The 29th Negros Trade Fair

The 29th Negros Trade Fair

September 24 to 28, 2014

Glorietta Activity Center

Makati, Philippines

I am so proud to be from Negros Island.

Living in Manila for a couple of years now and I am ALWAYS missing home. The food. The people. The nightlife (YES, we party hard!). The places. HIDLAW is the perfect Hiligaynon term which means the longing for someone, something or some place.

I always go to The Negros Trade Fair to get that "bulong sa kahidlaw" which means to heal the longing.

I will tour you now in the country's longest running trade fair. Welcome to The 29th Negros Trade Fair!

We came around 7PM on a Friday night and the Glorrieta Activity Center was packed with Negrenses and lovers of Negrenses alike. I was with my friends January, Alden and Rachele and we were all famished after the day's work.

The food --- do I need to say more?

Negrense food --- home is where your stomach is. Inasal, KBL, Cansi and loads of rice.

Mindblowing dessert Brazo de Mercedes from Elsie's at The 29thNegrosTradeFair. It proved once more thatLIFE IS INDEED SWEETER IN NEGROS.

With Bacolod friends and a convert to our la dolce vita. Great food and wonderful people. (L-R moi, January, Rachele, Alden)

I was transported back to Bacolod and Negros for a few hours. The smell of chicken inasal from the aptly named booth Inasalan sa Dalan (Grilling in the Streets) and the lure of the desserts all around were just too sweet to resist.

These are a few of my favorite things

at the Glorietta Activity Center

Virgie's Cheese Tarts

Mariel's Cookie Melts from Silay City

El Ideal - one of the oldest bakeries in Negros

Dulce Gatas

And the exquisite design of my friend Ina Gaston for Hacienda Crafts:

And look they included my brother EDBON SEVILLENO's watercolor paintings! 

Thanks Ms. Ina and Sir Joey :)

And don't forget to grab a copy of our documentary film 

PUREZA: The Story of Negros Sugar by Direk Jay Abello

The art scene in Bacolod and Negros Island has a lot to offer in every genre and every medium available. You can take a peek into our art scene during The Negros Trade Fair. 

I also had the chance to see my friend Paul Sumagaysay (from the town of Binalbagan, a municipality 2 hours south of Bacolod) who is a portraitist and painter. He is also the son of the late Negrense artist and portraitist Lor Sumagaysay. I am so happy for Paul to follow in his father's legacy. He also told me that many came to commission him to do their portraits and some paintings. 

Seeing old friends from La Salle-Bacolod's Mass Comm: DLSU-CSB's Carrie Mendoza and Danjugan Island's island manager Dave Albao

Buy from this booth's little gifts and you can help Danjugan Island's efforts to preserve the reefs and marine sanctuaries in the Philippines. A big shoutout to Mr. Gerry Ledesma and Kaila Ledesma-Trebol for continuing their noble efforts to preserve the bounties of the oceans while educating others about it too.

KICULO BAGS from my friend KitKat Cusi-Lobaton

My friend Joba is my model for these bags :)

Shells with tassels put together in a charming ensemble ---

We have this in our house: flattened glass bottles as unique chimes ---

Weaving through time is how we see the designs of the tradition and arts of our ancestors. These are colorful banigs and woven cloths in different indigenous materials. This is also a salute to The Negros Trade Fair for encouraging both traditional and contemporary art to be showcased in Manila.

The fair also offered some usual treats with surprising twists like the Oregano Piaya. 

A special thank you to fellow La Salle-Bacolod Mass Comm alumna Tep Hilado-Lindaya for entertaining our million questions.

Reminiscing All Star MassComm days back home :)

Hats off to you Tep and your team for this year's fair!

Please see Press Release below from Organizers:

Official Poster for The 29th Negros Trade Fair

Smiles Beyond Borders

So goes the theme of the 29^th Negros Trade Fair scheduled for September 24-28 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati. Moved by the destitution that followed the Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda, the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), organizer of this annual exhibition, has challenged its members to share the blessings of their craft to people living in communities affected by natural calamities and armed conflict.  Disaster relief must be sustainable, not only in terms of emergency food and medicine, but in helping locals find new livelihoods so they can rebuild their lives. Almost a year after Bohol and Yolanda, many are still homeless, let alone jobless.

