A time for Hablon to shine
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Iloilo in its continuing support for the growth of small and medium-sized businesses and the promotion of Ilonggo craftmanship, will pay tribute to hablon, an exquisite hand-weave fabric indigenous to Iloilo in a fashion show which will be held during the Fellowship Night of the 18th Visayas Area Business Conference on July 17, 2009 at the Kalantiao Hall of Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center.
Twenty prominent and distinguished Ilonggos and selected guest models will wear the hablon creations of Iloilo czar Poli Abastillas. The models include Iloilo City Congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr., Mayor Ma. Theresa Debuque of Anilao, Mayor Elvira Alarcon of Batad, Mayor Liecel Seville of New Lucena, Mayor Trixie Fernandez of San Enrique, Mayor Ronaldo Golez of Dumangas, Mayor Matt Palabrica of Bingawan, Mayor Mariano Malones Jr. of Maasin, Mayor Ermelita Salcedo of Sara, Mayor Suzette Mamon of Badiangan, Mayor Julieta Flores of Miag-ao, Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog, Rosalie Sarabia-Treñas, Jose Maria Zayco, Diethard Schaeffter, Julian Juan Tong, Tweety Tupas-Balleza, Felix Gorriceta III and Dr. Pacita Gonzalez.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Iloilo president Joe Marie Agriam said that the show aims to introduce the hablon industry to the conference delegates coming from the Visayas area and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) national officials led by President Edgardo Lacson and PCCI chairman emeritus Ambassador Donald Dee. Some 200 delegates coming from the 17 affiliate organizations of PCCI in the Visayas region will attend the two-day conference. (N. Gobuyan)