The GoLokal!ConceptStore@DTI opened last Friday, 29 September 2017 with an event called “Buyers’ Day” – an opportunity for our buyers to check out the new products of over 200 MSMEs from the product development program of the Design Center of the Philippines, exclusively for Go Lokal!. Six (6) product specialists from DCP led by Stanley Ruiz provided this assistance. The store, elegantly designed and curated by Ito Kish, was packed with guests, government officials and executives from the private sector.

The store’s entrance immediately offered promises to a buyer and created one’s expectations, a “store journey” experience while live classical music played in the background- soft lightings, pastel colored signage and a subtle visual design. Guests were led through a path of discovery of tradition passed from generation to generation, carefully blending with the present times.

A retail concept store, Go Lokal! is the brainchild of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez. Approximately 500 new Philippine products crafted and manufactured by the country’s MSMEs were featured in the store; from a variety of items ranging from home décor, food, fashion and accessories to health and wellness. Noticeable in the store was the prominent use of indigenous materials and traditional Philippine fabrics, infused with millennial designs.

Go Lokal! is the story of the Filipino craftsman – how it evolved from the local craftsman to a globally competitive artisan – how the old blended with the new. The event also saw the imprimatur of partnerships with private entities in e-Commerce and advertising, individuals and groups who share the same vision with DTI on MSME development.

The GoLokal!ConceptStore@DTI is open Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am-6:00 pm. You may also visit other Go Lokal! stores located @SMKultura, @Rustan’sMakati, @Robinson’sPlaceManila, @EnchantedKingdom and @DutyFreePhilippines.

DTI-Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies Partnership (4A’s): Signing the partnership with Trade Chief Ramon Lopez is 4 A’s Chairman of the Board, Mr. Norman Agatep. Standing from left: 4As Executive Director Ms. Vanne Tomada, Ideasxmachina Advertising, Inc. Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Third Domingo, Potato Corner founder Mr. Jorge Wieneke, 4A’s Project Lead Jenny B. Wieneke, Trade and Investments Promotion Group (TIPG) Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado, TIPG-DTI Assistant Secretary Rosvi C. Gaetos, Regional Operations Group (ROG) – DTI Assistant Secretary Blesila A. Lantayona, Philippine Trade Training Center Executive Director Nestor Palabyab, Design Center of the Philippines Executive Director Rhea Matute, and Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) Director Rhodora Leano.

DTI-Marketa Philippines Partnership: Secretary Lopez signs partnership with Marketa Philippines CEO, Ronald Magleo. Looking on are, from left: Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado, Assistant Secretary Rosvi C. Gaetos and Paynamics Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Esther P. Magleo.

BDTP Assistant Director Marievic Bonoan, TIPG-DTI Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, Shopinas Founder Mark Panganiban, TIPG-DTI Assistant Secretary Rosvi C. Gaetos, and Diko Gutierrez of CitiMall.

GoLokal!ConceptStore@DTI store operator Romeo Balderrama, BDTP Assistant Director Marievic Bonoan, TIPG-DTI Usec. Terrado, DTI Sec. Lopez, Rustan Supercenters Inc. CEO Irvin Lee, Assistant Secretary Rosvi C. Gaetos, BDTP Director Rhodora Leano, and Rustan’ s Supercenters Inc., Food Merchandising Vice President Karen Rodas.