Do you have what it takes to be a Kenneth Cobonpue?

Or are you an upcoming couturier of the same caliber as Rajo Laurel or Inno Sotto?

Maybe you are following the footsteps of well-known Cebuano painter Gabriel Abellana?

Whatever form of art you are inclined to take, the Materials Technology Innovation Center (MATIC) may be your home away from home – a sanctuary conducive to unleashing the creative juice of a struggling master of the canvas, a craftsman extraordinaire or a visual artist from out of this world.

Recognizing the overflowing talent of the Filipino in almost all forms of art, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) partnered with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in establishing MATIC which is housed at the DOST Complex in Banilad, Cebu City – a center of creative industries in the country.

The facility was put up to support ECCP’s materials research and development program for the promotion of  creativity and competitiveness in the local design industries through the use of new materials, innovation of indigenous materials, reinvention of designs and utilization of new and efficient technologies.

According to ECCP Branch Manager Rosemel D. Calderon, MATIC is a venue for those who want to increase their design capabilities and make use of mixed media and other innovative materials. At the same time, it will bridge the gap between the academe and the business sector in providing world-class services that will upgrade the capability of local talents to be more competitive in the international market.

The facility has three main features: the app zone, the dashboard and the chatroom. The app zone serves as both the workshop and the library where students can find material swatches, semi-processed materials and books on product development and design. The dashboard is a platform where products are displayed. Lastly, the chatroom is a meeting room for creative discussions and presentations.

Small and medium enterprises engaged in the production of furniture, home decors, fashion design and accessories, woven products, and bamboo-made products among others, will benefit from MATIC. The upgraded skills of artists and craftsmen will be instrumental in creating unique designs and products that will be more competitive in the world market.

“The DOST strongly believes in the Filipino talent and capacity to excel in any field, be it in science and technology or the visual arts. That is one of the reasons why the Department fully supports this initiative aimed at further enhancing our skills and talents to be at par with the world’s greatest artists and artisans,” DOST Assistant Secretary Raymund E. Liboro said during a recent visit to the facility.

To date, products displayed at MATIC come from locally based producers like Anthill Fabrics Gallery, Avatar Accessories, Tubigon Loom Weavers of Bohol, Cebu Interlace Weavers Corporation and Earthworks.

DOST provides assistance and support to other local industries as well with its array of programs and world-class facilities. Among these are the Food Innovation Centers for food processing, Advanced Materials and Analysis Testing and Laboratory or ADMATEL for the semiconductor industry and the Die and Mold Center for metal fabrication and engineering.

These one-stop-shop facilities will be featured come July 24-28, 2015 at the National Science and Technology Week at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Details of NSTW can be viewed at www.science.ph and nstw.dost.gov.ph.   (S&T Media Service)

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Assistant Secretary Raymund E. Liboro (left) listens intently to European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Vice President for External Affairs Henry J. Schumacher as the latter explains how nanotechnology is being applied to create world-class standard products made of wood, an initiative of the Materials Technology Innovation Center housed at the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines in Banilad, Cebu City.

DOST  Asec. Liboro points to one of the innovative designs created by Filipino designers at the facility.