5 reasons to visit the 39th Negros Trade Fair
A trip through Negros is a play on the senses. There’s the sweet, musky smell of sugar canes in Kabankalan; the pristine heritage houses of Silay; the meditative sound of waves slapping against the Dumaguete coast; the cool waterfalls in Canlaon; and the multitude of delicious flavors in Bacolod.
Annually, for the past 39 years, Manila gets to experience what it is to be Negrense when the Negros Trade Fair comes to town. This year’s fair is the biggest yet, with the highest number of vendors from Negros Oriental, so far, joining the fun.
That’s why the Association of Negros Producers, which organizes the fair every year, thought of the perfect theme for this year’s extravaganza: Himbon: The 39th Negros Trade Fair. Himbon means “to gather” in Hiligaynon. Artisans from both Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental have come together to present Tagalog folk with the best the province has to offer.
To make the most of a weekend run through the fair, take a few tips from this Bacolod-born writer who grew up in Manila hungry for all things Negros.
Come hungry. Hunt for comfort food that will sustain you through the day: Wagyu cansi at Vaca Japonesa; inasal, KBL, and sisig at Inasalan sa Dalan; puto’t dinuguan at Sir and Ma’am; all kinds of bread at Elsie’s; grilled scallops, Valenciana, callos, etc. at Imay’s; all kinds of cheeses at Casa del Formaggio; mango tarts at Virgie’s Homemade Products; and freshly made piaya at Fresh Start Organic & Natural.
Invest in some art. Rita Bustamante’s Art Street stall is filled with her vibrant pointillist paintings that feature the gloriousness of femininity. Focusing on women and flowers, Bustamante uses her art to empower women. If you like color, there’s no better place to find it than here.
Get your retail therapy fix. This year’s Negros Trade Fair has booths of several Negrense fashion designers who celebrate the power of local resources. For example, Humán offers plus-size slow fashion, made of pure linen sourced in Negros. Jeanjaquet has handmade unisex tops and bottoms that are so versatile, you can wear them from day to night, with materials from Negros, Ilocos, and Abra. Arete offers 8-way handmade jewelry—buy one piece and wear it eight different ways! Another line of jewelry—this time made with recycled materials, such as pistachio and mussel shells—are available at the booth of 93-year-old Emma Derrere, who makes all the jewelry by hand. The award-winning Lakat Sustainable Sneakers has a line of footwear made from pineapple fiber harvested in Negros Oriental and woven in Kabankalan.
Immerse yourself in artisan creativity. Adorno is a collaboration hub for artisans, so in its booth, you’ll find a well-curated mix of fashion pieces, food, accessories, and home décor. Everything is locally made by different communities in Negros Oriental. (Ask if they still have bucayo pastry—it’s a mix of coconut and muscovado sugar.)
Need baskets in various shapes? Find them here. Find the booth bearing basket creations, etc., by weaving communities from Hinoba-an and Kabankalan. These cities from Negros Occidental used to crawl with rebels. With help from the Association of Negros Producers, the communities rose up and empowered themselves through creative entrepreneurship. Their best-selling baskets and banigs are made from banban (a plant fiber).
Hurry and experience the next best thing about being in Negros: immersing yourself in the 39th Negros Trade Fair.
Himbon: The 39th Negros Trade Fair is organized by the Association of Negros Producers. It is ongoing until Sept. 28 at the SMX Convention Center Aura.