The turning point came during one particularly introspective moment at home. As she dealt with her period, Jocom’s research into textiles crossed paths with her frustration over the single-use plastics in menstrual pads.

“I remember one day when I got my period, I thought, ‘Why aren’t pads made out of regenerative textiles like those used in the fashion industry?’” she recalls. “Through my research, I learned that non-woven fabrics, often used in hygiene products, could potentially incorporate sustainable materials.”

Her curiosity deepened when she discovered similar innovations emerging in other parts of the region, like in India. “India is very similar to the Philippines in terms of agriculture and their population, there are a lot of women as well,” she says.

“I saw that there are actually menstrual hygiene products that use bamboo and banana there.”

She realised there was untapped potential to bring this concept to her home country, and so, the seeds of Halia were sown.

Turning her idea into reality proved to be a daunting task. In mid-2020, Jocom began her quest to create biodegradable pads, but she faced one major challenge: she had no background in product development or manufacturing. “All I had was an idea and the knowledge that plastic waste is a massive problem,” she shares.

For months, she immersed herself in online research, reaching out to manufacturers, scientists and even innovators overseas. Cold emails and phone calls became her daily routine. She explored manufacturing practices not just in India, but also in Europe, where regenerative textiles were already being tested in various industries. Unfortunately, many of these technologies were not yet commercially viable for menstrual hygiene products.

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Back in the Philippines, Jocom approached research and development departments and local universities, seeking collaborations to adapt these materials for her vision. “It was nerve-wracking,” she admits. “I’m not a scientist, so I had to teach myself enough about material properties to have meaningful discussions with experts. Google was my best friend at that point.” 

The process was slow, frustrating and full of setbacks. Jocom often found herself lying awake at night, unable to rest until her vision took shape. But through sheer persistence, she managed to build connections with researchers and suppliers who believed in her mission. 

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Growing up in Manila and attending an all-girls school, Jocom witnessed firsthand the hushed and often stigmatised conversations surrounding menstruation. 

While many of her classmates discreetly tucked pads into their pockets or hid them in the folds of their skirts, the culture of silence didn’t always dominate. “In an all-girls school, you start off hiding your pads, making it as discreet as possible,” Jocom recalls, “but eventually, that fades because everyone’s going through the same thing.”

Read more: Harnessing the power of your period

Jocom quickly discovered that starting a sustainable menstrual product brand in the Philippines wasn’t as simple as having a great idea.

In a society where menstruation is often shrouded in silence, even broaching the topic of periods with her family required courage even after spending most of her early life in an all-girls school. “I remember pitching the idea to my dad and feeling awkward,” she admits, laughing at the memory. Her dad, though initially puzzled, soon became one of her dedicated supporters. 

Through Halia, Jocom hopes to transform these personal and shared challenges into opportunities for change. By creating sustainable menstrual products and championing open dialogue, she is determined to ensure that the next generation doesn’t have to deal with periods in silence.

Read more: Front & Female Asks: Are menstrual and menopause leave policies a good thing?

Jocom’s entrepreneurial quest wasn’t a solo effort. Her parents played an instrumental role in Halia’s early development. With over a decade of experience in the importing business, they helped her navigate the complexities of distribution. “We had existing relationships with buyers and retail accounts,” Jocom explains. “We introduced Halia and that’s how it started.” Halia was officially born and distributed to markets. 

Her mom, Kim Bigornia, doubles as Halia’s COO and the creative force behind their innovative bladder liners, designed for superior absorption and leak protection for bladder issues or incontinence. 

“I’m very grateful for my parents, I don't think Halia would be in there without them, so I give them credit that it wasn’t just me,” she shares.

Halia’s name is derived from the goddess of moonlight of Bicolano mythology, her grandfather’s province located south of Luzon. The lunar cycle, a poetic parallel to the menstrual cycle, inspired Jocom, who wanted the brand to reflect Filipino heritage while promoting global innovation.

From the outset, she was determined to set Halia apart. Unlike traditional pads, which take centuries to decompose, Halia’s products boast 86 per cent biodegradability—a figure she is keen to improve. 

The brand combines renewable materials like bamboo with rigorous performance testing to ensure that its pads are as effective as their less eco-friendly counterparts.

Through partnerships with non-governmental organisations and women’s health spaces like Kindred, Jocom aims for the brand to break taboos surrounding menstruation and provide accessible information about sustainable options.

“The goal is really to manufacture and use renewable materials from the Philippines,” she says. “Our long-term goal is to impact as many women as possible—not just through our products, but by fostering conversations about what’s good for their bodies and the planet.”

Read more: Why do we need to push for more safe spaces? Women’s health clinic co-founder Jessica de Mesa speaks up

Halia’s products are industrially compostable, certified under European standard EN 13432, a gold benchmark in biodegradability. The bamboo used in Halia’s pads is equally thoughtful, sourced exclusively from forests that are certified by EcoCert and Forest Stewardship Council, guaranteeing it’s sourced from responsibly managed lands that balance environmental, social and economic considerations.

Jocom’s vision also extends to supporting global environmental causes through Halia’s membership in 1% for the Planet, where 1% of the company’s sales are donated to initiatives dedicated to preserving and protecting natural ecosystems.

Read more: How Asia’s leading sustainability think tanks are pushing eco-friendly progress

Looking ahead, she sees Halia as a catalyst for change—not just in the menstrual product industry, but in how society approaches sustainability as a whole. She dreams of expanding Halia’s product line, incorporating more renewable materials sourced from the Philippines, and making sustainable living accessible to all women.

For now, though, she is focused on perfecting her core product and scaling its impact. As competitors emerge, she views their presence as proof that the demand for sustainable menstrual solutions is growing. “The market is big enough for everyone,” she says. “If you see people doing the same thing as you, it means you're in the right direction.”

This article is part of Founder Stories, a series dedicated to discovering the untold stories and challenges of today’s entrepreneurs on their climb to the top.

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