THE gala presentation by the Fiber Industry Development Authority (Fida) could be the only fashion show where government officials, international dignitaries, piña and abaca farmers and weavers, and the fashionable set sit next to each other in the front row.

Fida is under the Department of Agriculture. The event featured "Filipino fabric and Filipino Creativity."

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Government officials model barongs made from indigenous fabrics. (Sunnex/Angela Casauay)

Close to 80 designers utilized the indigenous piña and abaca textile for their own pieces in the fashion show held last Wednesday at the SMX Convention Center.

"In this age of eco-chic and environment-friendly fashion, I was made aware that we have so much in the provinces, what the world is looking for," said Joey Espino, executive director of the show.

All the garments are made from abaca and piña

Espino did not realize that what he was looking for in his many years of staying in Europe can be found right at home.

While some designers in the US and other parts of the world try so hard to incorporate eco-friendly and sustainable textiles in their clothes, the Philippines has long been utilizing such.

"We hope to put Philippine fabrics in the center stage of the fashion world," said Fida Administrator Cecilia Gloria Soriano. "Through the fashion show, we do not only showcase the creativity of our weavers but, more importantly, generate sustained demand for these indigenous fabrics both here and abroad."

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap highlighted that the abaca even goes beyond being a fabric and penetrates even the world of cutting edge technology.

He showed an example of a car molding with a stamp that says "Ford" in which the major material was abaca.

"No wonder it's called Manila hemp because it is truly Filipino. It represents the best in the Filipino: strong and resilient," Yap said.

A consistent color story of the natural tone of the two fibers was showcased on stage with some pink, black, and blue accents.

The entire show consisted of pieces that were light and airy, most of them for women, some of them casual but all of them exuding a modern feel.

Five dignified men in barong graced the catwalk, serving as the highlight of the show.

Yap, along with Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Budget and Management Secretary Rolando Andaya and Ambassador of Korea to the Philippines Joong Kyung Choi walked on the runway for finale.

"It's our first time to be here. Of course, we felt really proud when we saw our fibers (walking down the runway), said Karen Albanya, a "Pinukpok (abaca) cloth" weaver from the Bicol region.

The fashion show is one the highlights of the joint meeting of the Intergovernmental Group on Hard Fibers (IGHF) and the Intergovernmental Group on Jute, Kenaf and Allied Fibers (IGJKAF).

Under the auspices of Fida and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the joint international assembly is aimed at fostering trade relations among fiber producing and consuming countries.

The Philippines, being one of the leading producers of abaca in the world, actively participates in FAO undertakings to further develop and sustain the growth of the fiber industry.

The country is one in celebrating the International Year of Fibers.