The very first Neo-ethnic Philippine Textile Conference will serve as a grand gathering for various stakeholders and advocates of our local textiles. Not only will the event provide platform for the official launch of various neo-ethnic fabrics but it will also offer the perfect venue to update on-going and continuing initiatives in S&T and innovation for this industry, link the players, exchange thoughts and expectations with the hope of coming up with common understanding on contemporary issues that confront the ethnicity, authenticity, sustainability and longevity of textile production in the community level and of our ethnic communities.

The whole-day affair, spearheaded by the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), will feature conference sessions on (1) the naissance of neo-ethnic Philippine textiles; (2) contemporary issues on neo-ethnic textiles; and (3) testimonials of partners and stakeholders. Speakers for the sessions include experts from the PTRI, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), Bureau of Trademarks, University of the Philippines in Diliman (UPD), and the ECHOsi Foundation. The conference is expected to provide a venue in bringing together various stakeholders from the government and non-government organizations, academe, private sector, cultural vanguards, textile technologists, artists, and enthusiasts, alike.

To cap off the event, a fashion show dubbed as “Neo-ethnic Wear” will grace the runway. This fashion event, open to the public, will showcase garments made from neo-ethnic textiles designed by international fashion designer Anthony Cruz Legarda and the Clothing, Textile and Interior Design of the College of Home Economics of UPD. (Joy Camille A. Baldo, S&T Media Service)