BY NYARIKA DOMANAIS
ILOILO City – To promote good nutrition and Filipino culinary heritage, and ensure their transmission to future generations, this UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy is leading this year’s celebration of the Filipino Food Month (Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino) with a series of appetite-whetting activities.
With the theme “Kalutong Filipino, Lakas ng Kabataang Makabago”, the weeklong celebration was launched on April 25 at SM City Iloilo with the opening of the “Gastronomy and Food Sustainable System Exhibition”.
The city government is consistently advocating not only the Ilonggos’ rich food culture but also good nutrition via forward-looking initiatives in collaboration with private sector partners.
With SM Prime Holdings for example, it is redeveloping the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market – the city’s two major markets where local farmers, fisherfolk and food producers could sell their quality, nutritious products.
When the market redevelopments are complete and they become operational, these will serve as accessible sources of quality agricultural and fishery produce for good nutrition such as organic vegetables, fruits and seafood, according to the city government.
“Food is a collective work of the fisherfolk, farmers and local producers,” said Mark Omaña, the head of the Special Project Unit of the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), at the opening of the Gastronomy and Food Sustainable System Exhibition.
UNESCO has cited Iloilo City for its vibrant culinary scene with its rich array of native ingredients and time-honored cooking techniques.
According to Omaña, Filipino Food Month-related activities at SM City Iloilo are “a reminder to all of us that food is not merely a commodity that fills our empty stomachs. It is our culture and part of our identity.”
Ilonggo cuisine is characterized by its use of fresh seafood, local vegetables, poultry, and pork, as well as a unique blend of tastes that often incorporates a balance of savory, sour, and sometimes sweet flavors.
According to the city government, with the central and terminal markets becoming clean, hygienic and orderly, Ilonggo consumers will be attracted to patronize the local producers’ quality and nutritious food products.
“Together, let us continue to plan, organize and implement projects and programs that promote Kalutong Pilipino,” said Omaña.
The Filipino Food Month is observed every April as mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 469, series of 2018. It aims to advocate for good nutrition, food, gastronomy, and farm tourism to foster awareness, appreciation, and preservation of Filipino culinary history and heritage.
The celebration’s kickoff at SM City Iloilo was also supported by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Iloilo Business Club (IBC), among others.
The ceremonial ribbon-cutting for the opening of the “Gastronomy and Food Sustainable System Exhibition” was led by Mayor Jerry Treñas’ Executive Assistant Raisa Treñas-Chu; Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon; Councilor Rudolph Ganzon; SM City Iloilo’s Assistant Mall Manager Darrel John Defensor; NCCA’s Omaña; and Philippine gastronomy expert Guillermo “Ige” Ramos./PN
