Mandaluyong City, Philippines—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recorded a PHP 48 million in generated sales during the five-day Bahandi Eastern Visayas Trade Fair.
The trade fair brought Region 8’s creative ingenuity and artisan products to the metro, which attracted several buyers and business contacts of these producer-exhibitors.
About 158 exhibitors—representing Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar—displayed their creativity, craftsmanship, and technology when they introduced tech-driven designs to classic traditional crafts. The exhibitors also presented creations that honor Region 8’s deep-rooted culture, forward-thinking vision, and commitment to innovation.
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were encouraged to design their booths attractively, applying skills from their training in creative and professional business presentations which they gained from the DTI’s industry development programs.
Penn’s Gourmet, Inc. bested all the booth setups with their tindahan concept to showcase their gourmet tuyo from Calbayog City. Following second is the booth of Mary’s Abuyog Spesyal Tsokoleyt Moron Atbp./Maricel’s Tablea, and third place is Eva Marie Arts and Crafts.
A hallmark of Bahandi over the years has been recognizing top sellers from both the food and non-food sectors, celebrating their contributions to the event’s success. Mary’s Abuyog Spesyal Tsokoleyt Moron Atbp. took the top spot in the food sector, followed by Danny’s Delicacies in second place and Triple L Food Products in third.
In the non-food sector, Ma. Delza Native Products was named the top seller, with Tindil’s Handicraft taking second place, and Cagamutan Farmers Irrigators’ Association, Inc. rounding out the top three.
This year’s fair also honored first-time participants with the Top Rookies award. Cuta Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative led the food sector rookies, followed by Chubbilicious Homemade Food Retailing. In the non-food category, For U Leather Products emerged as the top rookie, with Roning Handicrafts Manufacturing securing the second spot.
Meanwhile, a new highlight of the 24th Bahandi Trade Fair was how exhibitors explored innovative logistics solutions to expand their reach. Several MSMEs embraced on-demand delivery services like Lalamove, enabling them to fulfill orders efficiently across Metro Manila. This innovation marked a significant step forward in logistics for regional businesses, offering a more seamless and accessible way to serve customers beyond the trade fair.
In addition to food, wearables, and home-style décor, this year’s event introduced the Creative Exhibit, a special showcase featuring the artistic expressions of both local and international talents. Esteemed artists Roel G. Cabulang, Aljun P. Alvarez, and Romeo Dacanay enriched the fair’s creative atmosphere with live sketching sessions, insightful art talks, and collaborative meet-and-greet opportunities. Their presence added depth to the event, further blending creativity with commerce.
During the closing program, DTI Secretary Cris Roque graced the event, personally recognizing the top awardees and creative exhibitors. In her remarks, she commended the MSMEs for their commitment to innovation and urged them to continue developing world-class products capable of thriving in the global marketplace.
With renewed energy and a spirit of collaboration, the 24th Bahandi Eastern Visayas Trade Fair concluded on a high note, underscoring the perfect blend of tradition and innovation that propels Filipino craftsmanship onto the global stage. END.
