A showcase of PHL art and culture
FOR THE MONTH of June, as the country celebrates Independence Day, Rustan’s is collaborating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to showcase Philippine culture and talent in Art and Soul of the Filipino.
The showcase was launched last week in Rustan’s Makati, featuring a photo exhibit with works of Adel Samson, Bien Bautista, Jijo de Guzman, Kakai Manotok-Arroyo and Jan Aliling, which will run until July 9.
As a Philippine company, Rustan’s does its share in promoting the country with pieces in its Our Very Own collection, featuring luxury products made with materials found in the Philippines, such as fine wood, textile, and shell.
The DTI, meanwhile, set up an exhibit in Rustan’s called Go Lokal! The main focus of the showcase are items available for retail from all corners of the country. During
BusinessWorld’s visit to the exhibit, it saw roasted pili nuts in different flavors from Bicol, dessert wines from DeMetrio’s in an array of flavors, from coffee, mangosteen, and dulce de leche.
These items, and more, are set to be on sale in Rustan’s for the coming month. Jars of tropical fruit jam, as well as chocolate-covered dried mangoes, and chocolate from Davao, were included in the exhibit, showing off the Filipino proclivity for sweets.
Marble baubles were also seen on display, as well as woven bags, some made with indigenous materials. Shawls edged in pearl from The Great Women Project, a brand resulting from a public- private partnership with the Philippine government and the Canadian International Development Authority, under a project called Gender- Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women) will also be available in the department store. A company called Lipi also displayed its bags, made with native materials, specifically, fabric from Ilocos, and colored with natural dyes. Shoes were also seen in the exhibit, featuring flats accented with woven material from Mindanao from a social enterprise by Joy Belmonte and Looie Lobregat. As seen in the exhibit, it truly is an honor to be a Filipino, and fine goods made with fine Filipino craftsmanship can be seen as a reward for being so. — The exhibit is on view on the fifth floor of Rustan’s Makati until July 9.