SM, DTI, CITEM, and The Star celebrate Philippine arts and crafts

MANILA, Philippines - As an archipelago, the Philippines produces crafts that are as distinct as its regions. The natural resources available in each island and the products made in different provinces create a diversity of Filipino crafts.  The raw materials, as well as the customs and traditions of each Philippine region, have greatly influenced the special craft products the country produces.

SM’s foray into the provincial areas — 30 out of its 47 malls are in key cities around the Philippines — has brought it closer to the communities it serves. It has brought about a greater appreciation for the history, culture and people in each city, and with that, a desire to share the best of the Philippines.

“My City, My SM, My Crafts” is a celebration of traditional arts and modern Philippine design in the different cities where SM has malls.  It is a take off from the previous “My City, My SM” campaign, which promotes tourism, and “My City, My SM, My Cuisine,” which highlights the culinary specialties of its host cities.

In partnership with the Bureau of Domestic Trade of the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Philippine STAR, with support from CITEM, the campaign aims to promote the best of the best crafts, as well as the OTOP program in SM’s host cities; preserve dying crafts through workshops and contests; and provide opportunities for livelihood. It also aims to create cultural exchange between the various cities.

The project partners bring together the best of the best in Philippine craftsmanship — from the Cordillera highlands to tribal villages in Mindanao, from the workshops of artisans to studios of contemporary world-class designers.

“The Department of Trade and Industry, through the Bureau of Domestic Trade is happy to partner with SM on the project,” says Bureau of Domestic Trade director Rhodora Leano. “With the Bureau’s mandate to increase demand and open up more domestic markets for local products, implementing this program with SM is a most welcome development.”

“The concerted effort with SM is very much welcome and appreciated,” says CITEM deputy director Ma. Lourdes M. Mediran, “as this will further encourage cultivation of such crafts, inspire its advancement, and elevate it as one of the country’s highest expressions of national identity.”

“It’s really an honor and privilege to be exclusive partners once again of the third edition of SM’s My City, My SM campaign,” says Philippine STAR SVP for advertising Lucien Dy Tioco. “We praise SM’s initiative on championing the ingenuity and individuality of every Filipino around the country by coming out with these kinds of events.”

As it has been in the previous campaigns, “My City, My SM, My Crafts” will be a roadshow that will make a stop in the different SM Malls just in time for its festivals.

It will launch at SM City Santa Rosa, and then proceed to SM City Lucena in June. Other “My City, My SM, My Crafts” stops include SM City Batangas in July, SM City Cagayan de Oro and SM City Davao in August, SM City Marilao, SM City Naga, and SM City Dasmarinas in September, SM City Bacolod in October, SM City Taytay in November, and SM City Pampanga in December.

In 2014, the “My City, My SM, My Crafts” roadshow will visit SM City Cebu and SM City Iloilo in January and SM City Baguio and SM City Clark in February.

Each stop will highlight a craft market, workshops, and demonstrations. Each city will have a contest wherein members of the community show their skill in producing its signature craft.

“My City, My SM, My Crafts” is a joint project of SM, the Bureau of Domestic Trade, and the Philippine STAR with support from CITEM.