From food and fashion to gifts, home, and design, every offering at the country’s longest-running provincial trade fair is deeply rooted in the fertile soil and vibrant culture of Negros.

When we think of grassroots initiatives in the Philippines, one example shines bright: the Negros Trade Fair. First held in 1985, the event took place at the Makati Carpark with just 30 vendors, led by the wives of sugar planters in Negros Occidental, and supported by Manila-based Negrenses and their friends. It was their way of sustaining the community after its sugar industry collapsed, with displaced farm workers turning to craft and cottage industries as new sources of livelihood. Hands that once tilled the land began weaving, stitching, and molding products that reflected the Negrense identity and spirit. Its upcoming 39th edition pays homage to its origins all those years ago through the title HIMBON: a word that describes the act of coming together under one shared purpose. The seed had been planted, and what grew from it was this: an event that’s become a point of unity, a hub of progress, and a center of excellence. 

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A Bigger Fair Finds A New Home

The 39th Negros Trade Fair is the event’s biggest edition yet, with 139 participating vendors and partners, and a new venue at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura. The 2,500-square-meter space allows for more exhibitors, event partners, and visitors than ever before.

Support from local government units has also grown, reinforcing the fair’s mission to empower local enterprises. Among the participating agencies and LGUs are: Negros Oriental; Bacolod Showroom; Bacolod City Tourism; Provincial Peace and Order Council and the Balik Salig Program in Negros Occidental; Negros Occidental Technology and Livelihood Development Center; Department of Trade and Industry Negros Occidental Center; TESDA; Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan of Negros Occidental; Province of Negros Occidental Tourism; Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce; and Fiesta Philipines.

They are joined by the local government units of Bago, Silay, City of Talisay, City of Himalayan, Sipalay, Cadiz, San Carlos, Hinigaran, Calatrava, Sagay, Kabankalan, Toboso, CASAMA (Cadiz, Sagay, Manapla), CHICKS (Candoni, Hinobaan, Ilog, Kabankalan, Sipalay), Bush Bush (San Carlos), Siquijor, and Bacolod City.

What To Expect At The 39th Negros Trade Fair 

The 39th Negros Trade Fair is a tribute to the Negrense spirit, style, and distinctive brand of genteel living. Renowned for their warmth and hospitality, Negrenses bring this tradition to life through a vibrant showcase of local flavors, live music, a fully stocked bar managed by TESDA students, all of which culminate in a heartfelt reunion that rekindles generational ties.

“We’ve always had the vision for strengthening our identity as a collective or a region. Everything we do across all categories from food to fashion, home and design, is always a reflection of our Negrense culture and how we translate them onto our products,” shares Mary Ann Colmenares, Co-Chair of the Negros Trade Fair. 

Fashion Brands To Look Out For 

Fashion, design, and artistry take center stage at this year’s six-day Negros Trade Fair. Local craftsmanship shines through brands like LAKAT, whose eco-friendly sneakers are made from pineapple fibers grown in Negros. Meanwhile, slow fashion label Vivo Handmade features handwoven hablon crafted by former agricultural workers, preserving the island’s weaving traditions. Similarly, Ellege Handcrafted Fashion creates delicately smocked children’s dresses in the heart of sugarcane fields: garments that now grace exclusive boutiques in France.

“In the past years, we have seen the revival of local fabrics where more investment is being poured into weaving communities,” shares Christina Gaston, President of the Association of Negros Producers, in a statement. “The Negrense fashion and design industry is anchored on an appreciation for what’s grown in the land. Everything from the fibers to the weaving and heritage stitches find their roots in agriculture or soil.”

Other fashion and lifestyle brands to watch out for include: Arete, Azatri/Sweethorn, Bev’s Handicrafts, Big Bag Theory, Chives Stone, Creative Definitions, Domesticity, Donata by Kate Singson, Get Spotted, Ines Moda Infantil, Jeanjaquet, Koti Handcrafted, Negros Silk, Palawan Pearls, Rubyline, and Virtucio.

Gifts, Home, And Design, The Negrense Way

The same deep connection to the land that defines Negrense fashion also inspires the gifting, home, and design brands featured at this year’s 39th Negros Trade Fair. Natural materials such as pandan, pineapple fiber, cogon, buri, palm, coconut twigs, bamboo, coconut husks, and even eggshells are transformed into elegant decorative pieces—ranging from plate chargers and ceramics to lamps, table covers, candle holders, chimes, and trays.

Rooted in the province’s rich architectural and design heritage, Negrense artisans embrace a refined yet effortless aesthetic. This spirit of genteel living is reflected in collections from brands like Artisana, Loreyn Hammock, Matana Arts, NWTF, Carrent Enterprises, Creative Definitions, Milvidas, Momsie’s Enterprise, Prisca’s Glass Manufacturing, Studio57 Art Services, Rita Bustamante Art Street, Virtucio, Vallehermoso Helping Hands, Augustin/Heirloom Handicrafts, Negros Silk, Martinez Art Haus, Fresh Start Organics, Alter Trade Philippines, Tribal Miracle Oil, Christdel Garden, and OPTIMALIFE.

Innovation and craftsmanship come together in brands like Hacienda Crafts, an international exporter of lighting, furniture, and decor made from sustainable, non-forest materials. The company, recently featured at the Révélations Biennale in Paris, creates bespoke pieces for high-end resorts and hospitality spaces around the world. Similarly, Madera Handicrafts, a social enterprise working with the coconut—also known as the “tree of life”—crafts striking decor pieces now found in some of the country’s most luxurious resorts.

How Himbon Becomes A Platform For Progress

Of course, one can’t forget the reason why the fair exists to begin with, and that is to continue representing, promoting, and championing causes of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Negros. 

“This year, we wanted to bring everyone together to reflect on the stories and values that bind us—our shared identity, community, and heritage. At the same time, we remain committed to our goal of expanding opportunities for our MSMEs,” Colmenares expresses in a statement. 

Christina adds: “We are developmental. The platform is dedicated to the vendors and exhibitors. It is their marketplace to reach out to buyers, network, or potentially supply to bigger businesses here or abroad.”

HIMBON carries on that legacy with a clear vision: to build a value chain—from soil to craft, from added value to market—while passing this knowledge on to the next generation of artisan entrepreneurs and MSMEs. 

HIMBON: The 39th Negros Trade Fair will happen from September 23 to 28, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center. For more information, follow the Negros Trade Fair on social @thenegrostradefair.

Photos courtesy of Before Deadlines.