From the Philippines To The World

Design and raw materials were the focus of this year’s participation at the recently concluded Interior Lifestyle exhibition held in Tokyo Big Sight, Japan. Eight Filipino manufacturers of home lifestyle products showcased their best wares to the discerning Japanese market with the two elements as the Philippines’ competitive edge.

“The market is very interested in new materials and design,” says Pete Delantar, CEO of Nature’s Legacy Eximport Inc., a manufacturer of home accessories using recycled materials. This works well for Filipino manufacturers, he adds, because materials manipulation and design are among the strong suits of Philippine-made products.

Takayoshi Nagashima, president of AIK Co. Ltd., a company that publishes The Home Living, agrees, saying, “The Philippines continues to produce creative pieces using indigenous materials, as well as manipulations of raw and recycled materials that are aligned to the global trend of eco-designs.”

Nature’s Legacy was among the three local companies chosen by the Asean-Japan Center to be part of the Asean Pavilion, which is composed of other manufacturers from Asean member-countries. Nature’s Legacy was joined by Filipino manufacturers Catalina Embroideries (lamps, cushion covers, mirrors, wall décor, vases) and Maze Manufacturing Co. Inc. (wrought-iron furniture, home accessories).

Aside from selling the country as a reliable source of products and services, the Philippine participation to Interior Lifestyle also serves as a preview to Manila FAME International (www.manilafame.com), a biannual tradeshow for home and lifestyle products scheduled from October 18 to 21 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. On its 52nd edition, the trade show continues to establish itself as Asia’s Boutique Show with this year’s theme focusing on Japan as partner-country, the country being the Philippines’ second-largest market.

The Tokyo participation, and the Manila FAME International are projects organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.