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Lagarde warns of global economic risk via Trump interference on Fed

RAWPIXEL

PARIS — Steps by US President Donald J. Trump to remove US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome H. Powell or Fed Governor Lisa Cook would represent a “very serious danger for the US economy and the world economy,” said European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde on Monday.

Mr. Trump has repeatedly attacked Mr. Powell for not cutting the short-term interest rate and threatened to fire him. Mr. Trump is also attempting to fire Ms. Cook.

“If US monetary policy were no longer independent and instead dependent on the dictates of this or that person, then I believe that the effect on the balance of the American economy could, as a result of the effects this would have around the world, be very worrying, because it is the largest economy in the world,” Ms. Lagarde told Radio Classique.

Ms. Lagarde also told Radio Classique that a ruling on Friday by a US appeals court that most of Mr. Trump’s tariffs were illegal were adding a “further layer of uncertainty” to the global economic outlook. — Reuters

ALI, Megaworld lead property sector in Kantar brand strength study

AYALALAND.COM

AYALA LAND, INC. (ALI) and Megaworld Corp. were among the companies identified in the Kantar BrandZ Philippines 2025 Report as leading real estate brands.

ALI was ranked as the “Most Meaningfully Different Brand” in the sector, followed by Megaworld, according to Kantar, a data, insights, and consulting company.

In a statement on Monday, the company said its Kantar BrandZ Philippines 2025 Report analyzed 120 brands across eight categories, measuring Demand Power, Kantar’s aggregated metric for a brand’s desirability and market potential, and Future Power, a metric of a brand’s likelihood for future growth based on consideration and brand awareness.

“These brands successfully maintained relevance and carved a unique identity in an increasingly competitive, fast-changing market,” it said.

In the airlines category, Philippine Airlines was followed by Cebu Pacific.

Other brands cited were Max’s and Kuya J’s for casual dining; Bench and Penshoppe for apparel; Lucky Me!, Purefoods, and Century Tuna for pantry; Dove and Pond’s for feminine beauty and skincare; and Downy and Surf for fabric care.

Kantar also listed Luxe Organix, Delimondo, and Tiny Buds as emerging Filipino brands.

Kantar said brands that show a “meaningful difference” are defined by three qualities: meaningful, difference, and salience.

Eva Claravall, business unit head, head of marketing growth, and CX lead at Kantar Philippines, said such brands go beyond functional benefits.

“It’s about relevance, emotional connection, and salience,” she said.

“The challenge for leaders today is to focus their limited resources on what will make the biggest difference in building their brand.” — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Top 10 Agricultural Export Commodities

Top 10 Agricultural Export Commodities

Entertainment News (09/02/25)

Coke Studio PH Season 9 to stage concert of collabs

COKE STUDIO Season 9 is back with a one-night-only concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 5, headlined by global pop singer Lauv. He will be joined by a powerhouse roster of Filipino artists that will showcase genre-breaking collaborations and live music. Set to perform are P-pop girl group BINI with the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth; P-pop boy group ALAMAT with acoustic artist mrld; R&B singer Dionela with rapper Alex Bruce; and indie rock band Over October with alternative pop artist Ena Mori. Concert tickets are available by collecting raffle tickets by purchasing Coca-Cola products from Jollibee, 7-Eleven, Grab, and Lazada.

Gracenote mounts solo concert

FILIPINO alternative-pop band Gracenote will be taking center stage for their solo concert titled Walang Makakapigil, happening on Sept. 6 at Teatrino, Promenade in the Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan City. Presented by Soupstar Music, in partnership with Redlines Productions, EMI Records Philippines, and UMG Philippines, the concert will showcase some of the pop-rock quartet’s most memorable hits and brand-new songs. Rising indie act Hey June! will join as a special guest.

NOBITA, Yeng Constantino collaborate on new ballad

FILIPINO pop-rock quintet NOBITA has linked up with Yeng Constantino in the collaborative new single “Gayuma,” out now via Sony Music Entertainment. The song explores a quiet kind of love that swells in secret. According to NOBITA, the demo had been shelved for some time until they revisited it and realized they needed a female collaborator who could bring balance and emotional nuance to the song. The song is produced by Brian Lotho.

