ILOILO City Council passed a resolution to set up a celebration to highlight “Batchoy” known as the “old traditional food of Ilonggos.”
Councilor Joshua Alim who proposed the celebration said in an interview after the council’s regular session on September 18 that Batchoy is considered as one of the “intangible cultural heritage dishes” of the city together with the Pancit Molo.
“We will also celebrate and the city should give importance because other cities or places, they celebrate food festivals,” Alim said.
Alim said he prefers the “National Batchoy Day” to be established on months with “rainy” seasons.
The proposal was referred to the committee on tourism, commerce and industry chaired by Councilor Candice Tupas for study reports and recommendation.
According to Luth Camiña, the fourth-generation owner of Camiña Balay na Bato, Batchoy is influenced by two Asian races.
Batchoy comes from the root word “Ba” which means meat and “Choy” comes from “cut” in Chinese.
Just like the “Washoku” of Japan, it might have a chance to be known as one of the “intangible cultural heritage dish.” (Carolyn Jane Abello)