When I walked into The Fifth at Rockwell for the preview of the ArteFino Festival, to take place from Aug. 24 to 27 at the Power Plant Mall in Makati City, I knew Christmas was coming even if we are two weeks shy of September (the start of the looong Christmas festivities in the Philippines). Christmas carols started to jingle in my head as I beheld an array of table accessories (since I love doing tablescapes at home), earrings, tops, hand-painted crafts, chocolate bars with patis, AND Patis. The latter Patis (Tesoro) is the grand dame of Filipiniana, particularly in piña fabric.
“One of the key highlights of this year’s ArteFino festival would be our showcase display curated and designed by Gino Gonzalez. It will pay tribute to Patis Tesoro and her body of work. From the beginning, we have always felt that her aesthetic and design approach were inspirations for ArteFino and its partner vendors. We related very much with her colors, textures, layers and details,” reveals Cedie Vargas, one of ArteFino’s founders. The other founders include Marimel Francisco, Maritess Pineda, Mita Rufino and Susie Quiros.
The ArteFino artisanal fair is thus seasoned with Patis, and more.
“This year, ArteFino has expanded its community. We’ve engaged more makers, artisans and designers, which is best experienced by consumers when they discover the stories behind the products on offer,” Cedie adds. From the time ArteFino was inaugurated in 2017, I have seen how ArteFino’s festival grounds have served as a launch pad for countless local designers, social enterprises and emerging sustainable brands.
ArteFino wants to be known as a festival because it is a “celebration, and there is always something for everyone at ArteFino,” believes Mita Rufino.
For the forthcoming ArteFino festival, The Fifth at Rockwell and the North Court of the Power Plant Mall will showcase over 130 Philippine brands from the fashion, home, design and lifestyle categories.
Filipino flavors also make up the complete experience this year as 12 homegrown food concepts join the festivities. These include, among others, The Seven Pantry and Gourmet Garage.
Tribute to Patis Tesoro
For the forthcoming ArteFino festival, the lobby entrance will be transformed into a harvest field. “It revolves around harvest or a kaban. But instead of ani or agricultural produce, it’s some of the best Philippine crafts gathered by ArteFino in one space,” says Maritess Pineda.
Fitting forms dressed in iconic, one-of-a-kind pieces by Patis will be exhibited with handwoven hammocks as its backdrop. An island of bilaos (circular handwoven trays) float over rice fields containing showcase pieces from the festival. The opposite wall will feature more key pieces from new collections of participating brands, framed by handwoven trays.
“Patis Tesoro was an impetus and inspiration for our movement and our vendors. The ArteFino founders all agree that a tribute to Patis would set the tone for a unique ArteFino experience this year,” Marimel Francisco adds.
“Hopefully it resonates as a celebratory space — one that feels uplifting,” says Gino Gonzalez.
HeArteFino
Proceeds from the ArteFino festival and its ticket sales are dedicated to the HeArteFino Foundation and its programs. They are used to fund and invest in chosen communities around the country.
Beneficiaries of HeArteFino’s development program include beaders of the Bagobo Tagabawa community from Davao and fabric weavers of Kabankalan in Negros Occidental. In 2019, the ArteFino founders reached out to Anya Lim of Anthill and the weavers of Argao in Cebu to explore the many possibilities of zero-waste textiles in the fashion, design, and lifestyle space.
After a visit to Argao in Cebu, the founders felt compelled to find a way to support the community. “We saw all the inventory that needed to be unloaded so that they could continue working.”
“We also worked with women artisans of Tondo and makers from Not A Day Dream for the accessories and bags,” says Susie.
With all the many highlights and activities that will unfold during ArteFino Festival 2023, stylist Luis Espiritu advises, “Breathe. Take your time. Every product will tell a story. When you discover the journey of each product, you will realize how special and unique it is.”
You may e-mail me at joanneraeramirez@yahoo.com. Follow me on Instagram @joanneraeramirez.