The Ethnic, The Everyday, and the Exotic: The Philippines on Display
The UP Asian Center will be holding a forum-exhibit, 
, on 14 November 2018, 3 pm–5 pm, UP Asian Center, Quezon City. The event is free and open to the public, but participants are encouraged to sign up.
TWO LECTURES
- “Selling the “Exotic Ethnic”: The History of Filipiniana
Stores” | Corinne Romabiles
Visually merchandizing the Philippines has a long history that dates back to the ethnographic collections in world exhibits in Madrid and Barcelona in the late 1800s. Today, the consumption of, and penchant for the ‘exotic ethnic’ continue to rise, catching up with the restless demand of an ever more urbane and sophisticated public. Often, the Filipiniana theme is utilized for the purposes of pure commerce, devoid of any intent towards a cultural or socio‐civic enrichment.
This presentation aims to critically assess why retail companies unreservedly brand their stores with the noun/adjective Filipiniana and how they deploy the techniques of visual merchandising in representing or misrepresenting the Philippines, Filipino and Filipino‐ness. Through discourse analysis, the presentation examines the significance of ‘using’ the idea of ethnic identity in retailing, the operators of Filipiniana stores and displays, and their assumptions in visual merchandising.
- The Sapatero in the History of the Philippines’ Footwear Capital | Concepcion Lagos
This presentation begins with the story of the footwear-making industry in the sleepy town of Mariquina at the end of the nineteenth century. It examines the periods and ‘perceived moments’ when footwear production in the city reached national prestige and encountered obstacles; ascertains the causes of this localized industry’s presently informal structures as adaptations to a series of local, national, and global challenges; discusses how private retailers and the city’s local government promote Marikina footwear, and help improve the state of footwear-making and the lives of Marikina’s sapatero. The presentation features life histories of sapatero who have witnessed a time of prosperity and periods of setbacks in this localized industry.
EXHIBIT
- “Pinoy Life: the Lighter Side of Things from Old and Not-so-Old Objects” is organized by alumni of the UP Asian Studies and Philippine Studies programs. The exhibit showcases elements of how everyday objects in the Philippines reveal a creativity and innovative mindset that could be traced to the roots of Filipino identity, including distinct Southeast Asian influences. There will also be surprises in store, both tickling the imagination and the gastronomic palate: Pamatid Uhaw, Pang Himagas at Konting Pang Minindal.
ABOUT THE EVENT
The forum-exhibit is being held as part of the 63rd anniversary of the UP Asian Center. View full list of activities.