Exhibitor Shed Tears at Manila FAME

 By Mortz C. Ortigoza

PASAY CITY – An overwhelmed exhibitor at the Manila FAME shed tears while being interviewed by reporters because she was selected among the few to join this year’s artisans’ expose’.

PANGASINAN Governor Ramon V. Guico III (left) and Gemma Vistro crow the products of Vistro’s Gemma’s Souvenir Shop at the Manila Fame in the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

“Pangarap ko na po noon pa (na sumali),” Gemma Vistro of the Gemma’s Souvenir Shop at the Hundred Islands in Alaminos City explained in Tagalog when asked why she cried.

A lady staff of Dr. Arlyn Grace Guico Project Abound’s head, told this writer that Vistro failed twice to be selected by the body whose members were Guico, official of the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), a representative of the provincial government, and others.

Manila Fame 2025.

Twelve Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) from Pangasinan joined the Manila Fame this year. The provincial delegation had joined the prestigious trade show for three years already.

Manila FAME 2025, held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City in October 16 to 18, opened its doors wider to the world, bringing together global and local brands in a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity, and craftsmanship. This year’s edition welcomes a diverse lineup of international exhibitors from Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Thailand—each offering fresh perspectives and distinctive design sensibilities that complement the Philippines’ own creative identity. The FAME 2025 is the Philippines’ premier home, fashion, and lifestyle trade show, organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM).

Governor Ramon V. Guico III (from far left), Department of Trade & Industry Director Natalie B. Dalaten, and Project Abound Head Dr. Arlyn Grace Guico pose for posterity at the Manila Fame in the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Dr. Guico told this writer here that exhibitors wiggled in to pass the stringent selection by Project Abound.

She said participants need to cooperate on the competitive design suggested by the body otherwise ‘edi iyan dati pa rin. Kailangan may bago sa LGU (local government units in a town or a city)”.

 “Oo may mga times na nagproposed even the accessories katulad ng berkin (bag) na mga accessories”.

Vistro said that her entries entries in the Manila Fame were all new like those frames of the mirror aesthetically covered with shells from the Hundred Island in Alaminos City.

The 12 participants that joined the 2025 Manila Fame were Olly + Fely by KNPH, RAJ Handicrafts, E-Kawayan Factory, Gemma's Souvenir Shop, Lapey Loom Weaving, Ilokana Handicraft, Women Empowerment Livelihood Association of Binalonan (WELAB), BLADES (Sworrubio & Marvin’s), Alma’s Handicraft, Aguinaldo Interiors, Bandulf Industries, at Crafter's Joy Cornhusk Products.

Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III gave his all-out support to this year’s artisans expose’.

“We are committed to make MSMEs as indispensable partners in promoting the Province of Pangasinan to the world. In so doing, we create more jobs, utilize our rich natural resources, multiply related industries, and maximize the benefits of health, education, and hospitality-based tourism,” Guico, the son of Dr. Guico, said.