SAN JOSE, Antique – The local food products unique in this province, and its nature destinations, were under the spotlight during the 2019 Philippine Harvest Antique – a Department of Tourism (DOT) initiative launched in Taguig City.
“The province of Antique has a strong emerging tourist destination in Western Visayas. It has pristine beaches, majestic sceneries, unique adventures, exotic beaches, and agricultural products derived from homegrown coconut, sugarcane, banana, cassava, and sweet potato,” DOT-6 director Helen Catalbas said on Friday.
“In agriculture, tourism, trade, culture, and environment sectors, you name it, Antique’s time has come,” Catalbas added.
She said next year, DOT-6 is planning to focus on the promotion of lesser-explored provinces such as Antique and Guimaras.
“I have committed to dedicate 2020 to Antique and Guimaras because all our local government units are already up there but these two provinces are still way below. They are among the smallest in the country,” Catalbas added.
Over 10 weaving associations sold the province’s famous “patadyong” or multi-functional wrap-around cloth made of cotton blends in plaid pattern, and hand-woven scarf, shawl, bags, T-shirts, shoes, hand-painted pillows, “bariw” and “banig” bags, place mats, carpets, hot pods, runners, embroidered products, and accessories.
Food exhibitors from the province were also present, including the Laua-an Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Ariana’s Coco Products, Enriqueta’s, Bulolacao-Calooy-Tulatula-Sikap Organization, 2Ms, Camp Eufre Farmers Association, Esparar Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and the Stone Cave United La-Union Farmers Association, which brought the province’s local products ranging from “muscovado” sugar, candies, virgin coconut oil products, roasted coffee, peanut, taro chips, sweet potato chips, ginger, turmeric, squash, monggo, “kadyos,” “batwan,” corn, “gabi,” canton squash, to “moringga” powder.
Philippine Harvest is a trade fair that brings together the “best” of what each region across the country has to offer. For its seventh edition, Antique was the focus.(With a report from PNA/PN)
