Manila celebrates Design Week Philippines

The Philippines has become a star in the design scene in recent years. Design icons such as Kenneth Cobonpue and Budji Layug and up-and coming designers Ito Kish, Vito Selma, Stanley Ruiz, and Liliana Manahan have been reaping awards lately for their innovative ideas.

To nurture future design stars and world class creative talents, Design Week Philippines is being held (April 1624) through various activities in various venues.

Presented by the Department of Trade and Industry, through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), Design Week Philippines is a multifaceted celebration of the arts and design aimed at fostering creativity and innovations as well as pushing the Philippines as a leading design hub in Asia and globally.

With the theme “Connection,” Design Week Philippines is all about the different ties that bind design enthusiasts of different backgrounds and upbringings to interact and share their creativity with each other.

Intramuros – 1st creative environment

Highlighting Design Week Philippines is the launch of the first creative environment — Intramuros. Positioning the Walled City as a hub that caters to creative entrepreneurs who balance history with contemporary ideas, the launch features 13 events, eight venues, and 18 partners. The events (some have already been held) are as follows:

• EX Vivo: From Beginning to End, featuring White Wall Poetry, Lakambini, Mellow Submarine, Caffeine and Taurine, April 16.

• Weekend Market by Viva Manila, April 16-17.

• Sketch Walks with Workshops by Urban Sketchers, April 16-17.

• Schools of Living Traditions by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, April 16- 20, 9 pm. to 6 pm, NCAA Building lobby, Gen Luna Street.

• Street Art by Ang Gerilya, April 16-20, 9 am. to 6 pm., Gen. Luna Street.

• Letters for the Philippines by Type Kita and Fujifilm at Teatrillo, Plaza San Luis Complex, Gen. Luna Street, April 16-20, 9 am. to 6 pm.

Workshops and demonstrations by Alessa Lanot of Life After Breakfast PH, in collaboration with Abbey Sy and Tippy Go, which includes the following activities:

• Floral sketching and frame loom weaving, April 16, followed by stamp carving and pottery.

• Botanical water color, April 17.

• Maker Talks and April 19.

• Handmade Pattern Design, April 19.

• Pointed Pen Calligraphy Workshop by Stabilo and ZIG Kuretake PH, April 17.

• String Art Workshop by DMC Philippines, April 17.

• Palapas Workshop by Craft MNL, April 18. Public art installations

Public art installations include:

• Sixinch at Plaza Roma, April 16.

• SWAP Watch at Teatrillo, Plaza San Luis Complex, 9 am. to 6 pm.

• Screening of Past Sinag Maynila Films by Solar Entertainment, April 19.

• Design Trails by Bambike Ecotours at Casa Manila, April 17 to 20.

Also happening during Design Week is Slingshot Philippines, which features a national conference on startups and innovation, and an exhibit on startup companies.

The Design Center of the Philippines will also put on display innovative products that are design solutions to identified socio-economic and environment issues as part of the exhibition. Slingshot Philippines will run from April 21-22 at the PTTC, Pasay City.

Now on its 63rd edition and considered Asia’s second longest-running trade show, it will feature carefully curated fashion items, holiday gifts and décor, furniture, and home furnishings designed and crafted in the Philippines.