Local home and fashion manufacturers display their best in Japan

By Pia Lorraine V. Yater
(Written for the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions)

World-class manufacturers from the Philippines will showcase their unique and exciting home and fashion pieces in a special two-week exhibition entitled Philippine Fashion Accessories and Interior Goods with Business Meetings this July at the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) Hall in Tokyo Japan.

Sponsored by AJC in collaboration with the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Philippine Trade Investment Center (PTIC) Tokyo, the special exhibition - trade mission opens various business possibilities for local manufacturers to carve a niche in the discriminating Japanese market.

The 10-day exhibition started on 13 July 2010, and will progress to intensive business meetings with invited Japanese buyers from 20-22 July, still at the ASEAN-Japan Centre Hall.

"Our constant quest to develop has led us in manufacturing quality interior goods that fit the taste of the Japanese market, thus we are looking forward to meet new buyers and introduce our latest products," said Gigi Gonzales, Chief Operating Officer of GSG by Flora Creatives, one of the participants of the exhibition.

GSG through the years, has innovated on the use of handmade paper, in the process garnering many design awards such as the 1995 Golden Shell Award, the 2005 G-Mark Award from the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JIDPO), and the 2008 Katha Hall of Fame Award.

For this 2010 Philippine trade mission, GSG will display woven abaca paper materials transformed beautifully into various bags and totes, runners and placemats, and laminates for storage boxes and other houseware and gifts items.

"We are hopeful that the Japanese market will patronize our products, especially as our main inspiration for producing paper has always been the Japanese “washi” or handmade paper – creating abaca paper in all possible forms and coming close to what is inherently beloved to Japanese sensibilities," Gonzales ended.

Meanwhile, other participants also expressed their insights on the Philippine trade mission in Japan, Celia Jiao of Kalikasan Crafts shared that the true measure of product quality is when you meet the Japanese standard. "Its a good benchmark to aim for and I strongly believe that we Filipinos can achieve it," she added.

On the other hand, Wilma Benitez, Assistant Manager of TN Philippines another prime manufacturer of home decors, shares that they expect to meet new steady clients and renew trade ties with the old to further strengthen their niche in the Japanese market.

The demand for storage items such as cabinets has remained comparatively firm as dictated by the Japanese lifestyle of order and efficiency. Meanwhile, there is the ever-present and lucrative Japan giftware market which amounted to JPY 17 billion in 2008. This reflects the age-old Japanese practice of gift-giving as a means of communication and definitely a market Philippine manufacturers can further exploit.

With the guidance of a Japanese market expert dispatched to the Philippines from Tokyo, the Philippine Trade Mission delegates were chosen from a roster of the best of Philippine manufacturers and exporters featured bi-annually at the CITEM-led design trade show Manila F.A.M.E. International. As a significant Philippine market, Japan is also the first-ever partner country for the Manila F.A.M.E., incorporating Japanese-inspired theme for its settings showcased last April and soon on the 18 - 21 October edition of the show.

Other participating companies in the Philippine Fashion Accessories and Interior Goods with Business Meetings include 33 Point 3 Exports, Inc. and Craft Mill, Inc.for home decor; while Anjo Accessories, Inc., Cebu Intertrade Export, Crystal Seas, Cyprea International, Inc., Ferimar Import-Export Inc., Indian Summer Gifts & Accessories, and Mich Dulce will represent the fashion accessories sector.

Pink vs. Blue

By Pia Lorraine V. Yater

Men and women are created equal.

Different in many aspects but generally alike in most ways. Debates on who’s the greater sex never ceased but the contemporary working professionals have proved that there should be no gender issues when it comes to business and society interactions.

Role reversal is better explained as other genders assuming the roles that are only meant for a specific sexual category.

In business and society, the girls are now performing job descriptions and activities that are usually fitted only for men and they proudly do it with flying colors. Men on the other hand, also developed fondness on the girl’s side of the universe.

Its been noted that women can accomplish some “men” task better than actual males and vice versa but endless talks on whose the best remains unsolved. Here’s a quick list of some points from Metropost dear readers that might add more spice to the eternal battle of the sexes.

Since men and women can now work together, men don’t have to shoulder all the family expenses. But I would still prefer my wife to take care of my children even just on their early years. – Rommel, architect, 25

Role reversal in the society and business is fine but I’m not really on it when it comes to raising a family. Maybe up to some extent, but alternating maternal and paternal duties/concerns really have an impact in more ways than one. Apple, writer, 27

My wife is a tigress in the office and I on the other hand is a chef who loves to cook for my family and my little kids. We are not following the norms of the society but still our family is as normal as the others. – Lloyd, househusband, 33

For me, gender issues don’t have bearing at all. Especially that were all finding a peaceful place in the planet where we can earn and do what we love regardless of gender issues. As long as there are no harassments involved, role reversal is really not an issue. -Rico, Senior Logistics Manager, 27

Everybody should do things on their own accord, like me I’m an engineer and work with lots of men but still I maintain my femininity. – Lee, engineer, 30

