KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 12, through its South Cotabato Provincial Office, has facilitated a marketing partnership between Kestubong Women Association of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (KEWARB) of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, and Ivan Raborar, a renowned local couturier and creative design consultant of the province.

The marketing partnership was forged under the DTI Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program with KEWARB as among the agrarian reform beneficiary organizations being assisted in South Cotabato.

Under the marketing partnership agreement, Raborar will be providing KEWARB with exclusive product designs for mass production by the group. Finished products will be bought by Raborar at fair market price and will be incorporated in his couture and creative works.

In an interview, Flora Politud-Gabunales, the local trade chief of DTI 12, said that the forged partnership will promote the products of South Cotabato crafters

“Ivan Raborar has been known to be very passionate in using local materials in his creations. Being a local celebrity and advocate of locally made products, the partnership is expected to provide significant opportunities for KEWARB, as they will have access to a wider market and receive support in the form of product development and new designs. Additionally, Raborar’s involvement in the project will bring credibility and exposure to their products, which can lead to increased sales,” said Politud-Gabunales. Raborar, dubbed as the Prince of T’nalak Couture, was pivoted into celebrity status when he became one of the 14 finalists of Project Runway Philippines, a reality television adaptation of the Project Runway in America that showcases the completion in the fashion designs of established and new designers.  ♦

Date or release: 17 April 2023