My Mom brought me to Citem eons ago. It was still being held at PTCC in Roxas Boulevard. After our first visit, she joined the next one as an exhibitor. I was to man the booth. It didn't make too much sales because we were selling fine jewellery and we realized that this wasn't the venue for such precious items.
The next encounter I had with Citem was when they asked me to be a consultant to the fashion accessory exporters. They flew me to Cebu twice for companies that I was supposed to assist.
For a long time after that, I didn't get to attend the shows. It was when they moved to SMX that I became involved once again with Manila FAME. Involved as a buyer and as a blogger. I do wish that with the combined efforts with the government, the press and thru Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, we are able to reach out to foreign buyers to come to the country and buy our products because they really are outstanding.
It's very difficult to come out of the building without purchasing anything. Will show you what I got later on. In the meantime, enjoy the amazing creations by Philippine exporters.
By Arden.
"Handcrafted creations of timeless elegance"
I love recycled wood. This company uses only recycled wood from the Philippines. I promise to have at least one of their pieces very soon!!!
Ito Kish created this for the Garden Pavilion.
And then I saw Kenneth Cobonpue's booth and I fell in love with this.......
These are paper lanterns that hangs from the ceiling. It's literally as light as paper as it is made out of exactly that....PAPER! Unfortunately, I don't have my own house to put it in so I opted to get the baby version.....
....here on the left side of the photo. It's a floor lamp with 2 paper lanterns and I am so happy. It will be the start of my forever plan to renovate my room. Jae loved the hanging egg pots on the wall.
I also noticed how price lists were not on pages and pages of paper anymore.
Gotta love technology.
Another backdrop made by Ito Kish for the Garden Pavilion. I am totally amazed by this guy's creativity.
MASAECO is a huge booth of what I assume to be recycled wood because of the -ECO in their brand name. Inside are clean and simple furniture.
Resort furniture at it's best.
Loving purple lately and this lamp caught my eye!
Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Executive Director Rosvi C. Gaetos revealed that with this year’s theme, “ The Art of the Craftsman = The Soul of the Philippines”, the spotlight is on the Philippine top creative professionals and homegrown brands that have continuously sustained global interest in Filipino craftsmanship. With the industry's humble beginnings which is reflective of rich craft heritage, myriad influences, combined with age-old artisan techniques and materials, eye for beauty, and expert hands, the Manila FAME has metamorphosed into the world's favorite sourcing hub for creatively-designed and distinct products that have found its way in homes of notable personalities like Queen Rania of Jordan and Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie; leading lifestyle stores retailers such as Bloomingdales, Armani Casa, Harrods, El Corte Ingles, Neiman Marcus, Pottery Barn, Tangs, Etoile Design, Noor Design, United Furniture Company, and Papaya; and pages of high-end magazines such as Maisons Cote Sud, Habitus Living Australia, Furnishings International, Belle, Archidea, Moblaje, and many more.
And on the 3rd hour of my Citem exploration, God created
ITO KISH.
And he has lamps that I truly need in my life.
It brought happiness to my lonely heart.
It was love at first sight.
Manila Paper is what he used for his booth!
Bumped into friends! The gorgeous Suaco Sisters.
TRIBOA BAY Living caught my eye too!
This is so pretty! It's a chandelier made out of wood! No crystals here but it made such an impact because of how well it was made! Seriously want this.
The cream colored wood is so classy!!
And with that, I say CONGRATULATIONS to all that contributed, created and stayed up all night to make this wonderful display of Filipino creativity!!! May the flame of true Filipino talent reach out to all the foreign market all over the world!
Stay tuned for the Fashion and Accessories to be posted tomorrow!!
