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow. And for the nation, it’s a reminder that when we come together, we can turn challenges into opportunities—one classroom, one child, one dream at a time.

To date, HOPE has built over 144 classrooms across the country, starting with every bottle of water sold, and now expanding through co-branded products and purpose-led partnerships.

For more information about Generation HOPE, please visit https://www.generationhope.ph/ or follow HOPE on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/generationhope.ph or m@generationhope.ph on Instagram for more updates.

Sunnies Studios celebrate 1st year anniversary in style!

When Sunnies Studios hit Manila last year of October,  I was one of the thousands who lined up to their store located at SM Moa.  It was named Sunnies by Charlie then. The sunnies are well-loved because of its hip vintage style, quality, design and not to mention its affordable price range from P299 to P799. There are aviator, wide-rimmed, oversize shades, teashades, anything that you looked for in sunnies. It is comparable to a high-end designer cool eyewear without the hefty price. There is a Jane Birkin-inspired design and Paul Newman's too. Their sunnies has cute sounding names. I owned around 3 which I alternate with my designer sunglasses.

The Sunnies by Charlie is now officially Sunnies Studios owned by the well-known entrepreneurs/fashionistas Georgina Wilson,  Martine Cajucom, Bea Soriano and Eric Dee Jr. One couple, two cousins—all friends—they came together in 2013.

Sunnies Studios recently celebrate their 1st year anniversary last October 19, in style at Forbes Park, the festive party has the impressive guestlist of the movers and shakers of the fashion industry. The grand celebration started at 3:00 pm with endless uploads of photos from the social media Instagram (which has a 125,000 followers) Twitter and Facebook, the last time I checked Sunnies Instagram account,  pictures were still coming  until 12:00 am of  the following day.

 No wonder its office is teeming with mood boards, Polaroid snaps, and wall after wall of inspos paying homage to staff’s Pantone obsessions and lust for mid century furniture, holiday hotspots, teenage daydreams, drive-in typography and girl crushes ad nauseam.

This predilection for effortless cool is the ongoing romance that keeps the sparks flying, but what seals the deal is Sunnies Studios’ no-holds-barred take on expansion. This year, it opened 25 stations
nationwide and grew its manpower to  more than 150 employees. It also sells in Zalora, Avon, and all Cebu Pacific flights.

Expect launches in Iloilo, Boracay, and Clark by the end of 2014 to match its unprecedented social media presence, backed by 125, 000 followers on Instagram alone. With the numbers adding up, the inevitable name-change happened.

Sunnies Studios wants to communicate the brand’s growth as a retail space and lifestyle concept from an apparel spin-off to an umbrella label that houses unisex sunglasses and SPECS.

Offering a range of styles from cat eye glasses to mirrored aviators, the eyewear rookie stays true to its signature blend of Cali cool and jet set insouciance.


Photographer Emman Montalvan best captures this spirit of wild abandon in Sunnies Studios’ recent road trip campaign that sees its endorser, Georgina, on a road trip across the west coast from Joshua Tree to Silver Lake. Along the way, she and Martine stumbled upon desert art installations, slept at motels, loitered illegally around trailers, and outwitted Beverly Hills security.

In line with that adventure, Sunnies Studios also launched its first men’s line in collaboration with Borgy Manotoc. The collection redefines contemporary classic styles for men from all walks of life. Shot in a warehouse by Nicco Santos, the hijinks ensue alongside vintage cars, water tanks, and samurai swords.

As Sunnies Studios turns one, it is moving to a bigger HQ replete with pink marble flooring, personalized art, astro turf, and a horde of succulents. It is also revamping its official website fully groomed to appease everyday cravings for new Sunnies products and content. Stay tuned.