Manila F.A.M.E. International 2010 Unfolds New Beginning

Re-inventing and transforming, Manila Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers Exchange (Manila F.A.M.E.) International begins a new chapter in its 27-year history, as it evolves into Asia’s Boutique Show on April 22-25, 2010 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.

More than just an exhibition for home and fashion lifestyle products, Manila F.A.M.E. provides its visitors and buyers a unique experience with more than the usual product selections.

This bi-annual trade show, organized by Center For International Trade Expositions And Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, expands into 4 co-located shows featuring Home Living for design-driven furniture and houseware; FashioNation for fashion forward collections of inspired fashion complements, garments, and textile; BIO-Search, a promotion of health and wellness that offers natural personal care and spa products; and ART:MNL, a sampling of Filipino contemporary paintings and sculptures.

Sticking to the show’s tradition of excellence, Manila F.A.M.E. boasts of top-notch craftsmanship with premium quality and design innovations unique to the country. As Asia’s Boutique Show, buyers are given further personalized customer service that is an extension of the world-renowned Filipino warmth and hospitality where both buyers and exhibitors are provided a venue to conduct business and build lasting relationships

In the Philippines, Manila F.A.M.E. International raises the bar for international exhibitions by being the only trade fair accredited by Union des Foires Internationales (UFI), a Paris-based association of trade fair organizers. And, as one of the longest-running trade shows for home lifestyle products in the Asia Pacific, it is a favorite sourcing destination of well-known brands such as Neiman Marcus, Jonathan Adler, Armani Casa, Ralph Lauren, Harrods, and Gucci among others.

“Through the years, Manila F.A.M.E. has never failed to give our buyers only the best that the Philippines can offer as we continuously seek new ways, new styles, and new approaches for a seamless buying experience. As we welcome our guests this April, we hope to inspire them with our expanded product offerings under 4 co-located shows: Home Living, FashioNation, BIO-Search, and ART:MNL, as I personally extend this invitation to our buyers and exhibitors alike. Be part of the evolution. See you this April,” said CITEM Deputy Executive Director and Manila F.A.M.E. Over-all Project Director, Thelma Dumpit-Murillo.

In its October 2009 edition, close to 2,000 buyers from Japan, Germany, Australia, France, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States, visited the show where 439 world-class companies exhibited.

“We keep visiting Manila whenever Manila F.A.M.E. International is there because we like the originality; the designs are nice, there are new concepts and the standard is high. We come here for Christmas items and pottery. It is extraordinary all the time here,” enthused a buyer from Belgium.

A first time visitor from India says, “…The handicraft [in the show] is good. The quality and design are nice.”

Likewise, a buyer from Australia had good words for the show saying, “We import from all over the world and the products you have here seem to be of better quality than all the other products we have seen. We are quite impressed with it.”

This April 2010, visitors can likewise look forward to new show components such as Switch, which highlights designers’ crossing over design disciplines to show versatility, Icons, which features forerunners of Philippine design who have made it big internationally as well as daily fashion shows and design competitions.

For more information about the event, contact the Manila F.A.M.E. International Secretariat at (632) 833-1258, 831-2201 Local 240/243 (Home Lifestyle), 831.1265, 8312201 Local 203 / 226 (Fashion Lifestyle) e-mail manilafame@citem.com.ph or visit the event website at http://www.manilafame.com

Tarlac to Host Palarong Pambansa 2010

The provincial government of Tarlac will host the 53rd edition of the Palarong Pambansa to be held on April 11-17, 2010 at the Tarlac Recreational Park (TRP) in San Jose, Tarlac.

Prior to the event, a launching was held last February 18, 2010 simultaneously in four other towns -- Bamban, Concepcion, Camiling and San Manuel-- as a signal for the start of the Palaro 2010 countdown.

Tarlac province has started the counting from the 53rd day before the event as this is the 53rd Palarong Pambansa. The theme for this year is “Play for the Region, Win for the Nation”. The activity kicked off at 6:30 a.m. with all the 17 municipalities and one city in the province held a firecracker launch, simultaneous with the ringing of all church bells. This was followed by a province-wide cycling and motorcade.

