Driving Local Growth: CLSU Hosts Business Masterclass and Trade Show for MSMEs

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija — The Central Luzon State University College of Business and Accountancy (CLSU CBA), alongside the CLSU University Extension Program Office (UEPO) and the Department of Trade and Industry – Nueva Ecija Provincial Office (DTI-NEPO), united to debut the fourth installment of the “Partnership for the Goals, Partnership for Sustainable Development: Business Masterclass and Trade Show.” Organized under the umbrella of the community outreach program UGNAY: Partnership for Development, the event ran from July 22-23, 2026, at the CLSU Multipurpose Gym in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

The two-day event gathered 30 local businesses (MSMEs) to display a wide variety of merchandise, encompassing food items, handcrafted goods, and agricultural produce. This commercial showcase offered these enterprises vital market visibility to engage new customer bases, while serving as the beginning for an immersive, semester-long alliance between local businesses and CLSU marketing students. Sophisticated second- and third-year marketing students selected the specific enterprises they will partner with over the coming months, offering them an experience to utilize classroom theories from their retail and distribution management coursework to actively market and distribute actual products.

The Grand Opening: Setting the Stage for Collaboration  

The event opened on the first day with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally open the trade show exhibition. Dr. Edilyn V. Lansangan, the Dean of CLSU CBA, led the opening alongside Engr. Gerardo P. Maglalang, the Provincial Director of DTI-NEPO, and Dr. Aldrin E. Badua, the Director of CLSU-UEPO, Dr. Emmanuel M. Vera Cruz, Vice President of Research, Extension, and Innovation, and Atty. Jay Villafria, the representative of Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ravelina R. Velasco. This ceremony officially opened the MSMEs stalls for the participants and signaled the start of the collaborative work between the students and local business owners.

Kickstarting the event, Dr. Lansangan delivered an inspiring opening speech on the power of bridging local enterprises with student resellers for real-world entrepreneurial growth. Standing alongside her, Engr. Maglalang, Dr. Badua, Dr. Vera Cruz, and Atty. Villafria voiced their united support for the initiative—underscoring CLSU CBA’s strong commitment to nurturing the next generation of business innovators.

MSMEs Upskilling and Networking

The second day focused heavily on capacity building, featuring a Business Masterclass held at the CLSU Multipurpose Gym. During these sessions, industry experts taught the business owners practical methods to upgrade their day-to-day operations, focusing specifically on Content Marketing, Basics of Taxation, and Business Operations. At the same time, the trade show continued running at the CLSU Multipurpose Gym, giving students more time to interact with the owners and lock in their official business pairings for the semester.

This project lays the groundwork for a lasting professional relationship. It gives students the chance to use their marketing and management skills to help local brands scale up, while gaining invaluable, first-hand experience managing and distributing goods for a real enterprise.

Recognizing Excellence: A Tribute to MSMEs

The event drew to a close with a recognition ceremony where all participating enterprises were presented with certificates to honor their vital participation and support. Following the presentations, the finalized student-business pairings were publicly declared, signaling the start of their cooperative operations for the remainder of the current academic semester. 

Participating MSMEs:

1. Ajee Food Products
2. Aling Maria’s Homemade Sweets
3. AVON by Amy De Guzman
4. Blue and Pink Arts and Crafts
5. Bolea’s Food Products
6. Castañeto Dairy Products Trading
7. CLSU Eggs/CLSU Pasalubong Center
8. Edje Food Products Manufacturing
9. Enrico’s Dairy Products
10. For Reale Consumers Good Retailing
11. Goldeliz Food Products
12. Hacienda T&C Food Processing
13. Heaven Sweet Treats Food Products
14. Kape Yan ‘Ih!
15. Kindle Candles
16. Klin’s Sweets Che Cakes and Pastries Shop
17. Laur Farmers Agriculture Cooperative
18. Lhandwalkz Footwear Manufacturing
19. Maddies Food Products
20. MANNA Ventures INC.
21. Melojhen Food Products Manufacturing
22. Mr. Pastil Food and Beverage House
23. MV Fashion Boutique (Natasha)
24. Naz G’s Dimsum and Frozen Products Store
25. Nez Vinegar Trading
26. Personal Collection 
27. R&V Delight’s Food Products
28. Rona’s Food Product
29. USANA
30. Woodenscents Consumer Good Trading

Our Commitment to Sustainability

This venture directly furthers the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, it champions SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Through these ongoing campaigns, CLSU remains dedicated to fostering grassroots entrepreneurship, expanding the provincial economy, and refining student capabilities—ensuring a mutually rewarding outcome for all stakeholders.  

For more updates on future initiatives, follow the CLSU CBA Facebook page.