Herbal expo opens this week at Megamall

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ grandest expo for the burgeoning industry of natural health products and alternative healing services, the 4th MARPE Health Expo 2010, will stage its fourth run on Oct. 22 to 24, at the Megatrade Hall, 5th Level, Mega B, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

The three-day show, organized by the Chamber of Herbal Industries of the Philippines, Inc. (CHIPI), banners the theme “Pinoy Herbals: The Natural Way To Health & Wellness” and expected to become the biggest tradeshow in the Philippine herbal industry. CHIPI is an organization of companies whose members and products are recognized both here and abroad and collectively contribute about $600 million to the economy annually.

CHIPI president Albert M. G. Garcia, who is president and CEO of Whealth Inc., said the expo is a venue to promote and encourage the SMEs to take a good look at the industry considering the biodiversity of the country’s plants and minerals.

“We are hopeful the government will adopt the alternative and traditional health care as part of the national mechanism so we can help reduce national health costs,” Garcia added, saying the show’s featured products include natural health supplements, herbal and natural-based personal care products, natural food and ingredients, organic products, natural health drinks and beverages, alternative and complimentary healing therapies and other allied services.

The expo, a one-stop-shop of the country”s leading brands of consumer products produced by CHIPI member companies and allied industry associations to provide the public with safe, reliable and affordable natural health products and healing services, is supported by the Department of Trade and Industry, the Export Development Council and the Virgin Coconut Organization of the Philippines, the event will be keynoted by Health Undersecretary for Health Policy and Standards Development for Health Regulation Alexander A. Padilla.

The 4th MARPE Health Expo 2010 is managed by premier events manager and organizer Mildred B. Caballero of Trade Advertising Exhibitions and Conventions international, Inc. (Tradecon, Inc.).

Among the participating member companies in the exhibit are Herbs and Nature Corp., ABS Gen Herbs Int’l Corp., Herbcare Corp., Pascual Laboratories, Whealth Inc., Prosource International, Splash Corp., Philippine Morinda Citrofolia, Inc., Goldware Essential Products Corp., Rainiers Research & Development Institute, Inc., Herbanext, Inc., Northfield Laboratories, Inc. Psalmstre Enterprises, Davenben Ent. Cor., and YSA Skin Care Corp.

For inquiries, call event manager Tradecon, Inc. at 633-8647; 395-5137; 395-5009 or email at [email protected].