Pangasinan showcased Spectacular Creations in Its Manila FAME Debut!

The province has tapped 10 MSMEs that deliver world-class ‘Made in Pangasinan’ creativity

 

After a 40-year long wait, Pangasinan is all set to present its bounty of artisan creations at international shows, with Manila FAME as its first stop. 

 

The province has tapped 10 MSMEs that deliver world-class “Made in Pangasinan” creativity under the ABOUND project which discovers artisans and provides coaching and mentorship. The project is bringing these MSMEs as a group to the prestigious trade exhibition for the first time.  

 

With the full support of Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, leaders of the province’s towns of Binalonan and Bolinao, and local agencies, Governor Mon Mon (as he is affectionately called) presented the 10 micro, small, and medium enterprises at the project’s recent launch. The MSMEs have been carefully selected for their world-class and export-quality artistry and products from luxurious-looking fashion pieces to home furnishings that evoke tropical elegance, to fantastic creations that showcase the province’s agricultural bounty and rich heritage. 

The Philippines’ premier trade show Manila FAME is finally returning on-site after three years on October 19-21 at the World Trade Center, promising an unforgettable celebration of Filipino creativity and craftsmanship. With the event’s return comes the province of Pangasinan’s attendance – their first in 40 years.  

 

“Promoting the province’s diverse creative industries through prestigious trade events like Manila FAME is a key part of the bigger economic growth initiatives in Pangasinan. MSMEs play a vital role in ensuring inclusive economic growth in the province, as they can help accelerate trade and exportation,” says Gov. Guico. “I believe that the MSMEs joining the Manila FAME will represent the best of everything made in Pangasinan. They embody what Pangasinan, Ang Galing truly means.” 

 

Herwin Buccat known as Herwitanyo, a painter from Bolinao who features surrealist and nature-fantasy-inspired artwork. The ABOUND Team conducted one-on-one coaching on how to interpret his works and fortify his DNA. His commissioned pieces were then translated into art merchandise such as notebooks, tumblers, and pencils, as well as totes, shirts, and hoodies. 

 

Blades, hailing from Pozorrubio, produce swords that have featured in Hollywood films. Project ABOUND has helped evolve these collector’s items into high quality chef knives and trendy fashion accessories such as bespoke necklaces and bracelets. Erastus from Sto. Tomas is a furniture maker, who with the help of Project ABOUND’s product development team, has learned new applications of materials, and now features sleek designs that modernize home and office spaces.  

 

ILO from Laoac is a producer of home accessories made from locally sourced materials. Through the project, this MSME has evolved into using industrial materials for their designs that can very well enter the luxury market. WELAB (Women Empowerment Livelihood Association of Binalonan) used to produce ordinary recycled market bags. With the project’s involvement, their designs were elevated to upcycled handbags that can be considered as a signature collection. 

 

Alma from Pozorrubio is a producer of ethnic droplights. After consistent collaboration and rigorous material research, the products have become one-of-a-kind home and interior accessories characterized by their rustic elegance. Rach based in Aguilar is a maker of bamboo bags. With regular design and product development guidance, these fashion accessories have transformed into chic crystal-embellished bags.

 

Cawayan from Bolinao utilizes buri to create bags and mat products. After going through process development, and coloring and molding procedures with the ABOUND team, Cawayan weavers now make an inspired, signature bag. Joy based in Basista uses corn husks and bangkuang for home accessories and fashion bags. The project has helped transition the designs from a natural look to a classic luxury aesthetic. 

 

The youngest of this batch of MSMEs, B6 (Blessed 6) began from a group of more than 30 young individuals who have undergone and continue to attend training and guidance through the project. With a lot of effort and support from Mayor Ramon Ronald V. Guico IV, the current crop of emerging artisans and entrepreneurs have produced 7 collections of espadrilles to be launched in both domestic and international markets. 

 

Pangasinan’s Manila FAME bid started with the help of the Artisan Empowerment Association (AEA), which aims to elevate MSMEs in Pangasinan, especially those specializing in handcrafted creations. It is an initiative envisioned by esteemed businesswoman and the chair of the board of the World Citi Group, Arlyn Guico, and industry expert, entrepreneur and CEO of luxury brand Mele + Marie, Rosemarie Oamil, who both hope to show that there’s more to the province than most people think. 

