Part of the ongoing efforts by the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Trade and Industry to promote greater awareness of the Philippines in the international market, the showcase at Couture Fashion Week New York included:

• Tourism and product displays from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Southern Taglog including Puerto Princesa City.

• An exhibit by the beautiful Acuatico Beach Resort located in San Juan, Batangas, one of the Philippines’ most popular vacation destinations.

•  Fashion shows by designers Joseph Domingo and Barge Ramos, with jewelry by Arnel Papa.

• A gala reception for special guests sponsored by East Coast Charities, Inc. headed by Filipino community member and entrepreneur Elma Santander. Proceeds from the reception will benefit Smokey Mountain education programs and the apostolic work of San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel in New York.

• Performance by a Philippine tribal dance troupe from the Cordillera region.

• Video presentation on the Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The event was attended by numerous Filipino dignitaries including CAR Governor Jocel Baac, Abra Governor Eustaquio Bersamin, and Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn. A few days before the event Philippines government delegations, including Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr., met in New York with members of the business community and the Filipino-American Community at the Philippine Center on the latest region-based tourism and trade promotion efforts. The Consul General stressed a number of developments which can engage the overseas community in the potential for tourism and trade in the Philippines.

In his own Spring 2013 collection, which was shown on the runway, Couture Fashion Week producer and designer Andres Aquino used some beautiful natural fiber "ikat" fabrics by Narda Capuyan. Ms. Capuyan, who also attended the New York event, is the creative force behind Narda's Handwoven Arts and Crafts, Inc., The Philippines. "The use of these fabrics from Cordillera is part of our mission to use more sustainable natural and eco-friendly materials," said Mr. Aquino (no relation to the esteemed Filipino family of the same name). "It sends a positive message and contributes to the development of the natural fiber industry creating jobs in remote locations for artisans outside the mass production chain." Mr. Aquino is looking forward to future collaboration with Cordillera and other entities involved in natural fabric production.