DTI Kicks Off 2026 Trade Fair Calendar with Bagong Pilipinas National Trade Fair

 

Mandated to promote the efficient marketing of local products and expand market access for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Department of Trade and Industry’s Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and One Town One Product (BMDPO) continues to strengthen its national trade fair program as a core platform for enterprise growth, buyer linkage, and product development.

As part of this mandate, DTI-BMDPO will open the 2026 trade fair calendar with the DTI- Bagong Pilipinas National Trade Fair, happening from February 18 to 22, 2026, at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. Admission to the event is free and open to the public.

Building on a Year of Strong Results

In 2025, DTI-BMDPO, in partnership with industry stakeholders, successfully delivered ten DTI–Bagong Pilipinas national trade fairs, alongside strategic international participations across priority sectors.

Across these national fairs, participating enterprises generated a combined Php 621.1 million in cash sales, confirmed orders, and ongoing negotiations, directly benefiting 1,490 MSMEs nationwide. Collectively, the fairs attracted more than 163,000 buyers and visitors, significantly expanding market reach for Filipino products and strengthening domestic value chains.

According to DTI-BMDPO, these results demonstrate the effectiveness of sustained trade- fair programming in moving MSMEs beyond one-time transactions toward longer-term market relationships and brand growth.

A Curated Showcase of Sustainable Filipino Products

The 2026 National Trade Fair will present a curated selection of eco-friendly, design-driven, and high-value Filipino products for buyers, entrepreneurs, and conscious consumers.

A major highlight of the fair is the upgraded Philippine Sustainability Pavilion, featuring furniture, textiles, fashion, and handicrafts made from coconut-based materials, engineered bamboo, natural fibers, plant-based dyes, and native grasses sourced from regions across the country. Innovative uses of recyclable and reusable materials will also be showcased, transformed into functional pieces for homes, offices, and commercial spaces.

Beyond the exhibition floor, visitors can take part in daily live activities, including craft workshops, product demonstrations, and cultural performances. These activities aim to deepen appreciation for Filipino creativity while highlighting the skills, materials, and traditions behind locally made products.

Strengthening B2B Sourcing Through Buyer’s Day 2026

Complementing the National Trade Fair is DTI Buyer’s Day 2026: Sourcing and Connections, a dedicated pre-event activity designed to strengthen business-to-business (B2B) sourcing, networking, and partnership-building between MSMEs and institutional buyers.

Buyer’s Day 2026 will serve as a venue to show appreciation to institutional partners and corporate buyers, particularly those who have consistently supported the DTI’s trade events.

Together, the National Trade Fair and Buyer’s Day form an integrated platform that connects MSMEs with both consumer and institutional markets, reinforcing DTI-BMDPO’s market- driven approach to enterprise development.

Trade Fairs as Engines of MSME Growth

DTI-BMDPO’s trade fairs function as more than retail platforms. They serve as engines of MSME development, enabling enterprises to test products, refine branding, adjust pricing strategies, and respond to consumer demand in real time.

Large-scale national fairs deliver broad visibility and high foot traffic. For many participants, repeated exposure across multiple fairs has translated into stronger sales performance and improved readiness for both domestic and export markets.

DTI-BMDPO Supervising Head Asec. Nylah Rizza Bautista noted that the 2026 trade fair calendar strengthens both retail and B2B market linkages. “With twelve trade fair events planned for 2026, we are strengthening the trade fair program as a system—one that combines consumer-facing platforms with buyer sourcing and networking opportunities. This approach enables MSMEs to move beyond single-event participation toward sustained market integration,” she said.

Anchored on the Bagong Pilipinas Vision

Anchored on the Bagong Pilipinas agenda, the 2026 National Trade Fair reflects DTI- BMDPO’s continuing commitment to sustainable production, elevated Filipino design, and inclusive market access for MSMEs. As the opening event of the 2026 trade fair calendar, it sets the tone for a year focused on stronger buyer engagement, expanded sourcing opportunities, and more meaningful business outcomes for Filipino enterprises.

Whether sourcing sustainable products, exploring B2B partnerships, or discovering proudly Filipino innovations, the 2026 DTI-Bagong Pilipinas National Trade Fair offers a dynamic platform where sustainability, creativity, and enterprise converge.

