Padday na Lima evolves from trade fair into year-round marketplace on its 20th year

What started as a one-week showcase for Cagayan Valley crafts is becoming a year-round marketplace for the region’s entrepreneurs.

Twenty years after launching as a showcase for local artisans, Padday na Lima is transforming from an annual trade event into a year-round business platform for Cagayan Valley enterprises. Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2, the 20th Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair will run from August 24 to 30 at Festival Mall Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Named after the Ybanag term for “hand-crafted” or “made by hands,” Padday na Lima started as a simple market for local craftspeople to reach everyday shoppers. After two decades, it has matured into a platform that helps enterprises refine their products, connect with institutional buyers, and pursue business opportunities that can help them grow into competitive, sustainable brands.

The fair may last seven days, but Padday na Lima is now designed to do business all year.

A major highlight of this year’s milestone event is the launch of Padday na Lima Website 2.0. Unlike its predecessor, which primarily went active during event week, the updated platform will operate continuously throughout the year. Featuring dynamic product directories, enterprise profiles and trade activities, Website 2.0 gives regional producers a permanent digital storefront to engage buyers and consumers long after the physical fair concludes.

This digital shift complements an intensified focus on business-to-business (B2B) growth. By hosting structured buyer programs, the event directly connects local makers with retailers, exporters, manufacturers, food consolidators and commercial partners. For its 20th edition, 100 MSMEs and agricultural producers from Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino will showcase their products, while at least 30 institutional buyers are expected to participate in business-matching activities aimed at securing bulk orders and long-term supply agreements.

For shoppers, the fair offers a chance to discover products from across Cagayan Valley in one venue. Sustainability takes center stage this year through a dedicated green trade initiative, spotlighting enterprises that combine eco-friendly material and responsible production methods with market-ready design.

Shoppers and commercial buyers can explore nine distinct categories, spanning sustainable furniture and eco-fashion to handwoven indigenous goods, health products, processed foods, halal items and fresh agricultural produce.

The venue floor will also feature provincial pavilions for Isabela, Cagayan and Batanes; an integrated Tourism Booth; live craft demonstrations; the Hibla’t Habi ng Rehiyon Dos fashion show; and a Taste of Cagayan Valley food and wine tasting.

From its beginnings as a showcase for handmade products, Padday na Lima is now opening a bigger window for Cagayan Valley enterprises to reach markets and stay visible beyond the annual fair.

The 20th Padday na Lima Regional Trade Fair will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Friday to Sunday, at Festival Mall Alabang. END

For further information on the release, please get in touch with:

DTI-Office of the Secretary-Public Relations Division

8F Filinvest Buendia Building 387 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Makati City

Telephones: (+632) 7791.3406

Email Address: PRD@dti.gov.ph / DTIComms@dti.gov.ph

Website: www.dti.gov.ph