Even other girls are far more aggressive and expressive than other boys and I don’t see anything wrong with that. Welcome to generation X. – wolverine, web designer, 22

It’s cool to see girl’s dong the same stuff as ours. No one should be limited by his or her gender. – Patrick Lawrence, performer, 25

I grew up with my dad since my mother is in abroad working, my dad acted as my mother while she’s gone. Although it’s awkward to discuss with him the things that I should be learning from my mom it still worked. I guess my dad and other men out there can do good in the female arena as well. – Gem, housewife, 26

Role reversal is okay. At least we are not confined to the work of the sexual category we supposedly belong to. But I strongly believe that there are still roles that the opposite gender cannot do. – Papa Bear, Data Controller, 25

Role reversal between the sexes and the strive to determine whose the best is just like the pink vs. blue discrimination. Appointing colors according to gender. But since changes like acceptance and liberty to do what you will is gradually picking up, maybe its time to erase the word sexist in the dictionary.

Philippine company is ‘best-kept secret’ of global chocolate brands

By: Pia Lorraine V. Yater
(Written as a corporate Press Release for the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions' IFEX Philippines 2010 Event)


For local company, Primex Coco Products Inc. manufacturer of coconut by-products success is sweet when you know the right market for your products.

“Our company is an accredited supplier of big chocolate and confectionary companies all over the world,” said Fatima Velasco, Marketing Manager of Primex Coco. “Popular brands with the likes of Masterfoods, Hersheys, Cadbury, Arnotts, Ferrero Rocher, Nestle, and Kraft source their coconuts needs from Primex,” she added.

Primex Coco is a family owned corporation that ventured into coconut business because of the abundance of coconut in Candelaria, Quezon, a municipality south of Manila. From its simple beginnings the company now has manufacturing plants based in Quezon and in Davao.

“We export our products to all parts of the world but our biggest client is the European market,” Velasco added. Because of the large market share that they enjoy the company is considered as the biggest supplier of desiccated coconut in the world.

Since 1991, Primex Coco produces 24,000 metric tons of world-class desiccated coconuts for discriminating customers across the globe. Their product expertise, state-of-the-art equipment and committed staff of 1,300 who adhere to the strictest sanitary conditions, have yielded multi-granulated desiccated coconut that carry the mark of global excellence.

Known for their delectable products derived from coconuts, Primex Coco will once again let the world taste the difference of Philippine made food brands as they join the Philippine participation to the 2010 edition of Gulfood Dubai this February 21-24.

“This is our 3rd participation to Gulfood and it’s an excellent venue since the visitor profile of the fair is not limited to Middle East buyers only. Through our participation in Gulfood we even met a good buyer from Uruguay,” shared by Velasco.

Aside from the coconut by-products, Primex Coco is also expanding to other products such as coconut milk powder and banana chips.

The Philippine participation to Gulfood 2010 is led by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), to promote the Philippines as a major source of quality food in Asia and to maintain old and develop new relationships with the big players in the region.

“CITEM gave us the opportunity to meet buyers in one venue, thus we enjoyed global exposure while being cost-efficient,” Velasco shared when asked about the assistance of CITEM in joining international trade fairs.

CITEM will also promote the country’s trade show for food, the International Food Exhibition Philippines (IFEX). IFEX Philippines is the country’s premier trade event for quality and delectable food ideas scheduled on 6-8 May at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, Pasay City.

Gulfood is the Middle East’s leading food event and strategic business platform for the major movers of the food industry. Manufacturers, distributors and suppliers from different parts of the globe are represented in this world-class gathering of the key sectors of the food industry.

The Philippines’ food and beverage industry also identified consumer trends to help Filipino food brands cope with the demand of the market. Consumers now look for various products that comply with food safety regulations and standards, like Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and Fair Trade to name a few. Patrons also prefer food options that tap emerging specialized markets, with the likes of Kosher, HalaL among others, while other factors considered by the market today are convenience, (ready to eat, ready to drink and ready to cook), cheap (sachets, single served), better packaging and healthy, natural or organic foods.

The Philippine food exporters have an edge over other competing countries in the Middle East market since UAE is also a home for thousands of immigrant Filipino workers which serve as ready market for Philippine food products.

Primex Coco will be joined by 11 other local food exporters and manufacturers, they are: Celebes Canning Corporation, (canned tuna); Florence Foods Corp., (fermented marine products, veggie noodles and frozen products); FCG Trading Philippines Inc., bottled tropical fruit preserves, sauces and mixes, condiments, dried noodles, confectioneries and snacks, dried fish, frozen vegetables, health and personal care products; Global 88 Intl. Trading Corp., (mixes, condiments and seasonings); Mega Fishing corporation, (sardines); Monde Nissin, (noodles, biscuits and crackers); Market Reach International, (processed foods); Atson-Tropicana Food Products Inc., (nuts and coconuts); Ngosiok Marketing, (Super Q noodles); Q-Phil products International, (noodles, sauces and condiments and marine products) and Oceanic Exports Inc., (snack foods, sauces and condiments, and processed fruits).

For information, log on to www.ifexphilippines.com/gulfood2010

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