The Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc. showcase
Ribbon cutting with Executive Assistant
to the Mayor, Hector Alejano, DA 6
Technical Director Remelyn Recoter,
DTI 6 Director Dominic Abad and other
government officers.
The Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc. was put to the limelight as the products of its members are being showcased at the 6th Aklan Product Showcase in SM City Iloilo from Nov. 10 to 16, 2008.
There are 28 exhibitors, mostly small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The products being showcased are hand-woven fabrics, fashion accessories, home decorations, gift items, furnitures and furnishings, meat products and delicacies and ornamental plans. The fair also features the products that are available in Aklan, like piña, abaca, raffia, nito and agzam vines, tayok-tayok, seagrass and lampakanay, to name a few.
Amelia Rentillo, president, said that Hugod Aklanon is an offshoot of the Cottage Industry Development Association of 1989, which earlier focused on loom weaving and houseware. It was in 1999 when Hugod Aklanon Producers Association, Inc was born after the previous group died down. "Now, we are joined by the furniture and cutflower sectors," Rentillo said.
Bread and Butter.
Presently, the association has 29 members and are benefiting from its thrust of marketing the products of those involved here.
"It's beneficial to be part of this association. We have two stores in Boracay. We also have a loan program and we are presently trying our best to offer bigger loans. We hold three trade fairs in a year. One is during Ati-atihan (January), the Aklan Anniversary (April) and the third is in Iloilo," Rentillo said.
In every trade fair, the members are expected to come up with new products. And to ensure smooth competition, they engaged one designer for everybody, and this is PJ Aranador. He is an international lifestyle designer who had been very supportive of the region's local fabrics. He has provided 12 new designs for the members that they could use for January and April's shows.
Jojo's Christmas Cottage.