(L-R): National Commission for Culture and the Arts Executive Director Eric Zerrudo, DTI-BMDPO Director Marievic Bonoan, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Maria Cristina Aldeguer Roque, Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, DTI Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona, and Design Center of the Philippines Executive Director Rhea Matute

Mandaluyong City, Philippines — Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Bureau of Market Development, Promotions and OTOP (BMDPO) with support from the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, the 2024 National Arts and Crafts Fair (NACF) stood as a celebration of Filipino creativity and a testament to strong partnerships that empowered both artisans and the communities they represent. Contributing to the event’s success were the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), two institutions that have long championed Filipino craft traditions, innovation, and heritage preservation.

A Champion for Filipino Artisans

A steadfast advocate of Philippine cultural and creative industries, Senator Loren Legarda has been instrumental in shaping policies and programs to promote crafts across the country, and most especially those of the indigenous communities and by the countries National Living Treasures or the Manlilikha ng Bayan. Her legislative work has been vital in linking government support with craft communities, private-sector innovation and MSME development.

By conceptualizing the National Arts and Crafts Fair in 2016, Senator Legarda demonstrated her commitment to increasing the awareness and appreciation of crafts of the Philippines as an integral part of the cultural, social, and economic well-being of society. Her advocacy ensures that Philippine craftsmanship remains at the forefront of national and international consciousness, with platforms like the National Arts and Crafts Fair serving as a key element of that vision.

“The NACF has served as a powerful platform to mainstream our indigenous arts, crafts, fashion, and cultural heritage into broader markets, allowing local artisans, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and our indigenous communities to provide them greater opportunities. In a world where modern technology often overshadows the traditional, their work proved that nothing can match the beauty of crafts made by hand, with heart and soul poured into every product,” said Legarda.

“They do not just do their crafts for livelihood; they do it to keep the tradition alive, to pass on a piece of their culture, and to safeguard the richness of our heritage for future generations,” Legarda added.

Fueling Local Market Expansion

The Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and OTOP (BMDPO) fulfills a unique mandate in the DTI by championing local products through efficient marketing strategies that empower Filipino MSMEs. As the principal organizer of the NACF, the BMDPO ensures that artisans from all over the country gain the visibility needed to reach broader audiences. Their work includes organizing trade fairs, like NACF, that spotlight local craftsmanship, thus connecting artisans directly with buyers and creating an engaging platform for business matching and networking.

The DTI-BMDPO team behind the success of the NACF 2024 at the Opening Ceremony, with host Tim Yap (center) beside DTI-BMDPO Director Marievic Bonoan, and performers Indak Guiguinteño Folkloric Dance Troupe

BMDPO’s work is not limited to event organizing; they also expand and strengthen linkages among MSMEs, facilitating exchanges of valuable information and market insights that help small businesses thrive. By maintaining an extensive domestic market database, the BMDPO supports NACF artisans by providing critical access to local raw materials suppliers, semi-processed goods suppliers, and large institutional buyers. This comprehensive approach has allowed artisans to secure reliable supply chains and engage with high-demand markets—factors essential for sustaining and scaling their businesses.

Preserving Filipino Heritage for Future Generations

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), another key partner of the NACF, focuses on cultural preservation. Through initiatives like the Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs) and the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA), the NCCA ensures that the Philippines’ intangible cultural heritage is preserved and passed down to future generations. These programs, showcased prominently at the NACF, provide artisans from marginalized and indigenous communities with a platform to share their skills and crafts, ensuring that traditional weaving, pottery, metalwork, and other ancient arts are not lost to modernization.

GAMABA AWARDEES at the opening ceremony of NACF 2024. (L-R): MB Bundos Fara for T’boli temwei (brasscasting), MB Abina Tawide Coguit for suyam embroidery of the Agusan Manobo, MB Samporonia Madanlo for Mandaya dagmay (ikat weaving), MB Marife Ganahon for Higaonon ikaw (mat weaving), and MB Barbara Ofong for T’boli t’nalak (ikat weaving)

The NCCA’s involvement extends beyond showcasing these crafts; it fosters a deeper understanding of their cultural significance. By integrating traditional techniques into modern contexts, artisans are empowered to maintain their heritage while ensuring their work remains relevant in a global market. The NCCA’s support through educational initiatives and workshops in the NACF highlights the organization’s commitment to the sustainability of these art forms, helping artisans secure economic opportunities without compromising cultural integrity.

Empowering Filipino Artisans Through Design and Innovation

The Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) plays a pivotal role in driving the NACF’s theme of merging tradition with innovation. This government agency has consistently supported the development of high-quality, globally competitive products by providing technical assistance in product design and development. Through their programs, artisans featured in the NACF are equipped with modern tools and training, allowing them to elevate traditional crafts and adapt them for modern markets.

At NACF 2024, the impact of the collaboration with DCP was in the special scenography dedicated to highlighting the material and craft provenance of the Philippines featuring the Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasures) awardees and their works. By putting the scenography at the heart of the trade fair, it provided a befitting focus on the cultural masters and their commitment to craft excellence and further emphasized the message of the NACF, where the arts and crafts of the Philippines is an integral part of the cultural, social, and economic well- being of society.

Other contributions of Design Center included the special setting of the Schools of Living Traditions as well as the NACF key visuals, exhibition animation,and over- all trade fair experience.

Partnerships for Cultural and Economic Sustainability

The collaboration between the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, the Department of Trade and Industry, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Design Center of the Philippines, and other government agencies underscored a broader effort to fuse cultural preservation with economic empowerment. The NACF is not just a fair—it is a vital economic platform for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and artisans, many of whom rely on these opportunities to access broader markets. By merging traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, these partnerships ensure that Filipino artisans can thrive in today’s competitive, fast-paced market.

The NACF as a Beacon for Artisan Development

The 2024 NACF was as a symbol of what can be achieved through the synergy between government, private sector, and artisan communities. It was not only a showcase of Filipino craftsmanship but also a celebration of culture, innovation, and sustainability. The fair provided a platform for artisans to exhibit their work, while ensuring that Filipino craft traditions are preserved for future generations.

Through these partnerships, Filipino artisans are positioned to succeed in global markets, where their unique blend of tradition and innovation is celebrated for its beauty, creativity, and cultural significance.

Visit the NACF 2024 This Weekend

The National Arts and Crafts Fair 2024 was held at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall from October 23 to October 27. There was a daily program of activities, including hands-on workshops and live demonstrations by master craftsmen as well as business talks by resource persons. The sessions were open to the public, and admission was free.

To know more about the 2024 National Arts and Crafts Fair and other programs of the DTI-Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and OTOP (BMDPO), please follow their social media accounts on Facebook (DTI.BMDPO), Instagram (dti.bmdpo), and Twitter (@DTI_BMDPO). You may also email BMDPO Director Marievic M. Bonoan at bmdpo@dti.gov.ph. ♦

Date of release: 05 November 2024

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