For the first time, the creative spirit of Iligan City and Lanao del Norte will shine in the wall street of the north. The highly anticipated Garbo Iligan, Garbo Lanao del Norte is set to take place at One Ayala - Concourse A, Makati City bringing a vibrant showcase of the region’s innovative products and artistic talents to the Metro.
In an interview on DZRH’s Magandang Umaga Pilipinas, Jane Marie Tabucan, Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Lanao del Norte, shared that Garbo Iligan has grown from a simple trade fair into a dynamic creatives event and exhibit.
“This is our first time here in Manila for Garbo. In Iligan City, this event has always been a celebration of the creative and innovative products as well as the talents of our people,” she said in Filipino.
Originally launched as a trade fair, it has since evolved into a full creative showcase following the enactment of the Philippine Creative Industry Development Act.
According to Tabucan, the event highlights both food and non-food products that reflect the unique identity of Iligan and Lanao del Norte. Among the featured specialties are sukang pinakurat from Green Gold Gourmet, Cheding's peanuts, and the traditional Maranao delicacy, palapa.
She further shared that the exhibit will also feature products from micro-entrepreneurs, including baked goods from a recently recognized Most Outstanding Micro Enterprise, a Presidential Award-winning SME known not only for its products but also for its innovative business model.
“Garbo Iligan is not just about selling goods. We also showcase our talents,” Dir. Jane Tabucan shared.
Furthermore, a fashion show is scheduled today, complemented by a performance from the Integrated Performing Arts Guild, whose traveling repertoire includes a rendition of the “Alamat ng Maria Cristina Falls”.
Iligan City, long celebrated as the “City of Waterfalls,” is now positioning itself as a hub for creativity and innovation. Dir. Tabucan describes it as “Waterfalls and beyond”—a smart, digital, and creative city that continues to grow as an industrial and cultural center in Mindanao.
The DTI invites the public to witness the vibrant showcase of Iligan and Lanao del Norte’s creativity and innovation at the Makati Mall, 2PM to 5PM on November 4 to 7, 2025.
From local delicacies to artistic performances, Garbo Iligan promises to bring the spirit of the south to Metro Manila.
