Upcycled soldiers’ uniforms for war-torn communities’ benefit among MaArte Fair 2024 exhibitors

MANILA, Philippines — Feel good while you look good — such is the catchphrase of arts and culture fair MaArte Fair 2024 Fab Finds, which is now on its 15th year in providing a platform for social enterprises to advocate for local products and heritage.

Just like in previous years, MaArte Fair this year is for the benefit projects of The National Museum of the Philippines and museum communities in the country, Museum Foundation’s research and project grants for their chosen grantees, and other programs and workshops of the organization.

As it celebrates 15 years of promoting the excellence of Filipino craftsmanship and ideation, MaArte Fair 2024 Fab Finds brings with it a purpose — to spotlight the country’s endangered fauna such as the Philippine Eagle, crocodile, Tamaraw, sea turtle, and tarsier.

Among the exhibitors of the foundation’s annual flagship fundraising event that engages shoppers in witnessing the creativity and passion in Filipino artisanal craftsmanship through innovative items that resonate Philippine culture, arts, and history is Products of Peace, which converts soldiers’ old uniforms into new clothes with new fibers and fabrics, assembled with help from communities that suffered from armed conflict.

“It’s about time that we also return to them… what the military men are doing for us, for our country, defending our country, so might as well help them and take care of the wives. We will take care of the wives also,” said a Products of Peace representative at the fair’s launch early this week.

Like Products of Peace, exhibitor Repamana engages in circularity by upcycling used and old hotel mattresses into clothes, bags, bag charms and hats.

“Have you ever thought what happens to the (hotel) bedsheets that you slept on? When they get a little stained or a little torn, they eventually become a liability in the hotel industry because they throw it away,” shared a Repamana representative, adding that they get new supplies of 100% cotton materials to recycle when hotels change their mattresses every three to six months.

Made in collaboration with underprivileged women in Palawan, the products of Rurungan Collective are sought-after for showcasing