To know more about the upcoming 2026 DTI-Bagong Pilipinas trade fairs, follow their social media accounts on Facebook (@BDTP), Instagram (@dti.bmdpo), X (@DTI_BMDPO). You may also email bmdpo@dti.gov.ph for more information.

Holiday Shopping with Meaning and Purpose

As the countdown to Christmas begins, the Department of Trade and Industry, through its Bureau of Market Development, Promotion, and OTOP (DTI-BMDPO), invites the public to enjoy holiday shopping with more heart and meaning at the 2025 DTI Bagong Pilipinas Christmas Village. The festive marketplace runs from December 23 to 28 at the Megatrade Halls 1–3 of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.

Designed as a relaxed lifestyle destination, the Christmas Village brings together over 200 Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises from across the regions, offering shoppers a refreshing alternative to crowded malls and rushed gift buying. It is a place where holiday shopping feels intentional, enjoyable, and deeply connected to Filipino creativity.

Visitors can browse through thoughtfully arranged stalls featuring artisanal food, curated gift items, fashion accessories, wellness products, home décor, and holiday essentials. Each product reflects the craftsmanship, stories, and values of Filipino entrepreneurs, many of whom are family-run or community-based enterprises. The Village encourages shoppers to pause, explore, and rediscover the simple joy of choosing gifts with care.

Gifts That Feel Personal, Not Rushed

Today’s Christmas shoppers are increasingly looking for gifts that feel thoughtful and personal.  The Christmas Village responds to this shift by offering products that are not mass-produced, but carefully made by Filipino MSMEs from different parts of the country. These items are ideal for gift exchanges, family gatherings, and presents meant to be remembered long after the holidays.

DTI Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista, Supervising Head of the DTI Competitiveness and Innovation Group, said the Christmas Village reflects what holiday shopping should truly be about. “Christmas is a time for connection and thoughtful giving. The Christmas Village allows shoppers to choose gifts with intention, while directly supporting Filipino MSMEs and the communities behind them,” she said.

With more than 200 MSMEs participating, shoppers can easily find options that suit different tastes and budgets. Each purchase becomes part of a larger story of support, resilience, and shared celebration.

Tatak Pinoy Finds for the Modern Filipino Home

The Christmas Village also highlights products aligned with the Tatak Pinoy strategy, which promotes Filipino-made goods that combine quality, innovation, and strong cultural identity. Many of the items on display show how local craftsmanship continues to evolve, blending heritage techniques with modern design and contemporary lifestyles.

These Tatak Pinoy finds demonstrate that Filipino creativity is dynamic and forward- looking. They show that local brands can inspire pride and confidence, making them natural choices for meaningful holiday gifting.

A Relaxed and Festive Way to Shop

Unlike the usual holiday rush, the Christmas Village offers a calmer and more enjoyable shopping experience. Festive décor, warm lighting, and well-curated sections create a space that encourages browsing, discovery, and meaningful connection. It is a setting where shopping feels like part of the celebration rather than a chore.

Families can browse together, friends can enjoy a festive stroll, and office groups can conveniently complete their gift lists in one destination. The atmosphere reflects the warmth and generosity that define a Filipino Christmas.

Capping a Year of MSME Market Support

The Christmas Village also marks the culmination of a year-long series of trade fairs and market promotion activities organized by DTI-BMDPO to support MSMEs nationwide. Throughout the year,  these initiatives have helped entrepreneurs test products, refine branding, expand reach, and connect with consumers in various settings.

As the final major market event of the year, the Christmas Village brings these efforts together in one celebratory space. It allows MSMEs to close the year with renewed visibility and stronger market presence, while giving consumers the opportunity to see the full range of Filipino creativity developed and strengthened over the past year.

Choosing Local as a Christmas Tradition

Every purchase at the Christmas Village helps sustain livelihoods and strengthen local economies across the regions. By choosing Filipino-made products, shoppers contribute to a more resilient MSME sector while celebrating the season in a meaningful way.

DTI-BMDPO invites the public to visit the DTI Bagong Pilipinas Christmas Village from December 23 to 28 at Megatrade Halls 1–3, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, and experience holiday shopping that is joyful, purposeful, and proudly Filipino. The Christmas Village stands as an uplifting reminder that Christmas shopping can celebrate generosity, creativity, and the shared spirit of supporting local enterprise. 

