BÚTLAK previews 40th Negros Trade Fair
NEGROS Trade Fair chairperson and Association of Negros Producers VP Marketing Mary Ann Colmenares, SM Malls president Steven Tan, ANP president Ina Gaston and SM VP for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin.
Photographs courtesy of Negros Trade Fair
CHEF Patricia Benedicto.
DESIGNER Camille Villanueva.
SM Communities head Royston Cabuñag and senior assistant vice president for marketing Pats Dy.
ANTONIO’s Group of Restaurants founder and chef-patron Antonio ‘Tony Boy’ Escalante and vice president Francis Esteban.
BUTLAK poster boys Joel Torre, chef JP Anglo and JJ Yulo.
BANJ, Cristina, Steph and Mike Claparols.
THE Next Generation: TAHAYA’s Sabina Gaston and Franceska Baltazar, Donata designer Kate Singson, Get Spotted designer Emgee Po, Kiara Mirasol of TAHAYA.
Negrense heritage once again comes came to life in the heart of the city during the highly successful media launch of “BÚTLAK,” the exclusive press event heralding the historic 40th Negros Trade Fair. Capturing the essence of its theme which translates to “daybreak” or “to bloom,” the venue’s setup beautifully mirrored the warmth and creative brilliance of the Negros Island Region. Guests were greeted by an immersive sensory display showcasing intricate hand-smocked fashion, eco-friendly footwear, and artisan home decor made from native abaca, rattan and bamboo. Hosted by Ces Drilon, the afternoon served as a preview of the main fair scheduled for September 22 to 27, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Aura. As a proud partner of BÚTLAK: SM Supermalls helps open doors for Negrense entrepreneurs by bringing food, fashion, craftsmanship and creativity to a wider market. Through SM for MSMEs, the partnership gives brands greater visibility and access to customers and opportunities of culture and enterprise together.
The exclusive media event gathered an elite circle of movers and shakers who have championed local micro, small and medium enterprises. SM Supermalls president Steven Tan delivered inspiring remarks, emphasizing this powerful synergy of culture and commercial enterprise. Alongside him were the visionary heads of the Negros Trade Fair — including Association of Negros Producers (ANP) president Christina Gaston and NTF chairperson Mary Anne Colmenares — who proudly detailed the milestone evolution of the country’s longest-running trade fair. Adding culinary star power to the launch, acclaimed guest chefs like JJ Yulo, JP Angelo, Joel Torre with celebrated father Tony and son duo Tony Boy and Basti Escalante of the famed Antonio’s group were in attendance, curating a mouthwatering taste of the island’s legendary gastronomy. From savory ox tongue inasal and chicken sisig to traditional ube halaya and artisanal cocktails, the preview offered a spectacular, delicious first light of what to expect at this year’s landmark anniversary exhibition.
