The Women’s Business Council Philippines, also known as WomenbizPH, has always led the way in advancing the women’s agenda in the APEC and ASEAN region. Since WomenbizPH was established in 1997 as the lead private sector of the government, particularly the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Commission on Women, it has been the leading voice of Filipinas in commerce and has provided a platform to discuss women’s issues in business and possible government policies and solutions. 

WomenBizPH’s aim is to help women-led and women-owned medium, small, and micro enterprises (WMSMEs) grow and become more sustainable. To make this happen, WomenBizPH established the Women Strong Network, an organization with 120 WMSMEs as founding members, with representatives from WomenBizPH and the DTI to serve as technical advisors. It aspires to build the capacity of WMSMEs for business continuity planning and develop a network for their sustained knowledge building, exchange, and innovation.

As part of its capacity building and business recovery program, WomenBizPH kicked off this year’s Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair at the atrium of SM Seaside Cebu. The exhibit allowed the public to connect with women MSMEs who showcased their proudly-Filipino-made goods and products. 

Apart from visiting and purchasing valuable and world-class products in the participants’ stalls, attendees explored interactive booths, participated in engaging workshops, and gained valuable insights from expert-led panel discussions and keynote presentations.

The esteemed list of speakers who graced the opening day included Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion; Senior Vice President for SM Holdings Inc. Marissa Fernan; Airspeed President and WomenbizPH President Rosemarie Rafael and WomenbizPH’s Chairperson Mylene Abiva. Abiva said: “The Hybrid Trade Fair Cebu 2023 is not just an event; it’s a movement to propel women entrepreneurs to new heights and make their mark in the global business landscape.”

Those who took part in the fair were a mix of start-ups and established brands like Tina Campos Jewelry, Clairs Enterprises, Bez Acre Farm Products, Rachel’s Homemade, Good Things Come in 3’s, Love Merlle, Fifty Shades Basketry, Aromacology Sensi, Almar Jewelry Marketing, Tesoro, Magicmelt Foods Inc., Daren Kate Footwear, Les Chocolateries, Ikiru Life Drinking Water, Virtucio, Jzaki Enterprise, Metaje and Kirby’s Chicharon.