The Cagayanos’ camaraderie was awakened once again as the first-ever joint Aggao Nac Cagayan-Paddday na Lima Provincial Trade Fair was a huge success and generated a total of 1,292,451.50 in cash sales, doubling its Php 500,000 target this year.

Through the collaborative efforts of the Provincial Government of Cagayan (PGC) headed by Governor Manuel Mamba, the 439th Aggao Nac Cagayan Chairperson Atty. Mabel Villarica-Mamba, and the Cagayan Tourism Office represented by EnP Jenifer Julio Baquiran, the seven-day event was launched on 23 June 2022 at Robinsons Place Tuguegarao in honor of Cagayan’s 439th founding anniversary.

The Upper Level Activity Area of Robinsons Place Tuguegarao was transformed into an exquisite setting as 81 Cagayan MSMEs exhibited their local products in the uniquely designed area that featured the best tourist destinations in the province.

The abovementioned total sales were accumulated from both the physical fair and the everyday online live-selling facilitated by the DTI R2 Cagayan employees. Among the top selling items were the fashionable bags and bayong from the Homestyle and Wearables cart, followed by the array of ready-to-eat snacks, coffee and kakanins, and other processed foods. The aquamarine fresh produce and the furniture also made it to the best-selling list.

Moreover, one of the highlights of the weeklong event is the Cagayan Cacao and Coffee Festival. DTI R2 Cagayan was able to successfully launch 14 brands of coffee and cacao products from all over the province.

Another component of the festival is the Cacao Innovative Cook Show, in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology Region 2. It was held last 22 June 2022 at Cagayan State University-Carig Campus, where nine contenders showcased their best dishes with cacao as their main ingredient.

Hailed as the first place in this said cook show, who brought home a 15,000 cash prize, was “La Flamme Bleue Center for Culinary Arts” with their Mousse de Poulet au Cacao dish that is infused with the essence and extract of native cacao beans together with their own innovation of the Classic Chicken embutido. Bagging the 2nd and 3rd notch with a cash prize of 10,000 and 5,000, respectively, were The Segovian Culinaire of Lal-lo and Team Funguys of Tuguegarao City.

The Padday na Lima Provincial Trade Fair also featured other side events such as product demonstrations, a book fair, art classes, free tastings, and a special setting showcasing the best of the province in the area of the tourism industry. ♦

Date of Release: 1 August 2022