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FILIPINO CREATIVE ARTISANS UNDER LIFESTYLE PHILIPPINES PARTICIPATE AT THE 2015 NY NOW IN NEW YORK

16 August 2015 - A delegation of 19 Philippine manufacturers/exporters under the Lifestyle Philippines brand for the first time participated in the 2015 edition of the NY NOW Trade Show at the Javits Convention Center in New York City from August 16 to 19.

Lifestyle Philippines is a curated exhibition of creative enterprises exhibiting the colorful heritage and artisanal soul for contemporary living. On its maiden launch in NY NOW 2015, the Philippine government branding aims to place the Philippines as a sourcing destination for finely-crafted lifestyle products for the world market. NY NOW is a bi-annual trade show for home and lifestyle products and is a premiere market for all new and on-trend in specialty retail, featuring three collection categories: Home, Lifestyle and Handmade. 

The participating companies under the Home sector are: Alice Blue Candles & Home Fragrances, Arden, Art n Nature, CSM Philippines, Finali, Klassy Collections, Lightworks, Markalex Creative Craft Corp., Mil Export Philippines, Nature’s Legacy, and Venzon Lighting.

The participating companies under the Fashion sector are: Ann Ong, Beatriz, Crystal Seas, kitSilver Jewellery, Larone, Megabijoux, Risque Designs, and The Tannery Manila. 

Boosting the Philippine participation are 3 themes: “Industrial Craft” which focuses on the industrial making process of molding and casting, welding, laser-cutting, 3D printing, CNC machining, accenting the marriage of linear and geometrical structures with a more subdued color palette; “Terno Patterno” which underlines traditional motifs imbued with patterns and bold colors for a modern revamp; and “PriMo (Primitive Modern)” which juxtaposes geometric and organic elements that are raw and primitive with postmodernist designs that are ornate and ablaze with colors. 

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) which is the export promotions arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is spearheading the country’s first participation in New York’s leading trade fair. “To boost the country’s export sales, the country’s first participation in NY NOW will not only strengthen the Philippine design identity but shall expand opportunities for our home, lifestyle and fashion sectors as well,” said CITEM Executive Director Rosvi Gaetos. 

About 2,600 exhibitors and thousands of lines under 400 categories, 35,000 buyers representing 20,000 companies from 50 US states, along with attendees from 80 foreign nations, including the Philippines, participated in NY NOW 2015. 

Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. graced the opening day of the NY NOW 2015 trade show on August 16. 

Philippine Consul General to New York Mario L. De Leon, Jr., together with Philippine Trade Representative in New York John Paul B. Iñigo, visited the Lifestyle Philippines pavilion on August 18 to meet with each of the 19 exhibitors at their respective booths, all of which displayed a colorful assortment of Philippine-made home, fashion and lifestyle products.

At the conclusion of the trade show, Consul General and Mrs. De Leon hosted a dinner for the Philippine CITEM participants at his official residence in the evening of 19 August 2015. Together with Trade Representative Iñigo, Consul General De Leon congratulated the delegation members for raising the profile of the Philippines as a vibrant and active international hub for creative artisans in household and fashion accessories. The CITEM participants remarked how pleased they were with the success which they achieved during the trade show in connecting with prospective customers.

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FILIPINO COMMUNITY IN NEW YORK COMMEMORATES 32^ND NINOY AQUINO DAY

01 September 2015 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York, joined by the Filipino community, led the commemoration today of  the 32^nd Death Anniversary of Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. at the Ninoy Aquino Triangle in Queens, New York.

The commemoration was marked by a short and meaningful program, keynoted by Philippine Consul General Mario L. De Leon, Jr., as well as community representatives headed by the Ateneo Alumni of Northeast America and the Ninoy Aquino Triangle Foundation. In his address, Consul General De Leon recalled the late Senator’s achievements and heroism in fighting the Marcos dictatorship, as well as his lasting legacy of restoring democracy and freedom because of the ultimate sacrifice that he made. The Consul General expressed his hope that Filipinos, no matter where they are, will work harder to make democracy work for the prosperity of the country and its people.  “With the power of our people, we will continue to be blessed with more leaders like Sen Aquino,” he added.

Similarly, Mr. Antero Martinez, representing the Ninoy Aquino Triangle Foundation, in his closing remarks reflected on the value of Senator Aquino’s heritage, his courage and his continuing inspiration to the Filipino people. He prayed that Filipinos should never forget the sacrifice that Senator Aquino made, to reclaim freedom for the country. 

A wreath was laid at the Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. monument to mark the occasion. 

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3^RD FILIPINO CULTURAL SUMMER CAMP HELD IN SAN FRANCISCO

27 August 2015 - The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of San Francisco (UPAA-SF), in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, Ramarfoods International Scholarship Foundation, the Office of the SF Mayor’s Adviser on Education and Family Services, and the Holy Child St. Martin Church / St. Stephen High School Alumni Association – NorCal held the Third Annual Filipino Cultural Summer Camp, a cultural and educational program, at the Holy Child St. Martin Church Community Hall in Daly City from July 20 to 24, and from July 27 to 31.

With the desire to ultimately have a Philippine Heritage Learning and Leadership Institute in the Bay Area, the Summer Camp is one of UPAA-SF’s banner projects held towards achieving this goal. The Summer Camp gave Filipino-American kids from ages 10 to 15 years old an opportunity to immerse themselves in Philippine culture.  The course syllabus included modules on history, Tagalog, art, music, dance, literature and Filipino cuisine. 

The campers met with Filipino-American role models and achievers such as Daly City Mayor Ray Buenaventura, Colma Mayor Joanne del Rosario, Daly City Councilman Mike Guingona, Bank of America Vice President Sonia Delen, Academy of the Arts Vice President Rebecca Delgado-Rottman, and Google executive Regina Sawhney, who gave inspirational talks in the course of the camp.

Both the campers and their parents had positive things to say about the camp. The parents were grateful for the opportunity to immerse their children in Filipino culture, especially since all of the campers were born in the U.S. and have limited exposure to the Philippines.  The immersive program fostered in the children a curiosity for the country’s national heroes and language, and the interaction with prominent Filipino-Americans inspired them to achieve and perform to the best of their abilities.

Parents from as far as Sacramento City have signified interest in enrolling their children during the next session of the Summer Camp.