The amazing Negrense spirit

Far from being discouraged by the crippling sugar crisis in the early 80s, the people of Negros Occidental showed their resilience by engaging in enterprises that enabled them to bounce back and no longer be dependent on their monocrop industry.

At the forefront of this resurgence were 15 Negrense women based in Manila who organized the House of Negros Foundation. These remarkable women were relentless and unwavering in sponsoring trade fairs which promoted Negros as a cradle of manufacturers of world-class products.

From the foundation sprung the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), a non-stock, non-profit and non-political organization. It is composed of small and medium-scale manufacturers of garments and knitwear, bags and shoes, travel accessories, gifts and novelty items, housewares and furnishings, costume jewelry, handicrafts and furniture.

Based in Bacolod City, the City of Smiles and home of the Masskara Festival every October, the ANP represents, promotes and lobbies the interests and products of SMEs in Negros Occidental.

For the indigenous skills they harness and the jobs they generate, ANP members are instrumental in Negros’ dramatic economic turnaround. It has served as a model for other organizations impressed with its dynamism and dedication.

The ANP’s creative outputs are in splendid display at its Negros showroom in downtown Bacolod. Declared by the Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotions as the foremost trade house in the country, the showroom is evidence of the boundless talents of the Negrenses and houses a comprehensive collection of all the members’ products.

“That’s our theme for this year because the comments we always get is that what we do is soulful art,” says Doreen Alicia Peña, its untiring president. “What we make is a reflection of what we are as a people. There’s a lot of feelings infused into the making of each product.”

Amid the myriad booths of unique items, there is a special one for the Bacolod Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, which will promote the city as an ideal venue for conventions and vacations.

“People are tired of the usual places, so we are pushing Bacolod as an alternative,” says Mayor Luzviminda Valdes. “We have been cited as the ‘Cleanest and Greenest City,’ is smooth and the peace and order situation is excellent.”

“As a private sector initiative, we are helping the Mayor in positioning Bacolod as a convention destination,” says Ruth Minerva Cruz, VP of the Bacolod Convention Plaza, who is spearheading the campaign to bring in more visitors to the city, not just during the Masskara Festival but all throughout the year.