Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo is not your ordinary gourmet tuyo. Chef April shared the story behind the first shredded gourmet tuyo I have tried. She said that her Lola has always been very hands-on. When they were still little, every time they would harvest watermelons in their farm, her Lola would take out the seeds for them so that they can eat at ease. The same thing goes when they eat tuyo. It was originally her Lola’s recipe and it was always present in their family gatherings. Since her mom loves capers and olives, Chef April tried to add the said ingredients to her Lola’s recipe. Eventually, her friends told her “Why not put it in a bottle and sell it?” That gave birth to Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo. She worked on the product’s packaging and treats that as her main contribution for the coming about of Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo. Chef April is confident enough to say that it doesn’t contain any preservatives.

Being both a Lacson and a Gonzaga, Chef April confessed to be a certified foodie. She owns restaurants where she displays her products. She’s very proud to say that all her products are authentic family recipes. Her latest is the Chorizo de Gonzaga which is her Tita’s recipe.

Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo is now on its 3rd year. You can choose between regular and spicy variants. Chef April suggested ways on how customers can enjoy her Gourmet Tuyo. She said that it’s actually good with pasta, salad, and toasted crostini. However, she still thinks that it’s best with rice – the most Pinoy way of eating it.  Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo can also serve as an appetizer. Chef April said that you can spread it on French bread and add kesong puti for it to be like a Pinoy Canapé.

This is Chef April’s 2nd year in The Negros Trade Fair. She’s very proud of her Gourmet Tuyo which has already won 2 awards. It won the Savor Negrense Award at the Panaad sa Negros Festival 2015 where 19 municipalities and 13 cities joined and only one winner was declared and that is Ading’s Gourmet Tuyo. It was also acknowledged as the grand winner for the deli category of the 26th Bulawan Awards of the Association of Negros Producers in August 2016.

31st Negros Trade Fair "One Sweet Spot"

September 14-16, 2016, 

Glorietta Mall, Makati

Susan Flores, owner of Karissma, treats hers as a millionaire’s business. They’re now on their 5th year in the industry; yet, it’s their first time in the Negros Trade Fair.

Although it may sound ironic, the Yolanda incident in Tacloban paved way for Susan’s business. She has an American friend who gave her a call that time, asking her if she was affected by the typhoon. This friend of hers who’s a chemist and dermatologist in the USA wanted to extend her help to Susan. She gave her a formula in creating chemical-free soaps. Susan said that her friend is a chemist who hates chemicals that’s why she exerted effort in researching for fruits and vegetables in the Philippines which are good for the skin. It was only through Skype where they communicated to produce the soap.

Susan also shared the story behind the name of their brand. She said that during her younger days, it was very easy for her to gather people and she was always told by people that she has charisma. That incident gave her husband gave the idea of naming their brand “Karissma”. At the same time, it also means caress and charm.

Karissma soaps are all natural and handmade. Susan herself is the one who processes them in her small laboratory. The physical appearance of their products proves that they are using natural products. They include fruit and vegetable peelings in the soap.

Susan only started with 3 kinds of soap – banana, radish, and cucumber. Within a year, they were able to come up with more such as guava (anti-bacterial), avocado (moisturizing), charcoal (detoxifying), and many more. Their bestseller is the radish soap which has a bleaching effect. Each of their soap (150 grams) costs 180php.

The owner remains very down to earth. She understands that her business won’t flourish at once. “It’s slowly growing”, she said. Susan has been to many places because of Karissma. She’s been getting invites nationwide.

What’s more inspiring about the owner is she shares her success to other Filipinos. She welcomes distributors. They have packages for resellers, especially OFWs. This is her way of helping other people.

31st Negros Trade Fair "One Sweet Spot"

September 14-16, 2016, 

Glorietta Mall, Makati

September 14-18, 2016

Glorietta Mall, Makati

--------------------------------------------

OMG! This Video Makes Me Want To Go Home To Negros Island Right Now!

September 16-20, 2016, 

Glorietta Mall, Makati

September 16-20, 2015, 

Glorietta Mall, Makati

--------------------------------------------

OMG! This Video Makes Me Want To Go Home To Negros Island Right Now!

CASA CARMELA KITCHEN

September 16-20, 2015, 

Glorietta Mall, Makati

--------------------------------------------

OMG! This Video Makes Me Want To Go Home To Negros Island Right Now!

LOURDES VALDERRAMA

Fashion Accessories

September 16-20, 2015, 

Glorietta Mall, Makati

--------------------------------------------

OMG! This Video Makes Me Want To Go Home To Negros Island Right Now!

September 16-20, 2015, 

Glorietta Mall, Makati

--------------------------------------------

OMG! This Video Makes Me Want To Go Home To Negros Island Right Now!

-

----------

The Filipino, as a culture, has been said to be warm, friendly, hospitable, accommodating. And true enough, whichever island you choose to visit in this archipelago of 7,107 strong islands is going to welcome you with smiles, helpful souls and homes possibly open to hosting you for a day, a week, and some, even a month.

While some pundits would say that the archipelagic nature of the Philippines must be the symbolic reason of our purported disunity, we in Negros Island have beg to disagree: the archipelagic nature of the country may promote a differentiation of the Filipinos’ local cultures, but this serves to create different shades of what’s good about the Filipino.

Let us, then, zero in on the Negrense’s positive traits as a people.

We have established that the Filipino is a hospitable, friendly, caring and compassionate lot. So what shade does the Negrense lend to this beautiful trait of warmth and openness?

How about hospitality, friendliness, warmth and openness with an extra oomph of joy and a panache that comes out of a taste for the good life?

Bacolod, the capital of Negros Occidental is named the “City of Smiles,” and with good reason. The people of Bacolod know how to have a good time, and they know how to leverage culture and taste and make the best out of what they have.

Take for instance, the ubiquitous cup of coffee. A visitor once said, I have never tasted better coffee than what I’ve had from Bob’s of Bacolod, or at Oriental Cafe at the Central Market. It was like liquid gold.

And like the coffee that only the Bacolodnon can deliver, the Bacolodnon can deliver laughter, enjoyment and smiles, unlike any other: they know how to have a good time, and they do it with such burgeoning flair.

Shall we owe it to the opulence of the sugar boom? The remnants of the regal Spanish culture that has permeated this lovely city? The sweetness of sugar that has kept the culture in a symbolic sugar high?

We can surmise, but that would be pointless. How about choosing to enjoy the warmth and the laughter with the Bacolodnons? How about choosing to just throw "huya" to the wind and just allow yourself to be ushered into someone’s lola’s merienda feast?

Savor the sights, sounds and gustatory delights of Negros Island; best of all, enjoy the company of the people who keep the culture brimming with life.  All these are transported to Manila every September during The Negros Trade Fair - the Philippines longest running provincial trade fair.