25 November 2015 –The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon participated in the recently concluded 31st International Bazaar of the Diplomatic Corps at the Centro de Congressos de Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal from November 20 to 21.
The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon joined 30 other embassies in the annual two-day event organized by the families of Portuguese diplomats and sponsored by Dr. Maria Cavaco Silva, wife of Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva. The proceeds of this year’s bazaar will be donated to institutions that support maternal health, as this year’s theme was based on one of the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals - the improvement of maternal health.
On its fifth year of participation, the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon once again took the opportunity to showcase Philippine products to the international market composed of the diplomatic corps and the Portuguese public.
GustoKo, a Filipino brand of luxury bags and ladies’ accessories, presented its collection at the International Bazaar. GustoKo is owned by Ms. Paula M. Figueras, a young Filipina entrepreneur promoting native Filipino products in Portugal and other parts of Europe.
GustoKo, or “I like” in Filipino, offered an assortment of unique, native, and timeless Filipino products individually handcrafted and locally manufactured in the Philippines. The company takes pride in the world-class craftsmanship and exceptional creativity of the Filipinos. It offers a wide array of fashion accessories (bags and ladies accessories) which are produced in minimal quantities therefore guaranteeing the exclusivity of each item.
The Philippine Embassy and Ms. Figueras’ collaboration in the event aims to help in promoting the Philippines by showcasing world-class quality Filipino products.
Other products featured in the Philippine booth are mother of pearls photo frames, Mangyan handwoven jars, handpainted ceramic jars, and T’boli beaded bracelets, among others. Guests flocked to the Philippine booth and admired the beauty of banana fiber multi-purpose wraps by noted Filipino fashion designer Dita Sandico-Ong. END