 

“Artisan Empowerment Association equips budding designers and entrepreneurs with capacity-building resources and opportunities like mentorship and training programs that enable them to showcase their work to a wider market so they can uplift their lives and their communities,” shares Ms. Guico.  

 

“Our vision is to help Pangasinan-based artisans reach their highest potential through quality assurance and business development. As we prepare to present our remarkable MSMEs and their diverse product categories at Manila FAME, our vision for a prosperous Pangasinan is more vivid than ever,” assures Rosemarie Oamil. 

 

Catch these top Pangasinan MSMEs and see their incredible artisanal creations up close at the Manila FAME on October 19-21, 2023 at the World Trade Center. 

 

 

Bayambang, Pangasinan has once again made history through its successful attempt of setting a new world record for the tallest bamboo sculpture

Bayambang, Pangasinan has once again made history through its successful attempt of setting a new world record for the tallest bamboo sculpture (supported) in the Guinness World Records.



More than 600 people in this province, known for its vast agricultural produce of onions and sweet corns, worked together for over 10 months in order to build the tallest statue of the town’s patron, St. Vincent Ferrer, made of engineered bamboo supported with steel frame.

The Guinness World Records officially recognized the outstanding man-made work during the unveiling of the 50.23-meter high statue of St. Vincent Ferrer last April 5. It was Guinness World Records adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar who made the formal announcement as part of the town’s 405th founding anniversary and the 400th founding anniversary of the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish as well as the commemoration of the 600th death year of the patron saint of builders.

The statue stands tall in the middle of Bayambang’s hilly area that overlooks hectare-wide farmlands which is now converted to St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park.



According to Dangarikar, Bayambang did not attempt to beat a world record but set a unique record due to the fact that it’s a first in the Guinness World Records to put on record “a sculpture of this scale.”

He also shared that it was already his seventh time to set foot on the Philippines and every time he comes here, “you never fail to amaze me” because even though he had expected to see a sculpture to be big, Dangarikar did not foresee “it was that huge and beautifully built.”



Before the formal unveiling, video clips of Dangarikar, together with Bayambang engineers, flashed on the giant LED screens the rigorous work in the construction site and how Dangarikar meticulously checked on every detail of the structure.



JQS Builders, headed by Arch. Jerry Suratos, Engr. Aaron Villafuerte and Jericho Roble, was in charge of site development planning and detailed design of the sculpture using 3D polygon technology. Design and fabrication of steelworks were handled by Far East Industrial Supply & Co., Inc. (FEISCO) and RAA Architects Engineers Consultants, while Palafox Associates took charge of pinpointing the most appropriate site for the project, based on the municipality’s updated Comprehensive Land Use Plan.



The St. Vincent Ferrer statue was the brainchild of former Pinoy Big Brother housemate and now Bayambang First Lady Niña Jose-Quiambao, being the wife of town mayor Cezar T. Quiambao. The creation of the statue was made possible by the Quiambao couple, Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation with Romyl Junio as general manager, and hermano and hermana mayors Dr. Henry Fernandez and wife Julie, respectively.



Mayor Cezar Quiambao, in his speech, expressed delight at his wife’s idea of building a statue of their patron saint that also symbolizes Bayambang's strong faith and respect for St. Vincent Ferrer.



This is the town’s second Guinness record. The first was set in 2014 for the longest barbecue grill (8 kilometers), beating the record of Turkey.

Bayambangueños present to witness the affair validated what mayor Quiambao said that the project was funded by the said foundation and no single centavo from the municipal coffer was spent.



The formal unveiling of St. Vincent Ferrer statue was also witnessed by Pangasinan Rep. Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas and local officials of Bayambang.

Bayambang Celebrates 405th Town Fiesta with Grand Events

Bayambang, Pangasinan is celebrating its 405th year with grand events happening from April 1 until April 8. Bayambang, located at the southern tip of Pangasinan, was the 5th capital of the Philippines during the 1st Philippine Republic under the revolutionary government of General Emilio Aguinaldo.

