Showcasing Bikolano Products through Gainza Trade Fair

By: Romulo, Gimma “Chef G”

     Every September of the year, Penafrancia Festival is being celebrated. During the celebration, there are a number of people from different places visit Naga to witness the grandeur of Ina. Some go here for the festivity, some for religious affairs and some for business purposes. As part of the festival, there are series of activities already in the line; Fluvial Procession, Marian Youth Congress, concerts, Traslacion, Military and Civic Parade, and the annual Bishop Gainza Trade Fair.

Bishop Francisco Gainza, initiated more than a century ago as a feature of the celebration.  Bishop Francisco Gainza PIONEERED the agricultural and industrial fair in Bikol in 1875. Believes that the promotion of entrepreneurship will help boost the quality of life of the people. The said trade fair and exhibit was named after him because he was the one who brought it here in the heart of Naga.

     The said fair needs student volunteers from different schools here in Naga who will participate and  share efforts to the success of the exhibit. As part of the subject, we were told to participate, and we did volunteer in the said event. We registered and then there were series of orientations about the fair. The orientations were about the different areas of responsibility, the schedule assignment and other concerns.

     Last year’s Gainza Trade fair was held at SM City Naga, but this year it had a twist, it was located in front of Veterans Bank. The location had a significance because since it is located near the “centro” it may encourage lots of customers to visit the event and to buy such products. Some may not buy, but atleast they were able to see different products that are being offered and may give them the idea of creating their own. Applying the principles of Marketing, you have to consider the location in creating a business, the more convenient the location, the more prospected buyers, the higher the income.

     In the exhibit, there were 80 stalls that joined. There was also a fee being paid, Php5 for the entrance and Php10 for the entrance with a raffle ticket. For the stalls, there are rental fees, if you are from Naga, you have to pay Php10, 000 and if you are from outside Naga City, you are to pay Php15, 000. There are assorted line of products being offered in the fair; accessories, t-shirts, souvenirs, footwear, delicacies, furniture products and many more. You can also find different works or art there and also products of imagination of those people who created such things. They came from different places to promote of what they have. The fair is open for all businesses, as long as their products help in the betterment of the environment, eco-friendly products.

     For Bikolnon products, they just prove that Bicol is rich in culture and that they can be competitive as others. For a positive view, it may be recognized world class and may have the chance to import products to different areas of the world if supported by the government and other sectors.

     Relating it to tourism, having Gainza Trade Fair in one of their events, there are lots of tourists who go and visit Naga for different purposes, by that, we are able to promote our products, not just that, we are also able to enrich the culture we have, nurture it more and showcase it to the world. In addition, having lots of tourists will also promote the different attractions here in Naga City that will make travellers go back or stay for more. It will add to the promotion of the place and will increase the tourism activities in the place. Having this such kind of fair will encourage people to visit Naga.

     In the trade fair, it is not just only about selling products, but it also offers training to the public. For us tourism students, it is big help because it adds additional knowledge and gives us the chance to be more ready and practiced to the field we are going to be engaged when we have our profession in the future. The said event is a sort of training for the students who volunteered themselves in the said fair.

     I hope that in the next years to come, Naga City Government will also think of additional activities that will also help promote the attractions and culture of Bicol. Moreover, they will support the activities that will increase the promotion of the place.