1st Quezon City Inventor’s Exposition and Trade Fair

The 1st QC Filipino Inventors Expo and Trade Fair was held at the Quezon City Hall Risen Garden last November 15 – 21, 2010. The expo and trade fair is a project of the Mayor, Vice Mayor and the Filipino Inventors Society. The event secretariat is the Sikap Buhay Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Office.

tarpaulin poster of the event

This trade fair wanted to showcase  the Filipino inventors that have  drawn on their resourcefulness to survive even the direst of circumstances. Their ingenuity has also come to the fore to provide creative solutions to persistent problems. This inventiveness is world renown- with creations that have been showcased all around the world, and even further- with the Philippine invented buggy used on the first moon landing.

In recognition of this spirit,  Quezon City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy G. Belmonte had spearhead the 1st QC Filipino Inventors Expo and Trade Fair within the Quezon City Hall grounds. This initiative intends to extend support to the country’s diverse pool of inventors, as well as the small and medium enterprises that they have established.

laminated shell blocks intended for kitchen sink

The exhibit is co-sponsored by the Filipino Inventor’s Society (FIS), an organization of Filipino inventors established in 1943.  The event is in line with their celebration of Philippine national inventor’s week.

crowd attending their daily lectures

The week long exhibit  showcase more than 80  exhibitor booths from  the Filipino inventor and those who manufacture various herbal supplements , in categories ranging from infrastructure and construction, alternative energy sources, food and nutrition and health and wellness products.

Mr. Ricardo Mijares posed for his tin can flower art

Mr.Ricardo Mijares started recycling tin can several years ago as a hobby, in 2004 when people in his neighborhood notice how intricate his works started buying from him. Now , he usually makes 100 to 200 pieces  a day , a bulk of which are for export .

“It was an odd hobby,” he said. Collecting and recycling tin cans, artistically shaping them into cut flowers which he called “new species” of flower decorations. Tin cans are thrown almost everywhere , Now we had to just collect them and fashion these things into decorative items.

Despite hardships , For those who want to make a difference in any productive and income-generating ways they can, Mr.  Mijares, 48 said.

Philippine Daily Inquirer article which featured Mr. Mijares  tin can business were proudly displayed

Mijares decided to continue the business with the help of the Filipino Investors Society Inc. and other NGO groups  which assisted him in looking for local and foreign buyers.  “If you want to succeed, no matter how modest, you have to love what you are doing, leave to the back burner the profit motive, pray hard and God will take care of the rest,” Mijares said.

INVRICKS – exhibit booth of Mr. Ricardo Mijares

A number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from Germany, Japan, South Korea , Hong Kong and United States  have also placed their orders.

Prices range from as low as Php 10.00 per item to as much as several thousand of pesos, depending on how intricate the tin can flower arrangement  .

The exhibit  likewise double as a trade fair, where these inventions will be marketed to potential investors and the general public.

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Philconstruct 2010

Philconstruct SECRETARIAT

AS one of the country’s most significant and successful events for the building and construction industry, the 20th Philippine International Construction Equipment, Building Materials Exhibition & Technology Forum . This event is the country’s largest construction expo and  set to take center stage with a bang from November 11 to 14 at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia Complex. This yearly expo had prepared series of  daily lectures, trade exhibits from different parts of the country and the world, seminars  and a technical  conference .

list of exhibitors

This exhibit and conference will be held back-to-back with HVAC/R Philippines 2010 (13th International Heating, Ventilating, Air-Conditioning, Refrigerating, Pumps, Valves & Pipes, Filtration & Purification Technology Exhibition) and will also incorporate Mining Asia 2010 (5th International Exhibition of Equipment, Machinery, Tools, Technology & Support Services for the Mining Industry), and Interior World 2010 (7th International Interiors, Furnishing & Furniture, lighting, Home Entertainment & Total lifestyle Exhibition).

SMX lobby was transformed into a lush vegetation with tall bamboos , ferns , ornamental plants and anthuriums

a mime  artist dress in all green costume with matching green shoes and face mask greeted the visitors to the event

exhibit using green technology

Philippine Construction Association Inc. (PCA) continuing its growth venture with three of the country’s biggest and most dynamic organizations-the Philippine Society of Ventilating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigerating Engineers Inc. (PSVARE); the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID); and the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA)-this year’s event is geared up to be another affair all industry stakeholders, students, practitioners and  professionals just have to be part of.

replica of the EDSA people power monument with the latest  energy saving electrical lightning effect

“Over 78 percent of all the current government and private projects in the country involve PCA members, thus making Phil-construct a very significant and timely event.

