Calgary, 16 August 2022 – The three-city Philippine Trade Expo Roadshow, a joint project of the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary and the not-for-profit organization Filipino Canadian Trade Expo and Mission (FCTEM), had its third and final leg in the City of Regina, Saskatchewan.

For three days, from 12 to 14 August 2022, Cornwall Centre in Regina became the venue for the trade exhibit that showcased top quality handcrafted products from the Philippines.

Eight (8) Philippine-based small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were able to exhibit their various products, such as Christmas decor ornaments, Capiz parol (Christmas lanterns), wooden nativities, ladies fashion jewelry and accessories, handbags, and purses. There were also Filipiniana dress, Barong Tagalog (traditional and coat), tops, gowns, seasonal wear, bamboo and wood products, abaca footwear, home decor, and other specialty food products.

Left photo: Consul General Zaldy Patron (L) with Member of Parliament Michael Kram. Right photo: Consul General Zaldy Patron (2nd from left) with Members of the Legislative Assembly Mark Docherty (leftmost) and Todd Goudy (2nd from right), and Mr. Ranie Villanueva, owner of Andrei House of Barong, one of the trade exhibitors.

The participating SMEs from the Philippines were Jedidiah Food Industry OPC, Petals Artificial Flowers Manufacturing, Armyths International Fashion Design, Notica Collection Garments Manufacturing, Hands of Claire Handy Crafts, Liz Embroidery, Eva Marie Arts and Craft, and Andrei House of Barong.

Joining them was Filipino-owned Kathleen Creations & Designs from Edmonton, which regularly imports Philippine handicrafts.

The Philippine Trade Expo Roadshow started in West Edmonton Mall on 15-17 July then moved to the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary on 5-7 August before it headed to Regina.

In organizing the trade promotion event in Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta and in Regina, Saskatchewan, Consul General Zaldy Patron said that it “aimed not only to exhibit the export quality products of the Philippines, but also to connect the Philippine-based SMEs with potential buyers and distributors of their products in Canada so they can grow their business through exports.“

Member of Parliament Michael Kram, who represents Regina-Wascana and who was present at the ribbon cutting ceremony, said he was pleased to help kick off the Regina leg of the Philippine Trade Expo. “It is exciting to see the many economic and trade opportunities between our two countries,” he said on his Facebook page, referring to Canada and the Philippines.

The other government officials who graced the trade expo in Regina included Provincial Secretary and Legislative Secretary to the Premier Tim McLeod, Members of the Legislative Assembly Todd Goudy and Mark Docherty, Regina Mayor Sandra Masters, City Councillor John Findura, and Consul, a.h. Pepito Escanlar.

The Philippine Trade Expo exhibitors together with the members of the Pilipino Association of Saskatchewan and cultural performers during the cultural show that complemented the trade event in Cornwall Centre in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The Pilipino Association of Saskatchewan assisted the PCG and the FCTEM in organizing the trade expo as well as the cultural and fashion show that complemented the event. END.