HOMEGROWN products of the UST-Simbahayan Community Development Office’s partner-communities are the highlight of this year’s Pistang Tomas, a week-long trade fair that runs from Feb. 13 to 16 at the Quadricentennial Park.
Simbahayan Director Mark Anthony Abenir said they made Pistang Tomasino 2017 a University-wide event with a parade featuring the “cultures” of the partner communities.
“Mas sinikap [naming] maging University-wide event kaya nagkaroon tayo ng parada kasama ang UST band para mapansin ng lahat. Inaasahan naman [ito] ng buong Thomasian community,” Abenir said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
Pistang Tomas 2017 features locally made products from UST partner-communities such as Ariendo, Sibulan and San Jose Rodriguez in Nueva Ecija, Laguna and Rizal, respectively.
Products also come from barangays Santa Rosa, Layag and Book from Tarlac as well as from the Diocese of Malolos and Brgy. Pugad Island.
Partners from Parañaque city jail, Farmer’s Association and Cooperative of Women in Health Development, and Tiboli Tribe in Cebu are also taking part in the fair.
Simbahayan organized a “Pre-Pistang Tomas” last November 2016 for the partner communities in preparation for the week-long trade fair.
“Mayroon tayo, last November, [nung] pre-Pistang Tomas kung saan sila ay nagkaroon ng pag-aaral ng tamang pamamahala ng negosyo [at] pagbebenta,” Abenir said.
The event is spearheaded by Simbahayan, in partnership with the Colleges of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Commerce and Business Administration, Fine Arts and Design, College of Architecture, the UST-Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy, Conservatory of Music, and the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics.
Aside from the week-long trade fair, Pistang Tomas will also feature a three day-livelihood training program, an industry partner meeting, an advocacy forum, a research colloquium and a fund-raising concert.
Pistang Tomasino 2017 marked its 15th anniversary with the theme “KKK: Kaunlarang pang-Kultura at Kabuhayan.”
Formed in 2012, the Simbahayan office now has 40 partner-communities and more than 30 partner-institutions.
Photos by Deejae S. Dumlao
