Various stakeholders of the Philippine local textiles will gather for this year's Textile Conference dubbed as
TELA Serye: ... kahapon, ngayon, bukas.
Philippine Textiles: the Future, Today.
The one-day affair, organized by the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), will be a perfect venue to discuss innovations on the textile, garment, and fashion industry and to showcase the Institute's expanded technological developments and initiatives.
Beyond a series of talks and presentations, TELA is an acronym to mean Textiles Empowering Lives Anew, which is the idea PTRI wishes to communicate – that the textile industry is a time-tested impetus for economic development.
Bringing together advocates and enthusiasts from various sectors of the government, academe, private institutions, and social enterprises; the Conference is expected to be a platform for a healthy exchange of ideas from different perspectives concerning textile industry development. It is the Conference aim that this interaction will generate a bigger spark of interest in Philippine textiles and the manufacturing process. Moreover, it is a good opportunity to rekindle acquaintances and strengthen linkages among industry stakeholders to promote collaborations.
The event, which will be held on the 29th of January 2015 at the DOST Executive Lounge in Bicutan, Taguig City, coincides with the celebration of PTRI's foundation month as well as the Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) month. Embodied in Proclamation No. 313, of January 12, 2012, January of every year is declared as “Philippine Tropical Fabrics month.”
To give the keynote address is our very own DOST Secretary Engr. Mario G. Montejo. The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Assistant Secretary Rafaelita Aldaba will talk on Textile Economics: Mapping the Course. Mr. Matthew B. Lazaro, Chief Executive Officer of Asia Textile Mills, Inc. and Director of the Textile Mills Association of the Philippines (TMAP) will speak about the Status of the Philippine Textile Industry: Unraveling the Past, Spinning the Future. Other featured sessions include PTRI TELA Serye – The Science and Technology Agenda by PTRI Director Celia B. Elumba; Made in the Philippines: Bridging the Gap by Atty. Leo A.T. Lagon of Power Fashion; Revisiting the S&T Road Map for PTF and Handloom Textiles by Ms. Jeannie Lynn J. Cabansag of PTRI-Research and Development Division; Threading Art, Craft, and Sustainable Fashion in Philippine Textiles by notable designer and artisan Ms. Ma. Beatrice P. Tesoro; and Piñatex – Breakthrough Materials for a New World by Ms. Carmen Hijosa of Piñatex.
(Donna C. Aguilar)
