As the country’s premier design and lifestyle event, Manila FAME is set to open its doors once again to thousands of international and local buyers on October 19-21 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, Pasay City.
Last week, the Department of Trade and Industry, through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM), hosted an exclusive media preview at the LRI Design Plaza to give a sneak peek of the 68th edition of Manila FAME.
Newly appointed DTI-CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan gave a media tour to showcase the home and lifestyle products of Triboa Bay Living, Tim Tam Ong, and Venzon Lighting. The organizers also featured a pop-up installation pf Bamboo 360° by the Design Center of the Philippines and a display of product samples from the Design Commune.
“CITEM is continuing its mission to support local companies in introducing their products to the international market and effectively promoting the Philippines through the Manila FAME as a premier sourcing destination for furniture, home and holiday décor, fashion, health and wellness and food as gifts sectors,” said Suaco-Juan.
“This media preview is just the tip of the iceberg. The plethora of exciting products from our 366 exhibitors are there to make a statement to the world – that we are a country with limitless ingenuity,” Suaco-Juan emphasized.
Filipino artist Tes Pasola and Germany design consultant Detlef Klatt (rightmost to the left) engaged members of the press during the Manila FAME media preview last week
Notable personalities who attended the media preview include Rhea Matute (Executive Director, Design Center of the Philippines), Filipino artists Tes Pasola and Tony Gonzales, German design consultant Detlef Klatt, Christopher De Venecia (Pangasinan 4th District Representative), and Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) representatives Isidro Alcantara Jr. (Chairman), Clarence Pimentel (Chairman Emeritus), and Charmaine Olia Capili (Executive Director).
The media preview also hosted the signing of the partnership agreement between the Design Center and PNIA as part of the Bamboo 360° program.
As seen from the media preview, here are five things that visitors and buyers should look forward to in the event:
Manila FAME goes digital
Manila FAME launched its first-ever digital content marketing platform, Touchpoint. It seeks to complete the event experience of buyers and visitors by giving them access to the stories and product visuals of the exhibitors.
Touchpoint will feature the narratives behind local designers and artisans, highlighting the people, the products, and the brands. Among the home and lifestyle selections in Touchpoint includes houseware and home decor; fashion accessories and wearables; gifts and holiday; lamps and lightings; and furniture and furnishings.
DTI-CITEM also launched the Manila FAME App which is downloadable on Google Play (Android) and App Store (iOS). The app is envisioned to serve as an efficient channel for business-matching and interaction between buyers and exhibitors.
Design Commune: Nude+ uncovers Filipino creativity
For its third run in Manila FAME, the Design Commune will unveil the depth of Philippine craftsmanship with nude color palettes as their primary motif.
Led by the award-winning Filipino designers Tes Pasola and Tony Gonzales, Design Commune: Nude+ is set to highlight the country’s leading home and lifestyle brands to highlight the ingenious designs and techniques Philippine artistry takes pride in. The setting includes four color themes: Nude+Pastel, Nude+Spice, Nude+Earth and Nude+Luster.
Bamboo 360° flexes its material strength
With its fresh take on one of the country’s top sustainable material, the Bamboo 360° exhibit returns once again to Manila FAME through the presentation of an exquisite and innovative collection of bamboo-made products that perfectly capture the millennials’ way of life.
Artisans Village features crafts across the archipelago
As a staple in Manila FAME, the Artisans Village will feature the home and lifestyle products from the emerging micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the different provinces and localities in the Philippines.
This edition will highlight the works from Cebu, Bohol, Cagayan de Oro, Albay, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, and the Marawi City.
Engaging hands-on workshops
Buyers and visitors can participate in four hands-on workshops hosted by skilled craftsmen and advocacy groups located in the Creative Corners.
Featured workshops include a three-day Leather Reborn Workshop by Asia Pacific Leather Fair Ltd.; Basic Leather Workshop by H.H.S. Leather Goods Enterprises; Traditional Craft Making by CRAFT MNL; and Solar Lamp Making Workshop by My Shelter Foundation under their A Liter of Light program.