HBO Max adds Harry Potter movies in September

THIS SEPTEMBER on HBO Max, the full Harry Potter movie collection will be available on the platform. Users can also stream the premiere of HBO Original drama series Task, starring Mark Ruffalo, and the thriller Black Bag with Cate Blanchett. From the creator of The Office, a new comedy series The Paper will also premiere, starring Domhnall Gleeson and Sabrina Impacciatore.

Singaporean indie artist Shye drops single

SHYE, the indie pop singer-songwriter and producer from Singapore, is back with her newest single, “Shed.” The song is about carrying the quiet weight of an unchangeable past. Shye’s new track aims to be both sonically immersive and emotionally resonant. It is now available on digital music streaming platforms.

Two new MYX shows premiere in September

FILIPINO music and pop culture channel MYX has introduced two new shows on YouTube, MYX NOW and Clocked Out, to showcase today’s favorite acts, pop culture trends, and backstage happenings. The shows are led by new MYX video jocks Ella, Eya, Jarren, Kring, Ozzie, Robbie, and Samm. MYX NOW is a daily backstage pass featuring surprise music guests, fresh recommendations, and the “MYX Daily Top 10” countdown. Meanwhile, Clocked Out is a weekly joyride with stars as they unwind, recharge, and keep it real while off the clock. These shows are available on the MYX YouTube page and the MYX cable channel.

Christian Bautista, Abi Marquez release Christmas track

A NEW Christmas cover has been dropped in a collaboration between singer Christian Bautista and “Lumpia Queen” viral sensation Abi Marquez. The song is their rendition of the Jose Mari Chan classic “Let the Love Be the Gift,” in time for the start of the Philippines’ very long Christmas season. It is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.

Darren Aronofsky makes odd, humorous crime film

ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR Darren Aronofsky, known for dark dramas like Requiem for a Dream and Black Swan, is back with a fun movie titled Caught Stealing. Based on the novel of the same name by Charlie Huston, it tells the story of Hank Thompson (played by Austin Butler), a former baseball player-turned-bartender living in downtown New York. He falls into the city’s dark criminal underground when his neighbor Russ (played by Matt Smith) asks him to take care of his cat for a few days. It opens in Philippine cinemas on Sept. 10.

New romantic fantasy film to premiere in September

FROM THE MIND of minimalist director Kogonada, the upcoming film A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is geared towards “movie lovers hungry for new worlds, new characters, and a new way of thinking about the human experience.” The film stars Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell together on screen for the first time, as strangers who meet at a mutual friend’s wedding. It will be out in Philippine cinemas on Sept. 17.

Japanese Film Festival returns

THE Japan Foundation Manila has announced the return of the Japanese Film Festival (JFF) this month. It will offer a selection of 12 films. Admission is free. The theme for this edition is “Bridg(e)ing,” highlighting films that serve as metaphorical bridges. Opening the festival is the 4K remaster of Love Letter (1995), Shunji Iwai’s acclaimed directorial debut and a timeless romance film. Also on the festival roster are Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai (1956), the animated cult classic Ghost in the Shell (1995), Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2001), the newer film A Samurai in Time (2024), and the live-action adaptation of Cells at Work! (2024), among others. JFF 2025 kicks off in Manila at the Shangri-La Mall in Mandaluyong on Sept. 18. The festival will move to SM City Baguio on Sept. 26, followed by screenings in SM City Cebu, SM City Davao, and SM City Clark. The festival will then return to Manila at the UP Film Institute, and conclude at SM City Manila.

Kids’ cartoon character Gabby gets big screen debut

THE upcoming film Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, based on the 11-season global hit streaming series for children, will arrive at cinemas on Sept. 24. Laila Lockhart Kraner is reprising her role as Gabby, taking off on a road trip to Cat Francisco with her Grandma Gigi, played by four-time Grammy Award winner Gloria Estefan. Trouble ensues when Gabby’s dollhouse, her most precious possession, is stolen by the eccentric cat lady Vera (Kristen Wiig).

