Think You Know Coconut? Discover 5 Ideas That May Surprise You

From Gen Z innovation to zero-waste businesses, Filipino coco-preneurs are taking coconut somewhere new.

A coconut may be familiar, but what Filipino entrepreneurs are doing with it is anything but. A college feasibility study has become a Gen Z-run coconut milk business. Surplus coconut shells are being transformed into handcrafted bags while helping provide livelihood to more than 100 workers. And one entrepreneur has developed around 40 products by finding new uses for virtually every part of the coconut.

Around 300 Filipino coco-preneurs are transforming the country’s “tree of life” into fresh ideas, innovative products, and businesses ready to grow.

These are among the ideas and founder stories waiting to be discovered at the DTI-Bagong Pilipinas COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair 2026, now underway at SMX Convention Center Manila until August 30.

“Over the next five days, we bring our coco-preneurs, our buyers, shoppers and partners together under one roof here in SMX as we celebrate National Coconut Week,” said DTI Assistant Secretary Nylah Rizza Bautista during the opening ceremony. 

Mounted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Coconut Authority (DA-PCA) and supported by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP), the fair brings together around 300 coconut MSMEs nationwide. With SM Supermalls, through SM for MSMEs, providing a marketplace that gives entrepreneurs greater visibility and access to more customers, visitors get an early look at fresh ideas—and perhaps the next great Filipino brands waiting to be discovered.

Coconut, reimagined. From food and beverages to fashion, home, and lifestyle finds, Filipino entrepreneurs transform the “tree of life” into innovative, market-ready products—showing there’s still so much more to discover from one coconut

Here are five discoveries worth making before the fair ends.

1. One coconut. More possibilities than you imagined.

For Elmer Marbello, General Manager of Marbello’s Processed Foods Manufacturing, virtually every part of the coconut can inspire another product. He has developed around 40, including coconut liniment and coconut bagoong made from coconut remnants.

“Mahilig po talaga akong mag-develop ng products. I have about 40 that I have developed. Lahat po ng parte ng coconut, ginamit ko na… Tree of life po talaga ang coconut.”

Adrian Ramilo of Ayanas is also pushing coconut in unexpected directions with coconut wine. “Hindi po siya tuba—and masarap po siya,” he shared. More importantly, demand generated through trade fairs is helping create jobs in their community: “Marami po kaming produkto na nabebenta sa trade fair kaya may mga trabaho na sa amin.”

One crop. Dozens of possibilities. And hundreds of entrepreneurs finding new ones.

2. A Gen Z school project can become a real business. 

For Dehusk, the business began with a college feasibility study—and a very personal problem. One of its founders is lactose intolerant. At the same time, the young entrepreneurs saw an opportunity in the country’s surplus of coconuts. Their solution was to develop drinkable coconut milk as a milk alternative, rather than coconut milk traditionally used for cooking. That school project eventually became a Gen Z-run business.

“We are very proud to have come up with this product, being the only one in the market locally producing drinkable milk from coconut—not for cooking. It’s a great alternative to other milk alternatives. Our company is also proudly run by Generation Z!” said Chloe De Ocampo, Marketing Lead of Dehusk.

From feasibility study to trade fair floor, Dehusk shows how a personal need, a local resource, and a fresh idea can become a promising Filipino business.

3. What looks like waste can create livelihoods.

For Virna Morales of Venice Rose Integrated Farms and Johnalyn Lamprea of Lampre’s Integrated Farm, surplus coconut shells weren’t something to throw away. They saw raw material—and opportunity. The partners transform the shells into handcrafted bags, alkansya, and other useful products.

“We believe nothing from the coconut should go to waste. We transform surplus shells into handcrafted products—creating new value from what could have been discarded. Today, this innovation helps provide livelihood to more than 100 workers.”

Morales, a nurse by profession, returned to help with her family’s farming business. Their coconut-shell bag venture is only in its first year, and with DTI Iloilo helping expand their market linkages, their first showcase at SMX opens another opportunity to connect with potential buyers. Less waste. More value. More than 100 livelihoods.

4. The right opportunity can turn a skill into a growing business. 

Juvy Crusina of Crusina’s Handicrafts in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte began her entrepreneurial journey by learning the craft through DTI’s Kapatid Mentor ME Program. She eventually moved from being part of a cooperative to becoming a sole proprietor in 2024. Then another turning point came when she joined DTI’s National Trade Fair at SM Megamall.

