Marcos: Filipino design nearing world-class level

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said the country's creative design industry had become "better than others" and was now approaching world-class. In his speech during the Manila FAME 2024 in Pasay City, the President expressed his confidence that Filipino fashion and furniture design would "do well in the world market." "I have to say that it's so impressive. I mean, I have watched the design community become better and better and better in the Philippines and approaching world-class," Marcos said. "Now, I would even go so far as to say that now we are, [as] in many cases that I've seen here today, surpassed world-class. We are better than others," he added. While Filipino design was already at the world-class level, Marcos said the more the government needed to promote it. He said the designs he saw at the Manila FAME 2024 were "very Filipino," which is charming, amusing and entertaining. "You can really see the Pinoys... Well, anyway, maybe because I'm Filipino, gawa ng Pinoy 'yan (made by Pinoy), you know, because there is always a touch of humor, there is always a touch of charm, there's always a touch of softness and gentleness," Marcos said. "And it's something that I'm sure anyone who is in a market for these designs, whether it be furniture or fashion, everything else that we've seen today, I am so confident that we will do well in the world market," he added. The President said these aspects would appeal to the buyers. Thus, he said it was crucial to promote it further on a bigger scale and be seen abroad. "Now, the only thing — and that's what DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) is working very hard to do is to promote it. Once buyers see this, they will be interested," Marcos said. "So, that's what we are trying to promote and to find ways that your work can be seen abroad," he added. Marcos said the government was pushing to put the design industry into the digital space so that they could work in the world market. "And it's just up to us to scale up. It's just up to us to keep the progress going because it's very important that you're continuously creative. But that's — I don't think that's a problem for Filipinos," he said. Marcos also underscored the fact that there was a "very quantifiable" aspect to the design industry. He said the design industry contributes at least 7.1 or 7.2 percent of the country's gross domestic product. "That is, when you translate that into pesos, that's trillions of pesos. So, it's not a small thing," Marcos said. "So, all of the reasons for us to do this and to do it properly are there for the government, for the country, for all of our practitioners," he added. "And we will do everything that we can so that the world will know even better how good Filipinos are." Meanwhile, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos said she was "blown away" by the creativity and artistry at the Manila FAME 2024 trade show. "The colors, patterns and textures from our Filipino artisans were truly something special. What a showcase of talent!" the first lady said in an Instagram post. "It was also such a pleasure to be part of the Filipino Fashion Forum and the Katha Awards, where we recognized the visionaries leading the way in sustainability and design excellence," she added. Running from October 17 to 19, the exhibit invites international buyers, exhibitors, visitors and guests to explore a diverse selection of offerings. This year's showcase features exceptional creations from local enterprises, craftsmen and artisans, highlighting their skill in transforming the Philippines' abundant raw materials into functional and visually captivating pieces that characterize Filipino design. Since its inception in 1983, Manila FAME has become the country's premier trade show for home, fashion and lifestyle products.