From made-to-order crispy lady's fingers to pickled bilimbi and carrot smoothiesโbooths buzzed as aspiring entrepreneurs and patrons gathered at the Agri-Trade Fair 2025.
Nestled in the rural heart of Negros, Central Philippines State University-Murcia Extension Class welcomed visitors to their much-anticipated Baligayaanay 2025, an event showcasing the culmination of their learning from traditional classrooms to under-the-mahoganies makeshift classrooms.
The Agri-Trade Fair product list boasted an array of agricultural products like native poultry, vegetables, and fruits, and creatively reinvented made-to-order food, pre-packaged displays, cold beverages, and desserts.
Talong (Eggplant) Fries, Malunggay (Moringa) Balls, Banana Fries, Squash Turon, Banana Turon, Pineapple Rolls, Kangkong (Water Spinach) Dumplings, Potato Pillows, and Crispy Okra (Lady's Fingers) filled visitorsโ stomachs as hot dishes prepared and served fresh.
Pickled Iba (Bilimbi), Tomato Jam, Ube Pastillas, Coco Pastillas, Spring Onion Kimchi, Crispy Tops, Kamote (Sweet Potato) Donuts, Kalabasa (Squash) Leche Flan, Coconut Vinegar, Calamansi (Filipino Lime) Jam, Langka (Jackfruit) Jam, Taro Chips, and Banana Trunks were also availableโperfect as instant treats or souvenirs for locals or international guests.
Amid the humid tropical weather, Carrot Smoothies, Sugarcane Ice Cream, Mango Ice Cream, and Dragon Fruit Ice Cream offered a refreshing way to combat the heat while satisfying over-stimulated appetites.
During the opening program, CPSU Murcia Extension Class Coordinator, Dr. Joe-an Mae G. Escober, welcomed attendees to the festivities with her opening remarksโrecognizing the efforts of the extension class faculty in patiently inspiring and honing the students to explore the beauty of entrepreneurship and commending the students who challenged existing food norms and broke through to come up with innovative and Negros-embodying products.
Negros Economic Development Foundation, Inc. (NEDF) Program Manager, Mr. Danny C. Moraca, attended as the keynote speaker, encouraging students to pursue meaningful and productive endeavors that support local farmers, boost the economy, and improve lives within their communities.
Representatives from government-affiliated units and non-governmental organizations, namely, Local Government of Murcia represented by Hon. Mayor Gerry Rojas, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office-North, Department of Education (DepEd) Murcia, ALOFT Philippines, Sangguniang Bayan officials, LGU offices, JCI Bacolod, Cansilayan Farm School, Murcia Youth Leaders, farmers and parents also participated in the event held at the extension class site in Barangay Salvacion, Murcia, Negros Occidental, on February 19, 2025.
Now in its second year, the Agri-Trade Fair has evolved from a simple exhibit of outputs into a testament to Filipino youth ingenuityโwith CPSU-Murcia Cenphilians challenging their contemporaries in bringing the fruition of higher education training into tangible, marketable, and profitable realities.
Photo credits to Dr. Joe-an Mae G. Escober of CPSU Murcia Extension Class.