“I learned the craft through DTI’s Kapatid Mentor ME Program, and today I have my own business. Joining the National Trade Fair at SM gave us so much exposure that orders became overwhelming. Now at my first COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair here at SMX, I’m excited to be discovered by even more customers.”

 Her story shows how opportunities can build on one another—from learning a skill, to starting a business, to finding a bigger market. Learn. Build. Be discovered. Grow.

5. Big ideas go further when the right partners open doors. 

Behind these individual success stories is a bigger ambition: helping promising Filipino ideas become sustainable businesses that create jobs and reach wider markets. DTI and DA-PCA help develop coconut farmers and enterprises, while SM and SMX provide a highly visible marketplace where entrepreneurs can showcase their products, meet shoppers and buyers, and explore new opportunities.

Where style meets purpose. SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and DTI Secretary Cristina Roque celebrate Filipino creativity and enterprise at the COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair 2026—championing the coco-preneurs turning local ideas into Filipino brands.

As DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque emphasized during the opening, “Our challenge is turning good products into lasting and sustainable businesses that can provide income for our country and provide jobs for our people.” She also called for stronger collaboration between government and business to create more Filipino success stories: “Let us now continue to create more Filipino products and more superstars through stronger coordination between private sector and government as we continue to build better lives for our farmers and for our communities.”

For Joaquin L. San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing of SM Supermalls, SM’s long-standing partnership with DTI is about helping those ideas reach the market. “Some of the most exciting Filipino brands begin with a simple idea and an entrepreneur willing to pursue it. Through our long-standing partnership with DTI, we help bring these ideas closer to the market—giving MSMEs opportunities to be discovered, connect with customers, and grow.” There’s still more to discover.

A marketplace for Filipino ingenuity. COCONUTPhilippines brings hundreds of coconut MSMEs under one roof, giving homegrown businesses greater visibility and opportunities to connect with shoppers, buyers, and new markets.

The coco-preneurs are here. Their ideas are ready to be discovered. Come meet the founders, try something unexpected, and proudly support Filipino businesses. Somewhere on the trade fair floor could be the next great Filipino brand waiting for its big break. The DTI-Bagong Pilipinas COCONUTPhilippines Trade Fair 2026 runs until August 30 at SMX Convention Center Manila, Pasay City. FREE ADMISSION.

See it. Discover it. Experience it.

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About SM Supermalls – SM for MSMEs

SM Supermalls—one of Southeast Asia's largest mall developers and operators with 90 malls nationwide—continues to champion Filipino entrepreneurship through SM for MSMEs, creating opportunities that are relevant, inclusive, and designed around what entrepreneurs need most. As the country's most loved retail destination, SM supports MSMEs across different stages of growth by providing market access, greater visibility, strategic partnerships, and platforms that help local businesses thrive. By connecting communities with proudly Filipino brands, SM continues to empower entrepreneurs while building stronger, more resilient local economies.

SM Megamall Becomes Part of Metro Manila’s Transit Backbone with Busway Link

As ridership on the EDSA Bus Carousel increases, infrastructure evolves to meet daily demand

Commuters no longer have to take the inconvenient walk across EDSA to arrive at the SM Megamall station

Every day, over 170,000 commuters board the EDSA Bus Carousel to get to work, school, and everywhere in between – and this passenger count continues to climb. As more Filipinos turn to the EDSA busway as their daily mode of transportation, the infrastructure around its busiest stations is being pushed to keep pace, with one of the initiatives being a direct walkway linking the bus station to SM Megamall.

The SM Megamall EDSA Busway Concourse, which opened to the public on April 2026, is an elevated, weather-protected walkway that connects the EDSA Bus Carousel’s SM Megamall station to SM Megamall Building A, eliminating the need for commuters to traverse the lengthy stretch across EDSA. It houses escalators and elevators to ensure convenient access for all, including commuters with disabilities, senior citizens, and pregnant women.

The concourse was developed by your most loved SM Supermalls in collaboration with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), as part of joint efforts to improve the commuter experience. The link provides direct access to the bus platform that serves northbound trips to Monumento and southbound trips to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).

This development reflects a broader shift in how Philippine malls are evolving in design – being positioned not only as shopping and leisure destinations, but also as functional nodes within the country’s urban mobility network. SM Megamall’s busway link builds on a similar model previously introduced at SM North EDSA, signaling a pattern that may be replicated across other SM Supermalls strategically located along major transit corridors.

