OKB-Gayon Bicol Regional Trade & Travel Fair 2015 Opens on October 8, 2015 @ SM Megamall

The OK Bikol Association, Inc. in partnership with the of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Region 5 and the Department of Tourism (DOT)-Region 5 will be presenting the Orgullo Kan Bikol (OKB)-Gayon Bicol Regional Trade & Travel Fair on October 8-11, 2015 at Megatrade Hall 2, 5th Level, Bldg. B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Again, we open the door of opportunity for our exhibitors as we present this annual event in pursuit of fresh market for them. We remain committed to provide our entrepreneurs better avenues to promote their products; hence, we endeavor to sustain OKB-Gayon Bicol Regional Trade & Travel Fair.

We invite you to come during the Opening Program on October 8, 2015 at 10:30 AM, or visit anytime during store hours from October 9-11, 2015 at Megatrade Hall 2, 5th Level Bldg. B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

See you there.

THE ORGANIZERS:
-OK Bicol Association, Inc.
-Department of Trade & Industry-Region 5
-Department of Tourism-Region 5

OKB at 18

We take pride in bringing to you OKB 2014.

Orgullo Kan Bikol (OKB) 18th edition brings forth the best of our handcrafted products* distinctly hewn by skilled artisans under our National Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement (NICCEP) program. We showcase our splendid food specialties, finely processed by our local entrepreneurs under our Food Business Development (BIZDEV) program. The best product development outputs of these programs will be showcased under special settings: “Galleria Artisana” and “Pili Possibilities”. We will also launch the Bikol Pili G.I. during this trade fair.

This annual marketing event offers wearables and homestyle products, processed foods, ceramics/ pottery, furniture, fine jewelry, and other Bicol products that will surely delight you.

We invite you to visit OKB Regional Trade Fair during mall hours on October 2-5, 2014 at Megatrade Hall 2, 5th Level Bldg. B., SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines.

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* NICEPP Special Setting by International Lifestyle Designer P.J. Aranador

OKB Regional Trade Fair 2013

Orgullo Kan Bikol (OKB) – Regional Trade Fair 2013
will be held on October 10-13, 2013 at the SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Now on its 17th year, OKB Regional Trade Fair has gone beyond an annual marketing event for Bicol Region’s fine products and distinct food delicacies. It has become a central platform to showcase the region’s heritage, to demonstrate Bicolano resilience and to uphold our pride. Once again, we bring to fore Bicol’s socio-economic potentials, trade/industry and tourism opportunities for valued partners, stakeholders, concerned individuals, institutions and the general public.

Madya kita sa OKB 2013.

OKB-Gayon Bicol sa Daragang Magayon Festival, April 1-6, 2013, Albay Province

OKB- Gayon Bicol joins Daragang Magayon Festival 2013 in the Province of Albay.  We bring  the finest of our region’s heritage as we continue to promote not only our distinct products, but the region’s socio-economic,  trade/industry and tourism  opportunities on April 1-6, 2013 at The Oriental Hotel Lobby,  Legazpi City.   

The event is one of the highlights of Daragang Magayon Festival, a month-long celebration held in Albay annually in April.  It is a collaboration of four (4) institutions: The Provincial Government of Albay (PGA), under Gov. Joey S. Salceda; the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Region 5, under RD Joy L.B. Blanco; the Department of Tourism (DOT)-Region 5, under RD Nini O. Ravanilla; and the Oriental Hotel in Legazpi City.

This project will  showcase what our region has to offer.  Guests and participants can partake of various Bicol handicrafts, processed food, tourist destinations and entertainment that will surely delight everyone.

Everyone is enjoined  to  take  advantage  of  this  first  OKB – Gayon Bicol at Daragang Magayon Festival as we endeavor to market our Bicol  products and tourist spots.  This activity is a mini-version of OKB-Gayon Bicol marketing and cultural event held every year at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.  (This year, said event at SM Megamall is scheduled on October 10-13, 2013.)

We look forward to the OKB-Gayon Bicol sa Daragang Magayon Festival 2013.

See you there!

