Filipino Exporters Join World's Largest Trade Fair in Germany

By: Anne A. Jambora, Philippine Daily Inquirer

More than 40 local exporters are gearing up for the world’s largest, oldest and most important consumer trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany, next month.

The Philippines will join thousands of exhibitors from around the world at Ambiente 2016.

Showcasing mostly handmade products in the Dining, Giving and Living categories, in an exhibit area more than 50 times the size of the Philippines’ SMX Convention Center, the show has double the number of its exhibitors from last year.

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“European shows are design-oriented, so we have to make sure there is always something new each year,” said Wilbert Novero, general manager of We Link (Worldwide Exhibitions Linkage Services), a division of Global Link Exhibitions Specialist, the official sales partner of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, organizer of Ambiente.

With a booth occupying a floor area of 700 square meters at the fair, the Philippines will be presenting table, kitchen and household products in Dining; gifts, decor, fashion and jewelry in Giving; and furnishing ideas, home accessories, and indoor and outdoor decor in Living.

Nuances of craft

The country’s edge in the show, however, is what Novero calls the Filipino “soul.” Most countries now go for a clean, industrial look. While these are modern, they lack the nuances of craft that can only be seen, for example, in a handmade chair.

The indigenous materials and labor that go into Philippine products, coupled with unique design sensibilities, have always made them a standout at Ambiente trade fairs.

Dining tabletops are now among the most sought-after products, since many Europeans today opt to dine and entertain at home. What the Philippines lacks in tableware and glassware, it makes up for in innovative designs.

Germany is known as the capital of trade fairs, where every major city has a fair ground. Ambiente has been the leading world trade show in consumer goods for more than 800 years, since it started in a medieval building in Frankfurt in 1150.

Today, it sets trends worldwide in design, color and material.

Italian designer Paola Navone will design this year’s partner country presentation, while German designer Detlef Klatt and Rachelle Dagñalan will curate the Philippine exhibit.

For more info, visit we-link.gesi.com.ph/ or www.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en.html.

Ending Disorder in Filipinos' Lives

Office of the Senate Majority Leader

Alan Peter S. Cayetano

Rm. 603 GSIS Complex Senate of the Philippines Roxas Blvd Pasay City

         

PRESS RELEASE

28 January 2016

Cayetano says ending disorder in Filipinos' lives his top priority

"Bringing back order and security."

This is the top priority of the next government in the eyes of vice presidential bet and Senate Majority leader Alan Peter Cayetano.

Disorder, lack of security

In a two-hour radio interview on Wednesday, Cayetano said that there is so much disorder and lack of security in the country today.

"People wake up telling themselves, 'napakagulo naman ng buhay.' Crime, drugs and corruption. It's a constant perturbation of the mind. Sobra na ang gulo at hirap na dinaranas ng tao," Cayetano said.

Cayetano explained that this is what he and his running mate presidential hopeful Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte want to address in their first year of government if elected in the coming May polls.

"Mayor Duterte and I both believe we need a strong developmental state to promote real inclusive growth through regional development. But we need to build first the suitable condition by cracking down on crime, drugs and government corruption," Cayetano stressed.

To do this, Cayetano said they will strengthen and capacitate the country's security forces. The senator vowed to cleanse the ranks of the police and military of the corrupt, provide better salaries and incentives for law enforcers, and modernize their anti-crime and anti-narcotics infrastructure.

"One vision, 18 regional strategies for development"

The senator also pushed for a “one national vision, 18 regional strategies” approach for the country to achieve inclusive growth. He and Mayor Duterte see federalism as the unifying framework to achieve this.

Taguig as model of quality health care

On the issue of health care, Cayetano said he will implement the same services that Taguig City offers its senior citizens, which include the delivery of medicines straight to their houses. The senator explained that government should respond to the needs of the poor, especially the elderly.

"Hindi na pumipila ang senior citizens na mahihirap sa health center, idinedeliver na sa kanilang mga bahay ang serbisyo. Hindi sila ang may utang na loob, ikaw ang may utang na loob, so gobyerno ang lumalapit," he said.

Cayetano said that to restore order and a strong sense of security among the people, what's needed are bold solutions and swift action that will bring about real change. "Hindi na uubra ang pwede na o papatak patak na pagbabago. Sa amin ni Mayor Duterte, makakaasa ang lahat ng tunay at tuloy-tuloy na pagbabago."