SU alumnus bags sustainability leadership award

Mac Edsel Florendo accepts his Sustainability Leadership Award at a formal ceremony at the Changemaker 2040. (Photo grabbed from Sustainable PH’s Facebook account)

Silliman University (SU) College of Mass Communication alumnus Mac Edsel Florendo received the 2023 Sustainability Leadership Award in the category of Non-profit Sustainable Development Leadership at a ceremony organized by Sustainable PH, in collaboration with Union Bank and JCI Quezon City Capitol, at the Changemaker 2040, Parañaque on November 18, 2023.

The founder of Food Rescue Philippines and Food Rescue Supervisor of Scholars of Sustenance (SOS) Philippines, Florendo was recognized for his exceptional work advancing sustainability and tackling pressing problems like poverty and food waste.

Florendo’s passion for environmental advocacy and sustainable development was stoked during his time with the Cuernos de Negros Mountaineers Club at SU. His experience with the club would set the stage for a journey of environmental advocacy.

In 2015, Florendo was a recipient of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, which allowed him to study environmental issues at the East-West Center Hawaii. There he discovered Boulder Food Rescue in Colorado, which gave him the idea to introduce food rescue to the Philippines. He then founded Food Rescue Philippines, which was initially known as Food Rescue ASEAN.

In 2023, Florendo took on the role of Food Rescue Supervisor at SOS Philippines, an organization well-known for its efforts in rescuing surplus food and distributing it to those in need. With this post, he is able to further his influence and reaffirm his commitment to reducing food waste and hunger globally.

The Sustainability Leadership Awards honor emerging Filipino leaders under 40 who have made a substantial contribution toward creating a more sustainable and equitable future.

Florendo graduated from SU, cum laude, in 2016.