Naga holds trade fair to showcase women entrepreneurs’ products

By Ana-Liza Macatangay

GLENDA Fornales Alcomendas was among the featured women entrepreneurs at the Women's Month Trade Fair in Naga City, where she presented her flavored banana chips.

The city government of Naga, through the Naga City Council for Women (NCCW), selected 18 women entrepreneurs to showcase their talent, innovation, and creativity in food, beverages, arts and crafts at the event's opening on Monday, March 11.

The trade fair, which will run until March 22 at the City Hall grounds, is one of the highlights of Naga City’s celebration of Women’s Month.

Alcomendas expressed gratitude for being part of the trade fair and hopes that her products will be promoted and given free exposure to the public.

She aimed to promote the products from Barangay San Felipe and introduced a variety of flavors of banana chips, as opposed to the usual one sweetened flavor.

“I want them to taste the sample of my latest banana chip recipes as I aim to promote the products from San Felipe. Typically, banana chips are available in just one sweetened flavor. However, I've introduced a variety of flavors,” Alcomendas, a 53-year-old solo parent, said in the Bicol dialect.

NAGA City Mayor Nelson Legacion (center) leads the opening ceremony of the Women’s Month Trade Fair at the City Hall Grounds on March 11, 2024. Assisting him are Vice-Mayor Cecilia De Asis (right) and City Councilor Gayle Abonal-Gomez, chair of the Committee on Women and the Co-Chair of the Naga City Council for Women (NCCW). JRMadrid -PIA 5/Camarines Sur

Along with her homemade banana chips in different flavors, she also showcased fried peanuts with garlic and chili, and “linupak na kamoteng kahoy.”

Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion, Vice-Mayor Cecilia de Asis and Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Women chairperson Gayle Abonal-Gomez led the opening ceremonies of the trade fair.

In her message, Gomez underscored the significant role of women in entrepreneurship for the well-being of their families.

“We are not very particular if the participation in the trade fair comes or is distributed from the 27 barangays of Naga. For us, what's important is that they show their creativity – those they invented or originally made. We do not encourage participants to exhibit finished products already made or bought from other sources. We want to see their creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial skills,” Gomez, also co-chairperson of NCCW, added.

“This month, let us inform, engage, and inspire one another as we strive towards a world where every woman and every individual is empowered to fulfill their potential. Let us celebrate the achievements of women, past and present, and let us rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of equality, justice, and dignity for all,” she concluded. (PIA 5)