The launching also introduced “Palaro” this year’s mascot. “As first time host, we mark this event with this mascot. We named “Palaro”, -- a multi-faceted yet roundly unified ball to symbolize the energy, the discipline and the verve that go with every jump, every kick and every bounce made during the games.” Gov. Yap said.

He also said that “much like Tarlac, dubbed as the melting pot of Central Luzon where diverse cultures meet and mix, mascot ‘Palaro” also represents convergence and oneness.”

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Tarlac government also conducted a press briefing at the TRP where mechanics, security, fraud, accommodation of athletes, transportation, traffic and other matters about the competition were tackled.

Governor Victor Yap said that he was excited with the staging of the Palarong Pambansa in the province. He said that although there are some facilities that have not yet been completed, he assured that it will be done before the event. The DepEd, for its part, said that accommodations, mechanics, safety measures and other concerns were already been set.

Gov. Yap also emphasized that Palaro is a dream come true to all Tarlaquenos. “This is our chance to showcase our warm hospitality, our ability to handle the big sports event and to show not only to our countrymen but to the whole world as well the beauty of our province,” he said.

The Palarong Pambansa 2010 hopes to boost the province’s economy, especially the tourism industry. Some 25,000 guests from the country’s 17 regions are expected to attend the annual sporting event.

The 53rd Palarong Pambansa is in cooperation with the DepEd Task Force on School Sports and sponsored by Smart Communications, Inc., and SM.

For more information about the event, contact the Palarong Pambansa - Tarlac Secretariat at (6345) 6114148, (63910) 387-3956, email palaro2010@gmail.com or visit the Palarong Pambansa 2010 blog at http://palarongpambansa2010satarlac.blogspot.com/ or Tarlac Government website at http://www.tarlac.gov.ph/

PSC Celebrates 20th Anniversary with All in Sports Expo 2010

In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Philippine Sports Commission, players, coaches, and sports enthusiasts are invited to take part in the country’s newest sports and fitness expo: the 1st Philippine Sporting Goods and Facilities, Fitness Equipment, Apparel and Footwear, Hobbies, Recreation and Health-Related Products and Services Exhibition (All in Sports Expo 2010) scheduled on February 25 – 28, 2010 at the newly-renovated Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

Organized by the Philippine Sports Commission in partnership with Global-Link MP Events International, Inc., the event will be an exhibit of the latest in the sports and fitness industry, featuring products, services, and technology form top local as well as foreign companies.

All In Sports Expo 2010 will coincide with the Commission on Higher Education - Private Schools Athletic Association - State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (CHED-PRISAA-SCUAA) National Games - the biggest sports competition among private and state colleges and universities in the country. The games will showcase young athletes from 17 regions across the Philippine battle it out to become achieve high honors in their respective sports, including judo, badminton, tennis, swimming, athletics, and baseball.

Aside from display of sporting goods and items sold at discounted prices, other activities have been lined up for the four-day sports expo. There will be an inter-school tournament and exhibition on the country’s National Sport, Arnis. Philippine Taekwondo's best athletes will compete for the Metro Manila Open Championship. Philippine Grandmasters will face-off in a chess tournament. Other activities include bodybuilding exhibition, international dance competition for the youth in multiple subjects and styles including hip-hop, jazz, and ballroom, Tennis Exhibition Match between top athletes in men's and women's divisions, and a Sports photo exhibit featuring the greatest moments in Philippine sports from 1990 to present.

For more information about the event, contact Global-Link MP Events International Inc. at (632) 750-8588, 887-1304; fax (632) 750-8585; email: info@globallinkmp.com, or visit their website at www.globallinkph.com.

DOT Opens MICECon 2010 to all Business, Industry Sector

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano has virtually opened the forthcoming conference on meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) to the entire business community as he invites all members of the corporate and entrepreneurial sectors to join the Philippine MICE Conference (MICECon) 2010 slated at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center on Feb. 4 - 7, 2010.

Sec. Durano said MICECON 2010 would orient corporate executives and entrepreneurs on the latest trends in this field, provide them with a lineup of competent foreign and local service providers, present to them the best practices worldwide, and acquaint them with the global network of MICE experts whom they could tap, thus enabling them to optimize the benefits they could derive from staging their own MICE-related activities anywhere in the world.