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About SM Supermalls

SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators, with 90 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China. Every Filipino has an SM story. For generations, SM has been more than a place to shop. It has become part of everyday Filipino life, a place where families gather, friendships grow, milestones are celebrated, passions are discovered, and communities come together. As Filipinos’ lifestyles continue to evolve, SM continues to transform its destinations through My SM creating malls that are more connected, experiential, and meaningful, while remaining the place Filipinos know, trust, and call home. My SM. Your Most Loved Supermall.

Under the My SM campaign, the mall operator highlights its larger commitment to enhancing and reenvisioning how daily activities – like commuting – can be made more seamless, comfortable, and safe for every Filipino. For more information, visit @smmegamall or https://www.smsupermalls.com/.

7 Reasons You Can’t Miss BÚTLAK: The 40th Negros Trade Fair

Forty years. Generations of makers. One landmark celebration of everything Negros—back at SM

Forty years of Negrense creativity, craftsmanship, and enterprise—all coming together under one roof. Food, fashion, home, and craftsmanship at BÚTLAK: The 40th Negros Trade Fair, in partnership with SM for MSMEs, brings homegrown businesses closer to more customers and opportunities at SMX Convention Center Aura, September 22–27.

Some fairs are worth visiting for the shopping. Others for the food. BÚTLAK: The 40th Negros Trade Fair gives you 40 years of reasons to come. From September 22 to 27, 2026, the country’s longest-running provincial trade fair returns to SMX Convention Center Aura, bringing the best of Negros closer to Metro Manila shoppers for its milestone 40th anniversary.


Through SM for MSMEs, SM Supermalls continues its collaboration with the Association of Negros Producers (ANP), helping provide Negrense entrepreneurs a highly visible marketplace where their products, stories and craftsmanship can connect with more customers and potential markets.

Crafted in Negros, made to be discovered. Negrense artisans give traditional craftsmanship a fresh, contemporary spin.

This year’s theme, BÚTLAK, celebrates a legacy moving forward with fresh energy: honoring the flavors, craftsmanship and stories that made the fair an institution while giving Negrense creativity a distinctly contemporary spin. Whether you come to eat, shop, discover something new—or all three—here are 7 reasons this milestone edition deserves a spot on your calendar.

1. Because the Big 4-0 is going BIG!

Forty years doesn't happen every day. More than 115 Negrense entrepreneurs are preparing to fill 178 booths with the best of the island—from beloved food and fashion to handcrafted furniture, home accents, art and more. For longtime NTF fans, it's a homecoming. For first-timers, this may be the best year to finally discover why generations of shoppers keep coming back. Six days. 178 booths. One island's creativity under one roof.

Hot off the griddle—and always worth the wait! One of the most sought-after experiences at the Negros Trade Fair is watching the iconic piaya freshly heated and served warm on-site. Crisp on the outside with its sweet, gooey filling inside, this beloved Negrense delicacy proves that some favorites are simply best enjoyed fresh, warm, and straight from the fair.

2. Come hungry. Very hungry.

Ask an NTF regular what they're looking forward to and chances are, food is somewhere near the top of the list.

• 21 Restaurant is bringing Bacolod favorites including its Signature Batchoy, Spanish-style Boquerones and Lola Nitang's Bibingka.

• Quan Delicacies brings the ultimate Negrense comfort-food haul: classic kakanin, napoleones, chicken pie and Frozen Sud-an—including Cansi—alongside newer creations such as Puto Sorbetes and Batuan Focaccia.

• Then there's Sir and Ma'am Restaurant's heirloom Morcon, a family tradition dating back to 1962.

• Casa Carmela's small-batch Negrense dishes and culinary staples made for stocking the pantry.

Come hungry. Leave with enough pasalubong to make everyone at home very happy.

Discover old favorites and new finds from Quan Delicacies, Casa Carmela, 21 Restaurant, Sir and Ma’am Restaurant, and more—proof that at the Negros Trade Fair, there’s always something worth coming back for seconds.

3. Wear Negros differently.

This isn't heritage that stays behind glass. At BÚTLAK, traditional craftsmanship finds its way into pieces made for today's wardrobe.

Behind every contemporary Negrense fashion piece are skilled hands transforming fabric, texture, and tradition into something made for today. 

Negrense makers transform craftsmanship and tradition into fashion designed for today.

• Tia Lacson The Label's Medina Collection brings effortless resort dressing in natural linen, lace, fine piña and recycled materials, with selected pieces supporting mother-embroiderers in Silay and local seamstresses across Bacolod and Talisay.

• Ellege Handcrafted Fashion keeps Negros Occidental's intricate hand-smocking tradition alive, translating a painstaking heritage technique into elegant contemporary clothing.

