Visual storytelling exhibitions to anticipate at Manila FAME 2024

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The three-day trade show offers a look-back at iconic pieces; a fresh voice for bespoke design; an appreciation for circular production; and its major, can’t-miss settings.

Manila FAME will celebrate its 72nd edition at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City on October 17-19, 2024. Since 1983, the premier sourcing show has brought together MSMEs from the home, fashion, and lifestyle sectors to usher Filipino products into the international arena.

This 2024, Manila FAME will center on the theme Reimagination, celebrating the power of Filipino design amidst the ever-revolving landscape of global trends and innovation. It will highlight how the country adapts to international trends and standards by translating raw materials using a combination of traditional and modern processes into functional lifestyle products.

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the three-day event will champion Philippine artisanal products that feature skills in design and craftsmanship. Playful colors, traditional patterns, and rich textures will be accentuated at the trade fair, spotlighting the country's strengths in artistry paired with impeccable style.

Manila FAME’s post-pandemic comeback in 2023 generated a total of $6.6 million export sales. Over 250 exhibitors under the home, furniture, fashion, and lifestyle industries attracted more than 4,000 local and international visitors.

This year, the highly-curated show will offer various settings–both familiar and new–ensuring engaging and fresh perspectives for new and returning buyers and visitors.

Manila FAME visitors checking out fashion items from the curated exhibit.

Exclusive product launch at the Design Commune Settings

One of the most anticipated show features of Manila FAME, the Design Commune presents the newly designed pieces born out of a collaboration between select local manufacturers and renowned designers under CITEM’s product development program.

This year, Rita Nazareno and Gabby Lichauco are the driving forces behind the Design Commune Home pavilion, a display of pieces with global trends and best practices in mind. With the theme Beyond Reality, the new collection reimagines common objects, ubiquitous materials, and even extinct animals and plants into creative and functional pieces. A total of 150 prototypes by 25 Philippine companies will be launched at the show.

Meanwhile, designer Maco Custodio collaborates with 15 local fashion companies to create stunning accessories, apparel, and footwear. The 90-piece collection for Design Commune Fashion takes inspiration from Parametrics, where design is based on forms, textures,and patterns found in nature.

Nostalgia: The Manila FAME Design Retrospective

To retrace its humble beginnings and pay homage to the 1980s and 1990s, a defining period for Manila FAME, the show will introduce Nostalgia, a special vignette of iconic products from notable companies and designers whose shot to prominence marked that era of the trade show. The Nostalgia showcase will feature 22 pioneer companies behind signature Filipino products and designs such as the peacock chair, hand woven furniture, shell clutches, and sinamay hats.

Nostalgia will put a spotlight on the trailblazer MSMEs of Manila FAME and their invaluable contributions to the local industry’s growth and their impact on the global design landscape.

Philippine Components, Manila FAME’s new show feature launching in October.

Philippine Components: Coverings, Parts, and Fittings

In an effort to penetrate the fast-growing market for parts and components for furnishings, Manila FAME introduces Philippine Components this year. For its maiden edition, this special setting will mainly feature architectural panels. Visitors can expect a selection of wall coverings made of paper, woven textiles, stone, shell, and other natural materials. The setting will also introduce other parts and furnishings such as cabinet and door handles, cabrioles, and banisters. Philippine Components emphasizes the utility and design of the parts and components to be shown across architectural, interior, and industrial applications–giving buyers the power to mix-and-match fundamental building blocks and redefine customization.

The showcase will be curated by Manila FAME Creative Director Tony Gonzales.

DCP’s showcase of their sustainable materials’ creative applications. 

Sustainability Thrust: Pinyapel for Manila FAME

Pinyapel, a term coined combining pinya (Filipino for “pineapple”) and papel (paper), is a sustainably-sourced paper material made of discarded pineapple leaves. Developed by the Design Center of the Philippines, the sustainable material will be shown through various innovative applications by select local manufacturers including OMO furniture, Triboa Bay, South Sea Veneer, Calfurn, Industria, MCCA, Masaeco, Oro Handmade, Tadeco Home, and One of T.

The Sustainability Solutions Exchange (SSX), CITEM's program that encourages MSMEs toward sustainable production, will also have a setting showcasing eco-friendly design pieces from Oro Handmade, Creative Definitions, That One Piece, Crystal Seas, Farah Abu, JunkNot!, and Nature's Legacy.

International buyers taking a look at local handicrafts from the regions.

Community empowerment through the Artisans Village

Hailed as a melting pot of diverse cultures and rich heritage, the Philippines boasts various product selections from across its regions. The Artisans Village is a vibrant showcase celebrating the unique arts, skills, and materials from the different provinces and regions of the country. The theme for this year’s Artisans Village is Uri, which translates to type or category in Filipino. It explores the traditional patterns and local weaves of the participating provinces and regions and how they translate them into home, fashion, and lifestyle pieces.

Designer PJ Arañador spearheads the product development for Bohol, Tarlac, and Bicol; and two provinces from the Western Visayas region: Aklan and Antique.

On the other hand, the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) is working with designer Tony Gonzales to curate the pavilions for Quirino, and two Western Visayas provinces: Bacolod and Iloilo.

The immersive experience of the Artisans Village allows visitors to explore the diverse and intricate traditions that define Filipino artistry and source products directly from the partner regions and provinces.

The KATHA Award winners for Manila FAME 2023.

Recognizing Filipino design excellence through the KATHA Awards

Manila FAME has championed product innovations of local MSMEs through the KATHA Awards for 39 years. It recognizes the ingenuity and creativity of local brands in several categories–namely furniture, home decor and houseware, lamps and lighting, fashion, holiday and gifts, and best booth presentation, inspiring them to push the boundaries of design.