“MICECON is not just for the MICE sector of the tourism industry, but for the entire business community since it revolves around a marketing tool that is now being used extensively worldwide in pursuit of corporate and entrepreneurial objectives,” Sec. Durano explained.

This is the first time that a MICE event will be held north of Manila. Previous MICE events were staged in Cebu, Boracay, Davao, Bacolod and Batangas. The staging of this event in Subic is intended to develop and market the North as another MICE destination outside Manila. This is also the first time that the country’s two major MICE-related events – the Philippine Incentive Marketing Conference (Phil-Incentive) and the Philippine Asia MICE Forum – are brought together to form MICECON 2010.

Organized by the DOT and its marketing arm, the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp. (PCVC), MICECON 2010 includes an Amazing MICE Race, MICE Leaders Forum, Educational Tracks for MICE Mates, MICE market seminars, business networking, and bid presentations of future MICECON hosts.

Aside from the seminars, workshops and business networking activities, MICECON 2010 also includes special events in three key northern destinations – Balanga for bird watching, Subic for the main conference, and Clark for the post-tour.

MICECON 2010 is supported by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Philippine Airlines, Philippine Tourism Authority, Provincial Government of Cebu, City Government of Balanga, Bataan, Provincial Government of Bohol, Victory Liner, Islands Philippines, Primer Group of Companies, Recreational Outdoor Exchange (ROX), WOW Jeepney Tours, Clark Development Corp., Clark International Airport Corp., Coltrans, Marriott Hotel, Travellers International Hotel Group, Annset Holidays, Inc., INTAS Destinations, Yellowbird Tours, Abacus International, Smart Communications, Inc., TTG Asia, Manila North Tollways Corp., Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS), Movement of Incentive Travel Executives (MITE), Hotel Sales & Marketing Association (HSMA), National Association of Independent Travel Agencies Inc. (NAITAS), and Travel Café Philippines.

For more information on MICECON 2010, contact the MICECON Secretariat at (632) 525-9318 local 233 or 525-6110, email phil.MICEconference@gmail.com, cit@dotpcvc.gov.ph, or visit www.dotpcvc.gov.ph.

2009 Visayas Island Invention Exhibit Festival Winners Announced

The Department of Science and Technology together with the Technology Application and Promotion and Institute (TAPI) and the Visayas Inventors Association (VIA) formally announced the winners of the 2009 Visayas Island Invention Exhibit Festival last October 4, 2009 at the Ayala Activity Center in Cebu City.

With the theme “Inventions: Responding to Global Challenges”, the event aims to promote the innovativeness and creativity of Visayan inventors.

Four entries won among the seventeen (17) official entries coming from the different parts of the Visayas regions. First and second prize was awarded to Engr. Noro S. Camomot for “Joyski-The Motorcycle Driven Jet Ski” and “NJ8-The Noro Wave Power Barge” while Mr. Jesselito V. Baring’s “Cyclonic Grease Stripping Column” got the third place for the Creative Research Category (Likha Award).

For the Student Creative Research Category (Sibol Award), first prize was given to Mr. Mark Jay Rivas from the University of San Carlos for “Sagassum as a Ceramic Flux in Conserving Energy”.

Prizes include P15000, P10000, and P5000 for the first, second, and third with certificates of recognition plus the chance to qualify for the upcoming 2009 National Invention Contest in November 16-20, 2009 at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.

Other qualifying entries for the 2009 National Invention Contest include: Cyclone 5-The Multi Stage Package Type Smokestack, NJ6-The Floating Cottage with Wave Power Generator, Modular Furniture Segment, and Plastic Biodiesel Home Brewer.

For more information contact the DOST Region 7 office at (6332) 232-86-32 or visit their website at www.ro7.dost.gov.ph

Three New Shows Co-locate at 50th Manila F.A.M.E. International

On its 50th edition, Asia’s Best Design Destination, the Manila Furnishings and Apparel Manufacturers Exchange International (Manila F.A.M.E.) will be held October 15-18, 2009 in two venues— SMX Convention Center and World Trade Center— offering three new shows that put the spotlight on Filipino creativity with its design and quality-driven products that meet global standards.

