Do you know that herbal medicines like banaba and lagundi leaves can be made into snack chips? And sawdust could be more valuable like a home ornament? Where else can you find such things but in the Philippines?

Over the years, Filipino ingenuity has gained a following from different regions around the world. Last March 12-15, small and medium Filipino enterprises got to showcase their ingenuity in the National Trade Fair at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. With the theme “A Tour of Filipino Creativity,” the four-day exhibition showcased the diverse range of Filipino ingenuity by bringing together what every region had to offer.

“NTF is what you call the best of the islands. We want to bring products from all over the Philippines in one venue,” said Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) Project Director Jose Mulato.

In 1992 at the Philippine Trade Training Center, NTF embarked on its goal to promote local products and introduce the Filipino’s sense of resourcefulness to the international setting. Now on its 17th year, it carries on its objective to support local businesses.

A world of opportunities

What seemed like a usual exhibition became more of a shopping complex as it gave the impression of a mall advocating the treasures of each region. There were interesting finds not easily available in malls: provincial delicacies, handmade accessories, furnishings and other novelty products.

The exhibit also allowed entry for semi-processed materials suppliers, most of which came from the islands of Visayas and Mindanao to feature their homegrown products to manufacturers and exporters.

CITEM’s Chief of Special Projects Division Awie Mendoza said that they invited foreign buyers to support the show. “We’ve had a lot of foreign buyers who have attended the show. There was a French couple who booked their flight to Manila six months before but they got the dates wrong and when they learned that these are the confirmed dates, they rebooked their flight,” said Mendoza.

An exhibitor through and through, Kecyl Native Souvenir Shop owner Felisa Lim regularly attends trade fairs. She said that she also joined last year’s event at Mega Mall’s Mega Trade Hall in Ortigas. She said that expositions such as this paved the way to countless opportunities and offered a wide client base for her business.

With over ten years in the bags and accessories trade, Lim affirms that it served as a marketing tool for her company. A native Cebuana, Lim uses materials that could be found in her region like shells for her bags and accessories.

Filipino creativity

Who would’ve thought that lilies could be made into bags? Or cornhusks could transform into a festive table centerpiece? Even the lowly ampalaya (bittermelon) was transformed into an enjoyable snack. 

Mendoza underscored the significance of Filipinos’ good judgment in art. “We’re very creative. So we think of ways to use materials that most other people would not even think of doing,” she said.

Filipinos manifest their inventiveness simply by using the natural resources available in the country. You no longer have to bust your wallet to get your money’s worth for beauty. Good thing, health and wellness products made of virgin coconut oil are now available in the market.

Entrepreneurial spirit

It’s not bad to count on optimism once in a while. When asked whether putting up a trade fair was considered a peril due to the global crisis that we are facing today, Mulato said that it was more of an opportunity for the suppliers. For one, they get to highlight their product while letting producers of raw materials see all the different ways they

Along with the fair, the Ginintuang Yaman Awards was launched to recognize NTF partners, the agencies that have been championing the best of the regions’ creations, and entrepreneurs that have excelled in expanding their businesses, have generated jobs and have grown in assets and most especially obtained the most innovative products.

Now there’s comfort in knowing that nothing can ever dampen the Filipino’s entrepreneurial spirit. Even in these times, people from different parts of the world would flock to the archipelago only to get the best pearls in the ocean or savor the salty-umami taste of daing. Of course, you can never find it anywhere in the world except the Philippines.