BY JEN BAYLON
ILOILO City – One Visayas Creative Expo 2024 – the biggest expo in the Visayas – kicked off at SM City Iloilo’s Activity Center on Monday afternoon, Jan. 22.
This grand exhibition of the finest products, destinations and festivals from Western, Central and Eastern Visayas will run until Sunday, Jan. 28.
Over 90 exhibitors from the three regions are participating.
The showcase of Visayan creativity and craftsmanship coincides with the celebration of the Dinagyang Festival 2024 in this city and represents a significant platform for the creative and economic endeavors of the Visayas region.
Spearheaded by the Regional Development Council (RDC) 6 chaired by Bacolod City’s Mayor Alberto “Albee” Benitez, the expo is a collaborative effort involving various key organizations and individuals, including Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) – Region 6 led by its governor, and RDC-6 co-chair Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida, and PCCI Visayas Area Vice President Melanie Ng, among others.
The grand opening was graced by esteemed guests and partners, underlining the strong support and participation from government and private sectors, highlighting the expo’s significance in promoting regional development and cooperation.
It also featured lively performances from three festivals honoring Señor Sto. Niño – Kalibo, Aklan’s Ati-Atihan, Cebu’s Sinulog and Iloilo City’s Dinagyang.
Penaflorida expressed optimism about the expo’s role in advancing the development of all Visayas regions. He highlighted the significance of the public-private sector collaboration and acknowledged the collective effort of multiple stakeholders in making the expo a resounding success.
Benitez, for his part, emphasized the enduring importance of providing substantial platforms for showcasing Visayan products and promoting them on an international scale.
“One Visayas is not new. The challenge is for the Regional Development Council, together with the Department of Trade and Industry to take the lead in providing bigger platforms for our products and promoting them internationally,” he said.
The One Visayas Creative Expo stands as a testament to the unity, creativity, and economic potential of the Visayan regions, offering a unique opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and innovation that define this vibrant part of the Philippines.
Visitors to the expo are enjoined to support the talented local artisans showcasing their finest products, and explore travel booths showcasing diverse destinations across the three regions, providing valuable insights and information for potential travelers at SM City Iloilo.
With an emphasis on fostering trade and industry, infrastructure, communication, tourism, and agriculture, the objective of the One Visayas Creative Expo is to strengthen collaboration across the Visayas regions and create avenues for international promotion of their products./PN
