Designers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) took the center stage with the exhibit of their award-winning works of hand-made crafts and hand-woven fabrics and textiles at the three-day Second International Arts & Crafts Expo which opened yesterday at the Philippine Trade Training Center.

Former tourism secretary Dr. Mina T. Gabor, president of the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association, said that the expo is both a learning and sale event focusing on products hand-made with natural fibers.

Aside from the exhibits of natural fiber products, the event features a selling area an ASEAN fashion show of ethnic designs and motifs, country presentations of traditional dances and music and arts, and ASEAN food.

The expo is part of the UN celebration of 2009 as the International Year of Natural Fibers to make people aware of the important role that natural fibers plays in generating sustainable incomes and employment of farmers and the fiber craft industry, and in alleviating

It was organized with the Department of Agriculture, the Philippine Tourism Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Finance, and the Department of Science and Technology as among the partners of the AHPADA. The AHPADA is affiliated with the ASEAN and the World Crafts Council. Next year, the expo moves to Thailand.

Dr. Gabor said that the United States, China and India are among the non-ASEAN countries that are sending delegations and exhibitors to the expo.

“The expo is like wandering across 18 countries to learn and shop but in one place,” said Gabor. “The family will appreciate eco-tourism and natural fiber handicrafts, enjoy country presentations and shop for ASEAN handicrafts on sale for Christmas.”

Some of the award-winning designs have toured Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Korea, Australia, Japan, India, France, Sweden, United Kingdom and the US, and earned the UNESCO-AHPADA seal of excellence awards.

Other partners of the expo are Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Duty-Free Philippines, Ambiance by Pido (Event Stylist), Cebu Pacific, PLDT-SME Nation, Manila Bulletin, Business Mirror and Lupel Marketing.