SOCIAL SET

From the Filipino to the World

Luis Espiritu · Jan 18, 2026, 12:26 AM

CITEM Deputy executive director Ma. Lourdes Mediran, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, CITEM executive director Leah Pulido Ocampo, NCCA Chair Eric Zerrudo, DTI Assistant Secretary Al Valenciano and Design Center of the Philippines executive director Rhea Matute. — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparol, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

A platform of pride and brilliance, the new Likhang Filipino Halls, formerly Philtrade Complex was formally launched last 15 January in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Leading the successful and well-attended milestone event were President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former First Lady Imelda Marcos. Flocking to the venue to witness the event were fashion, design and lifestyle industry icons, leaders, personalities and notables who celebrated the historical occasion.

ARSI Baltazar, Tessie Sy-Coson and Francis Libiran. — Photograph courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

DEPUTY Social Secretary Dina Arroyo Tantoco, Paul Cabral, Michael Leyva, Patrick Rosas and Social Secretary of the Philippines Bianca Zobel. — Photograph courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

BAMBI, Natasha and Isabella Mañosa. — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

LAKAT'S Michael Claparols, PTRI director Julius Leaño, Interlace’s Francis Dravigny and Lakat’s Banj Claparols.

The Likhang Filipino Halls showcase six galleries that are home to the best of the Philippines with almost 200 exhibitors presenting home, fashion, crafts, food and design products, which highlight indigenous handicrafts, woven items, wooden furniture and other unique works. Timed with the Philippines’ Chairmanship of the ASEAN Summit, the venue is set to welcome international delegates and global buyers ahead of the Summit.

DESIGNER force Thian Rodriguez Citem’s Danielle Purzuelo, Adam Pereyra, Tessa Nepomuceno of Calli, Renz Reyes, Vin Orias of Orias and Joseph Bagasao of Bagasao. — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

PHILIP and Ching Cruz. — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

TONY Gonzales and Maricris Brias. — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.Likhang Filipino year-round showrooms is open free to the public starting 20 January. Operating hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

DEPED Secretary Sonny Angara behind outgoing United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson. — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

HABI'S Mia Villanueva and Rambie Lim with Tina Bonoan. — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

CONSUL Agnes Huibonhoa, Tina Cuevas and Captain Stan Ng. — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

MEGAWORLD'S Kevin Tan and talent manager and branding consultant Jojie Dingcong. — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

LEN Cabili, Natalya Lagdameo and Jo Ann Bitagcol. — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

KATRINA Ponce Enrile, Secretary of Cagayan Economic Zone Authority. — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

FOUNDER and first president/CEO of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions Mina Gabor. — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.

ARNEL Papa — Photographs courtesy of Citem, Mike Claparols, Michael Leyva, Mia Villanueva, Arsi Baltazar, Tina Cuevas, Jojie DingcongC Jo Ann Bitagcol, Tesa Nepomuceno, Bambie Mañosa.