THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the country’s leading government agency for arts and culture, led by its chairman National Artist Virgilio S. Almario and Executive Director Rico S. Pableo Jr., and the country’s prime government agency responsible for the promotion of agricultural development, the Department of Agriculture (DA), led by its secretary Emmanuel Piñol, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of Capiz, lead the Visayas leg of the first ever Filipino Food Month on April 11 and 12, 2019 with multi-venue activities within the province.
The celebration of Filipino Food Month is in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation No. 469, signed in April 2018 it carries the theme Ang Sarap: Piyesta ng Pagkaing Pilipino.
The Filipino Food Month is a celebration to promote, preserve, and ensure the transmission of vast culinary traditions and treasures to future generations, and to support and appreciate various industries, farmers, and agri-communities which benefit therefrom.
The Filipino Food Month celebration in Visayas opens with Patubas (which means harvest) or farmers and fisherfolk day on April 11, 2019 at the Villareal Stadium, Roxas City, Capiz, and witness competitions such as the PINAKA-Contest. Tiyangge is also part of the celebration featuring agricultural and aquamarine products sold by participating farmers and fishermen.
The formal launch highlights the unveiling of Filipino Food Month logo, food offering, performances, and cooking competitions among local government units (LGU) of Capiz. The main proponent of the Filipino Food Month and President of Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM), Chef Jam Melchor shares his views and thoughts on the Filipino food and its celebrations, and will also conduct a cooking demonstration.
On April 12, there will be a food trip within Capiz that features mountains of fish and seafood. South Luzon’s Kulinarya Tagala will also showcase and share food from Calabarzon. Sadsad Capiz: Street Dancing Showcase, one of the activities of Capiz’ annual tourism and cultural event, Capiztahan will also be witnessed during the celebration.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) will also take part in the festivity with their series of food fairs which will happen in different cities and regions around the country including Baguio City, Quezon, and Iloilo.
The Luzon launch was celebrated at The Orchid Gardens, San Fernando, Pampanga last April 5, 2019, in collaboration with LGU of Pampanga and DOT Region III with presentations, cooking demonstrations, lectures about food industry, and tour.
DA, through its marketing arm Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), led its annual TienDA from April 10 to 12 at the DA grounds, which included showcasing of indigenous products, and cooking demonstration conducted by local cooks. TienDA is a venue for farmers and fishers to be able to directly sell their produce, and for consumers to be able to access products at its farm gate price.
CineKabalen also extends its support to the celebration through launching a competition opened on March 4 for Filipino filmmakers who have films that tackle culinary stories, traditions, and treasures of the Philippines.
For the whole month of April, expect multi-venue events all over the country. In Cavite, an exhibition titled Sinag: Tracing Emilio Aguinaldo’s Palate is on view through the whole month of April at Sarmiento-Panlilio Room, Museo De la Salle, De la Salle University-Dasmariñas City.
Pista sa Guevarra’s: Celebration of Filipino Food Flavors, Chef Roland and Jaq Laudico’s own celebration at Guevarra’s, San Juan City, runs from April 6 to April 30.
The Culinary Historians of the Philippines (CHOP) will dive deeper into the food and culture of our Moro brothers and sisters through hosting Bangsamoro Lunch and Lecture at Chef Jessie’s Place, Makati on April 13.
Republic of Taste: A Gastronomic Journey in South Luzon with food historian Guillermo ‘Ige’ Ramos will also celebrate the Filipino Food Month from April 26 to 28, 2019 at the SM City Rosario, Cavite.
Apart from these, World Disco Soup Day, will happen at the St. Scholastica’s College, Manila on April 27, 2019, in partnership with Slow Food Philippines. The program aims to turn potential food waste into soup for a feeding program.
For the culminating activity, PCHM will hold a gala night titled “Ang Sarap! Philippine Food Festival Gala 2019” on April 30, 2019 at the Manila Hotel, with invited chefs and purveyors from all over the country.
For more details, please contact Mr. Rene Napeñas, head of the Public Affairs and Information Section, through 0928-5081057, 527-2192 loc 628 or through email address ncca.paio@gmail.com. Log on to www.ncca.gov.ph.