THE signature products of several Luzon towns and cities are now on exhibit at the SM Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall as the participating micro, small and medium enterprises seek to book orders from local and foreign buyers. 

The One Town, One Product (OTOP) Luzon Island Fair,  dubbed “Visiting the One Town, One Product  Luzon Island Fair,�? will run from August 8 to 12, and will feature 173 exhibitors from the Cordilleras, the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and the  National Capital Region.

“Products on display are the best products that communities can produce given the resources available to them. These products showcase the crafts and skills each city and municipality take pride of,�? Trade Secretary Peter B. Favila said.

The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) brought in their famous strawberries, dubbed the fruit of eternal youth due to its high level of antioxidants. These berries are grown in the cold mountains of Benguet. CAR is also showcasing bamboo art pieces from Abra, Ifugao’s processed tilapia, Kalinga’s coffee beans, cassava product from Apayao and Mountain Province’s fruity wine.

Ilocos Region, represented by 24 entrepreneurs, are displaying the now-famous chichacorn of Paoay, Ilocos Norte, that conquered the markets of Cyprus, Greece and Australia. Pangasinan is presenting their delicious Bunoan milkfish, reputed to be the best in the country.

Longaniza and colorful woven fabrics of Ilocos Sur and antique wooden pieces of La Union are also on display.

Cagayan Valley is highlighting their uniquely designed chairs and tables that were top sellers during last year’s OTOP Luzon Island Fair. Mineovaheng, a black wine from Batanes, fossilized flowers from Quirino, and citrus juice from Nueva Vizcaya are among the attractions of this region.

The bright, colorful and big Christmas lanterns that Pampanga is known for are also featured at the fair. Several 7,000-bulb lanterns laced with 2,000 meters of electric wire, which fascinated audiences in Japan, Spain and Taiwan and is shown in Hollywood yuletide parades, are also on display.

Central Luzon is featuring varied products, such as the tocino of Pampanga, the famous barong tagalog of Bulacan and the exclusively Aurora-produced sabutan, the processed fish of Bataan, the spring onions of Zambales and the muscovado sugar of Tarlac.

Calabarzon, on the other hand, is presenting the 200-year-old coffee industry of Cavite and Batangas topped by the barako coffee coming from the Liberica bean.

The spirits of Quezon are carried with lambanog products while the paper mache of Laguna and the housewares and holiday decors of Rizal bring color to the event.

Mimaropa polishes its products with marble from Romblon, which is reputed to rival the quality marble of Italy.

Romblon’s marble, being exported to Britain, North America and Australia, will be presented in various designs and creations during the fair. The Bicol region features its two undying industries—abaca and pili—which have grown significantly from backyard-type operations to export-driven business ventures.

Pili products are now being exported to Japan, which is said to be the strictest when it comes to product quality. Abaca exporters have grown in number from 20 to 50 over the years, benefited from its use for fashion bags.

Metro Manila features the Filipiniana-inspired dolls of San Juan, bottled balut delicacy of Pateros, puto panara of Taguig and animation of Pasay City.

Favila said the Department of Trade and Industry has asked several big local and even foreign buyers to check out the products on display at the fair. “The OTOP fair is like touring the 712 municipalities and 142 cities of the 38 provinces and eight regions in the island of Luzon, Trade Undersecretary Carissa Cruz-Evangelista said.

“The products featured by the 173 participating small and medium entrepreneurs are truly treasures of the island, reflective of each town’s unique culture and rich heritage,she said.