Cebu is now Asia\'s destination for

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.