15 April 2014 – The Philippine Consulate General in Milan, led by newly appointed Consul General Marichu Mauro, hosted on April 10 a dinner reception for the Philippine participants at the SaloneInternazionale del Mobile, the world’s largest furniture trade fair which opened last April 08 at the Fiera Milano.
The team of Philippine furniture designers, led by the Philippine Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), also took the opportunity to brief the Consul General about their experiences and observations at the trade fair.
“I was so proud to see the level of interest the Philippine stand enjoyed from the visitors of the trade fair when I visited during the opening day. It is solid proof that our designs are at par with the best of the world,” Consul General Mauro said to the participants during the dinner. She also expressed the hope that the Salone will bring good results for all the participants and reiterated the Consulate’s support to all future endeavours of the participants and most specifically for any future missions from CITEM.
Consul General Mauro, along with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus I. Yabes, Philippine Ambassador to Italy Virgilio Reyes and Foreign Affairs Executive Director for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Reynaldo Catapang visited the Philippine stand during the opening of the Salone last April 8.
Participating companies at the Design Philippines stand include Bon-Ace Fashion Tools, Inc., Cebu Fil Veneer Corporation, Industria Home, Kish Design Hub, Inc., Lightworks Resources, Inc., P&B Valises et Compagnie, Inc., Padua International Corp. and internationally renowned Filipino furniture designer, Kenneth Cobonpue.
The Salone Internazionale del Mobile is a furniture fair held annually in Milan. It is the largest trade fair of its kind in the world. The exhibition showcases the latest in furniture and design from countries around the world. It is considered a leading venue for the display of new products by designers of furniture, lighting and other home furnishings. END