HEADLINES

FL extols local designers

Raffy Ayeng · Oct 20, 2026, 12:23 AM

FIRST Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos (seated left) was joined by Trade Secretary Cristina Roque in gracing the Manila FAME last week at the World Trade Center Pasay City. Araneta Marcos has been a supporter of Filipino artisans, noting that Manila FAME has been an avenue to showcase their craftsmanship. — Photograph courtesy of Liza Marcos/FB

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos said she was proud of what Filipino artisans have attained as they joined Manila FAME, the country’s premier design and lifestyle sourcing event for premium-quality artisanal products for the home, interiors, fashion and modern living.

“Always a pleasure to be back at Manila FAME! It was lovely to see how our Filipino designers, artisans, and craftsmen have levelled up since I first came in 2024!” Mrs. Marcos said in a Facebook post.

This year’s Manila FAME was held from 15 to 17 October at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The event was organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.

“Loved walking through the exhibits and seeing traditional Filipino materials transformed into beautiful, fresh, and creative pieces. Ang gagaling talaga ng mga Pilipino! (Filipinos are really talented). Congratulations to all our KATHA Award winners! Your talent, passion, and hard work deserve to be celebrated, not just here at home but around the world!” the First Lady said.

“A heartfelt thank you to DTI Secretary Cristina Roque, the entire DTI team, CITEM, and our Manila FAME partners for continuing to give Filipino creativity a place to shine. To all our talented creatives, keep dreaming, keep creating, and keep making us!” Mrs. Marcos added.

The premier event gathered roughly 400 Philippine manufacturers and brands to meet the world’s growing demand for soulful, sustainable craftsmanship.

This year’s edition unfolded under the theme “Bloom,” which signaled natural evolution from last year’s botanical-focused “Objects of Nature.”

While the showcase continues to explore organic forms and biomimicry — learning from nature’s design solutions — Bloom delved deeper into the flourishing of Filipino artisan communities themselves.