HIMBON: The 39th Negros Trade Fair Celebrates Negrense Life And Style
Inspired HIMBON, the act of coming together under one shared purpose, the 39th Negros Trade Fair brings together unique stories that shape the Negrense way of life. From food, fashion, gifting to home and design, everything at the country’s longest running trade fair finds its roots in Negros’ fertile soil.
In 1985, the first Negros Trade Fair took place at the Makati Carpark with only 30 vendors. It was an initiative sparked by wives of sugar planters in Negros Occidental. Together with Manila-based Negrenses and their friends, they gathered to support fledgling cottage industries in the province. Since the collapse of the sugar industry, farm workers turned to craft and other creative endeavors as a means for augmenting livelihood. Hands that once toiled the earth began weaving, stitching and molding products that would echo the Negrense identity and spirit. Their wares were then shipped to Manila for free via Negros Navigation, courtesy of Daniel “Bitay” Lacson, Jr.
The inaugural event 39 years ago unfolded like a reunion. It was a himbon. This act of coming together for a shared purpose would later give birth to a robust creative industry, powered by a growing community of MSMEs in Negros. Most of the exhibitors from the first Negros Trade Fair have evolved to become successful exporters. By 1988 the Association of Negros Producers was established. The non profit organization, founded by 14 Negrense women and a gentleman, has since played an integral role in representing, promoting, and championing causes of the MSMEs in Negros. One of its key initiatives: The Negros Trade Fair.
A New Home For The Biggest Negros Trade Fair Yet
Now in its 39th year, the longest running provincial trade fair in the country marks several new milestones under the theme, HIMBON. Mary Ann Colmenares, Co Chair of the Negros Trade Fair begins: “This year, we wanted to bring everyone together to remind us of the the stories and values that unite us–our shared identity, community, and heritage. Each year, we are also guided by our goal of expanding opportunities for our MSMEs.”
With 139 participating vendors and partners, the 39th Negros Trade Fair finds a new home at the SMX Convention center in SM Aura. Christina Gaston, President of the Association of Negros Producers shares: “This is our biggest trade fair in our history.” The venue, which occupies close to 2,500 square meters, allows the platform to accommodate more vendors, event partners, and visitors. “The Negros Trade Fair is a marketplace for all Negrenses. We also welcome vendors and businesses from the Negros Island Region. Our goal is to allow all our participating entrepreneurs to reach a larger audience or market during our trade fairs.”
LGUs have also joined the himbon, extending their support for the MSME’s exhibiting at the 39th Negros Trade Fair. These include: Negros Oriental, Bacolod Showroom, Bacolod City Tourism, Provincial Peace and Order Council and the Balik Salig Program in Negros Occidental, Negros Occidental Technology and Livelihood Development Center, Department of Trade and Industry Negros Occidental Center, TESDA, Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan of Negros Occidental, Province of Negros Occidental Tourism, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce, Fiesta Philipines.
They are joined by the local government units of Bago, Silay, City of Talisay, City of Himalayan, Sipalay, Cadiz, San Carlos, Hinigaran, Calatrava, Sagay, Kabankalan, Toboso, CASAMA (Cadiz, Sagay, Manapla), CHICKS (Candoni, Hinobaan, Ilog, Kabankalan, Sipalay), Bush Bush (San Carlos), Siquijor, Bacolod City.
Walking Through The Doors of Negros
HIMBON: The 39th Negros Trade Fair is a celebration of the Negrense spirit, style and distinct brand of genteel living. “We always infuse Ilonggo flavor to the entire experience.” says Christina. As a people, Negrenses have been known to master the art of hospitality. Apart from the wide range of food offerings, which has been a main draw for visiting the event, HIMBON will also feature live music, a fully stocked bar (run by TESDA students), joyful reunions, and rekindling of generational ties. “When you walk through the doors of the Negros Trade Fair, you experience Negros. It’s exactly how we would do it when we entertain back home.”
Mary Ann adds, “We’ve always had the vision for strengthening our identity as a collective or a region. Everything we do across all categories from food to fashion, home and design, is always a reflection of our Negrense culture and how we translate them onto our products.”
