THE Negros Trade Fair is now on its 31st year. The trade fair showcases the best of Negros products and services from the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) and Negrosanon manufacturers. Mayor Mark Andrew Arthur J. Golez of Silay is showcasing a “Balay-Silay” during the trade fair on Sept. 14-18.
Joining the mayor for Team Silay are Acting City Administrator Tina Golez, Executive Assistant Andy Javelona, Tourism Officer Ver Pacete, Cultural Affairs Officer Achilles Corteza III, Assistant Cultural Affairs Officer Gerle Sulmaca, and Frances Dane Cobrado. Team Silay will distribute brochures that sell the attractions of the “seat of arts, culture, and ecotourism.” Investment brochures will be made available also to those who want to do business in Silay.
Christina B. Gaston, ANP president, said the Negros Trade Fair is a non-profit program of the of the Association of Negros Producers Inc. that aims to provide the small and medium enterprises of Negros an affordable venue to showcase their individual ingenuity and a platform for possible export trade. It is also the country’s longest-running provincial trade fair held annually in Metro Manila.
Products ranging from food (natural and organic), fashion accessories, garments, furniture, furnishings, gifts, decors, house wares, and tourism potentials will be presented. Social enterprises also get a chance to present their products at the fair to support their advocacies. The fair will be held at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. It is expected that Negrosanons in Metro Manila will flock to the fair to buy, enjoy, and meet their relatives and friends.
Negros Trade Fair 2016 highlights tourism with the main focus on the richness of biodiversity in the island, thus bannering the theme “Biodiversity in Tourism.” The young Negros Island Region is home to many species of plants and animals. It is a destination for bikers, hikers, adventure lovers, food enthusiasts, and travelers who want to experience the sweet life. It is one sweet spot. If it is from Negros, it must be sweet.
A cocktail reception entitled “Arima!” will be held on Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. to dramatize what the “hacenderos” and the “jornaleros” are doing at the “hacienda” at six o’clock in the morning. The “encargado” distributes the work during the “arima.” It is also the time for him or the landowner to know the progress of the work. It could be cultivation or harvesting. The ringing of the “hacienda” bell at sunrise calls for “arima.” All workers assemble in front of the “balay-hacienda.”
The gathering spearheaded by Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and the officials of the ANP welcomes government and industry leaders, business, and media partners to foster linkages and promote tourism. The cocktail reception will feature slow food Negrosanon cuisine and other mouth-watering delicacies having the taste that has been handed from one generation to the next generation. Team Silay will be there to witness this historic culinary event.
I know that our exhibitors have already made their telephone and social media brigade to invite their usual “suki” and “amiga” to come and be served first on the opening day, Sept. 14. It is a fiesta scene seeing parents bringing their children to meet their Negros relatives. Negros Trade Fair is like a grand reunion and the alumni “suki” who are not from Negros are there to taste again our best food and buy what is fashionable in the Sugarland.
For our political leaders who are there, it is an avenue to meet the front liners of the Duterte administration, our senators, and congressmen who are sympathetic to the Sugar Law. Tourism officers will tell Manila travel agents and tour operators that Negros has sweet surprises for those who will bring tourists. We are ready to give them more fun and what is beyond the fun.
