Despite geographical difficulties, there really is no excuse for us now to not support the artisans and producers of indigenous crafts from all over the country. Trade fairs today can be seen left and right, and the word easily spreads out through social media.
In fact this long weekend, there’s another fair, which features both indigenous crafts and contemporary art, you can go to for free: Sikat Pinoy, the national arts and crafts fair organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). It’s a four-day retail fair trade that features 150 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) from different regions across the country. Expect hand-made products, ornaments, jewelry, fabric, and accessories that embody indigenous living traditions.
Among the highlights of Sikat Pinoy, which will be in Megatrade Halls 1 to 3 at SM Megamall from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until June 17, are workshops, lectures and training courses like leather crafting, bead buffet, embroidery, henna tattooing, and Mangyan script writing.
“Today, we consider our heritage as a source of livelihood and as an effective way to establish MSME, especially to our indigenous peoples,” Sen. Loren Legarda says in a press release. Legarda is the author of R.A. 9501 or the Magna Carta for MSME and R.A. 9509 or the Barangay Kabuhayan Act.
“Our MSME programs should be further strengthened because aside from generating employment opportunities and better incomes, MSMEs are powerful platforms for the promotion of viable rural livelihoods, cultural preservation, socio-economic empowerment of indigenous peoples, and even environmental protection,” Legarda says.
Featured image courtesy of Sen. Loren Legarda on Instagram
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