Ever growing and ever expanding, the bi-annual trade show for home and lifestyle products has always been at the forefront of innovation. Attuned to the international market trends as well as consumer demands, the show continues to evolve in order to meet these demands and open doors to more local manufacturers further strengthening the Philippines’ position as a source of high-quality products and services.

“This Golden Edition of Manila F.A.M.E. International is extra special. It opens in two venues to accommodate [our growing number of] exhibitors and to answer the clamor of our buyers asking for more of the unique and new products from the Philippines,” said Ms. Thelma Dumpit-Murillo, Over-all Project Director of Manila F.A.M.E. and Deputy Executive Director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry. Aside from holding the 50th Manila F.A.M.E. in two separate venues, three new shows have been created within the said event.

Fashion revolution at FashioNation
Philippine fashion has grown by leaps and bounds over the last decade with young designers armed with fresh ideas and diverse design aesthetic leading the revolution.

Manila F.A.M.E., in its bid to invigorate and fortify the fashion industry, is launching a new show. Dubbed FashioNation, the show will house manufacturers of garments, textile, footwear, and fashion complements such as accessories and bags all export products with exceptional design and craftsmanship.

Also among the highlights of FashioNation include the daily fashion shows that will feature, among others, designer collections and eco-chic apparel. See new collections of established as well as up-and-coming local fashion designers that have wowed international design communities worldwide in the show’s Designer Lane.

Students of fashion schools and colleges will have a chance to show off their talents as well in a design competition with a theme, “The Green Scene: Eco-Pinoy Fashion.” The contest requires a modern yet timeless interpretation of the Philippines— it’s culture, heritage, and people— using recycled, natural, and indigenous materials.

Art and Soul at ART:MNL
ART:MNL is the first-ever venue to internationally showcase the artworks of Filipino contemporary artists. Leading art galleries as well as renowned and emerging artists come together to make available masterful pieces to interested local and foreign buyers.

Aside from this stimulating visual display, the show will also hold seminars and workshops that aim to expand participants’ knowledge on the arts, cultivate an eye for beauty, gather information on art conservation, and serve as a venue to meet the masters. Chosen artists will also get the chance to participate in a close door nude sketching session; their masterpieces put up for sale afterwards.

ART:MNL is a preview to the Philippine International Art Fair 2010. The show is done in collaboration with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Committee on Visual Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Metropolitan Museum of the Philippines, National Museum, Intellectual Property Office, Bonafide Art Galleries Association, Contemporary Art Philippines, and Art Association of the Philippines.

Go Natural at the Philippine Health and Wellness Show
Wellness has been among almost everyone’s priority list, and Manila F.A.M.E. answers this demand for the body’s well being with the Philippine Health and Wellness Show which offers natural, herbal, and organic personal care products. Lemon grass essences and massage oils, VCO-based soaps and balms, and soy-based aromatherapy candles are only some of the all-natural, eco-lifestyle products offered in the show. Also featured are spa services, alternative healing modalities, centers for specialized healthcare, and retirement destinations.

For more information on Manila F.A.M.E. International, visit www.manilafame.com, or contact Manila F.A.M.E. Secretariat at (632) 833-1258, 831-1265 or email manilafame@citem.com.ph.

Caving Enthusiasts, Clubs, and Government Agencies Unite for National Caving Congress

Members of caving clubs and speleological societies from all over the country, and from Australia, United States, New Zealand, Hongkong, Great Britain and Japan packed up their gear and went to the Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park in Basey, Samar last May 11-15, 2009 for the Philippine Speleological Society Cave Congress 2009 (9th National Caving Congress).

Hosted by Philippine Cave Guides Association Inc. (PCGA), together with Nature Unlimited - Leyte Outdoor Club Inc. (NULOC), Department of Tourism (DOT), Provincial Government of Leyte and Samar, and the Municipal Government of Basey Samar, the event aims to enhance the technical capability of the participants to be able to conduct a safe and more thorough cave assessment. In addition, it aims to come up with a policy recommendation for a more streamlined and dynamic cave management program that would take into consideration the connection between conservation and tourism. The congress is also a show of support for a stronger implementation of Republic Act 9072, known as the Caves and Cave Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

The event, carrying the theme, “Finding the Balance between Conservation and Tourism”, was formally opened at the University of the Philippines – Tacloban with DOT Secretary Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano welcoming the delegates for this year’s congress.