Japanese anime, Korean period drama on Disney+

TWO highly anticipated series will be released on the same day on Disney+: global animé sensation Cat’s Eye and 16th century set K-drama The Murky Stream. The former is a 12-part series that follows three sisters who run a popular café by day and execute high-stakes art heists at night. Since its debut in 1981, the manga Cat’s Eye by Tsukasa Hojo has developed a global fandom. Meanwhile, the K-drama The Murky Stream will offer stories of corrupt local officials, bandits rising to seize control, and a fierce fight for justice. Set in the Joseon dynasty, it tells of an unlikely alliance among three individuals: noble youth-turned-fugitive, his childhood friend who is now an officer, and sharp-witted merchant leader. Both shows drop on Sept. 26.

The Ridleys to open for Morissette’s concert

INDIE-FOLK band The Ridleys have officially joined Morissette’s 15th anniversary concert, Ember, as the opening act. The concert is set to take place at Cubao’s Smart Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 28. The organizers have also opened a new section, Patron A, offering premium reserved seating with risers near the stage. Morissette has hinted that she “carefully curated a full-circle setlist that spans her 15-year career.” Tickets are available via TicketNet.

GMA Pictures, Mentorque join forces for horror film

TWO STUDIOS have come together for a project — GMA Pictures and Mentorque Productions. The horror feature, Huwag Kang Titingin, will be their first co-production. It promises a “fresh, uniquely Filipino horror experience with a frighteningly modern Gen Z narrative that collides viral internet challenges with deep-rooted folkloric fears.” In the cast are Sofia Pablo, Allen Ansay, Marco Masa, Michael Sager, Sean Lucas, Kira Balinger, Josh Ford, Anthony Constantino, Charlie Fleming, Shuvee Etrata, and Sherilyn Reyes. It will be directed by Frasco Mortiz and written by Ays De Guzman. The release date has yet to be announced.

Beyond survival: Are Filipino businesses truly resilient?

STOCK PHOTO | Image by Rawpixel.Com from Freepik

Five years ago, our country and the rest of the world experienced the worst disruption of the century: the COVID-19 pandemic. Its impact was felt across many facets of our lives and our livelihoods. In the business sector, the vulnerability of Philippine MSMEs manifested in the temporary closure of a staggering 70.6% of such businesses in 2020. However, by 2023, many of these enterprises didn’t just survive, but the numbers even rose by an average rate of 9.3% from 2021. This brings us to an important question: How can businesses go beyond merely surviving? Have Filipino businesses learned how to be truly resilient and thrive during such trying times?

Resilience has become a buzzword, especially back during the pandemic. It loosely describes any organization that has managed to keep its doors open despite severe challenges. However, genuine organizational resilience goes deeper than just “survival.” While survival is reactive, resilience is proactive and transformative. Organizational resilience isn’t just about bouncing back, but more about bouncing forward to a better place. This is done by strengthening structures and the capacity to identify risks, preparing strategic responses, and implementing timely continuity plans — all working towards sustainability and positive transformation.

Resilience transcends the traditional crisis management mindset. Most large businesses have integrated risk management in their governance practices, but only a few have embraced the more inclusive approach of organizational resilience. The glaring difference is that risk management is defensive while resilience is both defensive and offensive, turning potential threats into opportunities for growth and innovation.

From a study I conducted among selected boards and managers of private and public institutions in the Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan, three major dimensions of resilient organizations surfaced:

First is continuity and sustainability, or the establishment of effective processes for risk identification and response. More than just having a crisis manual, organizations should have well-oiled systems for organizations to spot red flags before they become full-blown threats. They do this through constant environmental scanning, scenario planning, and stakeholder assessment.

Next is adaptability and timing, which involve understanding and responding to the changing needs of stakeholders and employees, and not just the internal organizational capabilities. The most resilient organizations value the urgency of pivoting operations while staying grounded with their core values and mission.

Last is innovation and resourcefulness, which highlight technology-driven transformation. More than just digitization of existing processes, resilience also involves reimagining value creation and delivery, which can manifest through redesigning business models and creating new opportunities.

Organizational resilience is deeply influenced by cultural contexts. Countries with collectivist cultures, such as those in Asia, show higher organizational resilience, as shared values and group interests are prioritized over individual concerns. While this is meant to be seen as a positive trait for us Filipinos, there’s also a danger of its being overly romanticized, leading to passiveness and tolerance of challenges that could have been prevented with proper planning and management.

