Amb. Theresa Dizon-De Vega (5th from left) and Consul General in Frankfurt Evelyn Austria-Garcia ((5th from right) with Tarlac Province Local Officials Mayor Rey Catacutan, Mayor Eloy Eclar, Mayor Doña Cresencia Tesoro, Mayor Romeo Capitulo, Provincial Board Members Antonio Cervantes, Jude David, Joy Gilbert Lamorena, Danilo David, and Danilo Asiaten with Mr. Rico Garcia (all photos Berlin PE)

The Province of Tarlac has once again re-invented itself not just as a major agricultural center but additionally, as an emerging hub for Lifestyle Design and Artisanal products.

This month, Tarlac and its designers and artisans took center stage at the Ambiente Lifestyle Design Fair held in Messe Frankfurt, Germany from 07-11 February 2020. Tarlac was introduced as the first Partner Artisan Community of CITEM-DTI for this year’s Philippine Ambiente participation.

Eight companies from the province, namely, Pumice Unlimited Ventures, SouthEast Metro Arts Incorporated, Red Slab Pottery, Oricon Corporation, Wood Inspirations Crafts, Pascasio Pottery, North Shine Lightings and Decors Manufacturing, and Betis Crafts, Inc. all took part in a stand-alone pavilion showcasing some of Tarlac’s best design items. Using materials indigenous to the area such as pumice stones, clay, and volcanic materials from nearby Mt. Pinatubo or upcycled from used materials crafted in a sustainable manner, the lifestyle items are truly one of a kind.

This innovative new direction for the province has the full support of the Provincial and municipal governments of Tarlac led by its dynamic Governor Susan A. Yap with the assistance of the DTI and CITEM. A delegation of local government officials was on hand to grace the opening of the CITEM Tarlac Pavilion. Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega, herself a native of Tarlac, was likewise present to support the endeavor along with Consul General Evelyn Garcia of the Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt and other Consulate officials, and Commercial Counsellor Althea Antonio. END

L-R Maiko G. Pascual, Product Development Officer of Wood Inspirations Crafts; Amb. Dizon-De Vega and Commercial Counsellor Althea Antonio with Tarlac companies

L-R Eric Sanchez, Design Head and Proprietor of Red Slab Pottery; Commercial Counsellor Antonio confers with DTI Regional Director Judith Angeles

Commercial Counsellor Althea Antonio (left) and Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega (right) at the International Economic and Networking Forum

The Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) took part in the Annual Reception of the German Federal Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (BVMW) on 27 January 2020 at the Maritim Hotel, Berlin.

The BVMW held several sub-events including an Economic and Networking Forum held before the Association’s Plenary Session. The Philippines, through the PTIC led by Commercial Counselor Althea Antonio, provided information about investment sectors in the Philippines as well as developments in the country’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Sector (MSMEs).

Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega was likewise present at the BVMW’s Annual event which featured Keynote speeches by President Macky Sall of Senegal, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation Gerd Müller, Federal Minister for Family Affairs Franziska Giffey, Prime Minister of the State of Bavaria Markus Söder, SIEMENS CEO Joe, Kaeser, Turkish Airlines Chairperson Ilker Ayci, and BVMW President Mario Ohoven.

The Philippine Embassy and PTIC are planning Philippine-focused activities for 2020 with the BVMW in order to promote greater engagement and best practices exchanges between our the Philippine and German SMEs sectors. The BVMW has 800,000 business contacts, 300 business locations throughout Germany, 40 foreign offices, and holds or co-organizes 2,000 events annually. END

Ms. Althea Antonio and Mr. Van Randolf Tan at the PH Table