Laoag: An exhibit showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of Ilocanos opened here on Friday, with the participation of at least 20 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

According to Philippines News Agency, Amelia Galvez, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) director in Ilocos Norte, said the "Treasures of the North" exhibit aims to promote and widen the market for MSMEs and encourage Ilocanos to support local products. Suerte Mia Soriano, owner of Lucky Theo's Food Products located in Barangay 9 in Banna, Ilocos Norte, expressed gratitude for being part of the exhibit and acknowledged the continued assistance of the DTI in improving products and expanding market reach.

Soriano is among the pioneering graduates of the DTI's mentoring program, which has bolstered her confidence to expand her production and market. Currently, Lucky Theo's Food Products supplies a variety of snacks, including banana chips, chichacorn, taro chips, camote chips, garlic chips, sesame-coated peanuts, and mixed nuts. These products are available in at least six branches of Robinsons Place supermarket across Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and the Cordillera regions, as well as in other OTOP hubs and "pasalubong" centers nationwide.

The exhibit features a diverse array of Ilocos Norte's finest products, ranging from authentic flavors to colorful handcrafted items. It runs from May 30 to June 12 on the lower ground floor of the newly opened SM City Laoag. Galvez highlighted that this marks a historic first for SM Supermalls, with the opening of a new branch that includes MSME engagement.

The exhibit was initiated by the DTI-Ilocos Norte's Business Development Division and the Partuat ti Kailokuan Marketing Cooperative.