‘Exquisitely Filipino’ Trade Exhibit Features Cebu’s Best in Arts, Fashion

The Cebu Provincial Government and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) National Organizing Council together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SM City Cebu recently launched an exhibit at the Northwing Atrium, highlighting Cebu’s best in arts and fashion.

The trade exhibit called “Exquisitely Filipino,” was timed with the APEC Senior Officials’ meetings to provide more opportunities for entrepreneurs to take advantage of the presence of APEC summit delegates in Cebu and correspondingly for the locals to see Cebu’s fine craftsmanship of export-quality products.

In his message during the grand launch, Governor Hilario P. Davide III took pride in Cebu’s handicrafts, fashion accessories, furniture, and clothes, to name a few, making it in the homes in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

“The quality and artistry of Cebu made products is something we can be proud of,” he added.

According to Davide, “with the opening of this expanded Exquisitely Filipino trade exhibit here at the SM, we once again have that perfect opportunity to showcase the best that Cebu can offer.”

For her part, Senior Officials’ Meeting Chairperson Laura del Rosario said in her welcome remarks. “I think we chose this occasion to launch Exquisitely Filipino to dramatize the fact that in APEC, we do work on integration and connectivity of economies, states and businesses.”

She stressed that art and religion have been part of the Cebuanos’ daily lives and crafts presented in the exhibit manifest the distinct Cebuano culture.

“These products are not merely a demonstration of the Filipino skill and artistry, it has become a source of living for some families, a realization of an artist’s dream to be recognized and the fruition of small medium enterprises’ efforts to be part of the global market,” she noted.

Furniture pieces, home accents and adornments, handicrafts, fashion accessories, and clothing and other gift items were among the merchandise presented by 15 of Cebu’s design industry prime-movers manufacturers. The exhibit also displayed variety of artworks by Cebuano visual artists.

Participating in the exhibit were Arden Classic Inc., Avatar Accessories, Bon-Ace, Cebu Intertrade Export, Detalia Aurora, D’Oro Barandino, Earth Work Fashion, HoliCOW, Kultura of Filipino by the SM Store, Janice Minor Export Inc., Luisa Home by 808 LS Design Group Inc., Pacific Traders and Manufacturing Corp., Vito Selma, 856 G Gallery, and Qube Gallery.

Fashion Council of Cebu’s Albert Arriba, Arcy Gayatin, Cary Santiago, Edwin Ao, Jun Escario, Mia Arcenas, Oj Hofer, Philip Rodriguez, Philipp Tampus and Yvonne Quisumbing did a fashion show showcasing their creations of urban chic collections with models wearing stunning outfits complete with urban chic essentials.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and APEC National Orgnizing Committee Director General Marciano Paynor, Jr. were among the guests of honor during the August 22 opening ceremony at SM Northwing.

www.cebu.gov.ph