The most important aspect of organizational resilience is its transformative nature. Resilient organizations build their capacity for futureproofing against prospective threats; they look beyond risk identification and management, and short-term thinking. Organizational resilience espouses long-term visioning, people empowerment, and a culture of continuous learning and innovation that must be embedded in the organization’s daily operations. The most resilient organizations are those that practice resilience every day, in ordinary circumstances — building capabilities that will be put to good use in the advent of extraordinary challenges.

In these times, Filipino businesses need to be mindful of documenting and harnessing organizational learning at all levels so that best practices are continued, and mistakes are not repeated. Organizations need to continuously invest in the development of human capital and technology and to strengthen stakeholder relationships. Resilience entails championing organizational cultures that encourage innovation and experimentation — where failures are seen as learning opportunities, and continuous improvement is part of the norm. As organizations move forward in this VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world, they will inevitably face disruptions. And it is only when they are prepared to turn these challenges into opportunities that they can be described as truly resilient.

 

Dr. Glorife Soberano-Samodio is a faculty member and graduate school coordinator of the Department of Management and Organization and head of the Creative Industries Studies Network at De La Salle University.

glorife.samodio@dlsu.edu.ph

S&P Global rates Maynilad ‘medium green’ for service improvement efforts

MAYNILADWATER.COM.PH

WEST ZONE concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. said it has received a “medium green” rating from S&P Global Ratings, highlighting its low-carbon initiatives through service programs.

In a statement on Monday, Maynilad said the credit watchdog issued a Climate Transition Assessment (CTA) on the company, reflecting the water company’s service improvement initiatives.

These include non-revenue water reduction, potable water reuse through Maynilad’s New Water project, watershed restoration, and infrastructure upgrades.

“This independent assessment provides a transparent benchmark of our climate transition efforts,” said Maynilad Chief Sustainability Officer Roel S. Espiritu. “It highlights both our progress and the areas where we can continue to strengthen.”

The CTA provides a qualitative opinion on how prepared a company is for the transition to a lower-carbon economy, considering governance, strategy, risk management, and climate-related targets.

S&P said all of Maynilad’s revenues come from activities it classifies as environmentally sustainable under its CTA framework.

The report also confirmed the company’s alignment with international sustainability standards, including the International Finance Corporation’s guidance for blue finance and the World Federation of Exchanges’ Green Equity Principles.

Maynilad serves certain portions of Manila, Quezon City, and Makati. It also operates in Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon. Additionally, it supplies the cities of Cavite, Bacoor, and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario, all in Cavite province.

Pangilinan-led conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which holds a majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine subsidiaries of First Pacific Co. Ltd., alongside Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

How PSEi member stocks performed — September 1, 2025

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Monday, September 1, 2025.

Stocks drop further as foreign selling continues

The lobby of the Philippine Stock Exchange in Taguig City, Sept. 30, 2020. — REUTERS

PHILIPPINE STOCKS continued to decline on Monday amid selling pressure and weak trading activity due to a lack of leads.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) decreased by 0.24% or 15.22 points to end at 6,140.35, while the broader all shares index slipped by 0.09% or 3.33 points to close at 3,683.55.

This was the PSEi’s worst finish in over four months or since it ended at 6,138 on April 21.

“The PSEi extended its decline this Monday… Profit taking continued amid the lack of a positive catalyst,” Philstocks Financial Inc. Research Manager Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.

“The local market was also dragged by foreign fund outflows, with net selling amounting to P148.55 million. The market is already on a six-day net selling streak, with net outflows averaging P784.18 million per day.”

Net foreign selling declined to P148.55 million on Monday from P983.24 million on Friday.

The peso’s recent weakness against the dollar also weighed on the stock market, Mr. Tantiangco said.

“Despite a series of declines in recent days, sellers continue to exert control over the market,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message.

“Moreover, the downturn likely reflects sentiment driven by forecasts suggesting an inflation growth this month as it is affected by the bad weather that stormed the country last month,” he said.

A BusinessWorld poll of 16 analysts conducted last week yielded a median estimate of 1.3% for August headline inflation, picking up from 0.9% in July but slower than the 3.3% clip in the same month in 2024.

