The carnival first came to the Philippines in 1908, when the country was under American colonial rule. Named “The Manila Carnival,” it was staged annually until 1939 to showcase the city’s progress under their watch. But as Museum Foundation trustee and vice-president Gemma Cruz-Araneta put it, the festive annual activity did little to disguise the dark side of its history. Fast forward to these modern times, and the carnival has taken on a distinctly Filipino character and moniker. Known colloquially as perya or karnabal, it has become a playground where amazement and wonder await. It takes on a whole new persona anew as the MaArte Fair at The Pen goes Karnabal.

Now on its 17th year, the much-anticipated Filipino artisan-entrepreneurs fair returns to Peninsula Manila from 13 to 16 August. The event has become the annual weekend stop to “to shop and be seen” for discerning Filipino shoppers who are passionate about uniquely Filipino creativity manifested in beautiful pieces borne out of Filipino craftsmanship. With each purchase, it is a step forward in preserving our cultural heritage while giving it continued relevance into the 21st century. photographS by elizabeth timbol for daily tribune

This year’s theme, Karnabal, elevates this year’s fair into a whimsical, nostalgic, yet contemporary reimagining of the iconic Manila Carnival. With elements of the ubiquitous perya added in, the MaArte Fair’s Karnabal vibrantly brings together culture, community and creativity in service of a greater cause. And that cause is the Museum Foundation of the Philippines (MFPI), a private non-profit organization committed to the preservation of Philippine cultural heritage. A portion of the fair’s proceeds are issued as grants to deserving organizations or individuals engaged in cultural preservation projects.

“Karnabal is our way of turning the fairgrounds into a living tribute to a piece of Filipino history that many younger generations have only heard about in passing,” said Danny C. Jacinto, president of the MFPI. “Every exhibitor here is helping us keep that story — and the artisans who carry it forward — alive for the next generation.”

In the same vein that a Karnabal is an expression of living out the fantastic, this year’s fair features the biggest gathering — with over 220 merchants, designers and vendors — of some of the most recognized names in bespoke Filipino design and craftsmanship. Among the mainstays are Happy Andrada, PamPinay, A.Mara, OneWeave and Nobela Jewelry, many of whom have been part of the fair since its inception in 2009.

Joining them are a bumper crop of up-and-coming entrepreneurs, such as Locallaé, Lookal by Alixia Marie, Ligaw Travel Accessories, Dermtropics, Mele + Marie and FAMPh — injecting a fresh sense of excitement and novelty for shoppers as they explore the fair.

At the MaArte Fair at The Pen media launch, participating fashion designers presented some of the pieces they will feature during the fair. There was also an interesting intersection between fashion and art with designer Happy Andrada showcasing her collection of shapeshifting dresses, in collaboration with Fundación Sanso, and Lookal by Alixia Marie’s pieces featuring the work of artist Dominic Rubio. Artist Genes & Hails took inspiration from his abstract multimedia art and turned them into avant-garde fashion as his ode to sustainability and upcycling. While the clothes featured native fabrics and weaves, it was apparent that there was a distinct point of view bringing the work into the modern aesthetic.

The fair’s theme also coincides with an exciting time for The Peninsula, which has been MaArte’s home for the past eight years. The hotel celebrates a major milestone — its 50th anniversary in the Philippines. This year’s event is co-sponsored by the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and GCash for Business, reflecting their shared commitment to preserving the Philippines’ cultural heritage.