NEWSFLASH

San Juan, Metro Manila, Aug. 11, 2000 - (Bulletin) A national trade fair -- the 8th National Antiques, Jewelries, Costume, Oriental Arts, Furniture and Furnishings Show -- opens today at the Centermall Exhibition Hall of the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan, Metro Manila, featuring products from the country's 14 regions.

The event, with some 520 antique dealers and top local manufacturers of finely crafted world class furniture and furnishing and home decors participating, will run until Sept. 4.

The event is designed to give Philippine products the needed push to compete both in the local and international markets, Henry Babiera, president of the sponsoring Prime Asia Trade Planners and Convention Organizers (Patepco), said.

"To revive the love of the country among Filipinos, we should also revive their appreciation for locally manufactured products which are made of indigenous materials, environmentally friendly, and crafted by Filipino artisans," he said.

There will also be an exhibit of fine arts and interior designs by architecture and fine arts students from seven universities in Metro Manila.