Three-city trade expo shows off PH products in Canada

Edna Gilera, FCTEM President (leftmost); with Consul General Zaldy Patron (second from right); Member of Parliament Michael Kram (rightmost); Provincial Secretary and Legislative Secretary to the Premier Tim McLeod (second from left); and Regina Mayor Sandra Masters (middle) during the opening of the Philippine Trade Expo Roadshow in Regina, Saskatchewan. Top right photo: The Philippine Trade Expo exhibitors together with the members of the Pilipino Association of Saskatchewan and cultural performers during the cultural show that complemented the trade event in Cornwall Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan. 

CALGARY– The three-city Philippine Trade Expo Roadshow showcased top quality handcrafted products from the Philippines on its third and final leg Aug. 12 to14 at Cornwall Centre in in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Eight Philippine-based small- and medium-sized enterprises exhibited various products, such as Christmas decor ornaments, Capiz parol (Christmas lanterns), wooden Nativity scenes, ladies’ fashion jewelry and accessories, handbags and purses. There were also Filipiniana dresses, Barong Tagalog (traditional and coat), tops, gowns, seasonal wear, bamboo and wood products, abaca footwear, home decor, and specialty food products.

Bottom photos:  Consul General Zaldy Patron (left) with Member of Parliament Michael Kram. Right photo: Consul General Patron (second from left) with Members of the Legislative Assembly Mark Docherty (leftmost) and Todd Goudy (second from right), and Mr. Ranie Villanueva, owner of Andrei House of Barong, one of the trade exhibitors (Photos from Calgary PCG)

The Philippine Trade Expo Roadshow started in West Edmonton Mall on July 15-17 then moved to the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary on August 5-7 before it headed to Regina. It was a joint project of the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary and the not-for-profit organization Filipino Canadian Trade Expo and Mission (FCTEM)

Consul General Zaldy Patron said the trade show “aimed not only to exhibit the export quality products of the Philippines, but also to connect the Philippine-based SMEs with potential buyers and distributors of their products in Canada so they can grow their business through exports.“

Member of Parliament Michael Kram, who represents Regina-Wascana, joined the ribbon cutting ceremony. The Pilipino Association of Saskatchewan assisted the PCG and the FCTEM in organizing the trade expo as well as the cultural and fashion show that complemented the event.