At tonight's art exhibit by my friend Tito Estrada at the Philippine Consulate on NYC's 5th Avenue, I met Imogene Raypon whom I've not seen for a long while, and who excitedly introduced me to Anthony Cruz Legarda. They just did "Danzfabrique" which I was
not aware of, but I realized I must blog about here. Pause now and know more about the group through "Filipinos in the Arts in America" (FIA 2010) from their website here.
The introduction led into a chat that dealt on crafting and implementing a strategy to create very strong awareness on Philippine Pina (yes, it's from the sturdy leaves of a variety of the pineapple!) fabric, that ultra-expensive clothing material used by elites, and those who can afford to get the fabric to be sewn and made into a well-designed skin cover, totally magical, chic and elegant to the eyes of beholders. My mind went running about during the chat inside the Consulate, as I remembered having written online (read here) about one of those things travelers ought not to miss if ever they visit the island of Panay, where Aklan (among other provinces) which includes the world famous Boracay Beach is located. I blurted out something like
"Can an industry be sustained from this?"to Anthony.
"Yes!" - he would swiftly reply.
"You're doing it like they did in Italy, with their fashion industry."And he started showing me samples of manton (women shawls) and a fabric that he's turning into a kimono outfit---yes, there are indeed great possibilities about these materials becoming known and prized the world over, and becoming branded as "Philippine Pina."
The strategy apparently is to make elites of other countries to covet this expensive fabric, such that the rest below will, hopefully, follow (something like "trickle down economics" in a way, as a tactic), which I hope will work. At least, if this happens, we'll see and be beaming brightly with sustained pride over being recognized for the Philippine Pina, just like "thai silk, or irish linen." Or even recognize how Philippine fashion geniuses are shown in the works known internationally, as led by the pioneers, as well as those we always hear about nowadays, including Josie Natori, Monique Lhuillier, Rafe Totengco---who actually are not known per se as "Philippine fashion designers" as such kind of branding is actually not heard much PR-wise (but yet maybe a-changing, anytime soon!).
And I look forward to creating and sustaining a huge industry from all these efforts. I just wonder exactly how this strategy will work---I'd like to discuss more about refining it, if given the opportunity, as my MBA studies may have pointed out to me that it may falter somewhere---nations become highly industrialized and more progressive when the keys to industry are widely shared and generously spread out----these keys can't just be limited in access to just a few elites who can't be relied upon to spend, i.e. invest more---they usually keep more of their money, hence they're still wealthy (which is a well crafted strategy in itself)---those who will spend, i.e. spend on goods even if they're pricey are the middle class, as long as they're allowed to earn that much level of income. Yet, this is a way of looking at this strategy, which I believe is more valid.
In the meanwhile, let me help, too, in creating stronger awareness on this fabric.
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| From Pina |
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| From Pina |
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| From Pina |
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| From Pina |
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| From Pina |
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