A Living Tapestry: Inside the 2025 National Arts and Crafts Fair

 

The air inside the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall hums with the sound of weaving looms, soft laughter, and lively conversation. The scent of freshly polished wood mingles with the faint aroma of local coffee from one of the nearby booths. In every direction, color and texture fill the space — from hand-dyed fabrics and finely carved wooden furniture to delicate beadwork and handwoven baskets that carry the mark of both tradition and modern design.

This is the 2025 National Arts and Crafts Fair (NACF), a celebration of Filipino creativity that brings together more than 300 exhibitors from across the country. Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its Bureau of Market Development, Promotions, and OTOP (BMDPO) in partnership with the Office of Senator Loren Legarda, the NACF has once again transformed the Megatrade Halls into a living museum of Philippine artistry.

The Country’s Creative Heartbeat

From opening day, visitors—families, students, collectors, and buyers—have come to experience how Filipino artisans are redefining tradition. In one corner, weavers from Kalinga demonstrate backstrap weaving as vivid geometric patterns come to life on the loom. Nearby, the T’boli of South Cotabato display their distinctive t’nalak cloth dyed with natural pigments. The Maranaw artisans present their brassware and torogan-inspired designs, while exhibitors from Antique proudly showcase patadyong weaves that carry the legacy of their province’s women’s cooperatives.

Every booth tells a story. Each artisan represents a community, a heritage, and a continuing dialogue between the past and the future.

Honoring the Masters

At the heart of the fair are the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) awardees — the National Living Treasures whose mastery preserves the Philippines’ intangible cultural heritage. Their presence lends the event both prestige and purpose. Visitors gravitate towards them, amazed at the generational knowledge being preserved and passed down for future generations.

During the daily program, Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs) offer demonstrations of traditional crafts passed down through generations. Young apprentices share how their elders are teaching them to weave, carve, or mold clay by hand.

These cultural bearers remind everyone that heritage is not frozen in the past but continues to grow, adapt, and thrive.

Tradition Meets Modern Design

This year’s fair also shines a spotlight on innovation. Curated by the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP), several exhibits explore how traditional materials can take on new life through design collaboration. Modern furniture made from rattan, bamboo, and wood stand beside minimalist lighting fixtures crafted by artisans from Pampanga. Jewelry and fashion accessories reinvent indigenous motifs for the contemporary market.

Visitors can see how form and function coexist in the works on display. Even familiar crafts are reimagined through the creative use of color, pattern, and material.

Workshops and Live Demonstrations

Beyond the exhibits, the NACF’s daily schedule includes workshops, live performances, and business talks. Resource persons from partner agencies share insights on branding, product innovation, and intellectual property. Potters, weavers, and woodcarvers hold live demonstrations that captivate visitors and inspire future artisans.

For participants, the NACF is both an opportunity to connect with buyers and a venue for learning new ideas that can sustain their craft.

Partnerships that Empower Communities

The success of the NACF lies in the strong collaboration between government agencies and creative communities. The DTI-BMDPO continues to play a key role in helping artisans reach new markets through trade promotion and product development support. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) ensures that traditional knowledge is preserved, while the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP) bridges heritage and innovation through design thinking.

The Office of Senator Loren Legarda remains a steadfast partner in this endeavor. Since its inception, Legarda has envisioned the NACF as both a cultural and economic platform — one that recognizes the artistry of Filipino communities while providing them with opportunities for growth.

Senator Legarda has long supported the empowerment of local artisans, particularly women’s

cooperatives and weaving centers that sustain families through traditional crafts. Many of these groups are once again part of this year’s fair, sharing not only their products but also their stories of resilience and creativity.

“Every artisan who joins the fair brings with them the story of a community. Through their hands, we see how creativity can transform lives and how culture remains our strongest foundation for progress,” Legarda said.

A Celebration for All Filipinos

As the 7-day fair continues, the energy inside the Megatrade Halls buzz with energy and enthusiasm. Every day brings new faces, conversations, and discoveries. Students observe weaving techniques. Entrepreneurs explore partnerships. Tourists bring home handmade pieces that carry the spirit of the islands.

The NACF has grown beyond being a marketplace. It has become a meeting place for ideas, cultures, and generations. It invites visitors to see the beauty of Filipino craftsmanship not just as art to be admired, but as a living tradition to be supported and shared.

