The 2025 National Textile Convention (TELACon) kicked off on January 30 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, gathering industry leaders and innovators under the theme “Weaving Circularity.” This flagship 2-day event, part of the Philippine Tropical Fabrics (PTF) Month celebration, aims to promote sustainable practices in the textile and garment sectors.
Organized by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), TELACon serves as a platform for manufacturers, designers, environmentalists, and consumers to engage in meaningful discussions about the future of textile production. The focus is on circularity—an approach that emphasizes minimizing waste and maximizing resource reuse throughout the production process.
Dr. Julius L. Leaño, Jr., Director of the Philippine Textile Research Institute, happily shared that the local textile industry has been practicing circularity through the use of our natural fibers and by putting value into our agricultural by-products (think banana and pineapples). “Currently, the market itself is already creating the demand for circularity as consumers now have more awareness,” said Dr. Leaño.
Anna Marie Lagon, co-CEO and chief creative officer of BAYO has also reiterated this point. BAYO, since its inception, has always practiced sustainability and circularity in their sourcing and production processes. “It’s never been a marketing ploy for us, it [sustainability] has always been embedded…it’s in our core.” In 2022, BAYO received recognition from the UN Global Compact for achieving the sustainable goals (UN SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production). “…sustainability and circularity – what’s really good about it is that its not just really good for people, it’s also good for the environment and collectively, its good for all the stakeholders.”
Throughout the two-day convention, attendees will participate in workshops and panel discussions that delve into closed-loop systems, which aim to reduce environmental impact while fostering economic growth. The event highlights how the textile community can play a pivotal role in achieving these sustainability goals.
With an increasing global emphasis on sustainable fashion, TELACon positions itself at the forefront of this movement, showcasing the Philippines’ commitment to leading the way in responsible textile practices. As industry stakeholders converge to share insights and strategies, the convention is set to inspire a new wave of innovation aimed at creating a more sustainable future for textiles.
