WOVEN WITH PRIDE: Aklan’s craftsmanship shines at 2025 Product Expo

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By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Aklan Provincial Office once again put the spotlight on homegrown craftsmanship and innovation with the opening of the Aklan Product Expo 2025 on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the Activity Center of SM City Iloilo.

Running until Oct. 19, the five-day trade fair features 36 Aklanon micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) representing the province’s diverse culture and creativity—from timeless piña creations and handcrafted home decor to coconut-based products and well-loved Aklanon delicacies.

The event aims to generate around PHP 3.3 million in sales.

In his welcome message, DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Romel Amihan highlighted the significance of the event as a testament to the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors.

“This event is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in strengthening our local economy,” Amihan said.

“The DTI, the Provincial Government, LGU Kalibo, and our resilient MSMEs have worked hand-in-hand to make this initiative possible—with the shared goal of driving inclusive growth and bringing Aklan’s proudly local products to both national and international markets,” he added.

He also recalled the expo’s successful revival in 2024 after a four-year hiatus brought by the pandemic.

The comeback, he said, reaffirmed Aklan’s commitment to promoting traditional weaving and indigenous crafts.

Amihan proudly cited the international recognition of Aklan piña weaving, which was inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in December 2023, and its Geographical Indication (GI) registration from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) in August 2024—making it the third GI-certified product in the country and the second in Western Visayas, next to Guimaras mango.

“These milestones not only honor our cultural heritage but also strengthen the market positioning and legal protection of our weavers and local producers,” he said.

Meanwhile, DTI Region 6 OIC-Assistant Regional Director Mutya Eusores recalled her roots in Aklan, where she began her DTI journey two decades ago.

“Aklan will always hold a special place in my heart,” Eusores said.

“It is where I first witnessed the power of community, the strength of collaboration, and the beauty of craftsmanship born out of love and devotion,” she added.

She lauded Aklan’s entrepreneurs and local leaders for their dedication to sustaining the province’s reputation as a center of creativity and innovation.

“We welcome our beloved Aklanons to the City of Love, bringing with them not just products, but masterpieces—woven, knotted, baked, and bottled with care, tradition, and pride,” Eusores said.

She also commended the DTI Aklan team led by Amihan for their tireless efforts in mounting the expo and supporting MSMEs, expressing confidence that the event will pave the way for new market linkages, partnerships, and opportunities.

The Aklan Product Expo 2025 is organized by the DTI Aklan Provincial Office under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Aklan and SM City Iloilo.