30th Negros Trade Fair: Truly Negros #NTF30AtGlorietta

The Negros Trade Fair (NTF) is something that a lot of people look forward to, not just those who lived and are living in Negros. Considered as one of the top 3 fairs to visit in terms of art, culture, and design, it is also the longest running provincial fair in Metro Manila. The Negros Trade Fair showcases Negros Island’s local crafts, products, and delicacies right at the heart of the nation’s capital. Held yearly, the fair is marking its 30th year with the theme “Truly Negros“, and the Association of Negros Producers, Inc. (ANP) who is behind the fair, cannot wait to share to the whole country and the rest of the world, all the beauty and brilliance this province offers.

Christina Gaston, the association’s president, said that they will be utilizing the hashtag #ntf30atglorietta on social media. This year, the Negros Trade Fair will be held on September 16 to 20, 2015 at the Glorietta Activity Center, Makati.

Here’s a sneak peek of what the 30th Negros Trade Fair has to offer —

Negrense Delicacies

Make your way through booths with a wide array of delectable native delicacies that are not only a “must-try” but a “must-take-home”. Be prepared for your favorite Negrense products from a variety of renowned producers, such as — Chicken Inasal, Caramel Tarts, Flavored Barquillos, Mango Tarts, Crunchy Squid Rings, Pili Crumble, and more.

Aside from these famous treats, there’s also a corner for those inclined to the Natural and Organic. Stop by shops offering mascobado, native cacao, ginger / turmeric tea, and personalized care products that are worth checking out.

Fashion From Passion

Pasalubongs are certainly not limited to edible sweets. Stroll through booths of various apparel and accessory booths with products fashioned from passion. Watch out for trendy bags that are not only eye candy, but made of sustainable materials. Along with these are unique fashion accessories, reusable souvenir totes and other products made by businesses that provide a livelihood for rural families and specials programs for social and personal development.

A Buffet of Creativity

The trade fair also features a buffet of creativity with Craft Businesses’ ingenious use of sustainable natural products that are gathered and created into masterpieces. One takes fibres growing wild in the Negros Island such as the “tinalak” and “maranaw” to fashion lamps, baskets and house decors, another creates charming resin-laminated products. To add to this, unique architectural and interior designs of decorative accessories for the ceiling and the floor will also be offered at the fair. To top this all off, you can complete your interior with some Rodney Martinez art on them and spread a vibrant energy in your home with his bold paintings of warmth and joy.

Innovative Home Accents

If you are one who prefers to deck your home with something fresh and inventive, make sure to visit the Home and Décor Corner to marvel at the resourcefulness found in a number of innovative home accents. Prepare to be amused at the many wonderful things your favorite coconut tree can be transformed into and see products that make use of coconut materials for inventive home accessories and furnishings. Inspiring paintings, ceramics and melted bottles are also some must-see gifts and housewares at the Negros Trade Fair.

The Bulawan Awards 2015

The Bulawan Awards has acknowledged the excellence of the members of the Association of Negros Producers (ANP) for 25 years now. This year, eight (8) products in the non-food category won the award. The Tumandok Crafts Industries won for both the Table Top Category (for its Tapaz Table Tops Collection) and Luminary Category (for the Tapaz Table Lamps). Martinez Art House was the over-all winner for the Home Furnishings Category for its 3 Sisters (Seek, Hear and Speak). Golden Arts Furnishing took home the award for the Furniture Category for its Laminated Nesting Table.

In the Garments Category, Negros Silk Producers won with its Hand Woven Shawl Collection while Kiculo Crafts bagged the award for the Bags and Footwear Category for its Isabel Bags Collection, a lineup of functional bags having the woman of action in mind.

Crisvil Creations, on the other hand, was awarded for its Banig ni Ingrid Collection for the Fashion Accessories / Fashion Jewelry Category. Last but not least, Vivo Handicrafts won for its Nativity Scene in the Novelty Category.

The food category had three (3) much deserving winners. Pueblo Bakeshop was awarded for their Carbonara for the Pastry Category. ECJ Farms was awarded for its Mangosteen Jam for the Confectionary Category and Virgie’s Homemade Products‘ whole wheat bar won under the Health and Wellness Category.

What’s New?

The Negros Trade Fair will launch a new mobile game application that tests a players knowledge of the province’s attractions from people, places, festivals, and foods just to name a few.

The game app is called KaBaloKa which is a Hiligaynon term for “Do you know…?”

On top of the usual booths in the trade fair, the LGU’s will also be provided with an area to promote tourism and the top products in their respective territories.

Special Events

Arima! The Governor’s Night

September 15, 2015, 06:00 PM at Activity Lobby

Arima! is the traditional practice of clanging the bell at the crack of dawn to gather workers for their day’s task assignments. Similarly, the 30th Negros Trade Fair Preview Cocktails signifies the early start of the exhibition which officially opens the following day. As the Arima bell invites workers to their daily chores, the Arima bell invites guests and partners to give support to the trade fair, to help promote it, and lend prestige to it by their presence and endorsement. Set at the eve of the opening of the fair, it serves as a special preview cocktails for guests from the government, media, sponsors and industry partners. This year, Arima! will feature the culinary fusion of celebrated Negrense Chefs and special performances from homegrown talents.

Masskara Night

September 18, 2015, 04:00 PM at Activity Lobby

Experience the vibrant rhythm and colors of the world-renowned Masskara Festival from Bacolod City, the City of Smiles.

9th Tipon Negrosallians

September 19, 2015, 04:00 PM at Activity Lobby

A homecoming for all University of St. La Salle and St. Joseph School — La Salle alumni based in Metro Manila.

All these and so much more fun surprises await all of you at the 30th Negros Trade Fair. Bring your friends and family and special loved ones to the event and explore the heart and soul of the Negros Island.

30th Negros Trade Fair

The Negros Trade Fair will be held on September 16 to 20, 2015 at the Glorietta Activity Center, Makati. It is open at 10:00 AM to 09:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday; 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

For more inquiries, you can contact them at (034) 434.1600 / 0998.536.0788. You can also email them at gatoverde.events@gmail.com / negrostradefair.anp@gmail.com. For more updates, check out their website as well as their Facebook page.

• Website: www.negrostradefair.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/thenegrostradefair