Decorative home accent pieces have caught the attention of trade buyers during a recent Middle East trade fair. Raphael Legacy Designs, which is based in Mandaue City, showcased beautifully crafted products, including a washbasin inlaid with seashells. The company is also well known for its mosaic tiles.

Raphael Legacy, along with nine other building and construction products manufacturers, represented the Philippines for the third time in the Big Show held in Dubai on Nov. 23 to 27, 2008. During the trade show, the Philippines’ booth received over 700 trade inquiries.

The participation’s aim is to position the Philippines as a reputable source of world-class materials especially with the sustained construction boom in the Middle East.

Raphael Legacy Designs was established in 1987 to be a producer of high-end rattan furniture for the Japanese market. The company has since diversified its export market and product lines by venturing into stone and iron combinations in furniture and accessories. One of its new collections of mosaic furniture, accessories and tiles was designed to approximate the texture and look of the ancient Greek and Roman mosaic works with an optimum degree of mechanization geared toward mass production.

In 1994, the Philippine Bureau of Patents, Trademarks and Technology Transfer awarded a utility patent for Raphael Legacy’s line of mosaic products recognizing its pioneering efforts in the export sector. Through the years, the company has promoted its mosaic products in various shows and missions to the United States, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Singapore, Spain and Japan among other countries.

Raphael Legacy’s chief executive Charles Belleza says it’s all about always showing something new and innovative.

“At the Middle East trade fair, we were the only company that showcased a washbasin inlaid with seashells. Philippine-made products are always a standout,” he adds.

Raphael legacy is Good Manufacturing Practices certified and adheres to Total Quality Management. In 2003, it received the Golden Shell award for excellence.

The participation to the Dubai trade fair was led by the Trade Department’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions. Also part of the delegation were Piedra Systems Inc. (wall cladding stones and manufactured stone floor tiles); Icoast Manufacturing Group Inc. (diverse line of misting systems); Sanyo Seiki Stainless Steel Corp. (stainless steel tubes, pipes and sheets); Teresa Marble (marble slabs, split-faced materials, tiles, fabricated stones); Designer’s Décor Inc. (artificial plants and trees); EZ Rocks Co. Inc. (manufactured stone wall cladding); GT Stoneworks (manufactured stones); Nanbu Philippines Inc. (extrusions and injection-molded plastic products); and Technoresins Industrial Inc. (modified dry mix mortars and admixtures). Dinna Chan Vasquez