20th National Trade Fair

9.5 meter tall  giant scarecrow exhibited by the province of Cagayan (photo credit  : from   Mr. Allen Mayor and NTF organizers)

World’s Tallest Scarecrow unvield at the Philippine National Trade Fair – The 2011 National Trade Fair (NTF) unveiled the dual-sided Giant Scarecrow during its opening ceremonies on March 17, 2011. The 9.5 meter-high scarecrow vies for the title “Tallest Scarecrow in the World” as part of the celebration of the 1^st Scarecrow Festival of Cagayan Valley Region, NTF’s first Fiesta Region. NTF is open from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm from March 17-20, 2011 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

entrance to the National Trade Fair 2011

The Philippines’s most comprehensive local trade show which features the best products, services, tourism spots from the country’s 17 regions. Now on its 20^th year, the National Trade Fair (NTF) has served as a platform for launching new products, services and has helped over 3,000 small, medium scale business enterprises in brand building, product awareness, increasing their sales and finding new customer base.

Some of the countries biggest export oriented industry started their participation in the National Trade Fair. The show featured about 250 small and medium scale enterprises.

scarecrow greeted the visitors to the event

There is also an individual competition where several scarecrow life sized statutes were judged for their design.

Gawad Ginintuang Yaman honors the extraordinary contributions of individuals or institutions in uplifting the Philippine economy through their own advocates or respective businesses. It is a salute to the outstanding efforts of private or government organizations and individuals in supporting NTF and contributing to its legacy.

The Gawad Ginintuang Yaman sets a new standard for companies and institutions to perennially vie for excellence in the hopes of attaining this illustrious award.

NCAA Exhibit

National Commission for  Culture and the Arts (NCCA) also exhibited ” Banig“. Banig is a handwoven mat usually used in several southeast Asian countries like the Philippines for sleeping , sitting . Depending on the region or province of the country. The mat may be made from buri, pandanus . The leaves are dried, usually dyed, then cut into strips and woven into mats, which may be plain or intricate.

NCCA representative wearing a colorful costume greeted the visitors –  Banig mat and banig woven bags served as background

The Samals of Sulu usually make their mats out of buri leaves. Often, dyed strips of buri are woven to produce a design.

Another region in the Philippines which is famous for intricately designed mats is Samar, where the mats are usually made of pandan leaves. The leaves are dyed green, then different colored buri strips are inserted into the plaits to make the design.

Banig woven mats are also made into Filipiniana items like Philippine terno , sandals, slippers and bags

The artistic works, were exhibited consists of mats, bags, national costume, interior, household items, and art pieces.

Bella’s  Calasiao Puto bagged the ” Best Exhibit Booth ” award

Bella’s different specialties- native puto , bibingka

Adolph Coco Beads from Butuan City

The company specializes in coco beads, coconut by-products , coco shells and started to export in other countries.

Contact : Ms. Amelia Cagorol – Marketing Manager

Address: P5 Lower Doongan, Butuan City

Telephone # 345-94-46

Fax : (085)815-1271 c/o DTI CARAGA Region

REV Fashion exhibit booth at the National Trade Fair

This company  specializes in beads, fashion accessories, beaded jewelry, necklaces, earrings, bracelets,eyeglass holders, dream catchers, patchwork , crosses and other crafts.

Address: Saac I Buaya, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, 6015 , Philippines
Contact No:  341-4550/495-8681
Fax No:495-8681

Klub Natur  Photography exhibit booth

For the past 17 years , Klub Natur is a nature photography society in which members explore different parts of the country for nature photography and the organization is also a butterfly club. The members are called kloobers. The club usually participate in several trade fairs and exhibits in different parts of the country.

Contact : Mr. Allen Hipolito – Mayor

Address: 50 Longbeach St. Merville Park, Parañaque,Metro Manila, Philippines
Contact No: 6597536/6976405

A woman in native costume together with admirers

Djaboy’s exhibit booth

Djaboy’s specializes in an array of semi-process products of jewelry components  like shells, coco beads, carabao horn, pig’s bones , mother of pearls, fresh water pearl.

According to the sales person manning the booth , The company is also into retail of their products .

Address  :0178 Enerio St. Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur, Philippines
Contact No:(032) 4127967 /Mobile: 09189212511
Fax No:929-8403

Product display made from the fronds and fruits of  Manila Palm Veitchia merrilli / Adonidia merrilli ( semi- process materials and process materials like bags, components , frames

Crafters Joy Corn husk Handicraft

The company was formed in 2006. Basista which is located in the province of Pangasinan consists mostly of farmers which engaged in planting various staple crops like rice, corns, mangoes , garlic and fruit trees. The Basistans, young and old alike, have this inept ability in making handcrafted products. This god given gift has made Basista, the cottage industry town of Pangasinan in the 1970’.

artificial flower arrangement made from cornhusk

The company had various products made from corn husks like slippers, bags, ornamental, rope twine, artificial flowers. According to one of the sales executives,   several years ago , their company won several awards in design which was sponsored by DTI and CITEM .

Contact: Ms. Jocelyn Ong-Perez – Owner / Manager

Address: 15 JP compound , Magsaysay Avenue, Poblacion, Basista , Pangasinan

Telephone (075) 505-2095 /  Mobile: (0918)3464417

Website: htp://www.craftersjoy.com

Taguig Water Hyacinth  Livelihood Project exhibit booth

Gathering and processing the plant would greatly benefit not only the unemployed women residents of Taguig, but also help in the clearing up of clogged waterways and prevent floods. The water hyacinth is more popularly called water lily. Similar livelihood project is also being initiated by the local government of Las Piñas .

Company : VDM Waterlily Arts and Crafts

Contact:Ms.Trinidad Aquino- Adminstrator

Address: 12 Andres Bonifacio , Sta. Ana Taguig City , Metro Manila

Telephone (02) 223-7126

The aim of the national trade fair is not just to showcase the regional products , but also protection of the environment thru the usage of indigenous and natural made products . The beautiful products that were showcased in this fair is also a source of livelihood and income for many of the people in the country.