Mount Pinatubo ashes were transformed into photo frame

In a span of few years , PCA has transformed Philconstruct to become the biggest and most impressive showcase for the industry. This is where the industry converges.

various frames ( the material used in this photo frame is quarried ash from Mount Pinatubo )

exhibitor of the photo frames

According to the exhibitor, they had a lot of clientele which includes former first lady Imelda Marcos , local celebrities . Their products are also being exported in Switzerland, France, United Sates, Japan , Italy and had even won various intentional awards for their designs and creativity.

scale model of  a Japanese construction firm engaged in bridge building

Eton Centris Sunday Market

Several months ago, most of the regular buyers at the Lung Center Sunday Market were brief about the sudden move to a better and more accessible location near the MRT Quezon Avenue station.

Spaceship Lamp post – The  gigantic lamp post resembles several intergalactic ship

Since the contact with the Lung Center management is about to expire. The move was announced to all the tenants and regular patrons beginning the second quarter of 2010. The place is becoming a favorite hang-out area for those working in nearby business processing centers , Centris – more popularly called  had amble security and ambiance to complement its futuristic architecture.

Eton Centris Walk

The event organizer, which pioneered the weekend market style since the late 1980’s at the former Sidcor Resort, Cubao (now SM Hypermart, Cubao).  Then moved to the Lung Center vicinity from 2003 to 2010, some of the stall owners had begun their moved to the vicinity as early as June 2010.

The place is an ideal spot for a weekend market place, with its brick paved walkways, inter-galactic shaped lamp posts, children playground, well manicured lawn, a hypermart , several business processing outsourcing offices , restaurants,  taxi , jeepney and MRT terminal .

Merry -Go Round

Since the ETON Centris Place is still on the process of expansion, the place still lacks facilities for the buyers like ample parking spaces; the heat from the cemented walkways would always make the people perspire more, However, regular market goers and patrons would not mind all these few hassles!

Mr. Nelson from Nueva Viscaya – His family is a trader of native orchids and plants in the sunday market

The big move had already commenced last November 7, 2010 just in time for the Christmas season. The management of Eton Centris is very supportive and there all out support for the weekend market in their commercial space.

colorful semi-terete vandas from Quezon and Laguna on sale

These  semi-terete vanda orchids ( above)  is an old- time favorite among orchid lovers -The flowers can last up to more than 1 month

Arundina graminifolia – Bamboo orchid, Grass orchid

Arundina comes from the Latin arundo, meaning reed, and gramnifolia means grass-like leaves

This tropical orchid is found from India, Southern China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, Vietnam, Indonesia and Pacific islands. These terrestrial orchid were thought to be introduced to the country before the out break of the second world war and gradually naturalized in several parts of the country.The cattleya- like flowers only last for a few days. When fully established , the plant could tolerate almost full sun conditions.

This  particular plant is one of the most common terrestrial orchids that was naturalized in several countries like Puerto Rico, Panama, Hawaii, Costa Rica ,  Guatemala , Honduras, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Cuba  and Florida.

A gallery of native dishes with vendors wearing color- coded (yellow) for cooked foods

The weekend market place was divided into seven or eight segments  that had color-coded sections which buyers can easily identify the products or services thru their color guide. The organizers even extended their way in providing color-coded t-shirts for all the tenants.

Vicinity Map of Eton- Centris Sunday Market

Here is the guide:

Red stands for fresh meat and wet market section

Orange stands for fruit section

Violet stands for vegetable, rice, and fish section

Yellow stands for cooked foods, pasalubongs, native delicacies, bread pastries, home made sweets, coffee

Green stands for plants, garden accessories, potteries, orchids, pet, cages, soil mix

Blue stands for clothes, toys, shoes, home décor, accessories, shoes, and sandals

According to the organizers, there are some 380 tenant stalls during the Sunday market.

The market is also becoming a fast haven for organic produce and proudly Philippine made items, organic products and home based business.

Organic producers -pose for a group picture

Some of the more noteworthy stalls selling community based and social enterprises include Human Nature products, Solraya Chicken, Green Daisy Organic foods.

Native process jams, vinegar, preserved foods on display

The Eton- Centris Sunday market can be reach via the MRT Quezon Avenue station or any public utility vehicle. The Sunday market is open from 6:00 am to past 2:00 pm. However, It is said that a new organizer  would likewise bring back the  Lung Center Sunday market .

 

Fernando Poe Junior in Philippine stamps

Last November 10, 2010 five stamps bearing the pictures of five national artists were unveiled at the lobby of the Philippine Postal Corporation at the Liwasang Bonifacio in the heart of Manila’s Cultural district.

