BAGUIO CITY – Spearheaded by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB), the month-long International Food and Craft Expo is open to locals and tourists visiting at Juan Luna Drive, near Rose Garden, Burnham Park, officially launching on April 8 and to close on May 7.
Now in its 3rd year, the fair has included handcrafted products as part of the expo, a reintroduction of the initial plan from its 1st year with the bazaar exclusively focused on food alone. With the expo’s main star being varieties of street food, both local and international cuisines can be enjoyed by the visitors as they go through the booths.
The event serves as a platform for the food and business industries, skilled craftsmen to showcase their products and services, and an avenue of support for Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) scholars and faculty in culinary and hospitality industry schools. “Yung mga estudyante ang ating mga talagang minomold. We really wanted to help them with these kind of events. And as far as we are concerned, we wanted to earn for them at tsaka para sa na rin sa mga projects ng HRAB.”
HRAB Officer-in-Charge and Chair of Membership Committee, Ms. Annabelle Ramos stated that the inclusion of craft for the food expo is to encourage artistry and citizenry, alongside products and services in food and beverage businesses. It serves as an avenue to display various products and services now and in the future in having the said bazaar.
Ramos shared that the bazaar was prepared in a short period of time, and HRAB had to strategize in inviting tenants and bazaaristas for the expo. Some bazaaristas were willing to join but unable to due to limited stocks after Panagbenga’s Session Road in Bloom last February.
“We only had two weeks to prepare for this; we got some of our tenants from the previous Session Road in Bloom. Originally, if we had more time, we would have invited the equipment suppliers – yung mga talagang nagbebenta ng mga equipments like espresso machine, freezers, ovens, etc.” she said, but the latter would be reserved for the Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Week on the 1st or 2nd week of October.
Some producers of handicrafts from Bicol were also initially invited to participate in the bazaar, but some have expressed the difficulty producing handicrafts for the business since the pandemic, with the industries “sunsetting”, with the need for support.
“Napaka-sad, di’ba? But, with help, it will be revived – kasi marami namang crafts na gusto (ng public) nila, eh. Like Abaca and Pina products, fabrics and textiles. But the weaves are difficult to source, despite having a few of skilled workers on the craft.” Ramos said.
With the invited artisans and craftsmen, there were new products being featured among the usual Baguio Pasalubong and crafted products. “Medyo natutuwa kami kasi they’re making use na of yung mga pinecones, yung mga twigs na naging ref magnets, crocheted earrings and ref magnets, marami na silang nagawa. There are a lot of crafters na marami product rin dito.”
Some activities to look forward to in the food and craft expo would be cooking events by the general management of Baguio Country Club, on-stage food culinary demos on May 1 to 7, with possible bartender jugglers that will be featuring (flair bartending).
By supporting the food and craft industries, Baguio promotes businesses within the city and beyond, fostering community development and furthers collaboration with local food and craft industries in other regions in the Philippines. By Agnes Dela Pena
