2019 National Trade Fair Showcasing Finest Philippine Products in SM Megamall Happening Now Until August 25

The most-awaited yearly National Trade Fair organized by the Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (DTI-BDTP) is back. The media launching was held yesterday was attended by yours truly. From today (August 23) to Sunday (August 25), you have the opportunity to get to know and bring home the best of the Philippines' local products. I have traveled half of the provinces of our country already - my only regret is where do I buy the local delicacies or souvenirs I have fallen in love here in Manila. The National Trade Fair is the answer! You can watch below my Youtube video about it.

I know there are so many trade fairs in every corner of Manila happening every now and then but this one is the most promising, if not the very best! The goal this year is to be a green advocate thus the 2019 National Trade Fair is dubbed as "A Green Show". Get to know the 276 participants from 16 regions who sell products that are eco-friendly, sustainable and organic. They have almost everything you may be looking for: health & wellness products,  furniture & furnishings, houseware & decor, native fashion accessories, souvenirs and even heirloom food!

Here are some of the local products that stood out for me

1. Sta. Barbara Gourmet 's Gommoso sun-dried squid in muscovado caramel sauce. We bought one bottle to be paired with our bread every breakfast.

2. Doc Peters Bagoong. This is the healthy kind of bagoong that's low in salt that even those with high blood pressure, diabetes etc. can enjoy this Filipino dish.

3. Malagos dark chocolates. I have personally visited Malagos in Davao years ago. I am hands down to the quality of their chocolates - specially the dark chocolate. I am so happy to find them here. TIP: only healthy kind of chocolates are the ones that are 75% real chocolate.

4. Vicky's Pili Nuts from Irosin, Sorsogon. So happy that there's one brand that carries the name of my hometown! The pili I bought and ate brought so much memories back home. I remember the many times I would go here to buy a bunch of pili for my visiting relatives who will go back to Manila to bring these as pasalubong.
5. Mangosteen tea of Ermie's Food Products from Agusan del Norte. I love the taste - it's miraculously not loaded with a bunch of sugar. I have tasted lots of fruit drinks that are too sweet - this one is not. Highly recommend for health buffs!

More reasons to go to the National Trade Fair of DTI-BDTP this weekend

1. Christmas is just a few months away. If you're looking for holiday gift ideas either for corporate or personal reasons, check out the Holiday Decor Pavilion. You'll see beautifully handcrafted Christmas decorations either made of upcycled or recycled materials.

2. There's a one-of-a-kind design collaboration that champions materials indigenous to the country and pushes for efforts that are kinder to the planet. Go to the Living Green Pavilion.

3. The Association of Laguna Food Processors (ALAFOP) in partnership with DTI-Laguna have lots to offer if you're in search for organic, sustainable, eco-friendly and yummy food! Find 'em at the Green Pavilion.

4. Super fashionable items and wares made by internally displaced persons or "bakwits" from Maranaw in their economic recovery are also on display curated by Marian Pastor Roces in cooperation with DTI Region 10.

5. If you have more money to burn, why not a home makeover? Furniture and furnishings are also available here. 
6. A series of talks are also open for businessmen and for those who would like to incorporate green initiatives in their own ways. Here are the topics that will be conducted this Saturday: Exporting Green, Organic, and Eco-Friendly Products by the Export Marketing Bureau (2pm), Plastic Recovery by Envirotech Waste Recycling Inc. (3pm), and IPOPHIL Services and Patent Landscape Report on Edible Packaging Technologies (3:30pm).  

If you also have recyclable items at home, just bring those at the Green Pavilion in exchange of a free eco-bag to the following NGO's: 5 pieces of 1.5L soda bottles or 1 paper bag of assorted PET bottles for Envirotech  Waste Recycling Inc., 1 paper bag of soft plastics & foil packs for Villag SIPAG Foundation, yellow page directories/newspapers for Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation and 1 light water brand, 600 ml PET bottle for Liter of Light Global Foundation. Just make sure the items you're going to donate are clean of course!

The National Trade Fair 2019 Philippines is open from 10AM-9PM. It's free entrance! There are booths that provide free samples if you want to check it out first before buying.

For more information, please check the contact information of DTI-BDTP below:
Bureau of Domestic Trade & Promotion - Department of Trade and Industry Facebook fan page: 
https://www.facebook.com/DTI.BDTP/ 
Bureau of Domestic Trade & Promotion - Department of Trade and Industry Phone numbers: 751-3233/7913102
Bureau of Domestic Trade & Promotion - Department of Trade and Industry email: bdtp@dti.gov.ph
Bureau of Domestic Trade & Promotion - Department of Trade and Industry  website: https://www.nationaltradefair.dti.gov.ph/