Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda marvels at the products displayed at the SMX Convention Center Mall of Asia Complex in Manila.
Photo by Ric Gonzales
MANILA – Furniture makers of Pampanga dominated the on-going trade show on lifestyle exports at the SMX Convention Center Mall of Asia Complex here, introducing its new products made of water lily.
Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines-Pampanga (CFIP) President Philip Repato of Philiana Design disclosed that 19 of their members joined the furniture show attended by some 50 participants, most of whom are from Cebu, Davao and Metro Manila.
Repato and Anthony Joseph Torres of the Guagua, Pampanga-based Furnitureville Inc. (FI) showcased their new products made of water lily, also known as water hyacinth.
Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda joined the ceremonial ribbon-cutting on Sunday to open the Manila Fame International. Some 300 direct and indirect exporters, manufacturers, traders and trade associations joined the trade show scheduled until Wednesday.
Pineda and the CFIP-Pampanga joined hands to turn “adversary into opportunity” as they found use of water lily which are often blamed for clogged river channels in the province contributing to the flood problem.
Pineda said water lilies in Pampanga can be used by the CFIP for free. In return, the CFIP will train residents on furniture making and possible employment on their firms.
Repato disclosed that their group employs at least 10,000 workers in Pampanga.
He said the use of water lilies as materials for furniture had been heavily used in Thailand.
“So in our country, particularly in Pampanga, we will design other products made out of water lily that are not common in Thailand,” said Repato.
Pampanga Board Member Monz Laus, who accompanied Pineda in the trade show, said she had urged training of residents for employment at the furniture industry in the province.
She added that furniture workers “get good pay compared to others.”
“The provincial government led by Governor Pineda is determined to drastically cut poverty through the availability of more quality employment,” said Laus. She arrived at the SMX with Roy Imperial, consultant and adviser of Gov. Pineda.
Erdy Feliciano of the Angeles City-based Calfurn Manufacturing Philippines said he is also in the process of creating designs for products made up of water lily. His firm had been known to use “abaca” and old newspapers as materials for their products.
Doris Gacho of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) described the show as a “milestone” because it is the first time that major design-intensive groups of the country joined the Manila Fame International.
They are the CFIP, Manila Now, Cebu Next and Bijoux Cebu. The CITEM is an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The group will also hold the same show next year in Cebu.
Held since 1983, the Manila Fame International is the country’s premiere trade show on lifestyle exports, covering a wide array of design-intensive products from furniture and furnishings, holiday and gifts and fashion products.