Members of ANP, led by their Chairman Mary Ann Colmenares and President Jojie Locsin, visited communities in Bicol, Cebu, Masbate, northern Negros, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique. They bought raw materials that otherwise may be sourced closer to Bacolod, if not for the need to help alleviate the situations in devastated and distant areas. They hired locals to gather shells, pandan leaves, wood from fallen trees, and coconut shells and lumber. At the trade fair in September, expect to find calamity-inspired products, including Hacienda Crafts’ Macramé Pendant Lamp that uses woven baskets from San Remigio in Cebu, Tumandok’s Haiyan Collection of furniture constructed from coconut wood from San Dinisio in Iloilo,  NVC’s “The Story of Maria Luisa”, a mosaic art collectible depicting the life of a two-year-old in Palo, Leyte, who lost her mother to Yolanda, Jojo Vito’s Festival Dolls Collection wearing shells from Bantayan Island and Molocaboc Island, Marayo’s Sea Jewels necklaces and bracelets adorned with shells from Cebu, Artisana’s Yolanterns decorated with coconut shells from Leyte, and the pandan-woven Bantayan Tote of Kiculo. Some of these products are also winners of the 2014 Bulawan Awards, a competition that the ANP holds to push its ranks to create high-quality, high-design merchandise. No doubt, products like these will creep into the hearts of buyers, but it will also give buyers an avenue to help. Shoppers will even more distinguish the Negros Trade Fair for this wonderful emotional experience.

ANP members are experts at helping. In the 80s, ANP was established by visionaries who built handicraft businesses to give alternative livelihood to farm workers displaced by the sugar crisis and insurgency. ANP’s original guards may have given way to the next generation, but the calling remains.

The Negros Trade Fair is the longest-running provincial trade fair held in Metro Manila every year, a feat made possible by the support of the provincial government of Negros Occidental. There are over 80 selling booths to be filled with the latest merchandise from ANP’s five sectors, namely, Furniture & Furnishings, Gifts & Housewares, Fashion & Garments, Food, and Natural & Organic. There will also be hot food featuring the best of Negrense cuisine, headlined by the original chicken inasal. The famous piayas, mango tarts, and other pasalubong delicasies will also be available.

The five-day trade fair will include the following events: Arima! Preview Cocktails on Sept. 23, the official opening of the trade fair on Sept. 24, the NVC Foundation Thank You Day on Sept. 26, the 8^th Tipon Negrosallians on Sept. 27, a reunion of Metro Manila-based alumni of the University of St. La Salle and St. Joseph School. It will also feature the Balay Kalamay Exhibit: The Story of the Sugar Industry of Negros in collaboration with the Sugar Regulatory Administration and Victorias Milling Company.

The 29^th Negros Trade Fair will be open from 10am to 9pm on Sept. 24, 25, and 28 (Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday) and from 10am to 10pm on Sept. 26 and 27 (Friday and Saturday). Entrance is free. For more information, call 034-434-1000 or 0917-312-1664. Follow the Negros Trade Fair on Facebook, or send an email to negrostradefair.anp@gmail.com.

CONTACT:

29^TH NEGROS TRADE FAIR SECRETARIAT

T: (034) 434-1000

M: 0917-312-1664 / 0933-377-9703

E: negrostradefair.anp@gmail.com

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Caloy's Buko Pie sang San Enrique

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US AT THE SAN ENRIQUE BOOTH DURING THE PANAAD FESTIVAL

CALL OR TEXT US 09209008072

Layers upon layers of fresh buko meat with the right crunch of its pie crust --- this is what you will TASTE from every single bite of Caloy's Buko (Coconut) Pie sang San Enrique.


I have heard about this special Buko Pie from friends since early 2011 (or maybe earlier). Someone from down south shared with me a piece of this pie. With just one bite, I finally knew what I have been missing in a Buko Pie for a long time.

I got the softest young buko meat layered on a bed of generous custard. I was happy that this pie is not that sweet. Just the right sweetness that it needed. That sweetness that did not overpower the freshness of the young coconut. It was like munching on a mouthful of soft coconut clouds! 


I am now helping the owners to improve their marketing and online communications since we know we have a Facebook market ready. I have actually volunteered to help them a year ago because I knew that they have a good product. And as young entrepreneurs, I also support their idea of doing business in their small town of San Enrique (about 30-40 minutes away from Bacolod City in Negros Occidental). This small business provides jobs for the local people of the town. This is also a great thing for tourism for it highlights the best products of San Enrique.

For deliveries, please call 09209008072.  

A plate of buko pie can be divided into 8 slices. The 9-inch buko pie is in a sturdy box so you can easily bring it as pasalubong. Or better yet, eaten freshly baked on the same day as it is delivered to you. I think the latter is the best way to enjoy your Buko Pie. Or best strategy is to buy one for pasalubong and one for consumption. Fresh buko pies definitely require you to throw away delayed gratification. You just have to eat it while it's hot!

