The CHICKS area showcases local products, traditional craftsmanship, sustainable fashion, tourism destinations, and environmental advocacy at the 40th Negros Trade Fair, which opened Tuesday, September 22, at the SMX Convention Center Aura in Taguig City.
The trade fair will run until September 27.
Located at Booth C44, the CHICKS booth features delicacies, locally made crafts, sustainable fashion pieces, and tourism exhibits representing Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Candoni, and Sipalay.
While Kabankalan City is part of the CHICKS area, it maintains a separate booth at the trade fair, giving the city its own space to showcase its products and local enterprises.
Visitors to the CHICKS booth can also learn more about the area’s colorful festivals and explore tourism destinations across its municipalities.
Deputy Speaker Mercedes Alvarez said she makes it a point to secure a booth at every NTF, giving municipalities with limited resources an opportunity to promote their products, destinations, and local stories.
“I make it a point to secure a booth during every Negros Trade Fair so that municipalities with more limited resources than cities can still have a meaningful space to display their products, promote their destinations, and share their stories with a wider audience,” Alvarez said.
She described the CHICKS booth “as more than a showcase of products,” saying it also “celebrates the creativity, culture and natural treasures of our communities.”
Among the featured exhibitors is Get Spotted, a fashion brand collaborating with the Negros 9 Weavers to create contemporary pieces inspired by local weaving heritage, artisanship and sustainable fashion.
The booth also welcomes the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PRRCFI), which is raising awareness among trade fair visitors about environmental conservation while highlighting the beauty and ecological importance of Danjugan Island.
Alvarez encouraged visitors to visit Booth C44, support local producers and artisans, discover Negros’ festivals and destinations, appreciate local weaving, and learn more about efforts to protect the environment that sustains communities.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.