The Department of Agriculture will showcase the country’s finest organic and artisanal agricultural products and natural fibers in the sidelines of the upcoming 30th ASEAN Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on April 26-29, 2017.
Manila will host the first two meetings of the ten leaders from across Southeast Asia as chair of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations this year.
The theme, “Partnering for Change Engaging the World”, “reflects the Philippine government’s advocacy to promote unity with and among ASEAN member states and its global partners”.
The DA will set-up an exhibit highlighting indigenous, local, and artisanal agricultural products ranging from fruit such as Guimaras mangoes; pili nuts from Bicol; adlai from Bukidnon, pomelo from North Cotabato, pineapples from Davao and heirloom rice from the Cordilleras.
Famed weavers from across the country will also conduct a live demonstration of the various techniques applied in their respective handloom weave.
They include:
1. Ya Man/Ruby Man (T’nalak) from – Region 12 T’boli
2. Jennifer Ala (T’nalak) – Region 12 (T’boli)
3. Ma. Elena Lani (T’nalak) – Region 12 (T’boli)
4. Erlinda Masumpad / Momer Masumpad (Mandaya weave) – Region 11 Mandaya
5. Jhosie R. Reporen (Piña-silk) – Aklan in Region 6
6. Jessicca Tijing (Hablon) – Iloilo in Region 6
7. Rosa Caipas / Susan Astrero (Traditional weaves from Cordillerras) – Baguio City
The weavers from T’Boli will be joined by Lenora Luisa Cabili, designer and owner of Filip + Inna clothing. Len commissions the T’boli women, among other tribes, to design her clothing line. Her designs are exclusively embroidered and handcrafted by several Filipino tribes, including the T’bolis of South Cotabato.
Handloom weaving is a leading Filipino handicraft industry and considered a traditional craft in the many regions in the country.
The exhibit and live demonstration of the country’s centuries-old tradition of textile weaving was specially organized for State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of the Union of Myanmar or Burma, who will join other ASEAN leaders during the gathering. The Burmese democracy icon has reportedly taken interest in the Philippine weaving industry and wished to see the various indigenous fabrics. Her country is known for silk and cotton weaving.
The conduct of said exposition exemplifies the commitment of support of the Department of Agriculture, under the leadership of Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol, to Filipino agricultural entrepreneurs so they will continue to produce world class products that make use of the abundance of the country’s natural resources. ### (photo grabbed from Usec. Bernadette Romulo Puyat’s FB account)
