OTOP Fair 2018 and Cebu Business Month 2018 Kicks-off

DTI 7 and CCCI launched OTOP Fair 2018 and Cebu Business 2018 at  Ayala Center Cebu on June 1, 2018. This marks the start of a month-long event of proudly showcasing Cebuano-made products, sharing ideas, and celebrating the growing business industry in Cebu.

OTOP Fair 2018

Photo by Gabriel Raphael Constantine F. Bumanglag

At around 4:30 in the afternoon, the ribbon cutting ceremony for the One Town, One Product Fair 2018, or OTOP fair 2018 started. Dir. Maria Elena (Nanette) Arbon, Provincial Director of DTI-Cebu headed the opening of the event.

In her opening remarks, she greeted the people present in the event. She said that there were over 40 participants in the fair. She also said that they want to develop Micro, Small, and Medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) to be competitive and help them improve. She added in her speech that they are developing young digital designers and matching them with their OTOP MSMEs to work hand-in-hand and produce good results.

One Town, One Product (OTOP) 2018 showcased 46 MSMEs, 40 booths in the exhibit, 21 participating MSME for food products, and 25 participating MSME for non-food products.

The president of Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI), Consul Antonio (Tony) Chiu, gave his message in the event. In his speech, he said that OTOP Philippines is a good mechanism that will not only grow more innovative and competitive MSMEs, but also improve the local industries and spur economic development in the countryside.

CBM 2018 CCCI Overall Chairman Mr. Benedict (Benny) Que also stressed that with the very fast technological advancements, innovation is a key for the survival of a business. “Cebu Business Month 2018 will help strengthen businesses and accelerate change with the theme ‘Innovate Cebu,’” he said.

DTI Assistant Secretary Demphina Du-Naga was also present in the opening ceremony of OTOP 2018. In her inspirational message, she said that the product they developed last year has already improved fast. She also said that Cebu is one of the most innovative places in the Philippines. She talked about the importance of improving our lives with hard work and keeping the momentum going, and it coincides with what President Rodrigo Duterte wants for the country.

“’Yan po ang gusto ng pangulo natin na si Rodrigo Roa Duterte; na matuto tayo maghanap buhay para mag improve ang ating buhay” She added.

After her inspirational message, the ribbon cutting was commenced with ASEC. Demphina Du-Naga, DTI ROG PD Maria Elena C. Arbon and Mr. Leon Flores III.

The OTOP fair 2018 will run from June 1 to 6 to promote products from the different parts of Cebu.

Cebu Business Month 2018

Photo by: Gabriel Raphael Constantine F. Bumanglag

At The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu, the opening salvo of the Cebu Business Month 2018 kicked-off at 6 o’clock in the evening with the theme “Innovate Cebu”. Innovate Cebu underscores the importance of innovation in all aspects of businesses.

The 22nd Cebu Business Month opening salvo started with a lively presentation from the Loboc Youth Ambassadors Band.

Mr. Jun Bisnar of Cebu Holdings, Inc, President and Consul Antonio N. Chiu CCCI President gave their welcoming addresses and messages in the opening salvo. Mr. Benedict Y. Que, CBM 2018 Overall Chairman also gave his message in the event

Cebu City Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña and Hon. Hilario P. Davide III were also present in the event.

Different performances were showcased in the opening salvo. Among them are the display of the creations of award-winning fashion designer Malayka Yamas, creating beautiful dresses from trash to class that were worn by beauty queens of Cebu. The Doce Pares Eskrima group showcased their unique martial art to promote sports tourism in Cebu. Maka Girls, Pilipinas Got Talent Season 6 contestants, entertained the audience with their song number, and Solenn Huessaff concluded the opening salvo with her performance.

Cebu Business Month is one of the flagship annual project of CCCI that connects business people and entrepreneurs to share best practices and technologies, and showcase Cebu-made products and services where possible tie-ups can be forged. It has the primary purpose of helping businesses grow and positively affect wide-scale economic development especially among the small and medium-scale enterprises. (Aljun Cainghog)