The show premiered last May 5.
Junior Communication students at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) are proving that reality television can be both highly entertaining and environmentally impactful.
Through their student-led production house, M&M Studios, the cohort has launched a brand-new reality lifestyle show titled Make and Mend!
Produced as the second major television project for their CA3288: TV Production course under the guidance of Asst. Prof. Faye Martel Abugan, the show brilliantly merges campus media with pressing environmental advocacy.
At its core, Make and Mend! is driven by a commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Operating under the creative theme “Peak Hours: What It Takes to Get There,” the reality competition challenges three aspiring designers to create the ultimate eco-friendly ensemble.
To win, the competitors must push their creative boundaries by relying strictly on secondhand materials and sustainable design practices.
The three-part series takes viewers on a compelling journey from raw concept to the catwalk.
During the first episode, audiences get an close-up look at the three desingers, diving into their unique artistic backgrounds, personal aesthetics, and creative blueprints for the sustainability challenge.
The competition intensifies on the second episode as the designers embark on a thrift-shopping expedition to source their base materials. During this crucial phase, they also sit down with industry fashion experts to refine and elevate their concepts.
In the final episode, the designers completely reconstruct their thrifted garments into high-fashion masterpieces. With the series concluding with a runway showcase, where a panel of judges evaluates the final looks and crowns the Most Iconic Ukay Royalty
Creating a full-fledged, three-part reality show is a massive undertaking, especially for full-time university students.
The diverse crew at M&M Studios had to expertly juggle conflicting academic schedules alongside the rigors of television production.
However, guided by their studio motto, “Creativity is better when mixed,” the team turned these logistical hurdles into a collaborative advantage.
By harnessing teamwork and creative problem-solving, they successfully steered the project from its initial storyboard to the final cut.
Through Make and Mend!, these UST students are showcasing the true power of campus media: to go beyond mere entertainment and use the lens of fashion to inspire tangible, positive change for the environment.
Editor’s note: The article above is a press release from M&M Studios. Trendrod is an official media partner for Make And Mend! under Trendrod Info’s Campus Work initiative.