The annual Manggahan Festival in Iloilo City commenced vibrantly with the opening of the Guimaras Island EcoBazaar 2024 at Robinsons Place Iloilo on April 24.
The event, a fixture for the past 12 years, began with a unique mango-picking event rather than the traditional ribbon-cutting.
Instead of the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony, this year’s eco-bazaar initiated with a symbolic mango-picking event led Guimaras Provincial Economic Development Officer (PEDO) Francis Gentoral, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Guimaras Officer-in-Charge Provincial Director (OIC-PD) Juvy Benliro, DTI Region VI Trade and Industry Development Specialist (TIDS) Andrea Reyes representing Officer-in-Charge Regional Director (OIC-RD) Rachel Nufable, TESDA Guimaras Provincial Director (PD) Jonathan Togonon, and DTI Iloilo Supervising Trade and Industry Development Specialist (SuTIDS) Jonathan Tejida.
The Guimaras Island EcoBazaar not only serves as a commercial platform but also symbolizes the resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Guimaras. This event enables local entrepreneurs to present their products and crafts to a broader market, expanding their reach beyond the provincial borders.
This year’s EcoBazaar, which runs until April 30, features 30 local MSME exhibitors. It showcases a variety of products ranging from handicrafts and wearables to processed foods and the region’s famous mangoes, aiming to generate significant sales and orders. The venue, situated at the Fountain Area of Robinsons Mall, provides an immersive experience into Guimarasnon culture and values.
Juvy Benliro of DTI Guimaras highlighted the event’s potential to foster significant economic activity, with an expected turnover of Php 2.5 million in cash sales, orders, and negotiations.
The Manggahan Festival, which celebrates the cultural and agricultural heritage of Guimaras, particularly its renown as a top producer of high-quality mangoes, also featured a mango-eating contest that spotlighted the exceptional flavor and quality of local mangoes.
These fruits, known for their sweetness and juiciness, are not only a favorite locally but have also carved a niche in international markets like Switzerland and Singapore.
Officials emphasized the festival’s role in promoting Guimaras mangoes, which adhere to strict quality standards and sustainable farming practices, ensuring they meet global consumer expectations.
The Guimaras Island EcoBazaar and Manggahan Festival together reflect the community’s efforts to support and expand the local economy through innovative and culturally rich showcases of their best products and practices. (Photo Credits: DTI Guimaras Provincial Office)
