Weaving ASEAN’s future together

(This week, I give way to a dear friend, Rosemarie “Ut” Rafael, a successful, gutsy, live wire who parlayed her infectious enthusiasm to build one of the country’s largest logistics businesses.)

In a few days, the Philippines will open its doors to the region for the ASEAN Trade Expo 2026 at Okada Manila, a gathering of the finest weaves, textiles, and crafts of the ASEAN member states, alongside participating countries Japan and India.

Anchored on the theme “Way of the Weave,” the three-day exhibition on 10-12 November aims to show how the region’s rich cultural heritage can catalyze innovation, entrepreneurship, and global trade.

Organized by the Women’s Business Council Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Textile Research Institute, Philippine Commission on Women, Business and Professional Women, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, the expo brings together government, the private sector, designers, entrepreneurs, and weaving communities in a shared vision for a more connected and economically empowered ASEAN.

At its heart, Way of the Weave is a statement about who we are and where we want to go. It recognizes that tradition and innovation are not opposing forces, but complementary strengths.

Our indigenous textiles and traditional crafts are not simply cultural artifacts to be admired; they are commercially valuable products, with stories from the communities and opportunities to participate in the global economy.

More importantly, it recognizes women’s role in this transformation. Women are not merely participants in trade. They are entrepreneurs, producers, innovators, and leaders who help shape the economic future of their families and communities.

The ASEAN Trade Expo is more than a conventional exhibition. It is designed as an integrated trade ecosystem that connects producers with buyers, creates business opportunities, and builds relationships that extend beyond the three-day event.

Through curated buyer experiences, story-driven product showcases, business matching, and structured networking, its aim is to move beyond foot traffic and generate meaningful commercial outcomes.

The digital component further expands the expo’s reach, allowing buyers and business partners who cannot be physically present in Manila to engage with exhibitors and discover opportunities across the region.

The objective is clear: To help enterprises move from informal operations to formal businesses, and eventually to international markets. Our weavers, artisans, and women-led enterprises should be seen not only as keepers of tradition, but as viable players in the regional and global supply chain.

This vision is particularly meaningful because it builds on work that began much closer to home.

Earlier this year, the Amazing Weaves Distinction Awards, in collaboration with the Galing Pook Foundation, was launched with entries from weaving communities, many of which were supported by their respective local government units. The experience reinforced public-private collaboration as essential to creating sustainable economic opportunities for local communities.

This 11 November, we will recognize the selected weaving communities through the Amazing Weaves Distinction Awards, celebrating the creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation that continue to empower Filipino women.

Bringing together ASEAN member states, Japan and India as participating exhibitors and delegates has required months of coordination, collaboration, and the generosity of people and organizations who shared their expertise and resources in pursuit of a common vision.

Airspeed and APDEC, led by Rosemarie Rafael and Thesa Castrojas-Galang, have been instrumental in managing the operational backbone and logistics of the undertaking.

Richwell, under Commissioner Myrna Yao’s leadership, has taken on fabricating the exhibition installations, while our country leads have worked tirelessly to coordinate with international exhibitors and delegates.

It takes people who believe in a shared purpose and are willing to contribute their time, talent, and resources to make it happen. Each one has contributed a distinct thread to the larger tapestry we are weaving, and their collective commitment reminds us that meaningful regional cooperation is never the work of a single organization or individual.

Projects of this scale are never without challenges. Countless details must be managed, expectations met, and obstacles overcome. But when you are surrounded by people who believe in the vision, who work with commitment, and who give generously without expecting anything in return, perseverance becomes easier.

The ASEAN Trade Expo is ultimately about more than textiles, handicrafts, or business transactions. It is about recognizing the value of our cultural heritage while creating new economic possibilities for the people who preserve it. It is about ensuring that the skills passed down through generations can provide meaningful livelihoods for the next generation.

ASEAN member states may have different languages, histories, and traditions, but we share a common aspiration for inclusive growth, stronger regional cooperation, and a future where every community has an opportunity to prosper.

When a woman works, she strengthens her family and community. When ASEAN women work together, they strengthen the region.

Let us be proud Filipinos, celebrating what makes us distinct and what unites us! Like the finest weave, our future grows stronger, more beautiful, and enduring when every thread is in place.

Until next week… OBF!

For comments, email bing_matoto @yahoo.com.