Wanted: Permanent Showroom

In the last few weeks, the SM Mega Trade Halls have been the venue for various regional trade fairs–Negros and Central Luzon, to name two. All these have been very successful, pulling in crowds that cross social barriers — meaning people from the A to C spectrum. They buy, they eat and they spread the word of approval on the extensive range of products that are offered. Unfortunately, these shows are apparently aimed at industrial and corporate organizations which buy in bulk, placing orders directly with manufacturers and suppliers. We can’t comment on actual sales reports, but we hazard a guess that retail receipts would also be considerable.

Homemakers, having been introduced to food stuff featured in trade fairs, are likely buy, but not a lot at one time. Most of the sellers/manufacturers are based in their respective regions, and only a few have representatives in Manila. Some of their products can be found in supermarkets but perhaps, to make them more accessible, a permanent Manila show room can be established?

The Pimbrera (old-fashioned lunch box) brand of bottled food caught our attention. They have Tawilis in Lemon oil, selling at P195 each, Garlic Tuyo at P165, Spicy Tuyo at P165, plus mixed pickles and taba ng talangka. The enterprising lady vendor even gave away recipes (for spreads, etc.) per purchase. One recipe is Tawilis in Pechay Rolls which is similar to Stuffed Vines from the Middle East. The tawilis, as is, delighted our brood; we simply crushed the fish and mixed it with newly-cooked rice. She also sells pimbreras, wire kettles and tea cups to use as caddies when presenting these items as gifts. Adding Christmas trimming will be lovely.

From ECJ Farms (based in Negros Occidental) comes bottled jams (mango and jackfruit), seasonings including sinamak and Jamaican-style chili relish plus tropical sweets, candies, nuts and chips. Their office in Manila is on the 3rd Floor of the Basic Petroleum Building in Makati. Jams and jellies, pickles and preserves in syrup plus juices are sold by Castillejos Agri-Farm Inc. This one has an outlet in Mandaluyong City.

The creativity of the people from Negros and Central Luzon, as evidenced by world class products in their respective trade fairs, is amazing and truly a source of pride. Their designers have converted materials that would normally be thrown away, like coconut husk, into beautiful home décor items. Let’s buy Filipino!

We need to confirm the report that the weekend market in Tesda on the highway is closing shop. That would be a pity. Now there is news that the Organic Market has been resurrected at one end of the Greenbelt area. And in case not everybody knows this, the tiangge in Greenhills also disappears for a week every so often, when they clean-up the area. We got the disappointment of our life when we motored all the way there, only to be met by the security guard who informed us accordingly. We are happy to note that Consumer Desks have been installed in Waltermart supermarkets in Quezon City, Makati and Parañaque. To consumers: by all means, use this service and protect your rights.

Back in BF-Parañaque, our latest discovery is the Freshies Seafood store which opened recently in the Capricorn Commercial Building, Monserrat Street. They carry fresh frozen seafood like Norwegian salmon (wholeside) at P450 a kilo, salmon steak for P420 a kilo, blue marlin, gindara, Mahi-mahi fillet and a wide selection of tuna products, from sashimi to panga, plus prepared tuna like burgers, embotido, ham and even siomai.

From our suki Vilma we got medium-size shrimps at P300 a kilo and across from her, Edgar sold us once again mamita fish at P150 a kilo (the head is good for sinigang sa bayabas) and fresh mataba squid at a rather pricey P160 a kilo.

Prices are rising, so be wise in shopping.

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Lydia D. Castillo’s e-mail address: [email protected]