Tarlac goes to Japan Furniture Fair (again)

MANILA, Philippines — There is no stopping the province of Tarlac from participating in furniture and agricultural fairs — that’s because their tireless Gov. Susan Yap is 100 percent behind her provincemates and the development of her province.

“Successfully, last year at the International Furniture Fair Tokyo (IFFT) we had nine manufacturers with us,” says Gov. Susan Yap, who led her delegation again this year to the International Furniture Fair Tokyo. “Two of them landed orders and they are not here anymore this year because of the volume of orders. So, this year we have two new SMEs with us as replacement for two from last year.”

Gov. Susan adds that she is very happy because she can see that the Japanese market of buyers accepts the products from Tarlac.

Wilbert Novero, general manager of WE-LINK; Marvi Dela Cruz, PCEDO Tarlac; Tarlac Governor Susan Yap; Agnes Ramirez, DTI-Tarlac; author Kathy Moran; Judith Angeles, DTI-Tarlac regional director

“I think we have to be present here for us to be taken seriously,” Gov. Susan adds. “If Tarlac is to stay here we need to participate for about three to five years.”

This, she shares, is what DTI has recommended to them — a presence of five years. Gov. Susan shares that she is running again for governor of Tarlac (unopposed) so she is hopeful that she will succeed and so will the province of Tarlac. This is why the governor has committed for Tarlac to be at the fair for another three years.

The added factor for Gov. Susan is that the products of her SMEs have changed and improved to be more suited for the Japanese buyers.

The Tarlac booth in IFFT

“Although we have not yet reached Cebu quality when it comes to our products — we are getting there,” she adds. “It takes time to get a big investor and when that happens, like last year, they will hire easily 50 to a hundred people and this creates job for Tarlaqueños.”

She shares that it is better than working on just one big investor, which requires a lot of negotiations and transactions. It takes years for them to really invest in Tarlac. She sees the participation in the IFFT as one way of bridging the gap and at the same time creating jobs.

In the IFFT in the past two years there was only the participation of Tarlac as the local government with a booth. And luckily for them this year they were placed in front of the Philippine booth so it gave them an advantage.

Orican handicrafts made with Pinatubo ashes

“Before, we were known as just one of the provinces that you passed when going to Baguio,” she laughs. “But now we have gotten better known as a furniture and also agricultural producer. Japan is closer to Tarlac than the European furniture market and the Japanese market is discerning — they have very specific needs and wants like materials and smaller items. And this is just right for our handicrafts sector.”

Governor Susan shares that there is also the Olympics 2020 in Japan and she is aware that there are a lot of hotels looking for products like those from Tarlac. This year the Tarlac booth had lighter products because the exhibitors learned more about what the market needs.

“Last year we got training from CITEM. This year, the exhibitors walked around the fair and saw what was there and then they got ideas from that,” shares Gov. Susan. “They went back to Tarlac and re-designed what they brought so that it would be more acceptable to the Japanese market.” 

Boxes for toys and other kid’s stuff

There is one thing about the Japanese that Gov. Susan has learned — it’s that if they are investors for once they are investors for life. She knows whereof she speaks because Tarlac has not only been exporting their furniture and handicrafts but also their agricultural products.

“We have been exporting okra,” adds Gov. Susan “Last month we were in Osaka to export our sweet potato as well.

And, this year, Tarlac has more reasons to smile — at least 10 — the number of Japanese who have inquired about their products so far.

“Tarlac will be host in some games of the Southeast Asian Games 2019,” says Gov. Susan. “People think that Clark is Pampanga — it’s not. One third is Pampanga and two thirds in Tarlac. The new development will be in Tarlac with the national government developing 9,000 hectares for the event.”

Women-made macramé for doors and other decor

But it is with much pride that the governor concludes this interview.

“You can’t go north or south without passing Tarlac,” she begins. “And now because of the development in the province there will be a reason for people to come by — and sample what we have to offer.”