Western Visayas Designers Shine at Manila FAME 2026 with Award-Winning Filipino Crafts

Artisans from Iloilo and Aklan showcased Filipino craftsmanship at Manila FAME 2026, blending traditional weaving techniques, sustainable materials, and contemporary design to create award-winning fashion, home décor, and lifestyle products.

Held from October 15 to 17 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, the trade show featured Western Visayas enterprises under the theme “Bloom,” which celebrated organic forms and natural flora. The region’s 24 participating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) attracted attention for their craftsmanship, product quality, and commercial potential, earning recognition at the prestigious KATHA Awards.

The participation highlighted Western Visayas as an emerging destination for distinctive Filipino design, where heritage techniques meet modern consumer preferences.

Iloilo Designers Blend Tradition with Contemporary Style

Iloilo’s delegation brought together designers, cooperatives, and creative businesses offering wearable fashion, home accessories, holiday furnishings, and handcrafted lifestyle products.

Designer PJ Arañador curated a selection of products through the Department of Trade and Industry’s One Town, One Product (OTOP) Philippines program, highlighting locally made creations for domestic and international markets.

One of the delegation’s major highlights was Erik Castelo House of Fashion, which received a KATHA Award for its innovative approach to traditional weaving and contemporary fashion. The business also won the Major Award for Best Product Design in the Holiday Décor, Gifts & Toys category for its Panayanon Silak Grove Obelisks.

Other fashion exhibitors included Indag-an Primary Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Salngan Livelihood Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Modern Ilongga, and 1Iloilo Incorporated.

The home and lifestyle section featured Iloilo Capiz Shells Flowers and Antiques, Lampirong Collection, Cuaycong Native Crafts, WUTHLE Association, Rattanology Corporation, and Owlkemy Candles Manufacturing.

The 11-member Iloilo delegation also presented a custom bamboo display built by the Maasin Bamboo Association and designed by Arañador, reinforcing the region’s emphasis on natural materials and locally developed design.

The delegation participated in Manila FAME for the second consecutive year, with support from Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas and partners, including the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council, PhilExport6A, MORE Power, PCCI Iloilo, and Representative Ferjenel Biron.

Aklan Earns National Recognition for Sustainable Crafts

Aklan presented a 15-enterprise delegation specializing in piña, raffia, and nito weaving, showing how traditional materials can become contemporary products for fashion and home interiors.

Six businesses participated directly under DTI Aklan: Bandiola’s Piña Weaving, Dodong and Mikay Piña Weaving, Buttons Nthings Arts and Crafts Shop, Ninamaria Arts and Crafts, Elizabeth Rasonable Piña Weaving, and Raquel’s Piña Cloth Products.

Eight additional makers joined through the Kalibo LGU Artisans Village. These were the Aklan Fashion Designers Association, Handicraft of Aklan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Joeriz & Co., La Herminia Weaving and Arts, Nami Aklan, Piña Seda Primera, Reycon’s Piña Cloth, and Uswag Arts and Crafts. Alima by Silverhandicrafts participated independently.

Buttons Nthings Arts and Crafts Shop led Aklan’s strong showing, winning the KATHA Award for Eco Design for its Nitraf placemats.

Owner Sheree Reynaldo also became a finalist in three other categories. Her shortlisted products included the Si Amo ag si Bao raffia stuffed toy for Holiday Décor, nito placemats for Home Décor, and the Franz Nito Bag for Fashion.

Another Aklanon maker, Ninamaria Arts and Crafts, earned an Eco Design finalist spot for its Upak Bowl collections.

The victory marked Reynaldo’s second KATHA Award win in the Eco Design category. At Manila FAME 2024, she received the award for her PAEA Handwoven Raffia Table Runner, which used natural local dyes derived from Talisay leaves, coconut coir, and atsuete seeds.

Her achievements highlight the commercial potential of environmentally conscious design and the continued relevance of traditional weaving in contemporary Filipino products.

Filipino Craftsmanship Gains Wider Market Opportunities

DTI Region VI Acting Regional Director Mutya Eusores praised the participating businesses for demonstrating the quality and ingenuity of Western Visayas craftsmanship.

She emphasized that the awards represented more than individual achievements, highlighting the region’s capacity to compete in the national design industry. She also recognized Erik Castelo and Sheree Reynaldo as examples of how creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation can help elevate local products.

Beyond the awards, Manila FAME gave participating enterprises a chance to introduce their products to buyers, industry professionals, and potential business partners.

DTI Region VI said it would continue supporting local producers through initiatives designed to improve product development, expand market access, and strengthen the competitiveness of Filipino brands.

These efforts align with the government’s Tatak Pinoy Act, which aims to promote the development and competitiveness of Philippine-made products.

For Western Visayas, the recognition at Manila FAME 2026 underscores how regional heritage can become a source of contemporary design innovation. From Iloilo’s fashion and bamboo displays to Aklan’s piña, raffia, and nito creations, the participating artisans demonstrated that Filipino craftsmanship can preserve cultural traditions while responding to evolving lifestyle markets.

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