Negros Rising
Negros Trade Fair puts its creative industries, entrepreneurs, makers, and communities front and center.
Words Art+ Magazine Team
Photos courtesy of SM
October 2, 2026
Photo from the 40th Negros Trade Fair, SMX Aura
For 40 years, the Negros Trade Fair had showcased the creativity and resourcefulness of the Negrense community. Its 40th edition, aptly titled Butlak, took its name from the Hiligaynon word associated with the rising sun and the blossoming of something new—a fitting metaphor for a region that continually finds ways to move forward through changing times.
The story began four decades ago, when 30 vendors from Negros Occidental gathered at the Makati Carpark for the inaugural Negros Trade Fair. At the time, the region was navigating the collapse of the sugar industry, which left many farm workers and communities searching for new ways to sustain their livelihoods. From food and weaving, to furniture and the arts, creativity became a means of survival and a source of opportunity.
Photo from the 40th Negros Trade Fair, SMX Aura
The first trade fair gave Negrense makers a platform to introduce their work to a wider audience. That collective enterprise helped lay the groundwork for the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), which was established to support and empower MSMEs, artisans, and producers across the region. ANP eventually served as an incubator for businesses, while the Negros Trade Fair provided a platform for them to reach new markets and audiences.
The 40th edition also reflected a broader vision of Negros. The integration of the Negros Island Region opened the event to a wider range of businesses, makers, and creative communities from across Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. Rather than simply showcasing products, the fair continued to prioritize enterprises with meaningful roots or connections to Negros, including those supporting local communities and artisans.
Photo from the 40th Negros Trade Fair, SMX Aura
This year’s fair was one of its biggest editions, bringing together 178 brands. Alongside established Negrense names were silk weavers from Aklan, artisans from Kanlaon, homegrown hospitality brands, and other businesses connected to the region.
Negros Style
Fashion and textiles are an important part of the trade fair. The 40th edition featured labels such as Camille Villanueva, StyleLoft, Pinas Sadya, Reveri by Ria Bolivar, and Hacienda Mar, among others.
Photo from the 40th Negros Trade Fair, SMX Aura
Negros had long been shaped by a strong weaving tradition, with local textiles, tropical fibers, and natural dyes providing both cultural heritage and creative inspiration. Over time, these traditions found new expressions through contemporary fashion and design.
Sustainable Furniture, Design, and Art
The fair also showed Negros’ approach to furniture and design using natural and sustainable materials such as abaca, bamboo, rattan, and hablon. In the hands of skilled makers, these traditional materials are transformed into contemporary furniture, objects, and home pieces while retaining the craftsmanship and techniques passed down through generations.
Photo from the 40th Negros Trade Fair, SMX Aura
At the Negros Trade Fair, Hacienda Crafts, Art Energy, ARTISANA, Noah, Madera Handicrafts, and NVC were among the furniture, décor, and homeware brands featured. They shared the spotlight with artists and galleries representing the region’s art scene.
Iconic Flavors of Negros
Food is one of the main attractions at the Negros Trade Fair. Familiar favorites such as Bob's Café, 21, Chicken House, El Ideal, and Virgie’s Homemade Products returned alongside newer food concepts. Together, they offered a taste of Negros’ culinary culture and local products. From heritage flavors to emerging food businesses, the fair demonstrated how food was tied to the identity and entrepreneurial spirit of the region.
Photo from the 40th Negros Trade Fair, SMX Aura
Butlak looked both backward and forward. It honored the people and enterprises that helped build the fair while opening its doors to the next generation of makers and businesses.
BUTLAK: The 40th Negros Trade Fair took place from September 22 to 27, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura. For updates, follow @thenegrostradefair on Instagram.
