As the nation celebrates Filipino Food Month this April, Senator Loren Legarda stressed the importance of the link between food security and cultural heritage in sustaining Filipino families and communities through changing times.

“Filipino Food Month reminds us that food is more than nourishment. It is culture, memory, and strength. Protecting our farmers and fisherfolk ensures that families can continue to gather around the table with dignity and hope,” Legarda said.

This year’s theme: “Connected by Taste: Filipino Food in the Flavors of ASEAN,” coincides with the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit. 

Legarda said this year’s theme reflects how Filipino cuisine connects people across cultures and strengthens cooperation through shared flavors and traditions.

She cited as an example, the first selection of the Michelin Guide 2026 for Manila, Environs, and Cebu as a historic moment for Philippine gastronomy. 

Recently, one restaurant in Makati was awarded two Michelin stars, eight restaurants across Makati, Taguig, Parañaque, and Cavite earned one star, 25 establishments received the Bib Gourmand distinction, and 74 more were recognized as Michelin Selected. 

A total of 108 establishments were surveyed, underscoring the diversity and strength of Filipino dining.

“The world is finally tasting what we have long known—that Filipino food tells our story, from mountain to coast, from the labor of our farmers to the joy of our families,” the Senate Committee on Culture and the Arts chairperson said.

Legarda earlier filed Senate Bill No. 822 or the Philippine Culinary Heritage Act which seeks to institutionalize the preservation and promotion of culinary traditions. 

The measure establishes the Committee on Philippine Gastronomy and Culinary Heritage under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to conduct culinary mapping, support local food producers, and ensure the annual celebration of Filipino Food Month.

Legarda said her commitment to food security is the reason she filed the proposed “Bayanihan 3: Power to the People Act” which seeks to provide direct support to households during times of economic disruption.

“Food has always been close to my heart because I often gather ingredients from my own backyard. In difficult times, these meals remind us of who we are—resilient, resourceful, and united. The Filipino table remains a place of nourishment, culture, and strength that continues to bring our people together,” she stressed.