7 Reasons to Discover the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair

Meet the inspiring women taking center stage through WomenBizPH and SM for MSMEs

Behind every booth is a woman, a story, and a Filipino brand waiting to be discovered. Women entrepreneurs proudly showcase their creations at the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair at SM Megamall, where WomenBizPH and SM Supermalls, through SM for MSMEs, create opportunities for homegrown businesses to gain visibility, connect with more customers, and take their next step toward growth.

The next great Filipino brand may be closer than you think. Behind every handcrafted accessory, woven textile, artisanal delicacy, sustainable fashion piece, and proudly Filipino product is a woman who dared to turn an idea into a business. Some are preserving generations of Filipino craftsmanship. Others are creating livelihoods for their communities. And some are already making the leap from trade fair booths to wider retail distribution.

These stories came together at the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair 2026, which opened at SM Megamall on August 10, bringing women entrepreneurs, government leaders, industry partners, and shoppers together for three days of business, learning, and meaningful connections.

Organized by WomenBizPH in partnership with SM Supermalls through SM for MSMEs, the trade fair celebrates more than what's being sold. It puts the spotlight on the remarkable women behind the brands and creates opportunities for more Filipino businesses to be seen, supported, and discovered.

Here are seven reasons why this year's trade fair is more than just a marketplace.

1. Every booth has a story waiting to be discovered. Walk through the trade fair and you'll discover more than beautiful products. You'll meet master weavers preserving generations of Filipino craftsmanship, entrepreneurs transforming family recipes into businesses, and women turning local materials and creative ideas into products that can compete in a much bigger marketplace. 

For Ma. Cecilia Mina of Tinguian Ethnic Art Handloom Woven Products from Apayao, trade fairs have changed the way they reach customers. “Dati, naglalako lang kami para makabenta. Napakalaking ginhawa na nakakasali kami sa mga ganitong trade fair. Pang-limang taon na po namin dito.” Her experience captures something easily overlooked when shopping: behind every booth may be an entrepreneur who once had to go from place to place looking for customers—and who now has a marketplace where customers can discover her.

As Rosemarie Bosch Ong, President of WomenBizPH, shared during the opening, the Women Strong Network is about building not only businesses, but a community where women can learn, grow, and inspire one another, with platforms such as SM helping their stories and products reach more people.

2. You might discover your next favorite Filipino brand. From handcrafted fashion and woven home décor to artisanal food, wellness products, accessories, personal care, and sustainable lifestyle brands, the trade fair brings together a diverse collection of women-led Filipino enterprises. But the best discoveries often begin with a conversation. 

Here, shoppers can meet the entrepreneurs themselves, ask about how products are made, hear the inspiration behind a brand, and understand the work that goes into something they might otherwise simply pick up from a shelf. Every purchase supports a local entrepreneur. Every new customer expands a brand's reach. And every discovery can bring a small business one step closer to its next opportunity.

Filipino creativity, craftsmanship, and culture in every creation. From contemporary Filipiniana and handwoven bags to intricate artworks and locally crafted jewelry, women-led MSMEs bring tradition to life through products that celebrate Filipino heritage while reimagining it for today’s market at the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair.

3. Great entrepreneurs never stop learning. Building a successful business takes more than having a great product. The opening program reinforced the importance of continuously learning, adapting, innovating, and building the right partnerships. Government agencies, private-sector organizations, and industry leaders came together to reaffirm their support for helping women entrepreneurs become more competitive through market access, capability-building, innovation, and collaboration.

Women MSMEs connect directly with shoppers and guests at the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair, creating meaningful moments to share their products, tell the stories behind their brands, and build relationships that can open doors to new customers and future growth.

Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista underscored the role of women entrepreneurs in driving economic growth and the importance of collaboration among government, the private sector, WomenBizPH, and SM for MSMEs in providing knowledge, support, and market opportunities. Day 2 continues with business talks, mentoring, and discussions on innovation and transformation to help entrepreneurs prepare for their next stage of growth.