Soul, Soil, and Style: Negros’ Fashion and Design Community
Fashion, design, and artistry take centerstage during this year’s six-day event. Christina elaborates, “In the past years, we have seen the revival of local fabrics where more investment is being poured into weaving communities. The Negrense fashion and design industry is anchored on an appreciation for what’s grown in the land. Everything from the fibers to the weaving and heritage stitches find their roots in agri or soil.”
Tropical fibers used to make LAKAT’s sneakers, for example, are sourced from pineapples grown in Negros. Garments from Vivo Handmade, a slow fashion brand that showcases Hablon’s weaving traditions, are woven by hand that once tended the land. It is a similar story for Ellege Handcrafted Fashion. The company’s hand-smocked dresses, made in the middle of sugar fields, have found their way to some of the most exclusive children’s wear boutiques in France.
Other exciting fashion brands to look out for during Negros Trade Fair are: Arete, Azatri/Sweethorn, Bev’s Handicrafts, Big Bag Theory, Chives Stone, Creative Definitions, Domesticity, Donata by Kate Singson, Get Spotted, Ines Moda Infantil, Jeanjaquet, Koti Handcrafted, Negros Silk, Palawan Pearls, Rubyline, Virtucio.
The Hacienda Way Of Life Told Through Gifts, Home And Design
The same idea for working with treasures of the land apply to the gifting, home and design brands featured in this year’s Negros Trade Fair. “We are very much rooted in the materials we use,” says Christina. Pandan, pineapple fibers, cogon, buri, palm, coconut twigs, bamboo, coconut husks, eggshell are just a few of the natural materials typically used in creating decorative items for living spaces and entertaining. This includes plate chargers, ceramics, table covers, lamps, candle holders, chimes, and trays.
Surrounded by the province’s rich architectural and design heritage, artisans and designers from Negros naturally lean towards easy elegance and sophistication. Genteel living is reflected in the collections from gifting, home, and design brands like: Artisana, Loreyn Hammock, Matana Arts, NWTF, Carrent Enterprises, Creative Definitions, Milvidas, Momsie’s Enterprise, Prisca’s Glass Manufacturing, Studio57 Art Services, Rita Bustamante Art Street, Virtucio, Vallehermoso Helping Hands, Augustin/Heirloom Handicrafts, Negros Silk, Martinez Art Haus, Fresh Start Organics, Alter Trade Philippines, Tribal Miracle Oil, Christdel Garden, and OPTIMALIFE.
The design prowess and heart for innovation of Negrense makers is also embodied through brands like Hacienda Crafts, an exporter of lamps, lighting fixtures, furnitures, accents, and art pieces using natural, non-forest materials. The company, which recently exhibited at the Révélations Biennale in Paris, has produced bespoke pieces for resorts, hotels and other hospitality properties abroad. Similarly, Madera Handicrafts, a social enterprise that works with coconuts or the ‘tree of life,’ has created stunning decor for some of the most premium resorts in the country.
A Platform For Progress, A Marketplace For MSMEs
Through the Negros Trade Fair and the Association of Negros Producers, artisans and MSMEs are empowered to become a part of a value chain that allows them to scale up and ultimately supply to a larger, global market. Beyond retail, exhibitors are faced with opportunities to supply to other businesses both locally and abroad. Christina remarks, “We are developmental. The platform is dedicated to the vendors and exhibitors. It is their marketplace to reach out to buyers, network, or potentially supply to bigger businesses here or abroad.”
Theirs is a clear vision for creating a value chain – from soil to process, added value to the marketplace – and passing down this knowledge to future generations of artisan entrepreneurs and MSME’s. The trade fair is also a gateway for breaking into the broader, global market. Christina concludes, “After 39 years, we have seen the sustainable growth of our exhibitors. We’ve witnessed how they’ve scaled up to the B to B level, even supplying for international markets. This is why we continuously strive to bring the trade fair to future markets and pass on the advocacy.”
HIMBON: The 39th Negros Trade Fair will happen from September 23 to 28, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura. For more information, follow the Negros Trade Fair on social @thenegrostradefair.