THE OKB-GAYON BICOL SECRETARIAT

(052) 480-5719 DTI and (052) 482-0712 DOT

Bicol Pili Nut @ Winter Fancy Food Show, USA, January 20-22, 2013

The Booth Design, intended to promote the pili nut as a non-GMO natural product with good health benefits, follows the national concept on image projection of the Philippines in international trade shows.

Bicol Region’s Pili Nut, one of the finest gifts of the Philippine tropics to the world, found its place at the most prestigious specialty food show in the USA. Five (5) companies producing pili nut snack food variants participated at the Winter Fancy Food Show (WFFS) in Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA, last January 20-22, 2013. The WFFS 2013 broke records as the biggest specialty food promotional event with 1,300 exhibitors and some 20,000 visitors from various countries.

Rising in market popularity, and offered by no other country in the world, our pili nut packs a punch in terms of taste, texture, versatility and nutritional value. Scientific studies conducted by the country’s institutions dedicated to pili (canarium ovatum) research have confirmed the nut’s impressive nutritional content – high in potassium, phosphorus and calcium.

Since then, the pili nut has rightfully been positioned as a premium nut, with its various snack product variants, like crispy, salted and roasted, among others under the regional brand: Chosen Pili.  The pili nut snack products as specialty food are promoted as non-GMO,  naturally-grown, gluten-free, zero-grams trans fat, 100% natural, and no artificial ingredients used.

Judging from the very significant leads generated by our pili nut producers at Booth 2831 at the International Section of the specialty food show, our flagship commodity is now on its way to conquer niche markets in America and Canada.

Distributors, importers, food service establishments, special food retailers/ e-tailers, brokers and other exhibitors who came to the show found more surprises that only our pili nut can dish out.

After participating at the show, our pili nut producers anticipate that the expanding markets abroad will benefit the pili industry sector and redound to more socio-economic benefits for Bicol Region.

(Note: Participation at the WFFS is one of the components of the Pili Nut Trade and Business Mission to USA last January 17-27, 2013. The other components are: attendance to the Sustainable Foods Summit, Business Meetings with importers/ distributors, Pili Nut Forum at the Consulate, Factory and  Merchandise Visits to selected mainstream outlets [Whole Foods, Costco, Trader Joe’s and Draeger’s]. The 10-day Mission was designed to sustain interaction and generate business deals with identified and potential US trade partners in mainstream and ethnic retail /institutional markets and pursue strategic networking with global and/or US players in food sustainability for DTI-Region 5’s continuing advocacy for its flagship commodity, the pili nut.)

The Pili Nut Trade & Business Mission to USA 2013 is a public-private partnership geared to sustain the primary goal of export business optimization for the Philippine pili nut as a premium nut, particularly in the US market. This initiative is a component of DTI-Region 5’s Food Business Development (BIZDEV) Program started in 2007 to position the Pili Nut in the US Market as a premium nut product.
Participation at the WFFS 2013 is a strategic collaboration between the OK Bikol Assn. (Pili Nut Group), DTI-Region 5 and the Philippine Trade & Investment Center (PTIC) in San Francisco, USA.

Exhibitors: Rosemarie Battung (Albay Pili Nut), Ryan Detera (Tia Berning Candies & Handicraft) and Lydia Lomibao (J. Emmanuel Pastries) are major players in DTI-Region 5’s Food Business Development (BIZDEV) Program since 2007.

Rosalie (PTIC-SV), RD Joy (DTI-5) Rose (consultant) discuss business with Greg (importer/distributor for USA/Canada)

Potential buyers try the Bicol Pili Nut thru the product tasting and sampling at Booth 2831.

The Bicol Delegation during the opening of the Winter Fancy Food Show in Moscone Center, San Francisco.

The Bicol Delegation at Booth 2831 with Rosalie & Mylene (PTIC-SV).

The Mission Participants at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco.

