Liloan’s products, talents featured in Araw ng Davao

THE famous delicacy Rosquillos, locally handcrafted jewelry and other products of Liloan were displayed in Davao City last March 15-17.

The event was attended by representatives of the cities from other countries, including Japan and China.

Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio cut the ribbon to open the first-ever Davao Sister Cities Trade Exhibit at SM Lanang Premier last March 15.

Frasco was accompanied by her husband, former Liloan mayor and current Cebu Port Authority Commissioner Duke Frasco. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan also attended the event.

The Frascos were elated that Liloan was the only municipality that displayed its products in the trade fair, which was participated by big Philippine cities like Quezon, Marikina, Pampanga and Angeles.

“I am very honored by Mayor Sara’s invitation to open this historic exhibit with her. I am proud to carry the banner of Liloan and Cebu as we showcase the best of our products and the talent and hard work of our people,” Frasco said.

The sister cities trade fair was part of the “Araw ng Davao (Davao’s Day),” which is celebrated every March 16 with a series of activities marking the city’s founding.

The jewelry made by Liloan artist Strozzi Abecel Rosende was a big hit at the trade fair. Bautista bought a brooch on display.

The trade fair was held just five months after Frasco and Duterte-Carpio signed a sisterhood agreement last October. It was done for the two local government units’ promotion of trade and industry, as well as to foster an exchange of best practices.

In her opening message, Duterte-Carpio thanked Frasco and others, recognizing the importance of Davao City’s strategic partnerships with its sister cities to encourage mutual friendship.

Frasco gifted Duterte-Carpio with a painting of the hoya inday sarae, a flower named after the latter. (A team of experts in biodiversity discovered the species of the Philippine Hoya in the province of Dinagat Islands in Caraga region in 2017).

Liloan councilors Aljew Frasco, Edna Cala, Cocoy Jumapao, Vidal Cañete, Chary Cañete and Bernard Lopez also attended the event.

The Liloan Rosquillos Festival dancers, the champions of the battle of festivals in Cebu, also performed.