Mrs. Grace Poe- Llamanzares together with Philpost officials  and relatives of the four other national artists as invited guests of honors before the unveiling of the stamps.

Thousands of people from all walks of life had waited for several hours just to see the descendants of the five national artists. Among them is Mrs. Susan Roces –Poe wife of National Artist for Film the late actor Mr.  Ronald Allan Kelly  Poe or better known as  Fernando Poe Jr. and his daughter MTRBC current chair Mrs. Grace Poe –Llamanzares .

FPJ or fondly called Da King on Philippine movies

Mrs. Roces  proudly showed the stamp images of FPJ in his iconic roles as Panday, Totoy Bato and Pepeng Kaliwete. Also included is his movie “Umpisahan Mo, Tatapusin Ko.” He was honored by then President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo on May 24, 2006 through a Presidential Proclamation 1065 as one of the Philippine National Artist. His acting career spanned almost 50 years and had produced, directed and acted on several of his major films. tucked to his record is more than 130 movies and his films are highly acclaimed both here in the country and abroad.

Relatives of the national artists seated at the lobby of the post office being introduced to the audience

The FPJ commemorative stamps which includes four other national artists like Mr. Cornelio “ Levi ” Celerio –  National Artist for Music , Mr. Nick Joaquin with his pen name  “ Quijano de Manila – National Artist for Literature ,  Mr. Carlos Quirino – National Artist for Historical Literature and Mrs. Leonor Orosa- Goquinco – National Artist for Dance  is currently selling at P65, is also a big boost to the campaign to promote letter writing in the age of electronic media, cell phone technology and social media. The author also personally met Mrs. Rosalinda Orosa a well-known columnist  and an advocate for culture and the arts  from the  Philippine Star . She is the sister of national artist for dance Mrs. Leonor Orosa- Goquingco.

Mrs. Susan Roces- Poe , Mrs. Grace Poe- Llamanzares together with Philpost officials before the unveiling of the  2010 Philippine National Artists on stamps.

The event started at past 10 am were each of the descendants or relative of the national artists were introduced to the public. Dozens of media networks like Kapamilya ABS-CBN channel 2, NBN channel 4, Kapatid network channel 5, Kapuso channel 7, UNTV channel 37 , bloggers  and among others covered the event.

Mrs. Susan Roces after the  unveiling of the stamps

“Nothing can compare to the personal touch in writing letters, and the smell that goes with love letters,” said Roces, who herself continues her family tradition of collecting stamps.  Mrs. Susan Roces also took time to view the stamp exhibit of Philippine stamps at the lobby.  There was also a framed exhibit of NATOPEX 1961 photo of Roces promoting philately.  She said stamps and letter writing should continue in this Internet-driven age. Unknown to many Mrs. Susan Roces- Poe is also a philatelist at heart and had been collecting stamps for more than 50 years ! Her topic includes Flora and Fauna on stamps.

Philately in Movie land article by Mr. Carlos Manseguiao with Ms. Susan Roces ” Queen of Philippine Cinema ”  which appeared on the defunct Philippine Journal of Philately from May to June 1962  mounted on a special frame.

Llamanzares, meantime, has encouraged her mother to sign up on Facebook and other social media sites to connect to a new generation of fans. She quickly added that she will not press it.

ceremonial autograph signing of the relatives and descendants of the national artists

The event was also a venue where philatelists from all over the country and the world would buy first day issue of the stamps. Every November,  the Philippine Postal Corporation would celebrate their  founding anniversary and it is also a venue were works of various Philippine National Artists would be featured on Philippine stamps. The country had a long tradition of issuing stamps , The first one being issued on February 1 , 1854 and was once Asia’s leading commercial stamp exchange post .

2010 National artists on stamp issue  mounted on frames

The officials of the Philippine Postal Corporation attended the event. The author is among the thousands of people who waited for the unveiling of the stamps.

relatives, descendants of national artist for dance Mrs. Leonor Orosa -Goquinco pose for a souvenir shoot at the lobby. Mrs. Rosalinda ” Baby ” L.  Orosa a Philippine Star columnist is at the center .

One of Philpost stamp advisory committee chair  Gabot, a former commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and one of those who voted for Fernando Poe Jr. as National Artist on Films.

Ms. Susan Roces photo opportunity with the  Philpost employees and fans

This is one of the biggest crowd to ever ensemble at the launching of a stamp in recent years. These stamps is highly collectible since only 100,000 copies were just issued .  FPJ souvenir stamps and First Day Cover had a smaller quantity printed  at just 5,000 copies .

2010 national artist on Philippine stamp  with 4 featured artists at P7.00 each

The author had a very memorable time talking with the descendants of the national artist and had several FDC autographed signed during the event .