Top 5 reason to visit the 57th Manila International FAME 2013

SMX Convention Center, Pasay City , Metro Manila – Philippines

Department of Trade and Industry , Center of International Trade Expositions and Missions   ( CITEM ) together with  various government agencies and private sectors  stage the 57th Manila International FAME ( Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers’ Exchange) at the SMX Convention Center , Pasay City , Metro Manila.

“Takesu Hanging Lamp” Katha – Eco-Design award designed by Mr. Wataru Sakuma- Manila International FAME 2013 awardee

Wataru Sakuma is a Philippine based Japanese designer with a strong background in the fine arts. He received a degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in painting at Memphis college of Art in the United States. In 2004, Wataru joined Masa Ecological Development, Inc., a company produces handmade paper products utilizing various local agricultural waste materials.

Having garnered Katha Awards for his paper product designs in 2005, 2006 and 2009, he was invited to be one of the design consultants for MANILA FAME International in 2010. On October 2010 Wataru launched Kalikasan Crafts’ “ICARUS” lamp which awarded him another Katha award.

Website: http://www.watarusakuma.com/

Armina Arnaz collection

This bi-annual event is highly anticipated by  the local and international buyers and trade experts. Manila FAME 2013 is a trade show event presenting world class  Philippine craftsmanship in furniture, furnishings, decor, toys , gardening items and  fashion. It has become the world’s favorite sourcing hub for unique, outstanding design.

1.) Educational : Some schools and universities would require their students to visit the show . It is like going to field trip with on the spot lectures from different government agencies , NCCA,  DTI and on the spot demonstration on how to make fashion accessories, arts and craft  by some of the exhibitors. There are also organized tours to different art galleries, museums and historical sites organized by CITEM and DOT which they called ” Design Tours” which emphasized Culture and Architectural Landmarks, Manila Galleries and Art Houses and also CITEM -Hall 1 for exports  . The tour is for  buyers , visitors and students . For those interested contact dwpsecretariat@gmail.com

Flor- Sans Handicraft

Contact Person : Mr. Florentino M. Velasco- President

Address: Manila East Road, Paete , Laguna,Philippines

TEL : (6349) 557-2778
FAX : (6349) 557-0892
EMAIL: florsan@florsan.net
WEBSITE : http://www.florsan.net

2.) World Class Fashion Designs: this premier design and lifestyle event has attracted a stream of both local and international clientele.

Mr. Kenneth Cobonpue’s artistic woven in knots made from foam tubings .

Mr. Kenneth Cobonpue was  born, raised and based in Cebu. Among Cobonpue’s multitude of awards are Design Excellence Award and Design for Asia Award in 2005, Good Design Award ASEAN Design Collection for 2003 and 2004, Perlas Award for Outstanding Cebuano for 2004, Craftsmanship Award at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in 2001, among others.  Some of his Hollywood clientele are Ms. Lucy Liu ,  couple Mr.  Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and local celebrities like Ms. Kris Aquino .    This is my second time meeting  , the last one was during last year’s Manila International FAME 2012.  However due to to the large crowd that visited his booth during the opening date, i was only able to take some pictures of his exhibit which is restricted .

Website : http://www.kennethcobonpue.com/

Mr. JC Buendia collection

Mr. JC Buendia is a fashion design for about 26 years . Some of his  creations  are worn by Philippine celebrities, politicians and well to do family like Ms. Kris Aquino ,Mr. Franco Laurel , Ms. Maricel Soriano,  former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President Benigno Simeon Cojuangco -Aquino III among others.

Mr. Jun Rodino Artajo collection

Mr. Jun Rodino Artajo is based from Davao , a  fashion blogger  and an  active LOOKBOOK.nu user and photography is one of his passion  .  He is a fashion design instructor at the Philippine Women’s College of Davao.

His creation called Dreamweaver was selected as one of the top 50 (out of 2,500 entries ! ) to strut the ramp of Meguro Gajoen Hotel for the 49th Japan Fashion Design Contest last October 2011. Because of this achievements, he even became more popular outside the country .

handmade dolls

3.) Toys : World class toys are being exhibited and sold at the show. If you want to see and buy quality export item toys , This is the proper venue to buy these items. they are meticulously  crafted and designed. The only downside is that most of the exhibitors would seldom sell few items to walk-in buyers .  They cater bulk orders.

