FOOD, CULTURE, AND ARTS EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL PRODUCTS DURING TOURISM WEEK CELEBRATION

Tatak Manolo Fortich

Showcasing the local products and artworks of Manolo Fortich is one way to promote the unique tourism of the municipality. Thus, the LGU of Manolo Fortich, through the Municipal Tourism Office, launched the Food, Culture, and Arts Exhibit of local food and non-food products of the municipality at the Tourist Rest Area, Barangay Tankulan, Manolo Fortich on September 27, 2023.

The Food, Culture, and Arts Exhibit is part of Gagaw ta Manolo Fortich or Love Manolo Fortich, the 1st Municipal Tourism Week Celebration. It aims to allow food businesses, artworks, and other unique services and offers from different barangays to showcase their products through booth exhibits. This is through the initiative of Sangguniang Bayan Member and Committee Chairperson on Tourism, Councilor Rina E. Quiño.

“We recognize the importance of this activity to showcase and highlight our tourism products, may it be in food, non-food, travel destinations, culture, nature, and arts. We rolled it as one to promote the beauty of Manolo Fortich,” remarks Quiño on the booth exhibits.

In addition, Municipal Tourism Office Jixon Cloyd Abanes emphasizes what locals and visitors can expect from the booth exhibit, “Locals should expect this place of products, food, and performances nga makaingon ta na only in Manolo Fortich. These exhibitors are showing or ginapakita jud nila nga ilahang mga products gikan jud sa Manolo, from the raw material paingon sa ilang finished product.”

Aside from the opportunity to showcase their food and non-food products to the locals of Manolo Fortich, all the exhibitors are candidates for the first ever Tatak Manolo Fortich Award and the Best Booth Award that will be given at the closing ceremony on Saturday, September 30, 2023, same place.

“Ato pud ni gipatigayon ang Tatak Manolo Fortich Award. With the help of the Department of Trade and Industry (Region 10), they are going to identify products from our exhibitors nga ilahang tagaan og label as Tatak Manolo Fortich. The award will be given to that product, at the same time, atoa silang ipagmalaki in the next year’s tourism week celebration,” says Abanes.

In total, 11 exhibitors displayed and showcased their business, barangays, and artworks. Among of these were Barangay Dalirig, Guilang-guilang, and Lingion featuring their famous tourist areas, Aval’s Apiary and Products, Manolo Fortich Farm Business School, Kitanglad Bonsai Society, Alomah’s Place and Nature Farm, Loulens Cake and Bread, Tita Viz Food Product, Riley’s Cafe, and Pine Coop. Local artists have exhibited their artworks as well.

On vying for the Tatak Manolo Fortich Award, one of the exhibitors, Aval’s Apiary and Products, a local business from Barangay Lingion, Manolo Fortich, specializing on providing high quality honey and honeycomb as well as other honey bee related products through their local-grown honey bees, shares their preparation and vision on aiming to be a Tatak Manolo Fortich Awardee.

“Syempre, ang quality. Kung mo ingon ka nga local product, dapat naay quality atong ma showcase and lami ang product. Ang mga ingredients, dapat within the farm kay local gud siya since Tatak Manolo Fortich man,” says Malaya Valle, owner and exhibitor of Aval’s. “Ang products, dapat naay mahatag na nutrition, health benefits, and uniqueness sa mga tourists para Tatak Manolo Fortich gyud ang quality.”

Furthermore, highlighting these local products that emphasizes the unique face of tourism in Manolo Fortich is the main focus. However, such an opportunity also sheds light on the economic growth of the municipality, especially those who are able to display their entrepreneurship’s identity and products.

“Aside sa na introduce, na expose, and maka baligya mi through ani nga exhibit, dako kaayo siya og tabang kay na show ni sila (products) sa mga tao, para maka invite and maka encourage pajud mi sa mga gusto mo enroll or willing mo eskwela sa amo,” says Janeth L. Viernes, Manager for Organic Showroom of Manolo Fortich Business School (MFFBS).

As this is only the first ever Food, Culture, and Arts Exhibit of Gagaw ta Manolo Fortich, Tourism Week Celebration, 11 exhibitors is not the limit. Hence, Abanes hopes for the next coming years to become better, “With the blessing of our Mayor, mas madugangan pajud atong mga exhibitors, dili lang diri nga area pero mo extend pata padulong sa gym kay daghan gyud kaayo mga Manoloeños na mga productive ug mga creative.”

The Food, Culture, and Arts Exhibit will be available until Saturday, September 30, to every locals and visitors who are interested to get a glimpse of the 1st ever Municipal Tourism Week Celebration through the local products of Manolo Fortich.