Sikat Pinoy Fair: A spectacle of regions
THE EXCEPTIONAL beauty of Philippine culture was harnessed in the artistic demonstrations and artisanal products present in this year's 3rd Sikat Pinoy National Arts and Crafts Fair (NACF).
(A woman donned with Philippine tribal accessories participated in the Sikat Pinoy Fair in Mandaluyong City. Photo by Paola Navarette.)
Seeking to preserve the Philippine’s rich cultural heritage by helping manufacturers strengthen their domestic market, the Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, in cooperation with the department’s regional and provincial offices, launched NACF last Oct. 26.
A total of 280 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises entrepreneurs from 16 regions participated in the national handicrafts fair where they showcased innovative crafts such as ikat textiles from Ifugao, gold jewelry from Bulacan, and hand-painted fans from Antipolo.
One of the participants included was the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) which continued to revolutionize the country’s textile industry and address environmental concerns through the campaign TELA Pilipinas.
(TELA Pilipinas campaign, initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) lead textile research agency, promotes items made by natural dyes and handloom weaving techniques. Photo by Paola Navarette.)
“We go for the slow fashion rather than the fast fashion. We try to utilize pa ulit ‘yung mga damit na patapon na and use it for another purpose. We go for blended yarns na it’s composed of ugly waste and bine-blend namin with cotton and polyester,” Institute’s Project Development Officer Lanquin Gacusan said in an exclusive interview with Dapitan Post.
Through TELA Pilipinas, which stands for Textile Empowering Lives Anew, the institute hopes that it would serve as a platform for the market expansion and scientific development of textile-related industries and its allied sectors.
“Our aim as a research institute is not just to let the public know and appreciate [the textile-related products] but the deep impact that we want to have is for the people, especially those in the textile industry, to adapt the technologies, develop it, and put it into use for the public,” Gacusan said.
Gacusan also mentioned that the PTRI respects the culture of the weaving communities as they try to introduce such technology to complement and innovate existing products to be more competitive in the industry.
The handicrafts fair included lectures regarding Philippine Culinary Heritage, Muslim Mindanao Cuisine and Halal Food Preparation, Finance Philippine Coffee Appreciation, T’boli Food Preparation and onsite activities like live art demonstrations, fashion show, mini OPM concert and ethnic dance performances.
The NACF was held last October 26 to October 29 in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong
City. With reports from NOEMI ANN PEREZ.
