Some of the Philippine-made handicrafts put on display at the Manila FAME trade exhibit. (Cover photo courtesy: CITEM)

Manila FAME, a trade exhibit in its 71st edition, once again opened its doors to both local and foreign buyers, drawing a substantial crowd of approximately 5,000 visitors over a three-day run from October 19 to 21. This prestigious event, celebrated for its display of high-quality home, fashion, and lifestyle products, is the result of a collaborative effort between the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotions arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and various public and private organizations.

Connecting Filipino Talent with Global Markets

CITEM's Executive Director Edward L. Fereira kicked off the event by underlining CITEM's mission to connect Filipino talent and enterprises with the right opportunities. He highlighted the crucial role played by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the exports industry, showcasing the ingenuity and technical skills of Filipinos in producing premium-quality products that resonate with global markets.

"MSMEs are the backbone of the export industry–they are at the heart of the long-running success of Manila FAME. Relentless in their pursuit of showcasing Filipino ingenuity, passion, and unmatched technical skills, they help bring to life impressive and quality products in the home, fashion, and lifestyle landscape—all of which have become synonymous with premium quality in the global market," Fereira emphasized.

Manila FAME opens to the public led by (left to right) Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines (FOBAP) Chairperson Robert Young, Ms. Manila FAME 2023 Deniece Cornejo, GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo “Wick” Veloso, DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, CITEM Executive Director Dr. Edward L. Fereira, Philippine Airlines COO Capt. Stanley Ng, DTI Undersecretary Carol P. Sanchez, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman William S. Co, and PHILEXPORT President Dr. Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. (Photo courtesy: CITEM)

Government Initiatives for MSME Growth

DTI Undersecretary Carol Sanchez shared insights into the government's initiatives aimed at creating a conducive environment for the growth of local MSMEs. This includes the digitization and digital transformation of MSMEs, which was exemplified by Manila FAME's digital counterpart, FAME+, which can be accessed whole year round through www.fameplus.com.

FAME+ is the ultimate digital sourcing and storytelling platform for Philippine quality home, fashion, and lifestyle products as it enables Philippine brands and manufacturers to generate leads and reach global buyers through the content creation, learning opportunities, and B2B capabilities. It intends to ensure and improve the discoverability of exhibitors online, creating a community of exhibitors, buyers, and stakeholders in one digital space.

Here’s Manila Fame’s online and social media links:

Official website: https://fameplus.com/
Facebook: ManilaFAMEofficial
Twitter: @TheManilaFAME
Instagram: @ManilaFame
Pinterest: @ManilaFAME

FAME+ is also initiated and published by CITEM.

DBM Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, CITEM Executive Director Dr. Edward L. Fereira, and DTI Undersecretary Carol P. Sanchez visit local artisans and manufacturers at the Manila FAMe trade show hall. (Photo courtesy: CITEM)

Promoting the Philippines as a Sourcing Destination

Dr. Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr., president and CEO of PhilExport, expressed his appreciation for the close collaboration with CITEM, emphasizing the combined efforts to showcase high-quality Philippine products to the world. This collaboration aims to establish the Philippines as a premium sourcing destination for quality goods and services.

"Through our combined efforts, we were able to once again showcase the high caliber of Philippine products to the world. We are proud to have played a role in this success, and are very positive that this will be replicated in Manila FAME. PhilExport is committed to continuing our collaboration in the years to come to cement the Philippines’ reputation as a go-to sourcing destination for premium quality goods and services,” Ortiz-Luis said.

Empowering Creative Initiatives

Representative Christopher De Venecia highlighted the 5-year Creative Economy Roadmap by The Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP). He also introduced "Taglay Pinoy," a content creation program within Manila FAME, designed to provide creative direction and production support to local enterprises.

Support from Senator Loren Legarda

Senator Loren Legarda expressed her support for CITEM's efforts, acknowledging their role in nurturing Filipino creativity and skills. Her message reaffirmed the government's commitment to developing the country's creative industry.

Designer Collaborations

Designers Tony Gonzales, Rita Nazareno, and Gabby Lichauco engaged in a media briefing, discussing their collaborations with local enterprises in creating new home, fashion, and lifestyle products. They emphasized the collaborative and innovative processes behind their creations, aimed at expanding the market for these companies.

Media briefing with design specialists Gabby Lichauco, Rita Nazareno, and Tony Gonzales moderated by Trade Industry Specialist Pinky Parra (Photo courtesy: CITEM)

Gonzales, reflecting on his years of industry experience, said, "My inspiration has always been the artisans. Whenever I visit them, I speak with the workers and ask for their inputs. It's always a collaborative effort."

Meanwhile, Nazareno and Lichauco adopted "utilitarianism" as the theme for their collaboration with local enterprises. Inspired by artifacts and human activities such as foraging and glamping, they aimed to help companies expand their market by stepping out of their usual spaces and listening to their specific needs.

“We want the companies to expand their market. Get out of their usual space. We listen to their needs and design from there. It’s always a fun process. The companies enjoy that process with us,” Nazareno shared.

Educational Talks

Manila FAME also featured a series of talks covering Filipino fashion, global trends, and market insights, providing valuable knowledge to both exhibitors and visitors.

Through the memorable three-day event and opportunities for hookups, Manila FAME continues to shine as the Philippines' premier trade show for quality home, fashion, and lifestyle products. 

Together with its online version, FAME+ (www.fameplus.com), it serves as a platform for promoting the craftsmanship of Philippine artisans to global markets all-year-round. 

The event's success is attributed to the unwavering support of various public and private organizations, reflecting a commitment to showcasing the best of Filipino talent and creativity to a global market. (PIA-NCR)