Deputy Consul General Jaymon Ascalon, RD Joy Blanco and Trade Commissioner Mike Ignacio award Certificate to Winner Joy Sanchez of the Pili Nut Cook-off Contest

Stakeholders on pili nut development pose for photos after the Pili Nut Forum held at the Philippine Consulate

Benchmarking/ visit to Blue Diamond (almond) Growers in Sacramento, CA

Merchandise Visits to Selected Mainstream Outlets

Press Release_Asian Journal

Newspaper Article re Chosen Pili

More Press Releases

For more details on the pili nut, please click these links: The Pili Nut Story and

“Meet the Pili” on You Tube (produced by Living Asia Channel for DTI-Region 5).

Links to the Exhibitors (Participating Companies):

1. J. Emmanuel Pastries

2. Tia Berning’s Pili Candies and Handicraft

3. Albay Pilinut

4. C.O.P. Pili Sweets and Pastries

5. The R.A.I.N.S. Handicraft & Delicacies

Contact in USA:
MICHAEL ALFRED V.  IGNACIO
TRADE COMMISSIONER

Silicon Valley Main Office:
4800 Great America Parkway, Suite 237
Santa Clara, CA 95054  USA
Tel: (408) 980-9637/(415) 773-2336
Fax: (408) 980-9813

San Francisco Office:
Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco
447 Sutter Street, Suite 405
San Francisco, CA 94108
Tel: (415) 520-7247
Fax: (415) 773-1813

Email:    siliconvalley@philippinetrade.org
Website: www.investphilippines.org/siliconvalley,    www.philippinecentersf.com/trade

Contact in the Philippines:
JOCELYN LB. BLANCO
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Department of Trade and Industry-Region 5
3F Albay Capitol Annex, Legazpi City 4500
Albay, Philippines
Tel/Fax: (+6352) 480-5719

Email: ro@dti05.org

Blogs: Tradewinds Bicol, OK Bikol

OKB-Gayon Bicol 2012 generates P18.7M Sales

11 October 2012

OKB-Gayon Bicol 2012 generates P18.7M

The OKB-Gayon Bicol Regional Trade Fair has tallied P18.7M sales this year, or a 10% increase over P17.015M recorded in 2011.

Of the 98 Bicolano entrepreneurs who participated, 21 or 20% of which are new.   These micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sold their wares ranging from food, giftware & holiday décor, home furnishings, marine products, organic & natural products and wearables.  Home furnishings garnered the highest sales with P6.96M or 37% of the total sales.

“For this year, we highlight the evolution of Bayong in the special setting and in the daily fashion shows featuring bayong pamalengke, bayong pang eskwela, bayong pang opisina and bayong pang fashionista.  The induction of the newly elected officers of the OKB Association, Inc. also took place during the opening ceremony with Atty Leni Robredo as the inducting officer.  Another highlight for this year’s fair was the OKB Café, which offers Bicol delicacies.   We want the Bicol micro entrepreneurs to take center stage as they showcase the best homegrown products in the mainstream market”, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Bicol Regional Director Jocelyn L.B. Blanco said.

Among the six provinces, Camarines Sur had the highest sales earned with P6.8M;  followed by Albay with P4.1M; Catanduanes with 2.9M; Sorsogon & Camarines Norte with P2.2M each; and Masbate with P.524M.

The OKB-Gayon Bicol RTF 2012, which was held from October 4-7, at SM Megamall had provided opportunities for our 98 homegrown entrepreneurs and had developed and found new markets for their products.

(J.R.BERANGO-DTI-5)

OKB-Gayon Bicol features Products from 6 Bicol Provinces, plus more…

Bayong Special Setting

Bayong Fashion Show

“Bayong is in. Gamitin ang Bayong!”

Fashion Show by PWDs to Promote Abaca (c/o Mrs. Med Villanueva, PhilExport-Bicol President)

Mayor Krisel Lagman/ LGU Tabaco Abaca Fashion Show

Special Setting by RuMEPP

Induction of New OKB Officers by Atty Leni Robredo, with Ms. Shieralyn Escarro, President

OKB Cafe (Balay Cena Una)

Himig Kapitolyo courtesy of Gov. Raul Lee, Sorsogon

Daily, Live Musical Extravaganza & Cultural Shows, featuring Bicolano Artists & Movie/TV Personalities
(c/o DOT-Region 5)

Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker Atty. Leni Robredo

OB-Gayon Bicol 2012
Regional Trade Fair, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong  City
October 4-7, 2012

EVENT PROFILE

·    This year, 2012, is OK Bikol’s 16th year; Our tradition continues, our heritage goes on.