Looking forward to the excitement this year’s edition brings, CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo shares, "Manila FAME 2024 is going to be both familiar and original. Returning buyers and visitors can anticipate the same warmth of the Filipino hospitality and expect upgraded and new features from the show."

"I'm proud to say that the team behind Manila FAME is pushing it forward to look for new avenues for growth, cater to more industries, and to help sustain our local brands and manufacturers. This upcoming edition will truly be a worthwhile experience everyone shouldn’t miss," she added.

By: Aly Dela Peña

A Celebration of Community and Creativity at Canon PhotoMarathon 2024

  

The event attracted over 500 participants from all walks of life.

Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Canon Singapore) announced the successful return of its iconic Canon PhotoMarathon as it welcomed over 500 photography enthusiasts at the event, held at Fountain Square @ Clarke Quay.

This year’s theme, “Every Lens, Every Age”, celebrated the diversity and creativity of the participants who captured Singapore’s beauty with their own unique perspectives. With two-hour submission windows assigned to each theme, the competition offered a dynamic and challenging experience, pushing photographers to think on their feet and produce one-of-a-kind visual stories. The three themes under both Open and Student Categories were Harmony, Clarity, and Wonder/Wander.

“It is exciting to see Canon PhotoMarathon back in action, and the creativity on display today is truly remarkable. We hope that this experience has given the participants memories that will last a lifetime. Our heartfelt thanks go to all participants, sponsors, and supporters for making this event a resounding success,” says Mr. Andrew Koh, Vice President and Head of Singapore Operations Group, Canon Singapore.

Empowering Photographers with Equal Opportunities

Canon proudly continues its long-standing partnership with APSN, a social service agency dedicated to providing special education, vocational training, and employment support for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities, at this year’s Canon PhotoMarathon 2024. In an exciting first, APSN beneficiaries participated in the student category, showcasing their eagerness to test and refine their photography skills. For Theme 1, ‘Harmony’, APSN Katong School student Zul Nuriman emerged as the winner of the second prize.

Since 2006, Canon has collaborated with APSN to foster equal opportunities for aspiring photographers. This partnership has included the provision of camera and lens equipment, the organisation of photo outings with staff volunteers, and photography workshops designed to boost confidence and spark creativity among APSN students. Through this meaningful collaboration, Canon seeks to unite individuals through photography — a universal art form that knows no boundaries.

Check out the full press release and all the winning entries here, each telling a unique visual story.

For more details on Canon PhotoMarathon 2024, please visit the Canon PhotoMarathon website, Facebook, and Instagram.

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About Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Canon is a global leader in photographic and digital imaging solutions. Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd. is the headquarters for South & Southeast Asia driving sales, marketing and service strategies.

Besides handling the domestic market, the company covers 22 other countries and regions including subsidiaries in India, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The parent company Canon Inc. has a global network of more than 300 companies and employs about 169,000 people worldwide. Canon is guided by its kyosei philosophy that focuses on living and working together for the common good.

More information is available at https://sg.canon.

This Press Release has also been published on VRITIMES

ASEAN-UK Advancing Creative Economy initiative launched to foster collaboration and development across the region

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The UK Mission to ASEAN and the British Council are thrilled to announce the launch of the unique ASEAN-UK Advancing Creative Economy initiative, aimed at bolstering creative economies across the ASEAN region through collaboration with the UK. The programme will focus on professional development, knowledge exchange, and networking among policymakers and creative practitioners.

The programme started with a policymakers’ roundtable in Jakarta earlier this year, bringing together for the first time thought leaders from the UK and representatives from each of the ASEAN member states. The ASEAN-UK Advancing Creative Economy initiative represents a significant step forward in strengthening the creative industries across ASEAN countries.

UK Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Tiffin, said:

"The creative economy has an important role to play in driving growth and innovation in the thriving partnership between the UK and ASEAN. We are thrilled to collaborate with the British Council and the ASEAN Secretariat as we work to advance the sustainable development of creative networks throughout ASEAN. By combining our collective strengths and fostering collaboration, we can amplify the impact of the creative industries, strengthen cultural ties, and pave the way for a brighter, more innovative future for both the UK and the ASEAN region, "

The ASEAN-UK Advancing Creative Economy initiative is delivered by British Council with the co-funding by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and it is delivered in partnership with the ASEAN Secretariat. The initiative supports the implementation of the objectives outlined in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025 and the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Culture and Arts 2016-2025.

British Council Country Director of Indonesia / Director of South East Asia, Summer Xia, said:

"In this first-of-its-kind joint programme between the British Council, UK Mission to ASEAN, and the ASEAN Secretariat, we aim to take a holistic approach to empower ASEAN policymakers and practitioners in creative economy, enhance the quality and diversity of festivals across the ASEAN region, foster cultural exchange and collaboration between the UK and South East Asia, and provide valuable insights and research into the ASEAN arts and creative sectors, a topic of great interest to many in the region."

The new initiative will consist of three main strands:

• Professional Development Courses

These courses will focus on creative economy policy development and festival development and management, offering tailored programmes to support the growth journey of policymakers, festival producers and creative professionals.

• Knowledge Exchange Between the UK and ASEAN

Through delegations to the UK for ASEAN festival managers and policy development roundtables, this strand aims to facilitate meaningful exchanges and collaborations between the two regions.

• Research into the ASEAN Arts Sector

This includes initiatives such as a regional perception poll, mapping of the arts and creative technology landscape in ASEAN, and mapping of ASEAN festivals, providing valuable insights for future collaborations and initiatives.

The ASEAN-UK Advancing Creative Economy initiative also delivers on ASEAN’s Connectivity agenda, with people-to-people connectivity one of the priorities under the ASEAN Master Plan on Connectivity. This initiative is one many by the UK Mission to ASEAN, highlighting the thriving partnership between the UK and ASEAN.