Legarda launches Antique Trade & Tourism Fair

Antique representative and senatorial candidate Loren Legarda continues to promote her home province despite her busy campaign schedule. She led the launch of the Antique Trade and Tourism Fair in the newly restored Old Capitol Building.

“Antique is considerably a small province, but each of the 18 municipalities has its unique features including cultural and heritage landmarks, historical significance, natural wonders such as rich landscape and seascape. Nararapat lamang na ating mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang bawat munisipalidad na maipakilala ang kani-kanilang ganda sa buong Pilipinas at maging sa buong mundo. This trade and tourism fair is an opportunity for our kasimanwa to showcase the natural wealth and the potential of our home province as a premier ecotourism destination that will also provide sustainable livelihood and employment opportunities,” Legarda said.

The three-term Senator has been working extra hard in bringing Antique to the spotlight. She has partnered with various micro-enterprises in promoting textiles, muscovado sugar, and various tribal organizations.

The event was held in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Provincial Tourism Office, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, and the Antique Hotel and Restaurants Organization.

She has also partnered with the DTI through the National Arts and Crafts Fair, and the Department of Tourism to encourage tourists to visit Antique.

“Local food and products are always part of the experience when visiting a province. This is why we help our local industries that produce Antique’s best products such as tablea, muscovado sugar, handwoven patadyong, handmade clay pots, and handicrafts made of nito, buri, bariw, abaca and bamboo,” Legarda said in a previous statement.

A champion of the country’s culture and arts, Legarda has also been active in promoting Antique’s culture and natural wonders. She has partnered with  National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and has been supporting the School of Living Traditions (SLT) of the Pantad Ati Indigenous Community in Sitio Pantad, Igcalawagan, Tobias Fornier. This SLT teaches the Ati Language, nito and buri weaving, and the Meroy Kareñosa dance to the youth of the community.

Legarda also announced the opening of the Antique Artists Fair in the only remaining Balay nga Bato in Antique, one of the cultural initiatives she has been pushing for to preserve Antique’s culture and heritage.

“Inaanyayahan ko po ang ating mga kasimanwa, pati na rin ang mga kababayan natin saan mang sulok ng Pilipinas na kilalanin ang aking mahal na probinsya. Maaari niyo pong bisitahin ang Antique Trade and Tourism Fair sa Old Capitol Building at ang Antique Artist Fair sa nag-iisang Balay nga Bato sa San Jose, Antique mula April 27 hanggang May 15,” Legarda said.

“Arts and culture reflect the identity and history of a community. Having a strong sense of identity is important in ensuring that progress is inclusive and lasting,” Legarda reminded everyone. “Patuloy po nating suportahan ang ating mga lokal na produkto at patuloy na pangalagaan ang ating kultura para sa mga susunod na henerasyon,” she concluded.