BIJOUX CEBU 2010: Asia's Destination for Green Jewelry

The Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters Foundation Philippines (FAME Foundation), seeking to maximize the growing global demand for eco-friendly products, has been holding an annual trade show for Philippine fashion accessories since 2008. This year, they are organizing Bijoux Cebu.
"Bijoux Cebu" (from the French word Bijoux which means jewelry) will be happening at Shangri-la's Mactan Resort and Spa on September 18-20, 2010. It is a trade show featuring our exporters' Spring-Summer 2011 Collections, with a theme that revolves around the nature's 4 basic elements: earth, air, fire and water.


"The demand for all types of eco-friendly products has never been greater and this is equally true for fashion accessories. While other countries scramble to add eco-friendly products to their current lines, our exporters have the distinct advantage of already using eco-friendly materials derived from our country's natural resources for the past 30 years. As part of our industry's growth we now make and use more green components on our products. We even use recycled and waste materials. We are now building our reputation as Asia's destination for green jewelry and through Bijoux Cebu, we hope to strengthen it even more." says Zeny Uy, Bijoux Cebu Chairman.

The show is targeting foreign buyers all over the world, especially those countries who advocate green living. Foreign buyers have already been registering to attend the show as early as June of this year.

One of the trade show participants showcasing their eco-friendly accessories.

Bijoux Cebu is targeting 200 buyers this year, with exhibitors numbering almost 40. This is about half of all the member exporters of FAME Foundation. Uy explained that 40 exhibitors is already a big number, seeing that usually only half of that figure join foreign shows abroad. "Only a few exporters can join foreign shows due to the high costs involved. This is why Bijoux Cebu is the better alternative for them, as well as for the buyers who can see more exhibitors and have more products to choose from."

The event also features additional attractions and enhancements including daily fashion shows, craft demonstrations, design competitions, and highlighted by a gala night for the buyers at the Provincial Capitol Hall. Aside from the trade show, FAME Foundation is also holding a lifestyle Garden Bazaar at Shangri-la's gardens. Accommodating 100 exhibitors, this will give foreign buyers and resort guests a unique shopping  experience and it is also open to the public.

Models during the fashion show.

The exporter's show opens daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on September 18-20, 2010. The Garden Bazaar opens daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on the same dates. Admission is free.

Mark, Agnes, Alvin and Me during the event. Photo taken by Jarlou

A free shuttle service is also provided for 3 days. Ayala Center Cebu departures are at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm daily, while return trips from Shangri-la are at 11:00 am and 4:00 pm daily. SM schedules are still being finalized as of this moment.

This event is organized by FAME Foundation Philippines, with the help and support of PhilExport Cebu, Export Development Council, DTI, DENR, DOST, DOT, Cebu Provincial Government, and Cebu City Government. PJ Aranador is the show's creative designer, with event coordinator by Crinnovent Corp.

For more details, one may contact FAME Secretariat at 255-0851.

Photo Credits: Jarlou Valenzuela

FAME Foundation Launches New Green Waters Program

The Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters Foundation Philippines (FAME Foundation) launched Green Waters, phase 2 of Go Green Philippines.

Go Green Philippines is a sustainable environment program that aims to revitalize the Philippine ecosystem and sustain the Philippine fashion accessories industry at the same time. Phase 1 of the project was reforestation called the Green Earth which was officially launched last October 2007. This way, FAME Foundation has planted 125,000 trees on 50 hectares of public land.

Now, Go Green Philippines is ready to launch phase 2, otherwise known as the Green Waters. It aims to create marine sanctuaries and preserve our coral reefs.

With September declared as the Month of the Ocean, Green Waters program was officially launched last September 18, 2010 on the first day of Bijoux Cebu, FAME Foundation’s fashion accessories trade show at Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

“The Philippine fashion accessories industry relies on our country’s vast natural resources as the raw materials for our products. While our members have always been responsible in the selection and use of natural resources in the past, we have been wanting to go beyond responsible use and start advocating responsible stewardship. Through Go Green Philippines, we now expand our responsibility to ensure the sustainability of our natural resources and to support grassroots communities connected to the resources we use. ” said Janet Chua, FAME Foundation President and Go Green Philippines Chairman.

Green Earth, the first phase of the Go Green Philippines, has been well-accepted by the international community. Most of the project’s funding came from foreign buyers who liked it very much and pledged their support when it was introduced to them. FAME Foundation is confident that the exporters’ buyers will support Green Waters just like how Green Earth was supported.
FAME Foundation will also be working with Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region VII, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Local Government Units, academic institutions, and People’s Organizations.

“Our primary purpose is to preserve the shells of our seas and oceans. We will be focusing on shells used as accessories. The marine sanctuaries we establish for these shells will be the first of its kind, as existing marine sanctuaries focus edible shells for human consumption. FAME Foundation will also be partnering with a People’s Organization for the daily maintenance of the marine sanctuaries. By partnering with People’s Organizations, we give them livelihood opportunities, basic education and skills trainings, and also teach them to responsible stewardship over nature. This way, local grassroots communities can also be benefit from our projects.” Chua explained.

Through Green Waters, Fame Foundation also advocates the preservation of the Coral Triangle, which has the world’s richest concentration of corals and sea life. It got its name because of the area’s triangular shape within the marine waters of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste. Of all of these countries, the Philippines currently hosts the largest colonies of the world’s tropical shellfishes.

The launching of the Green Waters program was highlighted by the presence of the Go Green Ambassadors:

• Go Green Ambassador for Air – Environmentalist Adrien Semblat
• Go Green Ambassador for Fire – Model Isabelle Daza
  
• Go Green Ambassador for Earth – Miss Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry
• Go Green Ambassador for Water – Actor Richard Gutierrez

Know more about BIJOUX CEBU...

Screenshots! (photos courtesy of Jarlou Valenzuela)

Me with Miss Earth 2008 Karla Paula Henry

Alvin and Me with Go Green Ambassador for Water - Richard Gutierrez (with a photbomb at the back!)

Me together with Agnes, Mark, Alvin and PJ Aranador, the Creative Designer of the event

The Go Green Ambassadors: Adrien Semblat (Air), Isabelle Daza (Fire), Richard Gutierrez (Water) and Karla Henry (Earth)