·    OKB-Gayon Bicol is a showcase of public-private partnership; DTI’s Partners and Sponsors are Department of Tourism (DOT-Region V), PHILEXPORT, OK Bikol Association, Inc., RuMEPP, Local Government Units (LGUs), Line Departments and NGOs;

·    OKB-Gayon Bicol has become an annual marketing and cultural event which, through the years has provided opportunities for our homegrown entrepreneurs to develop, find new markets and become more competitive.

·    It has become a showcase of our Pili nut, Bayong, Ethnic Bicolano Food Products and other resource-based commodities and services, including tourist spots and destinations that are truly “Bicol”.

·    This year we have 98 MSME exhibitors [with 21 new (20%)] including DTI-CARP/ RuMEPP; and 2 Institutional exhibitors (DOT-5 and LGU Tabaco, Albay);

·    Sectors Participating    :    Wearables & Homestyle, Processed Food

·    OKB 2012 Highlights    :

Bayong Special Setting
Launching of new product labels (processed food)
OKB Café
Daily Fashion shows featuring Bayong
Daily Live Musical/ Cultural Extravaganza
Induction of New Officers of OKB Assn., Inc.

·    Milestones of OKB, so far:

1996        –    The first ever OK Bikol RTF was held at Harrison Plaza, M.M.

2006         –    OKB started promoting One-Town-One-Product (OTOP)

2007          –    DTI-5 and DOT-5 started an unprecedented partnership dubbed OKB-Gayon Bicol to promote the region’s products and tourist destinations under one venue, SM Megamall (to date, this partnership remains as the only tandem annual event of DTI-DOT held every October at SM Megamall in M.M.)

2010        –    Banner year for RuMEPP and DTI-CARP at OKB as they participated as sponsors;

·    Total Sales as of October 7, 2012    : PhP18.7 Million (highest sales, so far)

For more details, visit : www.okbikol.wordpress.com

New Product Labels to be Launched at OKB-Gayon Bikol 2012

New product labels will be launched at OKB-Gayon Bicol 2012, October 4-7, 2012 at SM Megamall.  The labels, developed through the DTI-Region 5’s Food Business Development (BIZDEV) Program for selected clients in the food sector can be seen on processed food products, such as: Pili nut, taro chips, red wine, moringa herbal tea, pickled kangkong, muscovado sugar, noodles, peanut butter, dried danggit and ginger powder.

The new label designs enhance the overall product presentation of the various processed foods made in the Bicol provinces. Good packaging and labeling considerably improve the marketing potentials of the products and increase their competitiveness.

Log on to www.okbikol.wordpress.com for more information on OKB-Gayon Bikol 2012.

Bayong Finds Niches

PRESS RELEASE
15 September 2012

Bayong finds niches – a special setting at the Market Week

DTI Bicol –  The next time you see somebody use a bayong, take a closer look. He/she must be IN!

Soon, at the Market Week Philippines a  Bayong  special setting will feature the Best of Bayong from all over the country, which means all the regions that are into Bayong Development will showcase three (3) of their best bayong.  Region 5, being the bayong champion will feature the three (3) best bayong products each per province.

The regions under the program are the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, and SOCCSKSARGEN.

The Bayong special setting would show that bayong has evolved from traditional to high end uses.  It has evolved into various kinds and designs.  From bayong pamalengke, pang opisina, pang eskwela to bayong pang fashionista.  With the product developments, new markets both domestic and international are reached.

