Shop around the Philippines at CSFI’s Kabuhayan trade fair
The Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc. (CSFI) holds their biggest fundraising event for the year, Kabuhayan National Livelihood Trade Fair, on Nov. 8 to 11 at the Megatrade Hall 1, 5th level of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
One hundred booths will showcase the best Philippine products from around the country, including modern Filipiniana fashion, fabrics and accessories, bags made from abaca, seagrass,
pandan and water lily, traditional handicrafts, beautiful artworks, wood accessories and food products. The trade fair aims to provide small and medium entrepreneurs the venue to display their creativity and widen their market.
Merchants include Kaayo Modern Mindanao, which features clothes that tell various Mindanao stories and honor the skills of the T-boli tribe from Lake Sebu and the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe of Davao.
Art Capitol of the Philippines, Angono, features pieces by Totong Francisco, the Blanco family, Sara Geneblazo, Kevin Sabino and Aaron Bautista.
Specialized delicacies from Bulacan’s Liza’s bakeshop are biscocho and pastillas de leche. Quezon province boasts Lucban longganisa, Infanta suman, special coconut vodka and dried tapa.
From Vigan is Calle Brewery, a microbrewery that offers craft beer, while Sipag Foundation offers handicrafts made from water lilies, and from Ormoc are pineapples.
Major sponsors of the trade fair are PLDT, PAGCOR, Metrobank Foundation, San Miguel Corp., GMA 7 and Pilipinong May Puso Foundation. Proceeds from the event will be donated to WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines); funds will be used to assist the tuna fishermen of Mindoro Strait and Lagonoy Gulf whose boats are in need of repair or to replace those damaged by the monsoon storms. WWF also provides education and assistance to implement sustainable fishing practices for long-term livelihood.
“I am grateful to the members of the foundation for their active participation in the fair,” says CSFI chairperson and president Luli Arroyo. “It’s wonderful to see members working together and we hope to raise a significant amount to make a difference in the lives of our tuna fishermen.
CSFI is a non-stock, non-profit organization composed of 270 spouses, siblings and children of members of the House of Representatives that conduct socio-civic activities such as promoting tourism, helping reduce poverty and rehabilitating abused women.