For some time, Dita Sandico Ong has been someone I have wanted to meet. I was inspired how she had the vision to transform the use of banana, abacca and other natural plant fibers into a fashion art form. I read somewhere before that her efforts have made it possible for revolutionizing the Philippine natural fiber industry by providing communities in dying industries with more sustainable income and struggling cultural heritage to become alive again.
I admired her fashion so much that I wanted my wedding gown done by her, but due to budget considerations, I didn’t even ask, hayyy.
That was more than 9 years ago and at the Manila F.A.M.E, who should I chance upon unexpectedly???
It was exciting to see the artist skillfully do the folds herself. Seeing her gather the abacca ends into loops, without any apparent direction or pattern but merely falling into the rhythm of the fabric is just simply inspiring. I realized, just how much of her style has also inspired me in mine for my flowers.
Read more on Dita Sandico Ong: Bringing out the Modern Filipina under wraps…
For years, almost all my life actually, I have been fascinated with Philippine exported products. I guess it started during one of our gradeschool fieldtrip to Philtrade (little did I expect that I am going to be a regular). We were lucky that there was a good furniture exhibit that time and I just fell in love with a huge round rotating thick cushioned rattan chair (which I still hope to find for myself), and I was hooked on all things Philippine Export quality products.
So going to CITEM’s Manila F.A.M.E. is really a pilgrimage for me. I can remember being blown away by the World Trade Center being transformed with drama, installations and even pocket gardens set-up by Budji Layug.
This year, it has once again lived up to its ideals. Though the exhibit is a tad smaller and less “packaged” than a few years back, but the participants are just as exciting!
The first of which is The Pina Shop, home of the First in the World Natural Dyed Pina Fashion knitwear!
As with true eco fashion, multi-purposing is a must, how about this shawl turned headgear/ accent? How about turning this into your bridal veil? Filipina brides should be proud to wear this to their wedding!
Read more on The Pina Shop: Proudly EcoPinoy Sustainable Fashion…
For some, the green movement in Makati started in the Legaspi and Salcedo weekend markets that began more than a decade ago. I don’t know about you, but I find having to wait for the weekend, can mean mostly that I’ll miss it, with all the other activities I find I sandwich during those days.
Finally, finding our dose of organic and eco-friendly produce can now be done all throughout the week.
Could use a little more greens, but it's a great beginning for things to come.
At The Collective there is a shop with the inspired idea of making such produce available much more conveniently, I expect it would do much for this lifestyle. With it, the Eco movement in Makati will even be more alive. It is shaping up to be a true alternative.
Read more on The Collective: Greening of the other side of Makati…
Usually, the Easter Eggs we know are either boiled eggs or plastic ones with treats inside.
There’s nothing really wrong with that but I just think its such a waste not to eat the eggs or to eat it is such a waste to the effort of decorating it in the first place. While plastic ones… just how many can you collect, right?
So, it was such a treat to find a method that gave me more options with our Easter eggs than just eating boiled eggs… its called Blown Eggs.
Warning: It does take a lot more effort than plopping in the eggs in a pan.
Read more on What’s a sweeter way to make Easter Eggs?…
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