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Gulf Today
27-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Philippine delegation presents its ‘Handcrafted for the World'
Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter Following a six-year hiatus resulting from the constricting Novel Coronavirus 2020, a delegation of Filipino furniture, furnishings and fashion designers are participating at the ongoing 'Index Interior Design & Furniture Exhibition' in Dubai World Trade Centre. Through the theme 'Handcrafted for the World' that pronounces the Philippines as the place to be for the sought-after enduring strength of craftsmanship and quaint-yet-universal creativity of handmade products, the participation of the 10 enterprises, is the answer of the Department of Trade and Industry-Centre for International Trade and Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM) to the interest of three of the largest organisations of furniture manufacturers to 'return to Index.' DTI-CITEM-Service Business Department manager Marjo Evio, from the inauguration of the DESIGNPhilippines' 90-square metre pavilion on Tuesday, told Gulf Today that it was some time in 2024 when the 'largest of furniture manufacturers in Manila, Pampanga and Cebu paid a courtesy call' to the then newly-appointed DTI-CITEM executive director Romleah Juliet Pulido Ocampo. Among the discussed were the international trade fairs the group may participate in. One is the Index; the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) 'being lucrative and promising, and all the contract hospitality taking place.' Second time pavilion curator from 2019, Ito Kish, himself a Metro Manila furniture designer-manufacturer/visual merchandiser since 2012, described the delegation composition - seven in furniture from Manila and the Central Luzon provinces of Tarlac, Bulacan, and Pampanga, two in fashion, one in home accessories, and another in components - as 'a mix of different styles. It is important that each company bears its own identity.' The thrust is for the world to know that as Filipino furniture and furnishing designers, such as Kenneth Cobonpue, have penetrated barriers - having been featured many times over in internationally glossy magazines - the Philippines and Filipino artisans - with the confluence of the diversity of indigenous tribes among Spanish, American, Asian and Arabic persuasions - have been behind numerous aesthetically-designed hand made products. 'These are our two selling points. So every piece is going to be different from the other even if of the same item. We are a hand-crafted country. Our edge is that what we produce is always by hand. Everything that we produce from all the natural and raw materials, including the waters that surround us is special,' said Kish, adding that based on his experience at the 'Manila FAME' since 2012, skilled Filipino furniture, furnishings and fashion/accessories workers deliver, as the world demands. Began in 1983, Manila FAME, the home, fashion, and lifestyle trade show, is one of two oldest trade fairs in Asia. First-time international trade participant half-Bahraini Arksmith chairwoman Ruwa-ina Al Qaseer-Del Rosario, born-and raised in the Philippines, thought she was a minimalist. Until reading 'Maximalist' by Indonesian Lufti Hassan: 'I realised that I am not, with my Middle Eastern and Filipino roots. We are a proud nation. We have a very rich culture. Bright and colourful. We are not definitely black and white. Definitely not plain and simple. We are loud and proud. Ornate and detailed.' Citing that all featured at the pavilion are hand-crafted with Philippine-sourced materials, the licensed interior designer/furniture maker, also said: 'With all the issues on tariffs and it is difficult to compete with China in terms of mass production. We cannot commit to mass production. That is not us.' 'What we lack in capacity, we can show with our craftsmanship, with our Filipino identity. Statement pieces,' Al Qaseer-Del Rosario continued. Total market value of the interior and design and furniture sector in the MENA is projected to be at $10.35 billion by 2029. Philippine Embassy-Abu Dhabi Charge d' Affaires Arvic Arevalo, Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Marford Angeles, Philippine Consulate General-Assistance-to-Nationals Vice Consul Aleah Marie Gica, and Middle East Trade Attache Vichael Angelo Roaring inaugurated the pavilion.
Gulf Today
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
4get-me-not transforms lives of traumatised people
Ask for wisdom from the elderlies and thou shall get lots. Be involved in community with them, and thou shall get more. Julia, since age 13, began accompanying her grandfather to periodic events meant for those who, at least, have gone through the onset of neurodegenerative diseases that have, according to most recent data, soared to over 55 million since the notorious Novel Coronavirus 2020. Turned volunteer caregiver four years henceforth, Julia told Gulf Today: 'Gratitude is a very big thing because we do not realise the changes that happen with age until we are actually around people. The difference with my grandpa when I was 10 to now. He is a different person especially now that he has dementia.' 'Spending time with his friend Tony (name changed) even now that my grandpa is back in Italy, with these activities. I see Shush (name changed) who used to actively dance. She is now on wheelchair. We realise how many things in our daily life that we do not think about. We like to walk. Then, we would be unable to. These have changed my perspective,' she continued. Concerning community involvement, Julia who plans of expanding her group of volunteers, presently composed of her Dubai College clique – Eve, Molly, Sofia, and Tara – replied: 'It is important especially in Dubai where there is a mix of cultures. We have our own communities. I never would have thought to be a part of this. Make friends with people much older than me from other nationalities. I learn.' Prior to the conversation, on the grand piano for three classical pieces – 'Fur Elise' by German Ludwig van Beethoven and 'Minute Waltz' by Polish Frederic Chopin – as well as the score for the 2004 Japanese animated photoplay 'Howl's Moving Castle,' – 'Merry-Go-Round-Of-Life' by Japanese Joe Hisaishi, was Jia Loh Kumar. The Singaporean, trained since age five, was hopeful that the classical pieces 'offered a moment of peace or sparked a memory for everyone. Music has a unique way of reaching people beyond words. Being a part of an initiative that brings comfort and connection, especially to those living with Alzheimer's, is very meaningful to me. It reminds me that even the smallest efforts may have a quiet but lasting impact.' Incidentally, glee immediately registered on the face of one of two wheelchair-bound ladies, when she was already near Kumar – upon her request. Both teenagers were at a Bingo-Dance Socials for people exhibiting Alzheimer's Disease. It was part of a year-long project by the not-for-profit social enterprise, 4get-me-not and the Dusit Thani-Dubai's 'Tree of Life' philosophy; which, hotel general manager Prateek Kumar, explained, is inclusion, sustainability, and community engagement in action 'built on authenticity, intention, and care.' 'Oh yes. Some of the over 150 members we have since the beginning are still with us. One is already in the late '70s. Expats. Professionals. Business owners. Most had traumatic experiences. Some have diabetes. Some with heart problems. Through the years they have become talkative. Some, more talkative. They sleep better now. That is what we want,' said 25-year Dubai resident Desiree Vlekken. Their numbers astronomically spiked during the pandemic because of isolation and depression. Vlekken established with her husband and their young child, 4get-me-not for Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia/Aging/Support for Caregivers awareness, in 2013. Two years after her father in the Philippines had been diagnosed with deteriorating memory loss. The first two elderly homes that welcomed the Vlekken Family for their mission and vision of awareness and proactive measures against Alzheimer's Disease were the ones in 'Ajman and Sharjah.' Vlekken acknowledged the elderlies' pro-activeness: 'It has been by word-of-mouth that we have grown. They talk about their bonding experiences with others.' First timer Victoria who heard about 'them at the church would definitely return.' From the clinical standpoint, Al Zahra Hospital (Dubai) Neurology consultant Dr. Miguel Nacher, commented: 'Music-based interventions, proved to reduce agitation, improve mood and enhance quality of life. It is a meaningful tool in both the prevention and management of cognitive decline. It is non-invasive, accessible and cost-effective. Bingo, when non-commercially played, is a valuable tool to support brain wellness as we age.'
