The Scene Around: Kabuhayan Expo 2016

11/15/2016 02:43:33 AM

For the 15th time, the Congressional Spouses Foundation Incorporated (CSFI) has set the Kabuhayan National Livelihood and Travel Expo 2016 held at the Megahall Trade 1 of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City during 10-13 November 2016.

The four-day extravaganza kicked off with a morning with the invocation and singing of the national anthem by the chorale group Himig Muntinlupa. Then came an hour full of insightful talks from Senator Sonny Angara, Laguna third district representative Sol Aragones, Bulacan representative Luna Villarica,  Metrobank Foundation executive director Ms. Irene Labitad, and the CSFI President and Chairperson Mrs. Esmelita Apostol-Alvarez.

Also present during the formal gracing of Kabuhayan 2016 are past and present political personalities such as former Marikina City mayor Marides Fernando, current congressman Atty. Harry Roque,  diplomats and several members of the CSFI.

The yearly trade fair saw some of the traditional gatherings of local products from every region around the archipelago. And that's not all; some had their full effort in making their stalls as aesthetically appealing as possible, such as from Quezon Province, the first district of Bataan, and Quezon City, to name a few. Plus things just got bigger as the expo showcased some of the country's top travel destination.

This year's CSFI Kabuhayan Expo 2016 also became more significant as the organizing body decided to adopt a sector of society that is often (if not toally) marginalized – the spouses and families of the inmates of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. To date, there are more than 120,000 inmates under the BJMP jurisdiction, which leaves their families without income. That being said, the expo have also provided specific and customized Entrepreneurship and Livelihood training for the spouses of inmates who would like to have an income.

So that speaks why some of the selling products were actually manufactured inside major detention cells around the country.

In addition, Meraki had products and were on sale for a cause. One of their hardworking staff was apparently a survivor of lupus. Caritas Manila, and Villar Foundation also took participation as well as media partners GMA and BusinessMirror.

While Thursday has become their official kickoff day, Friday and Saturday became afternoon of learning sessions as Kabuhayan Expo tackled workshops ranging from promotion, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), agriculture, and management. 

Kudos to CSFI for their successful four-day affair, the Kabuhayan Expo 2016. 

Author: slickmaster | © 2016 september twenty-eight productions