 

Parañaque Livelihood Resource Management Office (PLRMO)

These handcraft items and dolls were made by the people from Parañaque . The dolls are highly sought after by balikbayan and foreigners . The center handles the Tatak Parañaque , Gawang Parañaque   entrepreneurship program, offering livelihood training and capital for locals who wanted to start their local business featuring their culture.

Address: Simplicio Cruz Compound, San Isidro, Parañaque City, Metro Manila

Contact number: (+0632) 820-6527 to 28, 820-6877

Website : http://www.paranaque.gov.ph

Wood Classics Enterprise booth

Green Craft for Creative Environment Exhibit

4.) Native Handicrafts : This world class event would feature outstanding Philippine handicrafts like baskets, bags,eco-friendly items like items made from recycled items , discarded wood, plastics, paper , organic items and  accessories to the rest of the world. high quality fashion accessories like mother of pearls, puka shells , beads , carabao horns and bones are just some of the items that one can see and buy during the duration of the event.

Virgina bag designed  by Ms. Ann Ong ” Best Product Design “

Company : Imperial Nova Corporation

Address: Rm. 205 P & J Bldg., Pasig Blvd cor. E, Rodriguez Jr. Ave. Bagong Ilog,  4, Philippines

CEO: Mr. Jason Ong

Telephone Number : (632) 672-1839
FAX : (632) 672-1839
EMAIL: jasonong04@yahoo.com

5.) Katha Awards:  This is Philippine version of Design Award  .  This award  is highly anticipated by every exhibitors and trade show visitors . The panel of judges and their rigid scoring  make sure that only the BEST and Most artistically done pieces of items are awarded.

MCCA – Best Booth Display 

MCCA Industrial Corporation won the prestigious Katha ” Best Booth Display ”  Their booth  illustrates the most effective visual merchandising display during the event.

Company Name: MCCA Industrial Corporation

Location: Manibaug, Libutad, , Porac, Pampanga

President : Mr. Miguel Carlos C. Aguas

Telephone Numbers: (6345)961-3917/19

Fax: (6345)961-3917/19/963-4383

Type of Business: Toys, Souvenirs, Gifts, Jewelry and Decors

Organizer :Manila International FAME 2013

Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions
Golden Shell Pavilion, Roxas Boulevard cor.
Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Pasay City, 1300 Philippines
T_(632) 831-2201 to 09
F_ (632) 832-3965 / 834-0177
E_ info@citem.com.ph

Note: There is an entrance fee set by CITEM to the visiting public and Pre-registration to the event is highly encourage. There are photography restrictions in most exhibit areas due to copyright and intellectual property rights by the designers and companies . There is also dress code for those people who wish to come ( so dress appropriately semi-formal to business attire) . The author being a part-time contributor to a lifestyle magazine had to pre-register ) My heartfelt Thanks,  to all the exhibitors who accommodated me! 

Links:

Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions

:www.citem.com.ph/

Manila FAME: http://www.manilafame.com/

Advertisement

Mrs.Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes Stamp Launching

Old Senate Session Hall , National Arts Gallery – Padre Burgos street, Manila- Philippines

Doña Engracia Cruz-Reyes together with Mrs. Teresita ” Mama  Sita” -Reyes -photo is courtesy of Mama Sita foundation

Life  : Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes  was born on May 11, 1917 . She is the third of  Aling Asiang and  Mr. Alex Reyes’ 13 children, and was the one who got her mother’s features. She is  well known for her extraordinary gift with food- cooking, incorporating even selecting ingredients that really make our favorite food taste even better.  She is the eldest daughter of Doña Engracia Cruz- Reyes . Food wasn’t her only interest. She was also very business-minded. She would wake up early in the morning and would go to markets such as Divisoria and Nepa Q-Mart now ( Mega Q-Mart) to check out the items they offered.