Why Bayong? Natural resources like karagumoy, pandan, buri, bacbac, abaca, tikog, sabutan and romblon abound in the countryside.  It also conveys the green advocacy by making a shift in the use of the traditional, non-biodegradable plastic materials to the use of eco-friendly raw materials. The program, indeed, contributed significantly to the local economy aside from its role in protecting and preserving the environment. The Bayong Development Program was conceptualized with the two-fold benefit of boosting the economy and diminishing ecological imbalance.

Market Week Philippines,  a trade fair and showground of home, food and fashion products from all the regions of the country will be held at  the MegaTrade Halls of SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City on Sept. 19-23, 2012.

– J.R.Berango, DTI 5

Meet the Pili

Quilting in Catanduanes: A Growing Source of Livelihood

Quilting is certainly an art – an art, a craft, a hobby, a pastime, an outlet for creativity, even a form of therapy.   But in today’s world it is also an industry – an industry that recently drew people together to see what’s new, what’s exciting and what’s going on in the world of quilting.

Eight years ago, quilting and appliqué craft started to have a foothold in the province of Catanduanes.

Catanduanes –  an island paradise in the Pacific, lying east of Bicol mainland offers much more than just exploring its unspoiled beaches or enjoying surfing at Puraran Beach located at the north.

This island province is rich in history, blending quaintly with the peaceful jutting mountains all over the island.

Island life is not as quiet as it seems until the quilting industry was introduced by Mr. Mark Teocson and his wife Pura  who both hailed from the island-province but are now established businessmen in Hawaii, USA.

Quilts are made from patches of fabric sewn together using tiny stitches to make finished products like bags, bed spreads, wall hangs, wallets, etc. which are themed using appliqués or patterned patches of fabrics. The designs applied in Catanduanes originate from the Teocsons and thus appeal to the Hawaiian market.

Quilting and appliqué can be done in two ways – by hand or by machine. Our local entrepreneurs do it using the hand sewn method making the industry really labor-intensive. On average, a micro-level company would require seventy (70)  workers – mostly on job orders.

Initially, there were three (3) companies that took interest in the craft after attending the demo conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Teocson. Nizzach Craft, Nicon Enterprises and RBM Collection started their production with the Teocsons providing the ready market in Hawaii.

The pioneering entrepreneurs realized that, as start ups, their production skills were not as efficient as they would want it to be. They produced good products but they were not effective overall. Knowing this, in 2003 they decided to embark on a study tour in Pampanga and Bulacan where quilting and appliqué is an established export industry.

Since then, the quilting industry flourished on its own, penetrating more barangays and even enticing students. Although there were periods of trial and uncertainty, as when one company owner decided to venture in another enterprise setting aside her quilting business, still the industry persisted.

Today, there are five (5) companies producing quilted products in Catanduanes, employing around three hundred fifty (350) workers mostly in Virac and some in Bato and Baras. How the products are made is somewhat interesting. The jobs are contracted out to households making it a community-based industry with a designated coordinator. It becomes a collaborative work for the families involved – a mother may start working on a product which may be continued by her children and sometimes finished by the husband depending on their availability and skill. The job then helps to glue the family closer together, contributing to better community building.

In her visit to Catanduanes in June 2011, RD Joy Blanco of DTI-V was able to observe how the small quilting industry in the province is making an impact in the communities. She saw its real potential thus immediately agreed to provide funding for skills training in quilting and appliqué.

From August to September 2011, a series of trainings  from the DTI SPIN funds, were conducted in six (6) barangays in Virac to boost production of quilted merchandise. Like any other industry, quilting and appliqué suffers from attrition of its workers. The series of trainings gave the industry an additional one hundred (159) new workers, fifty-five (55) of them immediately got job orders after the training.

Quilting and appliqué in Catanduanes is now a P5M industry providing significant income to some communities in the province.

The company who engaged in another business is being lured back with the good prospects of quilting. The owner’s interest is building up and hopeful, she would be back as one of the local quilting industry’s capitalists in 2012. “Quilting is a passion”, she said, and the stirring didn’t leave her heart. “The chance of being able to help a lot of families including students who persevere in their studies, give the best satisfaction of all.”

– Bong Alberto, DTI-Catanduanes & Bhem Berango, IO, DTI-5