If realized, August would mark the sixth month in a row that inflation was below the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 2-4% target range.

The Philippine Statistics Authority is scheduled to release the August inflation data on Friday, Sept. 5.

Mr. Limlingan said the market is also awaiting the release of the latest US jobs report for clues on the US Federal Reserve’s next move.

Almost all sectoral indices closed lower on Monday. Holding firms fell by 0.65% or 33.04 points to 5,048.96; services decreased by 0.47% or 10.37 points to 2,184.49; financials declined by 0.29% or 6.18 points to 2,079.32; and industrials retreated by 0.1% or 9.39 points to 9,053.05.

Meanwhile, mining and oil surged by 4.33% or 432.38 points to 10,414.56, and property climbed by 0.08% or 2.14 points to 2,445.74.

“Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. was the day’s index leader, climbing 2.57% to P14.36. China Banking Corp. was the worst index performer, dropping 5.22% to P63.50,” Mr. Tantiangco said.

Value turnover declined to P4.21 billion on Monday with 1.15 billion shares traded from the P6.85 billion with 1.63 billion shares exchanged on Friday.

Advancers outnumbered decliners, 110 to 96, while 55 names were unchanged. — A.G.C. Magno

Proposed amnesty could cover taxes from as far back as 2007

DOF.GOV.PH

THE Department of Finance (DoF) said on Monday that a proposed general tax amnesty (GTA) will likely cover unpaid internal revenue taxes as far back as 2007.

“The proposed general amnesty bill will cover all internal revenue taxes from 2024 and previous years. It could be up to 2007,” Finance Undersecretary Charlito Martin R. Mendoza said at a Senate Finance Committee briefing with the Development Budget Coordination Committee.

Mr. Mendoza said the DoF is still working out the details of the bill but it could “possibly” include unpaid Customs duties.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has said that amnesty legislation is set to be refiled to Congress this year, after having been vetoed in 2019.

In 2019, President Rodrigo R. Duterte rejected the GTA provisions of Republic Act No. 11213 but retained the estate tax amnesty.

The tax amnesty program will involve an amnesty charge equivalent to a portion of the outstanding unpaid tax in exchange for immunity from civil, criminal, and administrative penalties.

The DoF expects additional revenue from the proposed bill, though no projections are available as yet.

Mr. Mendoza said the DoF is still working on how to address Mr. Duterte’s veto.

At the same briefing, the government aims to trim the share of the deficit relative to gross domestic product to 3.1% by 2030.

“With higher government revenue collections and improved expenditure management, our fiscal deficit will drop from the pandemic high of 8.6%, to 5.5% in 2025 and down to about 4% by 2028. It will further drop to 3% in 2030,” Finance Undersecretary Karlo Fermin S. Adriano said.

Mr. Adriano said government efforts to curb wasteful expenditure are crucial to this forecast.

The DoF reiterated its no new taxes pledge until 2028, with the exemption of the Single Use Plastics Act.

The excise tax on single-use plastic bags was one of the 28 priority bills identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

While it was approved by the House on third reading in 2022, the measure remains with the Senate Ways and Means Committee. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

ERC unveils draft rules for power reserve procurement

ANDREY METELEV-UNSPLASH

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it drafted rules for the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) to follow in procuring reserve power.

In a draft resolution, the ERC proposed implementing guidelines for the procurement, execution, and evaluation of ancillary services (AS) procurement agreements by the NGCP.

Ancillary services refer to power reserves tapped by the grid to ensure the reliable operation of the transmission system should its regular sources of power fall short.

The ERC said that the Department of Energy’s policy on the competitive selection process (CSP) for AS requires that the regulator review whether the parties comply with the requirements.

The proposed rules require the system operator to undertake “a transparent, competitive and non-discriminatory procurement process for AS.”

To encourage broader participation in AS procurement, the system operator is directed to ensure compliance with the DoE on the mandatory AS capability testing of all generating facilities.

“To ensure SO’s compliance with its obligation to procure cost-effective and least-cost AS, the lowest calculated bid shall be subject to an AS.

Price Cap set by the system operator, which shall not be disclosed by the TPBAC (Third Party Bids and Awards Committee) to the bidders until the opening of bids,” the ERC said.

