QUEZON CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry – Laguna Provincial Office (DTI-Laguna), together with the Provincial Government of Laguna (PGL), formally opened the 6-day Tara, Pasyal Na! at Eastwood City, Quezon City, Metro Manila, last May 26, 2023. This is the first run of the mall tourism campaign roadshow, which is initiated by the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls together with the Department of Tourism to highlight the Philippines’ rich diversity of destinations, cuisine, culture, and one-of-a-kind experiences and promote the country as a premier travel destination, both locally and internationally.

DTI-Laguna and PGL are in-charge for the promotion and showcase of the “Likhang Local” and “Threads of Tradition as well as in the fashion show. This is to further promote the creativity of Laguna local designers.

Several key personalities witnessed and showed support during the opening ceremony, including DTI Undersecretary Maria Blanca Kim B. Lokin, DTI-4A OIC Regional Director Marissa C. Argente, DTI-Laguna OIC Provincial Director Christian Ted O. Tungohan, and DTI-Rizal OIC Provincial Director Cleotilde M. Duran.

In her inspirational message, DTI USec Lokin congratulated Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Department of Tourism, Department of Science and Technology, PGL, and DTI-4A and DTI-Laguna for organizing a momentous event where local products and tourist destinations are highlighted and featured.

Furthermore, DTI USec Lokin emphasized that we celebrate not just the beauty of fashion and distinctive taste of food but the opportunity it creates for promoting local tourism. She also recognized the collaborative efforts of DTI-4A, DTI-Laguna, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, PGL, Laguna designers, and MSMEs toward achieving a common goal.

She quoted, “the Province of Laguna is fortunate for having the best of Filipino food, travel destinations, fashions and arts, which this event, Tara, Pasyal Na!, is showcasing here at Eastwood Mall. Laguna is known for (1) fashion like footwear from Liliw and Binan, embroideries of Lumban, and fashionable bags and accessories in different parts of Laguna; (2) food such as Puto of Biñan, ensaymada of San Pedro, buko pie of Los Baños, bibingka of Luisiana, duck-based products of Victoria, and so on; (3) arts like woodcarvings of Paete (the Carving Capital of the Philippines), Paper Mache of Pangil and Pakil, handicrafts of Mabitac to name a few; and (4) travel destinations, such as Enchanted Kingdom of Santa Rosa, water falls of Pagsanjan, Majayjay, Luisiana and Siniloan, seven lakes of San Pablo City, and hot spring resorts of Calamba and Los Baños.”

Toward the end of her speech, DTI USec. Lokin urged all stakeholders to maximize opportunity such as presented by this event to promote fashion and local tourism. Tara, Pasyal Na! At Eastwood City run from May 26 to 31, 2023. A separate opening and ribbon cutting ceremony to support Laguna food products and to bring the taste of Laguna to the metro was held on May 29, 2023, at the Eastwood Central Plaza.

Overall, twenty-one (21) MSME exhibitors took part in this event. These MSMEs offered wide variety of products from processed food and other agri-based food products, high-value coconut-based food products, other beverages, innovative Filipino desserts, and coconut-based health and wellness products to furniture and furnishings, gift and household decors, fashion accessories and wearables, and handmade crafts. A total of approximately Php475,000.00 cumulative sales were generated from the event.

Aside from trade fair and selling exhibitions, DTI-Laguna also showcased the incredible pieces made by local artisans and designers from the province of Laguna at the fashion show component of the “Tara, Pasyal Na!” at Eastwood City entitled “Threads of Tradition: A Laguna Fashion Fusion”. The fashion show is also in partnership with PGL and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls – Eastwood City and commenced right after the opening ceremony on May 26, 2023, at Eastwood Mall Open Park, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

This year’s Top 5 Ginoong Laguna and Top 5 Binibining Laguna walked the runway wearing modern barong, dress and gowns made by Frederick Berches Barong Avenue and Designers Circle Philippines – Laguna Province, handmade footwear by Ai-She Footwear, earrings by Leny Handy Crafts, and wooden-inspired bags and accessories from Kath’s Handicrafts Trading.

Present during the said fashion show were DTI-ROG Assistant Secretary Leonila T. Baluyut, DTI-4A OIC Regional Director Marissa C. Argente, DTI-4A OIC Assistant Regional Director Revelyn A. Cortez, DTI-Laguna OIC Provincial Director Christian Ted O. Tungohan, Laguna LTCATO OIC Department Head Pamela Baun, and Laguna LEDIPO Designate Fatima Eleanor Villasenor. ♦

Date of Release: 14 June 2023

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