The town’s vast territory used to include Bautista town, where the Philippine National Anthem was written by Jose Palma, and Camiling town (now a part of Tarlac), the home of Jose Rizal’s inspiration for Maria Clara, Leonor Rivera, and the birthplace of former UN General Assembly President Carlos P. Romulo.

The town fiesta coincides with the marking of the 400th year foundation of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish (the physical church was built in 1869), and worldwide, the commemoration of the 600th year of the saint’s death. The century-old place of worship enshrines St. Vincent Ferrer, the patron saint of Bayambang, whose feast day is on April 5.

In line with this year’s fiesta theme “Bayang Pinagtibay ng Pagkakaisa at Pananampalataya Laban sa Kahirapan: 400 ng Pagpapala ng Parokya ng San Vicente Ferrer”, the municipal government of Bayambang, led by Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao, in cooperation with sponsors, organizers and Hermano and Hermana Mayor Dr. Henry Fernandez and wife Julie, prepared different activities meant to entertain local and foreign tourists and at the same time highlight Bayambanguenos’ significant contribution to the town’s progress.   

The occasion is a fitting opportunity for Bayambang to invite people to witness the ceremony in its latest attempt to make a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records with their bid as having the tallest statue of St. Vincent Ferrer. In 2014, it won the Guinness World Records for the longest barbecue grill.

The soon-to-be iconic monument will stand imposingly in Saint Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park, the first part of the sprawling 67 hectare new town center of Bayambang.


It was the idea of Mayor Cezar’s wife, Niña Jose, to create a statue of their patron saint to whom she is a devotee like her husband. “St. Vincent Ferrer is a significant part in the culture and history of our town. We decided to build a statue in his honor as a thanksgiving for everything that he has done for Bayambang in the past 400 years,” the former actress and now Bayambang First Lady shared. The 51-meter tall St. Vincent Ferrer image has a steel frame and bamboo panels as cladding material.

Everyone will surely enjoy the fiesta kickoff on April 1 starting from the Revelry followed by a Thanksgiving Mass, a Grand Parade, and the Opening Program at the town plaza in the morning and by 4 p.m., a Street Dancing Competition on Bayambang National High School grounds. The day ends with an Inter-Faith Thanksgiving for members of the community belonging to other religious groups.



From April 2 to 6, there will be a Barangay Night to fete the town’s barangay officials; a Farmers’ Day in honor of the hardworking food producers; an Educators’ Night for teachers; a Senior Citizens’ Day; TODA Day for motor tricycle operators and drivers, and a Fiesta Negosyante dedicated to public market vendors.



On April 3, dancing enthusiasts take centerstage in ZumBayambang while local officials who displayed exemplary performance will be honored with Matalunggaring Awards. LGU/Cultural Night, on the other hand, takes place in the evening in honor of local government workers and cultural workers.



Set on April 4 is the Malangsi Cooking Contest to discover budding culinary talents. Also in the line-up are Bayambang Got Talent and Inter-Barangay Sportsfest. Adding color and excitement to the event are Vice Ganda, Kamikazee and December Avenue who are set to perform in the grilling-cum-concert night Kalutan Year 5: Labi’y Liket tan Gayaga on PSU Grounds.



On the Big Day, April 5, the feast day of St. Vincent Ferrer, there will be another Thanksgiving Mass at the church, followed by a traditional Grand Procession with statues of the esteemed patron to be paraded around the town. Then at 6 p.m., the formal opening of the St. Vincent Ferrer Prayer Park will be held at Barangay Bani. The highlight of the affair is the unveiling of the highly-anticipated statue of St. Vincent Ferrer. Devotees of the saint from all over the world are invited to witness this occasion which has been at least a year in the making. Mayor Cezar once said, “Now we are creating a landmark for people to remember and recognize Bayambang.”

Another big event to be hosted by Bianca Gonzalez is slated on April 6 with the star-studded beauty pageant, which gathers the town’s beautiful ladies to vie for the much-coveted Binibining Bayambang 2019. Actor Dominic Roque will sit in the jury panel.



The town’s alumni from various educational institutions will come together on April 7 for the Alumni Motorcade, Recreational Activities and Alumni Night.


The festivities will be capped off on April 8 with a formal dinner and mini-concert via Balikbayan Night and People’s Grand Ball at the town plaza, with K Brosas as special guest performer.