The United States Embassy in the Philippines and SPARK! Philippines invite the public to the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Trade Fair from August 1 to 3 at the Activity Center of Gateway Mall 1 in Cubao, Quezon City.
From artisanal goods to modern twists on local delicacies, the trade fair will feature over 30 homegrown businesses by graduates of AWE—a business learning program led by the U.S. for women entrepreneurs.
“Since it was launched in the Philippines in 2020, AWE has supported hundreds of women in building and scaling their businesses. These entrepreneurs were able to transform their lives, create jobs, strengthen their communities, and contribute to the Philippines’ economic resilience,” U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said. “Through AWE, we celebrate the contributions of women entrepreneurs to our strong bilateral economic relationship as partners in prosperity.”
Among the entrepreneurs featured at the trade fair is Corrs Valenton, a graduate of the AWE Quezon City cohort. In 2021, she turned a passion for creating her signature cheese pimiento for friends and family into Corrsy’s Kitchen, a food-in-jars business offering a wide selection of cheese spreads, jams, and gourmet sardines. What started as a one-woman online venture is now a growing enterprise that will soon open its fourth physical store. Valenton credits AWE for helping women grow their businesses through training in sales, marketing, innovation, leadership, and network building.
“The fair is more than just a marketplace. It is a celebration of women’s resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit,” SPARK! Philippines Executive Director Maica Teves said. “It allows our AWE graduates to reach new audiences, build networks, and open doors to future opportunities.”
The AWE Trade Fair is made possible through the support of the Quezon City government, under the leadership of Mayor Joy Belmonte, and the J. Amado Araneta Foundation. The trade fair is a highlight of the AWE Philippines Summit 2025, a three-day event that commenced on July 29 in Manila, gathering 100 AWE alumnae from seven implementing sites: Bacolod City, Baguio City, Manila, Puerto Princesa City, Quezon City, Bohol, and Zamboanga del Sur. At the summit, AWE graduates have the opportunity to engage with seasoned business leaders, draw insights from established entrepreneurs, and participate in interactive workshops that will refine their entrepreneurial skills.
“Whether you are just starting out or looking to grow your existing business, this summit offers a wealth of knowledge from experienced mentors, real-world insights from fellow entrepreneurs, and interactive learning opportunities to sharpen your skills. Truly, it is a gateway to innovation, business growth, and impactful networking,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Grace Baluyan said in remarks delivered on behalf of Secretary Cristina Roque.
Launched by the U.S. Department of State in 2019, AWE is a hybrid learning program that offers courses on market research, laws and regulations, business plan creation, cash flow projection, and digital marketing for women entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. In the Philippines, AWE has trained more than 500 women beneficiaries since its launch in October 2020 in partnership with the U.S. Embassy’s American Spaces.
