CITEM Taps LGUs in 60th Edition of Manila FAME

Manila FAME, the country’s design and lifestyle event, goes to the regions to help strengthen the base of Philippine manufacturers/exporters. Through its roadshows, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) is tapping into the strong potential of the country’s weaving and crafting communities. CITEM, the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is the organizer of the bi-annual sourcing event.

In collaboration with select local government units (LGU), CITEM conducted trainings and seminars for local crafts communities and extended product development assistance to them to develop new products with high commercial value.

“We are optimistic that this partnership with local government units will bear much fruit. It is time that we tap into local industries and provide them with an avenue to be exposed to the international market,” said Rosvi Gaetos, executive director of CITEM.

The DTI-Cordillera Administrative Region (DTI-CAR), through its SME-Roving Academy, has engaged around 35 weaving and crafting communities and five multi-purpose cooperatives for a designer-assisted product development program to be showcased in the 60th edition of Manila FAME. The DTI-CAR SME Roving Academy (DTI SMERA) program aims to assist SMEs through business support, distribution of equipment, and product development trainings, with funding assistance from Senator Loren Legarda.

Industrial designer Imelda Datul was hired for the program and traveled to the different provinces in the Cordilleras to immerse herself with the communities and observe crafting techniques to create traditional products with contemporary flavor.

CITEM also partnered with the local government of Ilocos Norte. Through the initiative of Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos and the tourism office of Ilocos Norte, the multi-purpose cooperatives and weaving associations in ILOCOS Norte, together with the technical schools and private boutiques engaged in product development in the province are given the opportunity to showcase the province’s heritage crafts and products with a contemporary spin. Designers Dem Bitantes and Viña Domingo-Roy were tapped to work with 12 producers.

Both the LGU partners from CAR and Ilocos Norte will feature their specially handcrafted products in dedicated pavilions in Manila FAME this October. Products from Negros Occidental, Paracale, Camarines Norte; and Marikina will likewise be showcased in Manila FAME as part of CITEM’s LGU partnership program.

Negros Occidental will be represented in Manila FAME by the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), a partnership made possible by Governor Alfredo Maranon of Negros Occidental. ANP has involved 10 exhibitors of home and fashion items to take part in the show.

The Camarines Norte Jewelry Producers Association, Inc., through the funding of the Paracale municipal government, will exhibit selected jewelry pieces in Manila FAME.

Top shoe manufacturers from the Marikina Shoe Industry Development Office, headed by Rene Santillan, worked with local designers to showcase locally made, export-quality footwear of various designs in the show, with the able support of Mayor Del de Guzman.

Since 1983, Manila FAME has nurtured and promoted Philippine manufacturers and producers in the global market, consistently featuring top-quality export products and unique Philippine craftsmanship in home and fashion.

Manila FAME, which is held twice a year in March and October, is one of the longest-running trade shows in the Asia Pacific, featuring the latest Philippine made creations from artisans and manufacturers and is the only trade event in the country approved by the Union des Foires Internationales (UFI), the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.