THE Philippines’ finest organic and artisanal agricultural products and natural fibers will be featured on the sidelines of the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on April 26 to 29 in an expo sponsored by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Manila will host the first summit of the 10 leaders of Southeast Asia as Chair of the Asean this year.
The theme, “Partnering for Change Engaging the World," reflects the Philippine government’s advocacy to promote unity with and among ASEAN member states and its global partners.
During the four-day Asean Summit, the DA will highlight indigenous, organic and artisanal local agricultural products ranging from fruits such as Guimaras mangoes, pili nuts from Bicol, pomelo from Davao, and vegetables from the Cordilleras.
Famed weavers from across the country will also conduct a live demonstration of the various techniques applied in their respective handloom weave.
These weavers include Ya Man/Ruby Man (T’nalak), Jennifer Ala (T’nalak), and Ma. Elena Lani (T’nalak), who are all T’bolis from Soccksargen; Erlinda Masumpad and Momer Masumpad (Mandaya weave), who are Mandayas from Davao Region; Jhosie Reporen (Piña-silk) from Aklan; Jessicca Tijing (Hablon) from Iloilo; and Rosa Caipas and Susan Astrero (Traditional weaves from Cordillerras) from Baguio City.
The weavers from T'Boli will be joined by their supporter from the sector, Lenora Luisa Cabili.
The weavers from T'Boli will be joined by Lenora Luisa Cabili, designer and owner of Filip + Inna clothing.
Cabili commissions T’boli women, among other tribes, to design her clothing line. Her designs are exclusively embroidered and handcrafted by several Filipino tribes, including the T’bolis of South Cotabato.
Handloom weaving is a leading Filipino handicraft industry and considered a traditional craft in the many regions in the country.
The exhibit and live demonstration of the country’s centuries-old tradition of textile weaving was specially organized for State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of the Union of Myanmar or Burma, who will join other Asean leaders during the gathering. The Burmese democracy icon has reportedly taken interest in the Philippine weaving industry and wished to see the various indigenous fabrics. Her country is known for silk and cotton weaving.
The holding of the exposition is one of the moves by the DA under the leadership of Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to promote and support Filipino agricultural entrepreneurs so they will continue to produce world-class products that make use of the abundance of the country’s natural resources. (PR)