Some 26 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Negros Occidental will showcase export-quality Negrense food products during the International Food Exposition (IFEX) Philippines 2025 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on May 22 to 24.
Engiemar Tupas, chief trade-industry development specialist of DTI-Negros Occidental, said Tuesday that Negrense MSMEs are once again joining the event, which aims to foster robust networking avenues among key players in the food, beverage, and ingredients industry.
“Based on the previous participation of the province, Negrense exhibitors were able to generate millions in sales. It is an opportunity for buyers and suppliers to engage, discover, and optimize sourcing experiences for premium-quality products,” he said.Tupas said a Negrense enterprise that previously joined the IFEX continues to have transactions with buyers and generate substantial annual sales.
Lynna Joy Cardinal, provincial director of the DTI Negros Occidental, said Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has committed financial support for the participation of the Negrense exhibitors in the event organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), DTI’s export promotion authority.
“Not many provinces are represented in the IFEX. It is a pride for Negros Occidental to join the event,” she said.
This year’s exhibitors from Negros Occidental are entrepreneurs engaged in the production of beverage, confectionery, bakery products, frozen foods, condiments, snacks, essential oils, and plant-based products.
These include Clara’s Food Products; Shiena Mae Ana’s Homemade Food Products; Ereñata-Manaloto Food Products; Moks Recipes Frozen Foods; Rensel’s Food Products; Bajay Patol Agrarian Reform Cooperative; Satoca Agrarian Reform Cooperative; Bobette’s Delicacies; Hapijess Food Products Manufacturing; and Nanette’s Processed and Agri Products.
Others include AlterTrade Philippines Inc.; Bigay Health Ventures Inc.; Federico’s Island Wine; Kalibutan Society Inc.; MFK Agri Products and Technology; Plantsville Health Products; Virgie’s Homemade Products Corp.; RSJ Essentials Inc.; SJ Veloria Squid Rings Co. Gracebox Food Products; Margie’s Cakes and Pastries; GH Foods Inc.; El Ideal Bakery; Fresh Start Organics; YYMMS Food Treats; and Suarez Enterprises-Sir Jess.
The delegation will be led by the provincial government’s Technology and Livelihood Development Center and the DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Office.
In the IFEX Kitchen 2025 on May 22, three esteemed members of the Slow Food Cooks’ Alliance-Negros will be featured.
Chefs Ziggy Segunial and Kiko Torno will cook the beloved Negrense dish, “KBL” or kadios, baboy, and langka, using the finest locally sourced ingredients from Negros Occidental, reflecting the Slow Food philosophy-good, clean, and fair food for all.
Expert mixologist Paul Jasper Javellana will craft a refreshing selection of blended drinks to complement the flavors of the featured dish. (PNA)