• And Arête brings handcrafted island-style accessories made with indigenous Philippine materials and created in partnership with local Local fashion, but make it unmistakably Negrense.

Negrense style, reimagined. From contemporary fashion to handcrafted accessories, local makers bring heritage, artistry, and modern design together—unmistakably Negros.

Hacienda Crafts: Woven with purpose. Local materials become beautiful home pieces while creating livelihoods for Negrense artisan communities.

4. Bring a little bit of Negros home.

Consider this fair dangerous territory for anyone who says, “I'm just looking.”

• Hacienda Crafts transforms abaca, rattan, bamboo and coconut twigs into export-grade lighting and home décor while providing livelihoods to sugarcane communities during tiempo muerto. Around 90% of its artisans are local mothers who weave from home.
• Tumandok Crafts Industries turns carefully treated capiz shells into premium houseware and statement décor, preserving a craft it has developed since 1988.
• Meanwhile, Artisana Island Crafts combines ceramics with wild pandan harvested from the foothills of Mt. Kanlaon to create eco-luxury table décor while supporting livelihoods for wives of local sugarcane farmers.

Crafted by nature, shaped by Negros. Capiz, ceramics, and wild pandan are transformed into distinctive pieces that bring Negrense artistry home.

These aren't simply beautiful objects. They're pieces of Negros—and the communities behind them—that you can bring home.

5. Be among the first to discover what's new.

Here's where the 40th gets particularly exciting. Five product specialists from the Design Center of the Philippines went directly into Negros workshops to collaborate with ANP makers, exploring local raw materials and combining time-honored skills with contemporary design perspectives. The result? Fresh, market-ready collections debuting at the 40th Negros Trade Fair, alongside the 2026 Bulawan Awards pieces.

After four decades, Negros isn't simply looking back. It's designing what comes next.

6. Find something you never expected to buy.

One of the best things about NTF has always been discovery.

Come for your favorites, leave with a new discovery. From Sarisa chips and mosaic art to clay sculptures, NTF is full of unexpected finds shaped by creativity, resourcefulness, and purpose.

• A typhoon once stripped Chef Mae Selene Puentespina-Resultay's Sarisa trees of their fruit. Instead of looking at what was lost, she looked at what remained—the leaves—and eventually transformed them into Rensel's crispy Sarisa Chips.

• Artist Ramon De los Santos makes his official NTF debut with Lutak Art Sculptures, combining clay and raw earth in textured works inspired by the nostalgia of Larong Pinoy.

• And NVC Foundation transforms discarded materials such as broken tiles and used Nespresso capsules into intricate mosaic art, with every purchase helping fund nutrition, education and livelihood initiatives in Negros Occidental.

Made in Negros, designed to stand out. Natural and repurposed materials are handcrafted into one-of-a-kind décor and art pieces—showcasing the ingenuity behind Negrense craftsmanship.

Come looking for your favorites. Leave having discovered a new one

7. Because when the right partners open doors, local businesses can go further.

The Negros Trade Fair has always been more than a place to shop. For four decades, it has helped give Negrense entrepreneurs a marketplace for their creativity, craftsmanship and products. This milestone edition builds on that legacy by bringing together ANP, the Provincial Government, SM Supermalls through the SM for MSMEs program and SMX Aura around a shared opportunity: helping more Filipino enterprises reach more people.

Through SM for MSMEs, SM helps bring platforms such as the Negros Trade Fair closer to a ready, high-traffic market—providing entrepreneurs with greater market access, business visibility and opportunities to connect with customers.

It's an idea at the heart of SM for MSMEs: when Filipino entrepreneurs are given the right marketplace and the right opportunities, small businesses have more room to grow.

After 40 years, NTF offers plenty of proof of what can happen when communities, entrepreneurs and partners grow together. 40 years brought them here. Come see where they go next. BÚTLAK is more than an anniversary. It's a chance to taste recipes passed through generations, wear craftsmanship reimagined for today, bring home extraordinary Filipino design, meet the people behind the products—and support businesses helping keep Negrense culture and enterprise thriving. So come hungry. Come curious. And perhaps come with an extra shopping bag!

• BÚTLAK: The 40th Negros Trade Fair

• September 22–27, 2026

• SMX Convention Center Aura

Taste it. Wear it. Bring it home. And be part of the next 40 years of Negros.

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About SM Supermalls – SM for MSMEs

SM Supermalls is one of Southeast Asia's largest mall developers and operators. 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.