The Philippines is putting the spotlight on local tropical fabric in a month-long celebration led by the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PTRI).
The Philippine Tropical Fabrics Month this January 2021 places the various local textile on the centerstage while highlighting Filipino ingenuity, creativity, and passion for creating colorful and uniquely designed fashion ensembles.
Filipino tropical fabrics as defined by Republic Act No. 9242 or the “Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law of 2004” are those containing natural fibers produced, spun, woven, or knitted and are produced in the Philippines.
The month-long observance aims to raise awareness on the use of natural fibers like pineapple, banana, abaca, and the Philippines silk for textile and allied products.
The promotion of Filipino textile products that are indigenous to the Philippines also highlights the use of locally-developed technologies and local resources that can provide livelihood opportunities particularly for those in the rural areas and promote Filipino products in the global market.
DOST-PTRI states that the initiative will bring about the revival and upgrading of the local textile and garment industries that will eventually contribute to the creation of livelihood in the agricultural and industrial sectors.
The month-long celebration slated from January 1 to 31, 2021, highlights the positive developments in the textile industry despite the pandemic and carries the theme “Fashioning Philippine Textiles in the Now Normal and in the Year of the Creative Economy”.
Among the month’s activities will be a two-day event of the first-ever virtual conduct of the annual Textiles Empowering Lives Anew (TELA) Stakeholders’ Conference which coincides with the 54th Founding Anniversary of the Institute in January 30.
The annual TELA Stakeholder’s conference will be held on January 27 while on January 28 there are other activities lined up, namely: virtual presser on Philippine Tropical Fabrics, launching of the PTRI Textile Hub and Gallery, and the launching of the Philippine Textiles e-portal.
Philippine fabrics are used in new government uniforms designed by Filipino fashion artists.
Check out this list of Philippine-made reusable heritage face masks using Filipino fabric.
These Abaca face masks developed in Misamis Oriental also received the DOST nod.
SHARE your favorite story about tropical fabric from the Philippines in the comments below and SEND CHEERS to the local textile industry!
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