Cagayan Valley’s Best Local Products Shine at the 20th Padday na Lima Trade Fair

Cagayan Valley’s entrepreneurs took center stage at the 20th Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair, generating more than PHP 15 million in sales, confirmed orders, and potential business deals.

Held from August 24 to 30 at Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, the milestone event brought together more than 100 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino.

Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2, the fair recorded PHP 15,142,401 in total sales and market opportunities under the theme, “20 Years of Vibrant Hands: Crafting a Sustainable Legacy of Culture and Community.”

Bringing Cagayan Valley Products to a Wider Market

Beyond generating immediate sales, the trade fair was designed to help local businesses build lasting commercial relationships. DTI Region 2 connected participating entrepreneurs with institutional buyers, retailers, and potential business partners through business-to-business matching activities and digital selling opportunities.

The agency also relaunched the Padday na Lima Webshop 2.0, giving participating MSMEs a permanent online platform where customers can discover and purchase regional products beyond the week-long physical exhibition.

DTI Region 2 Regional Director Ma. Sofia Narag said years of participation in trade fairs have encouraged entrepreneurs to respond to changing consumer preferences, adopt digital tools, and continuously improve their products.

“They’ve learned their lessons from every trade fair that we do. They keep on improving,” Narag said.

The impact, she added, goes beyond individual businesses, as stronger MSMEs can create jobs, support local suppliers, and contribute to the wider economic development of their communities.

From Herbal Tea to Handcrafted Home Décor

For participating entrepreneurs, the annual Padday na Lima trade fair provides an important opportunity to introduce products from Northern Luzon to customers in Metro Manila and other major markets.

Dolores Gandia Casem, owner of Healthy Foods & Gifts Enterprises in Nueva Vizcaya, has participated in DTI trade fairs since 2015. Her herbal tea business has benefited from the exposure, helping the company develop a growing customer base beyond its home province.

Another success story is Tesoro’s Bamboo Manufacturing Products, owned by Joseph Tesoro. The business received support from DTI during the difficult pandemic period, when sales dropped to zero.

Today, the enterprise has expanded its production and distribution of handcrafted lampshades, hats, flower vases, and home décor, reaching an increasingly wider national market.

Preserving Indigenous Craftsmanship

Padday na Lima also highlights the role of MSMEs in preserving traditional skills and creating livelihood opportunities for local communities.

Evangeline Ayao-ao, president of the Gomez Ethnic Women’s Weaving Association, used the trade fair to introduce traditional indigenous textiles to a broader audience.

With support from DTI, the community-based initiative has developed into a more structured association that employs and trains local weavers. The group has also incorporated zero-waste principles by transforming textile scraps into contemporary fashion pieces.

The approach demonstrates how traditional craftsmanship can be adapted for modern consumers while retaining its cultural identity.

A Celebration of Cagayan Valley Culture

For visitors, Padday na Lima offered more than a shopping experience. The week-long event provided an immersive introduction to the culture, creativity, and culinary traditions of Cagayan Valley.

Activities included cultural presentations, artisan demonstrations, regional food and wine tastings, and a live fashion show. Provincial trade pavilions showcased locally made products crafted from materials such as bamboo, abaca, coconut, and handwoven textiles.

The result was a colorful showcase of how the region’s natural resources and cultural traditions are being transformed into contemporary products for today’s market.

Building a Sustainable Future for Regional Entrepreneurs

Now in its 20th year, Padday na Lima continues to serve as an important platform for Northern Luzon’s MSMEs. The trade fair gives entrepreneurs access to new customers and commercial partners while encouraging them to embrace e-commerce, strengthen distribution networks, and develop products suited to evolving consumer demands.

At the same time, the event underscores the growing appeal of products rooted in Filipino craftsmanship, sustainability, and regional identity.

With more than PHP 15 million in sales and market opportunities generated during its latest edition, Padday na Lima demonstrates how regional trade fairs can connect small businesses with larger markets while helping preserve the cultural traditions that make Cagayan Valley distinctive.

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