Local Ingenuity Shines at DTI’s Panubli-on Heritage Trade Fair in SM City Iloilo

DTI Region 6 officials together with SM Supermalls Iloilo Team open the Panubli-on Heritage Trade Fair 2025 with inspiring messages on local ingenuity, digital innovation, and the power of regional collaboration。

　　ILOILO CITY — Western Visayas once again proved that heritage isn’t just to be preserved — it’s to be reimagined, remixed, and proudly shared with the world. From November 5 to 9, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6, in partnership with SM City Iloilo, successfully concluded the Panubli-on Heritage Trade Fair 2025, celebrating the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial fire of local artisans and MSMEs。

Native bags get a stylish upgrade — blending traditional weaving techniques with contemporary designs perfect for today’s trendsetters. 

Locally crafted home décor turns heritage crafts into modern décor pieces that celebrate coastal beauty and craftsmanship of Western Visayas’ skilled makers。

　　With the theme “Local Ingenuity, New Opportunities,” this year’s edition showcased how tradition and innovation can thrive side by side. Over 100 exhibitors from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental transformed the event space into a vibrant marketplace of culture and creativity — where “Made in Western Visayas” stood for heritage elevated by design and powered by passion。

Famous for their natural sweetness, Guimaras dried mangoes remain a crowd favorite — a bite-sized symbol of the island’s world-class produce。

From bean to bar, local cacao farmers and chocolatiers highlight the region’s passion for authentic tablea chocolate, a comforting taste of tradition。

From buttery pastries to crunchy cookies, Western Visayas’ local bakers serve up the region’s sweetest creations — handmade with heart and bursting with homegrown flavor。

　　More than a trade fair, Panubli-on 2025 became a living showcase of local identity. From intricately woven textiles and sustainable home décor to proudly local delicacies crafted from cacao, coconut, and coffee — every booth told a story of craftsmanship passed down through generations and now brought to new audiences through digital platforms。

　　This year’s signature “red locator icon” — featured in all event materials — symbolized how Western Visayas has firmly claimed its spot on the map of global creativity, connecting homegrown artisans to emerging markets and limitless opportunities。

Visitors flock to the Panubli-on Heritage Trade Fair at SM City Iloilo, discovering proudly local creations from artisans and MSMEs across Western Visayas。

　　Visitors didn’t just shop — they experienced. The five-day event featured exciting highlights such as:

　　Live creative demos that brought craftsmanship to life

　　A fashion show featuring world-class designs from local makers

　　The One Town, One Product (OTOP) Roadshow spotlighting provincial pride

　　Mentor-Match pitching sessions linking startups with seasoned business mentors

　　And yes — daily free tastings of Western Visayas’ finest flavors, from rich coffee to artisanal chocolates!

Turn up the flavor, Western Visayas style! From Mama Jo’s Chili Garlic Oil and Bagoong Alamang to Alter Trade’s Organic Coconut Alaminos, these proudly local condiments bring heat, heart, and heritage to every dish。

　　As the fair wrapped up, one message echoed through the halls of SM City Iloilo: Panubli-on, which means heritage, is not just about looking back — it’s about building forward. It’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and collaboration that keeps the region’s entrepreneurial spirit alive。

　　Because here in Western Visayas, Local Ingenuity meets New Opportunities。

　　Celebrating 40 Super Years of Evolving With Every You, SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers—remains a steadfast partner in nation-building by opening doors to employment through accessible job fairs in its 88 malls nationwide. For four decades, SM has evolved into more than just a retail destination—it has become a platform for empowering Filipinos with livelihood

　　opportunities, bridging job seekers with employers, and uplifting lives through strategic partnerships that foster workforce development and inclusive economic growth。