The ERC said that all AS procurement agreements must obtain its approval prior to implementation, with a maximum term of five years.

Francis Saturnino Juan, ERC chairman and chief executive officer, said in a recent commission meeting that the review of AS procurement agreements should be streamlined akin to the process for power supply agreements.

“I took the initiative to propose these kinds of guidelines so that we have a clear set to follow, which can also serve as a guide for the industry, the SO, and the AS providers who will participate in any CSP that the SO will carry out,” Mr. Juan said.

He said that the review of AS procurement agreements should be streamlined to accelerate the application and for the system to have access to the capacity immediately.

“What we are proposing is to look at the price that came out and, if it has already gone through the CSP, (we need) to accept it as the lowest cost that the system operator can obtain, and for the ERC to just review the other terms of the AS procurement agreement,” Mr. Juan said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

P64 food poverty threshold set for revamp

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said it will overhaul the food poverty threshold in 2026, which is currently set at P64 per person per day.

“We will be revising the poverty threshold,” Economy Undersecretary Rosemarie G. Edillon told a Senate Finance Committee briefing on Monday, adding that new data will be incorporated from the 2024 census.

Sen. Loren Regina B. Legarda called the P64 threshold an “out-of-touch economic benchmark.”

According to the 2023 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES), the monthly food poverty threshold for a family of five was P9,581, or about P64 per person a day.

Economy Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan has admitted that P64 was outdated and committed to revise it. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) has also called it “insufficient” and not reflective of actual food spending.

Ms. Edillon said the revised threshold will consider factors such as age, sex, and size, which affect nutritional requirements.

“The 2025 FIES is currently being conducted. The PSA has finished the first round covering the first semester of 2025. The second round covering July until December will be conducted in January to February of 2026. Results will be available sometime in July next year,” she said.

Updated methodology will be submitted to the PSA Board for approval and will be applied to the 2025 FIES data. Until then, the 2023 threshold remains in use. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Negros Island producers seeking spotlight for organic produce, crafts

FACEBOOK.COM/THENEGROSTRADEFAIR

THE Association of Negros Producers (ANP) said it is seeking to develop niches in organics and crafts to supplement the island’s strengths as a food producer.

“Food has always been one of the favorites of people who visit Negros,” ANP President Christina Gaston told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of the preview of the 39th Negros Trade Fair. “But everything that we make comes from the soil … whether it is the food or fashion.

“The products that we use (in crafts) actually are considered waste materials,” she added.

She said the group was organized to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) grow their businesses after the sugar industry collapsed in the 1980s, offering farm workers creative endeavors for their livelihood.

“Sustainability is very important to us. There are those who are working in the organic sector, producing liniments, soaps, and candles,” she said.

“Of course, we have organic agriculture. We have coffee and chocolate growers developing those industries as well,” she added.

She said the first wave of ANP members started in export, as directed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at the time, developing major markets in Europe and the US.

“Over the last 10 years, the domestic market has developed a lot both in appreciation and size, and logistics have enabled us to really expand our market range,” she added.

Last week, the ANP launched its 39th Negros Trade Fair, known as HIMBON, at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura.

Expected to be the biggest Negros Trade Fair, it will occupy 2,500 square meters and showcase 139 vendors and partners between Sept. 23 and 28.

“After 39 years, we have seen the sustainable growth of our exhibitors. We’ve witnessed how they’ve scaled up to the B2B (business-to-business) level, even supplying for international markets,” Ms. Gaston said. 

“This is why we continuously strive to bring the trade fair to future markets and pass on the advocacy,” she added.

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan said that ANP’s approach is aligned with SM’s vision of providing a platform for MSMEs to showcase their products.

“Negros has so many rich and beautiful products, whether it is fabrics, home decor, or even food,” he said.

He noted the need to ensure “the continuity of this culture and heritage. We have to preserve it.”

The trade fair will not only showcase Negros food, fashion, and home and design, but also vendors and businesses from the Negros Island Region.

“This is just the start of the partnership. And we really hope that we could be a long-term partner. We want to make sure that the purveyors inside the fair could be successful,” said Mr. Tan.

“That would encourage them to do more and influence other MSMEs to really also showcase their products. Our (common) objective is to help the MSMEs,” he added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

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