Expo takes Capiz products to centerstage
ROXAS CITY – The Capiz Product Expo that is staged during the yearly celebration of Sinadya sa Halaran, Capiz's premier festival, is giving a much-needed break to Capiz products under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) Project of the government.
The break comes mostly in the form of market opportunities and product development options..
Conducted back-to-back with "Estilo Capiz" with renowned international lifestyle designer PJ Arañador at a mall here, the exhibit features manufactured OTOP products from the municipalities and local producers.
Estilo Capiz, which is mainly a fashion show, complements the exhibit by putting on centerstage fashion accessories made from local materials.
This year's show, held Dec. 4 as one of the opening highlights of the festival, featured fashion accessories consisting of coconut and buri costume jewelry, abaca slippers and sandals, bags, and footwear.
The accessories were donned by models from Capiz and Iloilo, the latter brought by PJ Aranador to share their talents in keeping with the spirit of the festival which is anchored on the Capiceño values of sharing and thanksgiving.
The fashion show was conceptualized and directed by Iloilo provincial tourism officer Bombette Marin.
OTOP is a project of the government designed to push micro, small and medium enterprises and develop the distinct products of local government units in order to generate investments, livelihood and jobs in line with the development agenda of President Arroyo.
The project is spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). In Capiz, OTOP is supported by the provincial and city governments and other LGUs, Provincial Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council, and Capiz SME Center.
Gov. Victor Tanco led the opening of Capiz Product Expo this year together with his wife Fatima, city councilor Herbert Chu (in behalf of city mayor Vicente Bermejo and the city government), PMSMEDC chairperson Danilo So Chan and other council officers, DTI Provincial Director Ermelinda Pollentes, and DTI officials from Manila.
DTI Public Information Officer Ken Queenie Cuñada said opportunities keep on coming in the way of local OTOP products such as during this year's festival. (PIA-JSC)