The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Like many Filipino entrepreneurs,
Joseph Pepito, Jr. is continuing a tradition set by his parents, notably his mother, who started making smoked fish, locally known as tinapa.
Mother called her venture, Calbayog Tinapa, a well-known brand using only fresh alumahan fish in their Samar hometown. In an effort to modernize and reach out to a wider market, Joseph and his wife, Jennieferlyn Ocena, started joining Bahandi in 2023.
Bahandi is an annual trade fair featuring products from Eastern Visayas, notably those coming from Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Northern Samar.
On the last day of the 5-day fair, held at the Mega Trade Hall of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, we discovered Calbayog Tinapa (under the brand name JJ’s Tinapa), together with their new product, Gourmet Tinapa in Olive Oil. The packaging of both their products looks neat and delectable. We couldn’t wait to go home and try them.
Jen says tinapa goes well not only as breakfast fare but also as topping for pasta, something which we indulge in at home. Joseph adds bottled tinapa comes in two flavors, spicy and mild spicy. They’re constant bestsellers at the family-owned Fishers Seafood & Grill restaurant along Diversion Road in Calbayog.
Bahandi is an annual project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 8 and is now on its 24th year. The most recent edition ran from
October 3 to 7, 2024 and had for its theme, “Where tradition meets innovation.”
“Bahandi,” a Binisayá term for treasures and wealth, is designed to
showcase Eastern Visayas’ artisanal products as well as its arts, crafts and paintings.
Started in 1987, the trade fair was halted for three years due to the pandemic but has bounced back beautifully in 2023. DTI, through Regional Director Celerina Bato, expects this year’s targeted sales to go beyond PHP 40 million pesos across all Eastern Visayas provinces.
A total of 158 exhibitors, whose products ranged from bakery products to handicrafts, from dainty buri bags to colorful house mats (banig), enlisted this year. We were so delighted to find one of our favorites, Charito’s baked goodies, the likes of corioso, pili nut hopia and roscas, at the fair.
Why do we make time for these regional trade fairs? And why should you, also?
Not only are we indulging in our natural desire to shop, taste food that’s new to us, look around or to simply walk, we are embracing the heritage of these far and away towns and barrios when we support their products.
Through this humble, little way, we contribute to the continued growth and innovation of the region’s communities, fostering economic development. We can also make new friends this way, such as when we met Joseph and Jen.