Doña Engracia Cruz-Reyes was featured in a definitive stamp series of the Philippine Postal Corporation in 1992 ( Decade of Filipino Nationalism IV)  to mark the 100th anniversary of her birth .  Litho is by Amstar Printing Company . Perforation of 13 3/4  x 13 1/2 , Watermark .3 . 

Her mother, Doña Engracia Cruz-Reyes, is known as the “Mother of Filipino Cooking”. Through her parents, Mama Sita first learned that nothing could compare to the goodness of Filipino cooking. Her family ran the restaurant Aristocrat, which is why at an early age, her life already revolved around the world of food.

This is a  se-tenant strips of 5,  Sheets of 200 with total of 5,280,000 or 1,056,000 pieces per ( featured Filipino icon )

The set also includes President Manuel Roxas, Mrs. Natividad-Lopez,  National Artist Fernando Amorsolo and Mr. Roman O. Ozaeta (He was a former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (June 24, 1941 – May 16, 1950). Justice Ozaeta was born on February 28, 1891 in San Jose, Batangas to Julian and Florencia Ozaeta. ).  The stamp was issued on June 1, 1992

Highlights of Mrs. Teresita Reyes achievements was posted near the main entrance of the old session hall of the Senate during the stamp unveiling ceremony

Businesswoman :

When it came to buying things, Mama Sita was number one. As soon as someone would offer her products at a discounted price, she couldn’t stop herself from buying them. From sacks of rice to a dozen cans of evaporated milk, or ten baskets of mangos, she really would not let the opportunity pass. As long as she was able to buy something, anything at all, she would go home satisfied, and with a smile on her face.

Mrs. Amelita Cunanan , Mr. Reynaldo Ong de Jesus  and Ms. Macaria J. Leonardo ( Chief ) Postage Division -Philippine Postal Corporation

Passion :

Her hard-working efforts were not only seen in her traveling to so many places just to gather delectable and reasonably priced food. It was also apparent in the kitchen, of course.

traditional Filipino kitchen utensils and handicrafts

Mother : Mama Sita when she married Mr. Fidel Reyes and bore 11 children. She was able to come up with countless recipes and innovative ways of preparing food, due to her productive ethics. She never got tired of experimenting with different ingredients. Writing her new found recipes and discoveries on her diaries and journals also became a hobby of hers, which lead to us finding out fascinating secrets and tips on cooking!

The daughters of Mrs. Teresita -Reyes were introduced to the crowd

Another thing that stood out about Mama Sita was her character. Those who were fortunate enough to have met her can still remember her laugh. They also recall how she would pick on lansones and butong pakuan ( dried watermelon seeds)  even her habit of going to places that were far, just so she could taste the food they were well known for.

Postmaster General Maria Josefina Dela Cruz caught in a light moment  was shaking hands with Dr. Bartolome B. Lapus ( looking in the middle ) is Atty. Constantino de Jesus

Stamp Unveiling Ceremony:

The preparations of the stamp unveiling ceremony was initiated by the Mama Sita Foundation and the Reyes family clan members after the approval of the stamp design by the stamp advisory committee sometime last year.  The author got an invitation via  email from the foundation more than a month prior to the stamp launching.

National Museum Assistant Director Ana Labrador in her welcome address

Preparation was meticulously handled by the foundation .  Finally, on February 11, 2013,   the stamps and First Cover were issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation , the stamp unveiling ceremonies is set at  at the old session hall of the National Arts Gallery. The unveiling ceremony was set  for March 14, 2013 . Coincidentally , March was declared ” National Women’s Month ” .