4. Sometimes the biggest opportunity begins with a conversation. Not every measure of success happens at the checkout counter. Throughout the trade fair, entrepreneurs connect directly with shoppers, fellow founders, mentors, government representatives, and potential business partners. A conversation can become a new customer. An introduction can lead to a collaboration. A trade fair appearance can open the door to a bigger market. For MSMEs, these connections matter because growing a business isn't simply about selling more—it is also about meeting the people and finding the opportunities that can help take the business forward. 

Creating connections that help businesses grow. Guests and partners engage with women entrepreneurs at the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair, opening opportunities for greater visibility, new customers, and meaningful connections.

5. Behind every product is a community and culture worth supporting. For many women entrepreneurs, their businesses represent something bigger than themselves. Sitti Go Se of Mindanao Pearl International, a third-generation business owner, works with people from her own community in Sulu who harvest the pearls and create the jewelry sold by the company. 

“Ang mga empleyado po sa amin ay mismong mga kababayan namin sa Sulu. Sila po ang umaani ng pearls at gumagawa ng jewelry. Proud Filipino po tayo—ang designs namin ay sariling atin. These events help promote our products and culture, and we get a lot of inquiries and sales through them.” Her story shows the ripple effect behind supporting a Filipino MSME: one purchase can help sustain a business, create livelihood, preserve craftsmanship, and bring a community's culture to a wider audience.

6. Success deserves to be celebrated—and shared. The Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair also creates opportunities to recognize women who continue to push their businesses forward. The celebration continues with entrepreneur learning sessions, networking opportunities, exhibitor testimonials, the Amazing Weaves Distinction Awards, and the Capstone Awards, recognizing excellence across areas such as creativity, craftsmanship, innovation, sales performance, and booth presentation. But recognition is about more than receiving an award. When the journey of one woman entrepreneur is celebrated, it can show another aspiring entrepreneur what is possible. And sometimes, seeing someone else's success is the encouragement another woman needs to finally take her own first step.

Proudly Filipino fashion takes center stage. House of Musa showcases its distinctive take on contemporary Filipino design at the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair, bringing local craftsmanship and cultural influences to life through bold, modern pieces that celebrate Filipino creativity and identity.

7. A trade fair can be the beginning of something much bigger. For SM Supermalls, a trade fair is more than a place to sell—it can be a pathway to growth. Through SM for MSMEs, entrepreneurs gain opportunities to be discovered, reach new customers, and take their businesses further. 

For Gloria Pantaleon, owner of Gloria’s Delicacies, that opportunity has already opened new doors. “We started by joining trade fairs, and today some of our popular products are already being distributed through SM Hypermarket. Our dream is to reach even more customers through other SM retail channels. That’s what opportunities like these can do—give a small local business like ours a pathway to become something bigger.”

Corrs Valenton, CEO of Corrsy’s Kitchen, shares a similar journey from a small start to a growing retail presence. “I started with just a small booth at SM in 2022. Today, we have grown into kiosks at SM City Fairview and SM City Bicutan. SM gave us the opportunity to be discovered, reach more customers, and turn a small beginning into a growing business.”

Their journeys reflect what Royston Cabunag, Assistant Vice President and Head of SM Communities at SM Supermalls, shared during the opening: “At SM Supermalls, we believe our role goes beyond providing places where people shop. Through SM for MSMEs, we create platforms where entrepreneurs can be discovered, local brands can flourish, and communities can thrive. Behind every great Filipino brand is an entrepreneur whose story deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated.” 

Because the journey from market to mainstream can begin with one opportunity to be discovered—and the right platform to grow.

Discover the Women Behind Today's Inspiring Filipino Brands

Whether you're looking for handcrafted gifts, sustainable fashion, homegrown delicacies, or simply a story that inspires, the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair offers more than a shopping experience. It is an invitation to meet the makers, discover proudly Filipino brands, and support the women building businesses that strengthen families, preserve communities, and create new possibilities.

Discover proudly Filipino flavors. From artisanal chocolates and local delicacies to bottled specialties and innovative food products, women-led MSMEs showcase the creativity and diversity of Filipino entrepreneurship at the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair—giving shoppers more homegrown brands to discover, taste, and support.

Visit the Women Strong Network Hybrid Trade Fair 2026:

• SM Megamall | August 10–12

• SM City Cebu | August 14–16

Because behind every booth is more than a business. It's a woman with a dream—and perhaps, the next great Filipino brand waiting to be discovered.

