Loving tradition and innovation in Lipa

MANILA, Philippines - Lipa in Batangas rose to worldwide fame from 1886 to 1889 when it became the only source of coffee beans in the world due to a virus that destroyed plantations in Africa, Java, and Brazil.

During the Golden Days of Coffee, Lipa was called the Paris of the Orient. Calle Real, which is now CM Recto Avenue, was where the townsfolk could find the best shops, and where the most affluent families could own homes.

Batangas craftsmanship emerged during this gilded age as landlords built palatial homes made with fine materials as well as ornately coffered, carved and gilded ceilings. These homes had furniture from Europe, which gave Lipeños a glimpse of the finer things in life.

Mall-goers recently had a glimpse of crafts from Lipa and the rest of Batangas, as well as the rare opportunity to meet its master craftsmen up close when “My City, My SM, My Crafts” made its sixteenth stop at SM City Lipa. A joint project of SM, DTI’s Bureau of Domestic Trade, and the Philippine STAR with support from CITEM and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, it is a celebration of traditional arts and modern Philippine design in the cities where SM has malls.

Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste graced the event together with Lipa City Mayor Meynard Sabili, Ibaan Mayor Juan “Danny” Torreja, and San Luis Mayor Samuel Ocampo. Officials from project partner, the Department of Trade and Industry also came in full force led by DTI Region IV Regional director Marilou Toledo and provincial director Ruel Gonzales.

Local government officials were also there to support their amazing craftsmen: Provincial Tourism officer Emelie Katigbak, Lipa City Councilor Mark Aries Luancing, Balayan Councilor Jasmin Andal, and Agoncillo Municipal Adminstrator Eduardo Mendoza. 

SM officials led by SM senior vice president for marketing Millie Dizon, SM Supermalls AVP for operations Jason Terrenal, and SM City Lipa mall manager Liza Dimaculangan gave guests a warm welcome

The program included a video presentation featuring Rizal’s world-class crafts with Vice Governor Mark Leviste as the video’s tour guide.

The highlight of the event was a back-to-back fashion show, the first part of which featured exquisite Burdang Taal creations by top Batangueno designers — Baby Hernandez and Julie Katigbak from Taal, Lauren Berberabe from Batangas City, Ener Maningat from Malayan, and Michael Francis from San Luis.

A showcase of pieces from accessory designer Adante Leyesa’s  Cathedral Collection followed. Inspired by the magnificent heritage churches in Batangas, the collection was featured in the 2014 International Country Showcase in London.

The event also featured the awarding of the winner of the Burdang Taal na Batangas contest, with workshop participants creating embroidered pieces the traditional way. Consuelo Presco got the judges’ nod for the top prize, for which she received P5,000 worth of gift certificates. 

Judges included visual artist Jorge Palmos, DTI Batangas provincial director Ruel Gonzales, and Lipa City Councilor Mark Aries Luancing.

But the “My City, My SM, My Crafts” centerpiece was clearly the Craft Market inspired by the traditional Bahay na Bato in Luzon. This beautifully designed showcase was a treasure trove of the best of the best crafts in the province, and was an instant hit among SM City Lipa shoppers.

The Craft Market showcased traditional arts and world-class craftsmanship from Rizal: world-class home accessories from A&S Handcrafted Arts and Karen’s Crafts; woven wonders from Ibaan; whimsical décor from Doc’s Candles and Doc’s Chairs; handmade paper crafts from Papel de Lipa; Burdang Taal linens from Elsa Aseron; and expertly handcrafted balisong from Ona’s Batangas Blades.

“My City, My SM, My Crafts” 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 in cities were SM has malls.

A celebration of traditional arts and modern Philippine design, it aims to showcase the best of the best Philippine crafts in each host city, providing livelihood opportunities, as well as a platform for cultural exchange.

The Lipa launch is the third in the Second Season of the “My City, My SM, My Crafts” road show after SM City Clark and SM City Masinag. The first season made stops at SM City Santa Rosa, SM City Lucena, SM City Batangas, SM City Davao, SM City Naga, SM City Cagayan de Oro, SM City Marilao, SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Taytay, SM City Pampanga, SM City Cebu, SM City Iloilo, and SM City Baguio. The next stop will be in SM City Calamba.