See, taste & feel Negros

Next week will be very exciting because of the 33rd Negros Trade Fair (NTF). The NTF, which started in 1985, is the country’s longest-running provincial trade fair held annually in Metro Manila. This year, the fair will run from Sept. 26 to 30 at the Glorietta Activity Center, Makati City. 

The trade fair continues to present the best of Negros products and services from the Association of Negros Producers (ANP).

Nena Tantoco, who has been with the NTF for years, recently invited a group to Antonio’s in Tagaytay to preview some of the products that will be sold next week. Our group enjoyed a lunch prepared by chef Tonyboy Escalante and drank specially prepared Don Papa Rum cocktails by Lee Watson.

Table setting and cocktails by Antonio’s Tagaytay.

I really enjoyed the lunch and I was also amazed and couldn’t get enough of two ice cream flavors we had in Antonio’s: taho ice cream and “Panna” ice cream served with olive oil and sea salt! I had so much ice cream but I still ate slices of my favorite Felicia’s ensaymada from Negros (which will be sold at the NTF). After the lunch, I probably bought the most of the Negrense products as I had several bags to bring home!

The trade fair’s theme this year is “Sweet Talk: Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice.”  The lifestyle that the sugar industry has created is evident in the Negrense’s refined way of living — through its culture, products, food and art. The NTF will pay tribute to the sugar industry by encouraging its exhibitors to make use of sugar, its components and by-products.

The NTF will feature booths from various sectors such as natural and organic food, garments, fashion accessories, furniture, décor, houseware, agriculture and tourism. These sectors represent the alternative industries that provide for and sustain the people of Negros.

Some of the products of the 33rd Negros Trade Fair exhibit during the press launch at Antonio’s in Tagaytay. It was curated by Nena Vargas Tantoco.

The NTF also celebrates the partnerships formed over the years among the provincial government of Negros, the Association of Negros Producers, local government units, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade and Industry, private business sectors, sponsors and media partners, who collectively share the common goal — to promote the province and strengthen small and medium enterprises from Negros.

Get ready to see, taste and feel Negros at the 33rd Negros Trade Fair!

Calaveras by Chico Cristobal

Artist Chico Cristobal.

My friend, Sydney-based Filipino artist Chico Cristobal, will open his solo exhibition called Calaveras: A Cristobal Skull Series on Sept. 22, at Secret Fresh Sky Gallery in RONAC Lifestyle Center, Makati City.

Secret Fresh Gallery is a hub for a growing community of artists and art lovers getting together through graffiti, comics, film, animation, music, architecture, fine art and design. The gallery is a pioneer in engaging local and foreign artists, both emerging and established ones, for collaborations on limited edition art toys and prints, paintings and all other creative pursuits.

Chico has already exhibited a number of times in Manila, in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, as well as in Florence, Italy. He has also done commissioned portraits for art lovers in Australia.

Calaveras: A Cristobal Skull Series is Cristobal’s own understanding of skulls through his personal experiences, life lessons and ever changing perspectives gleaned at various stages of his life.

Calavera is a representation of the human skull, and it also refers to any artistic representations of skulls. This new series centers on Chico’s own understanding of skulls through his personal experiences, life lessons both poignant and joyous, and ever changing perspectives gleaned at various stages of his life.

(Calaveras: A Cristobal Skull Series will run until Oct. 4. Secret Fresh Sky Gallery is located at sixth floor, RONAC Lifestyle Center, Paseo de Magallanes, Makati City. For more information, visit www.secretfresh.ph or e-mail [email protected]. Check out www.chicocristobal.com and @cristobal_art on Instagram.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)