ILOILO CITY – The Department of Tourism-Reg. 6 launched a three-day event highlighting the Ilonggo and Western Visayan food as part of the Filipino Food Month celebrations.
Dubbed as “Namit” (a Hiligaynon word for delicious), the three-day affair involves activities at SM City Iloilo showcasing the variety of native delicacies in the region.
“Apart from the tourist attractions, our culinary heritage also attracts visitors,” said DOT-6 Regional Director Cristine Mansinares.
“This reintroduces our food specialties and ingredients that are naturally grown in our region,” emphasized Mansinares.
The Iloilo Provincial Culture, Arts, History, and Tourism Office headed by Gilbert Marin brought food artisans who practice traditional cooking methods.
There’s also a Western Visayas Culinary Tourism Forum with renowned chefs in the region. Rafael “Tibong” Jardeleza Jr. discussed the traditional Ilonggo heritage cooking while Armando Hisuan Jr. tackled about Western Visayas heritage cuisine.
Reena Gamboa from Negros Occidental province tackled the Slow Food Community, which DOT-6 is replicating in other parts of the region starting with Capiz province.