Of bags, beer, and Pinoy pride

 We Filipinos are known for a lot of things. One thing I’m sure of however is that we are known for our ingenuity. No matter where we are, what we’re going through or how much we’re given, the power of our creative imagination screams Pinoy pride.

This is exactly what has occurred in Greenbelt 5 just recently, as former fashion model turned entrepreneur Tina Maristela-Ocampo, entrepreneur husband Ricco, San Miguel Brewery Inc. President Bobby Huang, SMB EVP Keisuke Nishimura with SMB National Sales Manager Debbie Namalata and Pinoy international fashion designer Josie Natori unveiled the installation art inside Ocampo’s Celestina shop on the mall’s ground floor. The piece, which occupies practically the whole shop, is called “The Filipino Heritage: Transcending Time and Boundaries.”

 

Highlighting San Miguel’s tradition of excellence that has lasted up to more than a century, the installation art also puts a spotlight on Celestina’s use of Philippine-intrinsic raw materials, and both brands’ global appeal. Tens of thousands of San Miguel Pale Pilsen in cans were artfully stacked in the shop and served as platform to Ocampo’s internationally-acclaimed and much sought-after bags and fashion accessories under the Celestina brand.

While San Miguel Brewery, Inc. brews the best beers that has become an iconic Pinoy brand, Celestina makes bags and fashion accessories that showcase Filipino skill and creativity by using only local materials sourced out from Baguio, Pampanga, Zamboanga, Bulacan, Palawan and Cebu, crafted by at least a hundred artisans from all over the country and sold here and abroad at high-end boutiques such as Neiman Marcus, Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman.

From beers to bags, skilled workers and inventive minds, to Filipino heritage and Pinoy pride, there’s nothing that can stop us from showing the world what Pinoys are truly made of –only the best of things.  

The Celestina flagship store in Greenbelt 5 will display the installation art until April 9, 2011.