In its bid to impart a deeper understanding of true Filipino craftsmanship and artisanship, the latest edition of Manila FAME, which was held last 14-17 March 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, Metro Manila, Philippines, puts focus on the grassroots level of export industry as it reintroduces the One Town One Product (OTOP) Marketplace, a special participation of local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) from selected regions in the Philippines.
"The OTOP is a priority program of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that was featured in a special setting at the 57th Edition of Manila FAME. The setting encourages the use of indigenous raw materials abundant in the country and transforms it into locally made products that highlights the natural talent and capability of our Filipino craftsman," says Rosvi C. Gaetos, Executive Director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export marketing arm of the DTI, and leading organizer of Manila FAME.
Curated by Filipino designer Jinggoy Buensuceso, the 263-square meter product-focused setting is envisioned to reinforce the country's efforts to strengthen the SMEs' export capability and keep them up to date with the latest trends and innovations in the industry.
"This year's OTOP Marketplace features contemporized products made of local materials such as water hyacinth, bamboo, burnt wood, coco guinit, twigs, tikog, and a variety of natural fibers found in the different regions of the Philippines," says Buensuceso.
The initial presence of the OTOP Marketplace at Manila FAME generated encouraging results. Ana Gotladera of Analobel Enterprises, an OTOP Marketplace exhibitor at the last edition of Manila FAME, says, "We didn't expect that we would entertain a great deal of orders and inquiries considering that our products were strictly Philippine handicrafts. Local and foreign buyers were flocking to the place and it really was a moment to behold. The bestsellers for us (Analobel Enterprises) were handwoven bags, baskets, and mats made from indigenous Philippine fibers."
"This year's OTOP Marketplace features contemporized products made of local materials such as water hyacinth, bamboo, burnt wood, coco guinit, twigs, tikog, and a variety of natural fibers found in the different regions of the Philippines," says Buensuceso.
The initial presence of the OTOP Marketplace at Manila FAME generated encouraging results. Ana Gotladera of Analobel Enterprises, an OTOP Marketplace exhibitor at the last edition of Manila FAME, says, "We didn't expect that we would entertain a great deal of orders and inquiries considering that our products were strictly Philippine handicrafts. Local and foreign buyers were flocking to the place and it really was a moment to behold. The bestsellers for us (Analobel Enterprises) were handwoven bags, baskets, and mats made from indigenous Philippine fibers."
The OTOP Marketplace is a joint project of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export marketing arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Regional Operations and Development Group (RODG), the Bureau of Domestic Trade (BDT), the Product Development and design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP) and the Regional and Provincial Offices of the DTI.
