Ever since the Philippines fashion accessory industry started back in the 1970's, it has been using natural and indgenous materials available throughout the archipelago. From the raw materials to the finished products, the industry has been promoting eco-friendly fashion.

Now, with the growing popularity of green jewelry across the world, the Philippines is positioning itself to be Asia's prime destination for green jewelry.

With this in mind, the Cebu FAME Foundation Philippines has indentified the need to ensure the sustainability of the country's natural resources with the support of the international community.

Dubbed GO GREEN PHILIPPINES, this long-term project is currently in its first phase and primary purpose-forest management. It aims to replenish a 100-hectare barren land with lush tree plantation by 2015.

The trees to be planted and cultivated are the wild mamalis (pangantuon) trees. A source of white wood that dyes and shapes with flawless precision, these are the materials of choice for beautifully crafted fashion accessories.

And with your help, the 3-fold objective of GO GREEN PHILIPPINES can be met:

• RECYCLE natural components to ensure continuing natural sources.
• REPLENISH what is used to use what has been replenished.
• REVITALIZE nature and breathe new life to the communities.

(Courtesy of BayanihanPost.com!) http://www.bayanihanpost.com/bp/newsarticle92fashion-accessory-makers-create-%27green%27-products.html

After the show's success, Cebu is now the Asia's destination for green jewelry.

Bijoux Cebu, Cebu's first international trade show for fashion accessories were organized. last September 20-22, 2008 at Shangri-la, Mactan Island and Spa, Mactan, Cebu to position Cebu and the country as Asia's destination for green jewelry.

With the increasing awareness for ecological preservation, buyers are now ardent on eco-fashion materials. The positioning Cebu as Asia's destination for green jewelry helps strengthen the fashion accessory sector that has been experiencing a slowdown in the past three years.

Janet Chua, president for FAME Foundation, Philippines, Inc., said that eco-fashion offers many oppurtunites for manufacturers and exporters as  most of their raw materials come from indigenous natural resources.

FAME collaborated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on its reforestation programs.

"FAME wants to contribute to the DENR's reforestation program. The fashion accessories industry is dependent on the indigenous materials like wood, sea shells, and other wildlife by-products," said Chua.

Together they launched Go Green Philippines Program last October 2007. Go Green Philippines is sustainable environment program to revitalize country's ecosystem (forest and coastal enviroment), provide livelihood, and sustain supply of raw materials for fashion accessories sector.

Currently in its first phase, Go Green Philippines is focused on forest management program. It aims to replenish a 100-hectare barren forest with lush tree plantations by 2015. Cebu has 140,000 hectares of government lands, of which only 5 percent covered with vegetation. DENR is targeting to increase vegetation-covered  lands to 18 percent by the year 2015.

Last September 2008, FAME Foundation initially planted 25, 500 Mamalis tree or locally known as Pangantuon in its 10 hectares pilot plantation project at Catmondaan, Catmon, Cebu. Pangantuon trees are the prime source of white wood in the industry since they can absorb dye and malleable, i.e. which can be easily manipulated according to ones shapes and style.

Go Green Philippines was intensively promoted during the Bijoux Cebu event. Buyers reacted postively on the program. Jonathan Keating of East London-based company, donated $2, 500 which is equivalent to 2, 500 trees.

Chua hoped that more buyers would donate trees (like Mr. Keating). "Everyone is invited to support this program," said Chua.

Buyers were encouraged to buy Philippine-made product and recieve Go Green certificates representing their donation trees.

With this buyers are assured of a continuing source of merchandize and protected environment.

We are inviting Designers to join the daily On-the-Spot Design Competition on September 20-22, 2008. This is one of the activities of the first Bijoux Cebu to be held in Shagri-La Mactan Resort and Spa. Themes will be Nature and Recycling. Mechanics will be announced as soon as it will be final. Please contact Mae - 2550851/61 for inquiries.

Foreign and local traders awe FAME products during the Obra Negosyo Expo Cebu at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC). The said event launched last August 8, 2008 and ends on August 15, 2008.

FAME members display a wide variety of products of fashion accessories ranging from earrings, necklaces, and bracelets made of rhine stones, wood, coconuts, shell and glass materials. The items are priced from P100-P500.

The exhibit helps provide local manufacturers a venue to showcase different products to visitors.

Today, there will be a midnight sale which the items are to be sold with a discount rate ranging from 5-20 percent.

Cebu FAME launched Bijoux Cebu through the media last July 15, 2008 at Casino Español, CebuCity.

In the press conference, Janet Chua, president for Cebu FAME Foundation, Inc. said that with over 30 years of experience in eco-fashion, the Philippines can be the prime destination for green jewelry.

"Bijoux Cebu is our way of thanking our valued customers for their continued support and appreciation of the Philippine Fashion Accessory Industry, Chua said.”

 Bijoux Cebu is a trade-only exhibit open to all local and foreign buyers. It is supported by the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Export Development Council.

 Aside to the exhibit, Bijoux Cebu would have full program of activities to entertain the buyers. A daily fashion shows to showcase top-of-the-line accessories, on the spot design competitions, craft demonstrations, on the spot product development, and cash and carry area where shoppers can buy ready stocks at discounted rates.

Buyers would also be given an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Philippine fashion accessories industry in a special trip to selected factories in Cebu

Other incentives would be given Cash rebates and welcome vouchers await the first 100 buyers who could pre-register. Big discounts are further being offered for resort accommodations at Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

Bijoux Cebu happens on September 20-22, 2008 at Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa, Cebu. For more details, visit www.bijouxcebu.com  or call the secretariat at (6332) 255-0851 or (6332) 255-0861or email at info@cebufame.com.ph

About nineteen media personnel from different media outfits attended the press conference.  Bai Congmon and Marisol Luna of 101.9 FM, James Boyles and James Remulta of Skycable, Vanessa Nesternini of Zee Lifestyle, Debbie Lawas and Amor Casido of Home Radio, Jen Vega Rhia de Pablo and Emma Villarente of the Freeman, Golden Epondilaw, Grace Carmona and Anabelle Balanzar of Cebu Daily News, Arni Aclao of Sunstar Daily, Carla Estella and Junjun Cantutay of GMA-7, David Harris and Mona Polo of Bite Magazine, Richard Ramos of Expot Newspaper.