Three international speakers graced this year’s National Caving Congress. They were Professor Elery Hamilton Smith, chairman of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the World Commission on Protected Areas, Mr. Pete Chandler, owner of Spellbound Caving Tours in New Zealand; and Mr. Dave Smith of the Department of Conservation in New Zealand.

Also, local speakers from the University of the Philippines, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, DOT, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Museum, and PCGA shared their insights and knowledge on cave preservations.

For more information about the event contact the PCGA at (053) 523-762 or email psscavecongress09@yahoo.com

RP Celebrates International Dance Day thru Dance Xchange

Philippine dance troupes, together with international dance groups, celebrated the International Dance Day with seminars, workshops, and cultural presentations during the Dance Xchange: 1st Philippine International Dance Workshop and Festival held last April 28 – May 1, 2009 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the annual national dance congress aims to provide a venue for interaction and to facilitate learning among dancers, directors, choreographers as well as t tourism and cultural officers. The event is designed to provide new ideas and inspiration to encourage creativity of dance educators, directors, and choreographers.

Dance Xchange is also intended to showcase the unique dances of each country to promote cultural understanding and to strengthen network among dance organizations and diplomatic relations of the participating countries.

International delegations included Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Dance Troupe, the Dance Academy of Kuching Malaysia, Persadaku Seni Dancers of Singapore, Spanish Dance Troupe, Chinese Dance Company, Beijing Dance Academy, Japanese Dancers, Aswara Dancers of Malaysia, Korea, and Macau Dancers.

Local performing groups also joined the celebration, which included the Philippine National Folkdance Company (Bayanihan) Leyte Dance Theater, Philippine National University Kislap ng Sining Dance Troupe, Lahing Batangan Dance Troupe, Sinukwan Performing Arts, Douglas Nierras Powerdance, Halili-Cruz Dance Company, ADS Performing Arts, University of San Carlos Dance Troupe, Helobung Community Dance Troupe, Inc., Bohol Punta Cruz Cultural Collective, Kahayag of South Cotabato, Professional Dance Teachers Association, Hwa Yi Ethnic Dance Troupe, Jambangan Dance Troupe, Sinanduloy Dance Troupe, and MEV Dance Troupe.

For more information about the event, contact the NCCA-Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) at (632) 527-5529, 527-2192 loc. 508, 612 to 615, email at ncca.paio@gmail.com, public_affairs@ncca.gov.ph or visit their website www.ncca.gov.ph

National and College Theater Festival to Open

To highlight the outstanding theater achievements of university-based theater groups, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), through its National Committee on Dramatic Arts, will be holding Tanghal, the fourth National University and College Theater Festival on February 1-5, 2009 as part of the Philippine International Festival (PIAF).

The event will feature a showcase of six exceptional theater performances that will be followed by a conference featuring international guest artists that will tackle the contributions of theater groups in the universities and colleges all over the Philippines in the hopes of forming a National Student Theater Alliance. The fourth Tanghal is aimed at marking the importance of university and college-based theater programs in the Philippine history.

This year’s fourth Tanghal is slated to take place in the National Capital Region (NCR), as the three previous theater festivals were held in the provinces.

The first Tanghal was held in Iloilo City in 2007 and was hosted by the University of San Agustin and the Teatrokon Western Visayas Theater Network. In 2008, Tanghal moved to Zamboanga with the Western Mindanao State University and the local government unit of the City of Zamboanga playing hosts. For the third leg of the theater festival, Tanghal was held at Laguna, hosted by Colegio de San Juan Letran in Calamba in cooperation with the Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog, Inc., Linang Laguna Theater Network and the Lusong Luzon Theater Network.

The PIAF is annually held every February as per the Presidential Proclamation No. 683 signed by former President Corazon Aquino in 1991 and is currently undertaken by NCCA headed by its chairman, Dr. Vilma Labrador and its executive director Cecile Guidote Alvarez. Commissioner Ricardo de Ungria, head of the Subcommission on the Arts, is the festival director of PIAF 2010.

For details, contact the NCCA at (632) 527-2192 loca 612-615, email ncca.paio@gmail.com or log on to www.ncca.gov.ph.