Legarda Invites Everyone to 2017 SikatPinoy National Arts and Crafts Fair

Senator Loren Legarda invites everyone to support the country’s artisans and manufacturers of heritage crafts at the 2017 SikatPinoy National Arts and Crafts Fair (NACF).

The NACF, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) in coordination with the Department’s Regional and Provincial Offices with the support of the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, will be held from October 26-29, 2017 at the SM Megatrade Halls in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

“The SikatPinoy National Arts & Crafts Fair serves as a powerful platform to support our local talents and entrepreneurs by helping them reach wider local and international markets. It is a venue that puts the spotlight on innovative products that not only represent the indigenous cultures and traditions of our regions, but also appeal to the aesthetics of modern global designs,” said Legarda, a staunch supporter of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and Philippine arts and culture.

The four-day NACF will feature 280 MSME manufacturers of heritage crafts, artisanal crafts and native delicacies. It will also showcase outputs of the creative industries from the country’s 16 regions including ARMM, and partner agencies and institutions.

Among the highlights of the Fair is a special setting of Heritage Crafts showcasing Philippine indigenous textiles, mats and baskets, and weavers from various indigenous and traditional groups who will demonstrate their weaving traditions.

There will also be lectures on various subjects related to the Fair’s theme, such as the T’boli Food Preparation, Philippine Culinary Heritage, Muslim Mindanao Cuisine and Halal Food Preparation, Philippine Coffee Appreciation, Pursuing Business in Design, Finance Management for Business Entrepreneurs, and stories of some enterprises.

Weavers will also have a chance to share about their weaving traditions—how they started weaving, processes and techniques, challenges and success stories.

Several participants are indigenous communities and MSMEs that have been met and helped by Senator Legarda, such as Sammy Buhle of Ifugao Ikat; Lily Luglug of Lab Tie Dye Weavers Association; Namarabar Ethnic Crafts and Antiques of Peñarrubia, Abra; Mangyan Heritage Center from Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro; Manlilikha ng Bayan Weaving Center of GAMABA awardee Magdalena Gamayo of Pinili, Ilocos Norte; Bagtason Loomweavers Association from Bugasong, Antique; La Herminia from Kalibo, Aklan; Brgy. Garangan Tumandok Org of Iloilo; Klowil Kem Libon Org of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; Lamlifew Women’s Tribal Assoc. from Malungon, Sarangani; Rhoda Pon-an of Antique Development Foundation; Nagbacalan Loomweavers Multi-Purpose Cooperative for Paoay, Ilocos Norte; and San Jose Multi-Purpose Cooperative from Sarat, Ilocos Norte, among many others.

“I invite everyone to visit the 2017 SikatPinoy National Arts and Crafts Fair. Through this event, we empower the indigenous skills and talents behind these products, and at the same time, signify our support to the development of more Filipino enterprises,” Legarda concluded.