In line with the celebration of the National Arts Month this February, the Department of Trade and Industry Laguna Provincial Office (DTI Laguna) organized an art exposition called “Sining ng Pag-Asa: Mula sa Laguna” at Uptown Mall – Bonifacio, Taguig City, on 21 – 28 February 2022.

The art exposition gathered notable Laguna artists including 20 wood carvers and artists representing the Banhay Kulay Paete Artists Guild from Paete, Laguna. Also, through the assistance of the Provincial Government of Laguna, the art exposition was also able to showcase the gowns created by the 25 homegrown designers and embroiderers from the Designers Circle Philippines – Laguna and Laguna Designers Association. The said art exposition was also participated by 10 Laguna artisans and artisanal exhibitors who were assisted by DTI Laguna through various programs such as the One Town, One Product and the Kapatid Mentor ME.

The said event was formally opened by DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez on 23 February 2022. The art exposition gathered several personalities and DTI Key Officials including DTI Regional Operations Group Assistant Secretaries Demphna Du-Naga and Dominic Tolentino, DTI Export Marketing Bureau Executive Director Christopher Lawrence Arnuco, MSME Consultant Jorge Wieneke, Design Advisory Council Board Member Jenny Wieneke, and Philippine Commission on Women Chairperson Sandra Montano.

This initiative of DTI Laguna, tagged as Kalakal Laguna, is in line with DTI’s thrust to actively and continuously look for ways to help its micro, small, and medium enterprises thrive and flourish despite the pandemic. Sining ng Pag-asa: Mula sa Laguna and the whole Kalakal Laguna in Uptown Mall – Bonifacio became an avenue to promote Laguna products and expand market reach for Laguna MSMEs. The event also facilitated market matching and business-to-business meetings where Laguna artists and potential market/partner engaged in an ideation session. ♦

Date of Release: 02 March 2022