AVAILABLE IN THE SAN ENRIQUE BOOTH DURING THE PANAAD FESTIVAL!!! Hurry :)

But hey, if you badly need a buko pie fix, we do understand and would like to accommodate your cravings. :) 

If you are near San Enrique or passing by the town, please ring or send a message through these Mobile Nos. +63-927-8297888 or +63-923-8823144. The owners would really be happy to serve you in their main branch. Ask any local around San Enrique and they will lead you to us. The business is also open for hotels and restaurants who would like to feature Caloy's Buko Pie sang San Enrique in their menus or special buffets. 


Click the Facebook Fan Page Caloy's Buko Pie sang San Enrique for more information and some promos that we can think of. 


Have a slice of Caloy's Buko Pie sang San Enrique! Kanamiton!

As for me, I will have to wait for another Negros trip to taste my Coconut clouds :) 

XLXL,

FatGoddess

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What's in the Museum Cafe?

I work at the Negros Museum and since we opened our Museum Cafe, everyone I know would ask me about our Museum Cafe. What to eat, What's on the menu, What's the specialty, Do we serve lunch, rice, pasta, blah, blah, blah, blah...

I have constantly talked about it for 2 months now and I guess my mouth is a bit sore from all these talking. Here goes. My personal choices at the Cafe. Next time someone asks me, I will just give them the link.

About the photos, they are from my photographer friends who came to volunteer for our food shoot for the Museum Cafe. Thanks to Quino Yao, Dr. Michael David, Jomi Garrucho, KitKat Lobaton, Lynell Gaston, Ronnie Baldonado, Christine Weber, Nephi Treyes, Bumpy Coscolluela, Marianne Coscolluela and Carlyn Martir.

OKAY...let us start with the first thing that I would usually ask for at the Cafe. The amazing Pork Bitter Balls. These are for real. And they are not Bitter, at all!

These 5 pork balls are deep-fried and are crunchy outside. Inside is just a mouthful of heaven. I don't care what's in it, though I trust our cook about the natural and fresh food that they have been making. I know it's kinda irresponsible for me to say that. But then.....

YOU will definitely understand when you will take a bite of this.

And the orange juice, is squeezed from fresh oranges. 3-4 oranges are squeezed into a tall glass, no sugar, just pure orange juice with its natural fibers. Drink up.

SO NOW, I want to take you to the MEAT OF THE MATTER.

This is the Talisay Ham on Sesame Bread with lots of greens, fresh tomatoes and cucumber slices. Thrown in are some fresh tarragon from the cafe's garden outside. Just ask for mustard if you would like some.

These are my other personal choices from the sandwiches:

Smoked Salmon on Sesame Bread

 Some Bacon and Spiced Pork Belly Ham would also do you good. I didn't provide the photos so you would order them at the our Cafe. Haha!

Homemade Cheese in French Baguette

My favorite bread is the French Baguette, freshly baked everyday. But I love the others too: Sesame Bread, Corn Bread and the Whole Wheat Bread. Heavy bread and you can have it as your lunch because it will hold for several hours on your stomach.

French Baguette   Photo by Ronnie Baldonado

Whole Wheat Bread

Corn Bread

Black Sesame Bread

I don't really have anything to say. I just want to line them up. My heart skips triple-beat when I see something significant as a % symbol.

Ice-cold beer, wine and international liquors are available after 4pm.

For desserts, you need to try the Apple Cake. NAMIT gid ya. But it's a big slice so you might need someone to help you eat it. Rich cake with toasted green apples which are surprisingly sweet and not a hint of the natural apple sourness. And hehehe.... a lot of whipped cream on top. (Photo will be added soon when I have the patience to take a photo of eat instead of just thinking of getting the picture before I finished the whole cake.)

When you order your coffee, don't forget to taste the madeleines with it. I am not a coffee drinker but these madeleines are just fluffy and sweet and melts in your mouth. Perfect.

Madeleines from the Museum Cafe   Photo by Michael David

So anytime you are free, you can come to the Negros Museum (just beside the Hall of Justice and a few minutes away from the Provincial Capitol Building). The food is great and I always feel relaxed when I am there.

And for those asking if they are serving lunch, they have this Special of the Week (or until supplies last) and they have different kinds of international cuisine. They also have the Snack of the day and Soup of the Day. Check them out for their Weekly Specials. If you need to call for reservations or any information, contact 09213307861 or (034) 4334764. The PHINMA Main Gallery is also open for functions,  meetings and events.

They are with the same hours as the Negros Museum: TUESDAYS TO SUNDAYS from 10am-8am.

When i need a break from the office, I go to our Museum Cafe to order Orange Juice or talk with the staff. You may choose to sit outside under the umbrellas with your friends or read a book inside the PHINMA Main Gallery surrounded with the current art exhibits. I am sure you will enjoy the ambience and the food.

I have brought some of my friends here to eat and talk and catch up.

With Easter, Elaine and Odie

Ramon my friend, playing around with the water pitcher

Happy eating!

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