Mr. Victor Reyes ( lone surviving brother of Mama Sita ) and Postmaster General Maria Josefina Dela Cruz

Mr. Victor Reyes together with Postmaster General Josie Dela Cruz after the ceremonial unveiling of stamps and commemorative First Day Cover

Invited guests , media and vips came dressed in their best Filipinana outfit. Then a short program was initiated by the intimidate family members of the Reyes clan. There is a table set up of traditional utensils and native crafts , rondalla playing traditional Filipino music .

ceremonial signing of Mama Sita’s First Day Cover

after the ceremonial signing of the First Day Cover , Mr. Victor Reyes and Mrs. Josefina Dela Cruz  shakes their hands and showed the media and writers the signed copies

The organizing committee of the stamp launching event was led by Mama Sita group of companies and part of the Reyes family running famous restaurants such as Aristocrat, Chateau 1771, El Pueblo, Reyes Barbecue and Serye Cafe. Mama Sita Foundation led by Mrs. Clara Reyes-Lapus organized the event in cooperation with the National Museum and the Philippine Postal Corporation.

The Reyes family clan capping the night with traditional Filipino songs and medley

Advocacies:

Mama Sita is known for her passion of spreading the art of Filipino cooking not only in the Philippines but also the rest of the world.  Mama Sita’s “Mga Kuwentong Pagkain” is a nationwide contest launched to encourage everyone to share authentic, one-of-a-kind and little known stories on Filipino cuisine and cooking. These stories correspond to Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes’s own commitment to celebrate the cuisine and culinary heritage of the Philippines. Another cooking festival,  Kulinarya at Saya Local Food Cooking Contest was also sponsored by the foundation and was held in Puerto Gallera , Mindoro.

Mama Sita’s famous mixes, sauces , condiments and samalamig

Natural Ingredient

Mama Sita’s policy to use only natural ingredients has also led to helping small agricultural -industrial business in the countryside. MCC through its Mama Sita Foundation assists farmers in planting crops that can be dried and processed. Thus, the abundant produce of the season like chilis, tomatoes, onions are not wasted and instead can be sold to companies like MCC.

sumptuous late afternoon meal provided by Mama Sita’s Foundation, Aristocrat and Reyes family  to all the invited  participants , vips, guests and media

Farmer Project

Mama Sita Foundation is also helping small farmers thru their several projects  like producing Siling Labuyo ( chili peppers) for Marigold Commodities, The maker of the famous Mama Sita sauces and condiments. Siling Labuyo is one of the the smallest among hot peppers grown in the country. It has the hotness and the  flavor desired by Mama Sita.

Ms. Chuchay V. Andrada  together with Mr. Renz Emmanuel Raquion ( writer contributor of Manila Bulletin and a stamp collector )

Mama Sita’s First Day Covers ( FDC) and stamps  issued by Philippine Postal Corporation last February 11, 2013

Technical Description of the Stamps

Kind of Issue : Commemorative

Printer: Amstar Company , Incorporated

Printing Process: Litho- Offset ( 4 colors ).

Perforation : 14

Paper : Imported Unwatermarked

Singles,  Souvenir Sheets of One 10p   Teresita Reyes – Portrait  (105,000)

Sheet composition : 40 (10x 40)

Size of stamp : 30mm x 40mm

Size of souvenir sheet: 120mm x 85mm

Souvenir sheet Php 10 with Php 40.00 premium (8,000 pieces )

Mama Sita face illustrator :Ms. Chuchay V.Andrada

Design coordinator: Susan Ada Veneracion

Designers: Ms. Criselda Santos , Mr. Ian Aycocho and Mr. Christian Molina

 Note: My heartfelt ” Thanks” to all the people behind Mama Sita Foundation for the warm accommodation extended to me during and after the stamp launching . All the photos are taken by the author during the event, for those who wanted to use the photos for any purpose , please try to link this page .  The stamps are from the personal collection of the author.

References and Bibliography:

Artistocrat Restaurant : http://www.aristocrat.com.ph/

Engracia Cruz- Reyes, Filipinos in History Vol. III. Manila, Philippines: National Historical Institute. 1996. pp. 228–230.

Mama Sita Foundation : http://www.msita.com/

Philippine Postal Corporation : http://philpost.gov.ph/web/category/stamp-releases/

1997 Ngo’s Catalogue of Philippine Republic Stamps & Postal Stationaries . page 137.

2012 Scott’s Stamp Catalog of Philippine stamps

Souvenir Program / Presentation pack : Mrs. Teresita ” Mama Sita ” Reyes

%d bloggers like this: