Philippine Modern Design 1

Gilt crafts from Chrysara

Perhaps the best platform to showcase our local products is the Manila FAME Show which exhibits the best products that meet international standards. It was started by Ms Mina Gabor who was formerly director of CITEM (eventually, she was appointed Tourism secretary). Now it's Ms Rosvi Gaetos who's running the show.  It was one idea where a group of manufacturers were lumped together in one show to promote their products to foreign buyers. It took off, bigtime!

Chrysara's santo collection

Now, FAME shows are held twice yearly,  once in summer and another one towards the last quarter. Some of the buyers I have met in the recent tour I handled have been coming to Manila for at least ten years. And they have not stopped visiting Manila yearly. So while I had the opportunity, I took a peek at what was being offered at the site. I wasn't disappointed. It wasn't long before I started purchasing small items for myself.

Joyce at her showroom

Ok,I might show some bias here... I found out some producers and manufacturers are long-lost friends. Whaddaya know? So let me give you readers a run-down of the showcases I found really interesting. Friend or not, at least I'm on-the-spot in the booths that really blinged me...

Joyce Makitalo's jewelry collection

CHRYSARA - alright, I confess, I worked for them for a few months and then I had to resign as liaison officer to clients as I had a back problem that needed bed rest for two months... and therapy for two years...  Tita Alice Reyes (of Ballet Philippines) produces some of the best items that are given the antique treatment and/or aged look. You'll find their items on the racks of Neiman Marcus and some of the top stores worldwide. They have a wide collection of curios from religious icons and saints to gilded mirrors and lamps. I actually went in to see Sarah Upton entertaining buyers. Tita Alice wasn't there yet but I did get approval to  take photos...

Joyce Makitalo's neckpiece

JOYCE MAKITALO - many years ago, when I worked as gallery specialist at Ayala Museum I had a fun working relationship with YOY ORTIZ. Joyce is her daughter. It caught me by surprise that Joyce actually remembered me. I had a hard time approaching her because I mistook her for someone else... Joyce was kind enough to set the record straight. She was a little girl who would take up art classes at the museum when summer came around. It's nice to know that those art lessons paid off! Joyce is now known as a jewelry designer. Her pieces are both chunky and eye-catching fashion accessories often seen in international fashion magazines. Her accent pieces are the type worn by Hollywood royalty like... Katy Perry perhaps?

cocktail rings from Joyce Makitalo

BETIS ARTS AND CRAFTS - I met Leslie Mendiola while on a culinary tour of Pampanga. Their workshop cum showroom was one of the stops during our visit there. So I was not surprised to find they had  2 showrooms at the FAME show. They are known worldwide for quality pieces of wooden furniture utilizing   Filipino craftsmanship with a mix of Italian technology. Their inlaid chairs and tables, beds, settees and coromandel screens have an unmistakable stamp of luxe and comfort and their price ranges reflect that... Gold leafed dog bed, anyone? Seriously, though, their designs have a little rococo blended in with some vibrant touches of red and/or  mustard lacquer and gold leafing. Perfect for sprawling mansions and lanais...

Main showroom of Betis Arts and Crafts

Now if only I had the moolah...

Lamps and mirrors from Betis Arts and Crafts