65th Manila FAME sets its eye on lucrative real estate and hospitality developments
The most anticipated design and lifestyle event in the Philippines was held last April 21 to 23, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) with a compelling showcase of the country’s robust brands, innovative crafts, diverse materials, dynamic design pool, and top-quality home exterior, interior, and lifestyle products and services that caters to the rapidly expanding hospitality, real estate, travel and tourism global markets.
Organized bi-annually by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-CITEM), Manila FAME upholds its premier status as a sourcing destination for export-quality Philippine design and craftsmanship.
“There’s a lot of exciting additions to Manila FAME this year. In keeping with the reputed dynamism of the show and its rapidly evolving global markets, CITEM rallies together the country’s finest talents to put up spectacular shows for April and October,” CITEM deputy executive director Ma. Lourdes Mediran said. “With the participation of the Philippines’ best artisans, manufacturers, designers and creative groups from all over the country, and the collaboration of private and government entities, I am confident that the Philippines will be more than ready to demonstrate its capability as a must-visit sourcing hub.”
For its April 2017 edition, Manila FAME sets its eye on lucrative design services, and architectural and interior contract projects for real estate and hospitality developments in key regions in the Middle East, Asia, and the Philippines.
With this particular focus, CITEM partnered with the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) for the show’s special settings, exhibiting items of scale and decorative pieces for architectural and building contract markets. Meanwhile, small concept products shall also be developed for millennial homes, theme parks, museums, tourism and travel sectors, and contemporary and highdesign merchandise for specialized consumers.
Product specialist for the Lucent Objects exhibition Stanley Ruiz developed a collection of holidaythemed lamps and lighting that will set it apart from the usual seasonal items this April. The second phase of Manila FAME’s Materia: Bamboo and Materia: Coconut special exhibits will showcase the works of veteran Philippine furniture designers Dem Bitantes, Rey Soliven, and Stephen Buñi and Japanese designer Wataru Sakuma. This time, the creative roster will introduce new material innovations made from the ubiquitous bamboo and coconut.
Materia, which means ‘material’ in Latin, is a Manila FAME showcase series of specific indigenous materials in the Philippines, exploring its innovative applications for global market production.
Another highlight this April is the special showcase of the second GREAT Women Project of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) in partnership with the DTI Project Management Team, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency. International lifestyle designer PJ Arañador, Red Box junior designer Rachelle Dagñalan, and DCP senior designer Mon Pabillon will serve as the product specialists for this project.
“Manila FAME strengthens the Philippines’ international reputation as a reliable source of export-quality products, materials, and services. As the lead organizer, CITEM endeavors to make every edition of Manila FAME a notch higher than the last one,” Mediran said. “This April, we hope to give our buyers and other stakeholders a powerful ambiance — one that packs a surprise in every corner of the halls,” Mediran added.