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About SM Supermalls – SM for MSMEs

SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia's largest mall developers and operators, with 90 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China. For generations, SM has grown alongside Filipino communities by creating destinations where people, businesses, and opportunities come together.

Through SM for MSMEs, SM continues to evolve with the needs of Filipino entrepreneurs by creating opportunities that help businesses start, grow, and thrive. From market access and business visibility to strategic partnerships and entrepreneurship platforms, SM empowers MSMEs across different stages and sectors—connecting homegrown brands with more customers and communities nationwide. My SM. Your Most Loved Supermall.

Award-Winning Circularity: SM Waste Free Future Transforms Closed-Loop Systems

  SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) received the Gold Award in the Transformation Category at the 2026 ESG Edge Impact Awards for its SM Waste Free Future initiative. The Transformation Category celebrates businesses and organizations that have significantly improved and evolved overall sustainability performance and operational models over time. 

From Vision to Transformation 

Through a collaborative ecosystem of stakeholders working toward a common goal, the shared commitment of a waste-free future reflects the SM way of creating meaningful and lasting impact. The launch of SM Waste Free Future in 2024 at the SM Mall of Asia marked the start of the group-wide initiative on waste circularity and standardized waste segregation across SM properties. 

At the core of the initiative is the belief that lasting waste reduction begins with everyday behavior. Applying the theory of change, the program started with observations of daily waste generation and an assessment of existing segregation systems. This was followed by the deployment of the three-bin waste system: Recyclable, Disposable, and Compostable (RDC) bins, which make segregation easier and more accessible, helping reinforce positive daily habits over time. 

(Photo Caption) The 2024 nationwide launch of SM Waste Free Future. 

(Photo caption) Early days of employee engagement and awareness-building. 

Closing the loop, however, requires more than improving waste management practices. In 2025, a year after its launch, SM Prime achieved an 80% diversion rate for non-hazardous waste away from landfills. Achieving this level of diversion means sustained commitment and strategic investment in the program. 

A key enabler is SM GUUN Environmental Company, Inc. (SGECI), a waste-to-fuel facility in Consolacion, Cebu, that transforms disposable waste into alternative fuel for major cement manufacturers such as Holcim and APO Cement, advancing both waste diversion and circularity goals by keeping materials in productive use. 

SGECI’s expanded ecosystem includes Asia Brewery, PetValue, Nature Springs, and Concreat to recover, process, and repurpose waste materials generated across SM properties and smaller businesses in the area. It has processed more than 6,000 metric tons of waste in 2025, helping divert valuable resources away from landfills. 

(Photo caption) Through SGECI, SM Prime invests in critical waste infrastructure to help the country address its waste challenges. 

Turning circularity into movement 

Behind every framework, however, lies the collective action critical to any program. SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, leverages its social media presence to engage communities, especially the youth, in active participation toward a waste-free future. Last year's International Coastal Cleanup had 48,000 volunteers – the largest gathering of coastal warriors to date.  

“Creating a waste-free future requires everyone to play a role—from employees and partner-tenants to local governments, communities, and customers,” says Engr. Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls VP for Compliance and Sustainability.

 “It is always a challenge at the start, but I’m proud of how far we have come. By working together, we can turn waste challenges into opportunities for positive environmental impact,” said Silerio.  

(In photo) SM Prime representatives with Engr. Liza B. Silerio (left middle), SM Supermalls VP for Compliance and Sustainability; Dr. Louernie de Sales (right middle), SM Prime VP for Sustainability and President of SGECI; Ms. Katrina Dalusong (leftmost), Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Director for Group Sales; and Philippine Daily Inquirer Business Section Editor, Ms. Tina Arceo-Dumlao (rightmost).

Championed by the SM Green Movement, the SM Waste Free Future continues to advance SM Prime's circular economy practices by bringing together employees, tenants, partners, and communities behind a shared vision of responsible waste circularity. 

 “This recognition reflects the power of collaboration in attempting to do what is impossible. The award belongs to everyone who has contributed to the journey. It demonstrates that when we unite behind a common purpose, we can achieve transformation at scale,” says Louernie de Sales, SM Prime VP for Sustainability and President of SGECI.