Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768475170448viber_image_2026-01-15_18-06-27-687.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div>The Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls formally reopened on Thursday, reclaiming a historic site along Roxas Boulevard and transforming it into a permanent, year-round showroom, marketplace, and sourcing hub for Filipino craftsmanship.MANILA - President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the reopening ceremony, describing the revival of the long-idle complex as both a restoration of heritage and a renewed commitment to elevating Filipino creativity on the global stage.&quot;It has been returned to its former glory,&quot; Marcos said in his speech.&quot;The one who really put this together and made sure that it happened, and made sure that it turned out that we got this very fine result in terms of the rehabilitation of the CITEM (Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions), [is] First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos,&quot; he added, acknowledging and crediting the First Lady for pushing the project forward.The project was institutionalized under Executive Order No. 75 and completed in December 2025.Marcos traced the origins of the complex, formerly known as the Philippine Trade Center, to the late 1970s, recalling how it was initially focused on the garments industry before expanding to a wider range of export products.&quot;Today, we reopened the Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls, a world-class space that showcases the best in Philippine craft and artistry,&quot; the President said.&quot;The newly refreshed Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls gives our designers, our artisans, and entrepreneurs a sanctuary to showcase their products. Under one roof, we bring together our finest furniture and lighting, fashion and textiles, home decor, gifts, food products, and all sorts of other crafts,&quot; he added.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768475242849viber_image_2026-01-15_18-06-31-795.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div>Marcos underscored the halls&#x27; role as both a retail and export platform, particularly as the country gears up for its 2026 ASEAN chairship.&quot;This comes at an opportune time as we prepare for the Philippines-ASEAN chairship in 2026. With the support of Likhang Filipino, we can confidently say that our local products are ready for the region and for the world,&quot; he said.At the press conference following the ceremony, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Al Valenciano detailed how the complex evolved from an abandoned and neglected stretch of Roxas Boulevard into a revitalized landmark.&quot;As far as I remember, as a child, it was PhilTrade (Philippine Trade Center). Then it became an antique shop. Then it was abandoned,&quot; Valenciano said.&quot;When POGO came in, it became restaurants for the POGO industry... [After] the famous speech of the president of from now on there will be no more POGOs, it was a chance for us to reclaim something that we can use,&quot; he added.Valenciano explained that the facility now houses nearly 200 exporters and exhibitors, many of whom previously participated only in short-term trade fairs such as Manila FAME and IFEX.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768475274408viber_image_2026-01-15_18-06-41-812.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div>Beyond showcasing products, officials stressed that Likhang Filipino is designed as a sourcing destination for a wide range of buyers.DTI officials also highlighted logistics partnerships, including with PhilPost, to enable on-site packing and global shipping.&quot;PhilPost is currently improving all their services so we can deliver your products to your doorsteps to anywhere in the world,&quot; Valenciano said, noting that exporters can ship directly from the complex.Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) executive director Rhea Matute said the reintegration of DCP into the complex restores a long-standing synergy between design development and export promotion.She added that DCP will offer free access to trend reports, material innovation resources, and a physical and digital library, alongside plans to establish packaging, labeling, and branding studios.&quot;Basically, the idea is really it&#x27;s a one-stop complex for the creative industries, manufacturers, and then eventually, we will also establishing packaging and labelling studio lab,&quot; she said.Speakers also pointed to the increasing global demand for products made from natural and sustainable materials, noting a shift away from plastics and toward coconut, abaca, and other indigenous resources. They said this trend positions Filipino artisans favorably in international markets.The Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls will open to the public for free starting January 20, operating Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Organizers said the venue is expected to become a key destination for ASEAN delegates, foreign buyers, tourists, and local consumers, cementing its role as both a cultural showcase and an economic engine for Filipino creative industries.

The Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls formally reopened on Thursday, reclaiming a historic site along Roxas Boulevard and transforming it into a permanent, year-round showroom, marketplace, and sourcing hub for Filipino craftsmanship.

The Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls formally reopened on Thursday, reclaiming a historic site along Roxas Boulevard and transforming it into a permanent, year-round showroom, marketplace, and sourcing hub for Filipino craftsmanship.

Likhang Filipino reopens in Pasay as year-round hub for local crafts and exports

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Likhang Filipino reopens in Pasay as year-round hub for local crafts and exports

Francis Orcio,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 15, 2026 07:18 PM PHT

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