Visit the 2025 National Arts and Crafts Fair

The 2025 National Arts and Crafts Fair runs from October 23 to 29, 2025, at the Megatrade Halls 1–3, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. Admission is free.

Experience the artistry of Filipino weavers, carvers, potters, and designers from all over the country. Discover handcrafted products that carry the stories of our communities and celebrate the creativity that continues to shape the nation’s identity.

For updates, follow DTI.BMDPO on Facebook and Instagram or email bmdpo@dti.gov.ph.

The NACF stands as a living testament to what happens when tradition, innovation, and community come together — a true tapestry of Filipino pride and craftsmanship.

Festive Launch Marks the Opening of the 1 st COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair, an Industry Milestone

The Department of Trade and Industry-Bureau of Marketing and Development Promotions Office (DTI-BMDPO), in collaboration with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and other key government and private sector partners, has officially opened the 1st COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair at Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall. This groundbreaking event, a highlight of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), is poised to elevate the Philippine coconut industry.

The opening ceremonies were marked by the lighting of a coconut-themed Christmas tree, a symbolic gesture representing growth, resilience, and the festive spirit of the country’s thriving coconut sector. Adorned with intricate ornaments made from coconut materials, the tree stands as a testament to the creativity and sustainability that define the industry.

A Unified Vision: Launch of the COCONUTPhilippines Brand

The event also saw the much-anticipated launch of the COCONUTPhilippines brand, designed to unify and promote the country’s vast array of coconut-based products under a single identity. Marking a pivotal moment for the industry, the brand launch represents a movement to redefine the global image of Philippine coconut products. This initiative highlights the dedication and ingenuity of farmers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders who form the backbone of the sector, embodying their collective effort to promote high-quality, innovative, and sustainable coconut-based goods worldwide.

Meet the CocoMania Mascots: CocoMania Buko and CocoMania Niyog

Bringing a festive and playful atmosphere to the event was the debut of the CocoMania mascots, CocoMania Buko and CocoMania Niyog. These mascots, representing the fresh and dried varieties of coconut, respectively, embody the versatility of the crop and its integral role in the lives of Filipinos. They will serve as ambassadors for the coconut industry, appearing in future events and campaigns to educate and engage diverse audiences.

The Fair: A Platform for Innovation and Opportunity

Running from December 2 to 4, 2024, the COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair is a three-day showcase of the finest coconut-based products from across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. With over 90 exhibitors, the event offers a platform for product launches, market testing and benchmarking, business matching and networking, and direct selling.

Exhibitors present a variety of coconut products, including virgin coconut oil, coconut sugar, coco coir, charcoal briquettes, food and beverage innovations, cosmetics, and eco-friendly packaging solutions.

A Key Initiative Under the CFIDP

The COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair is an integral part of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), mandated under Republic Act No. 11524, the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act. This comprehensive program underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of the coconut farming sector through income diversification, market expansion, and poverty alleviation.

PCA Administrator Dr. Dexter Buted emphasized the importance of the collaboration between 14 implementing agencies, saying: “The CFIDP is not just a roadmap—it’s a commitment to the future of our coconut farmers and entrepreneurs, whose hard work and dedication sustain this industry. Through an integrated, multi-sectoral and whole of government approach, we hope to provide them with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.”

How to Be Part of This Thriving Industry

The COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair is open to the public, offering free admission to anyone interested in exploring the rich heritage and bright future of the Philippine coconut industry. Attendees are encouraged to join the celebrations, support local entrepreneurs, and discover the many ways coconuts enrich lives.

For those looking to be part of this thriving industry, the fair provides a unique opportunity to connect with representatives from the 14 implementing agencies of the CFIDP, who will be present to answer questions, share insights, and discuss initiatives aimed at driving growth and sustainability. Whether you’re a farmer, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the industry, this is your chance to gain firsthand information and explore pathways into the coconut sector.

Event Details

Dates: December 2–4, 2024

• Venue: Megatrade Hall 1, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City

• Admission: Free

For updates on the trade fair and other DTI initiatives, follow the DTI-BMDPO on social media.

For inquiries, please contact Director Marievic M. Bonoan at bmdpo@dti.gov.ph.