DOST shows packaging design for global marketing of South Cotabato’s T’nalak cloth
Posted on | July 19, 2012 |
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, July 19 (PIA) — South Cotabato’s famous T’nalak cloth would soon be displayed in airports, trade fairs and other gatherings in an elegant “world class” package in a bid to boost the local product’s global marketability.
The design of the T’nalak packaging box was presented to the public yesterday during the DOST-12’s technology forum at the Regional Industrial Technology and Trade Expo of the 13th T’nalak Festival of the province.
Dr. Zenaida Hadji-Raof Laidan, regional director of Department of Science and Technology-12 said, the project is in line with the department’s efforts for country branding of distinctive Philippine products to get a niche in the international market.
“We have coordinated with the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) – DOST for the development of packaging to give local products identity and help local producers find markets not only in other parts of the country but more especially abroad,” she said.
“This ‘world-class’ packaging could further enhance the marketability of our already famous T’nalak cloth.”
In an interview early this year, Laidan announced that South Cotabato’s T’nalak cloth and Kafé Balos (civet coffee) were among eight products in the entire Philippines for export packaging development.
Tnalak box designer Aya Mulimbayan of the Packaging Technology Division of the ITDI-DOST said, “T’nalak is one of the only four unique Philippine products we have considered for country branding this year.”
The other three, she said, are the Philippine coffee, raffia palm bags and mats and a certain bags and accessories line. Four more products will be considered for branding on the second year of project implementation.
“With an elegant packaging, T’nalak cloth can be displayed in airports and business gatherings like trade fairs,” Mulimbayan said, “thereby increasing public accessibility to the product and enticing buyers, including foreign tourists.”
Dr. Laidan said the package presented yesterday was intended for use by the Kenhulung Handicraft Federation Inc. based in Lake Sebu town.
The dark chocolate-colored T’nalak box is more than 20 inches tall and about 5 inches wide and made of sturdy paper board. The top cover has a handle for trouble-free carrying.
The front panel of the box features a gold product label “DREAMWEAVE” with a red caption “The Traditional T’nalak of the T’boli” under a photo of a T’nalak cloth.
Another panel explains the heritage of the T’nalak cloth.
T’nalak is a cloth made from dyed abaca fibers. T’boli women weave the abaca fibers into T’nalak without design drawings and guides; they design the cloth from a mental picture, which according to tradition is given to the weaver by the spirit of the Abaca Fu Datu through dreams, thus, the regard of T’boli women as “weaver of dreams.”
No payment was required from the people’s organization for the development of the package design, Director Laidan said.
“Besides the branding support, the federation is also a beneficiary of our MPEX program to increase their productivity as well as their global competitiveness,” Dr. Laidan said.
MPEX is a program of DOST that promotes productivity of manufacturing firms for a more competitive product in terms of quality and price in both local and export markets.
Assistance includes productivity consultancy services, business audit, technical assistance, training, venture financing, and prototype development.
“Additional support for the Kenhulung Federation include provision of appropriate technology and acquisition of necessary machineries and equipment to hasten the weaving process,” she added.
“While we provide them with equipment,” Laidan emphasized, “we also see to it that the integrity of the cultural and traditional aspect of the T’nalak cloth production is preserved.”
She added, the federation could ask DOST 12 for assistance in the mass production of the boxes.
Meanwhile, Nida Bacaling, leader of the Kenhulung Handicraft Federation, said they are grateful for the support provided by DOST for their products and that their 450 members are excited to use the packaging box in the upcoming fairs where their T’nalak products will be on display.
Director Laidan announced the T’nalak cloth with its new packaging box could find its first public exhibition during the Mindanao Cluster MSME Fair in General Santos City slated on October 10 – 14.
She also assured them of support in finding buyers for their products. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)
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