May 30, 2025
As a social entrepreneurship teacher, I walked into IFEX Philippines 2025 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila expecting a standard trade show—but wow, it turned into a full-on Filipino food fest. From May 22–24, more than 700 exhibitors showcased their culinary creations to over 10,000 visitors and buyers—truly a grand sensory playground
😋 Venue & Clusters: Organized Deliciously
The layout was masterful—spacious, clean, and thoughtfully divided into product clusters like Bakery & Confectionery, Beverages, Fruits & Vegetables, Snacks, and more . Navigating through them felt like a delicious buffet of Filipino flavors—from savory to sweet. Big props to the organizers for making it easy to sample, chat, and discover.
Coconut Innovation: Beyond Water & Oil 🌴
I was blown away by the coconut-themed booths. We're talking coconut vinegar, plant-based coconut goodies, and even coconut-infused snacks. It was exciting to see the versatility of this humble tree embraced by SMEs and even backed by local government clusters.
Chocolate Overload 🍫
“Chocolates! Chocolates! And more chocolates!” became my mantra as I drifted from booth to booth. Artisanal bars infused with cacao blends, single-origin beans, and even gourmet-coated fruits showcased the rich diversity of Philippine cacao.
Filipino Winemakers on the Rise 🍷
I sampled wines made from local fruits, including mangosteen, lipote, bignay, and berries. The crowd-pleaser? A surprisingly smooth honey wine with a delicate sweetness. After more than a couple of shots (let’s just say I was pleasantly inebriated!), I realized Pinoy winemakers are stepping up their game—turning traditional tuba and lambanog into world-class, export-ready liquors.
Sweets & Snacks: Big Brands & Hidden Gems
It wasn’t all boutique. Major snack brands were present, but what stole my heart were the up-and-coming indie vendors offering innovative delicacies—like mushroom chicharon, tahong chips and the traditional banana chips, Philippine biscuits, and candies. Margarita Poptails anyone? Sampling these during interviews with their founders made every bite feel like part of their story.
Clusters & Collaborative Support
Some clusters were proudly backed by provincial LGUs and agencies like Regional DTI units and DTI - OTOP (ONE TOWN, ONE PRODUCT (OTOP) PHILIPPINES)—bringing visibility to regional flavors and talents. The Sustainability Hall, part of CITEM’s SSX initiative, focused on eco-friendly practices and circular food economies.
Why I Went & What I Gained
As a teacher, I came to survey the richness and diversity of Filipino products—and I left inspired by the entrepreneurship, creativity, and stories behind them. Interviewing owners, hearing about their struggles and triumphs, and sampling their creations reinforced my belief: our SMEs are not just businesses—they’re vibrant cultural voices.
Cheers to the Future 🥂
I had a blast discovering new flavors, tasting chocolates, and yes… sampling wines (my tastebuds are still thanking me). IFEX Manila 2025 was a grand celebration of Philippine innovation. I can’t wait for the next event—and I can’t wait to share more SME stories in our Merkado series.
Mabuhay, CITEM and Pinoy SMEs—you did us proud!