Over the centuries, each new wave of settlers in the Philippines brought with them their crops and own culinary practices which, with time, blended into our cuisine as it is known today.
It was said that Filipino desserts date back to the sugar boom in the late 18th century when sugar became the most important agricultural product in the Philippines. Sugar was used in everything, which is why it is not surprising that we have a wide variety of sweet delicacies.
With many cultural influences throughout our country’s history and with the ingenuity of Filipino taste, a wealth of interesting sweets was produced.
As a subset of Cultural Tourism, local culinary are part of the rich heritage of a destination. The unique and memorable food: authentic or even familiar has somehow motivated some people to visit a destination.
What tourists seek nowadays, are new experiences, something unusual, different, unique, that offers authenticity and local contacts in that particular place.
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The emerging trend of Culinary Tourism can be surveyed and studied as most of our tourist destinations have made a great effort to promote their local cuisines. There is a growing awareness of the importance of food as a culture and heritage component for Iloilo and we consider it as a valuable source to attract tourists.
The Western Visayas Region has a very rich culinary heritage and its people are very passionate about it and are very much willing to offer their culinary specialties to its visitors. Apart from the natural wonders, historical and cultural richness of its destinations food is what will promote the region as its new offering.
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To be held at the event area at the Southpoint of SM City Iloilo, NAMIT! will highlight the famous kakanins in selected towns of Iloilo province. The three-day cooking demonstration and food tasting opens with Tikoy of Lambunao and Ibos of Leganes on October 30 (Saturday); October 31 (Sunday) will have the municipality of Calinog to showcase their indigenous food, and; November 1 (Monday) highlights Lakatan banana chips of Janiuay and Bandi of San Joaquin.
Cooking demonstration will be every 3:00 P.M. and to be followed by the fashion show at 6:00 P.M.
These series of events will take all precautions into consideration to keep attendees and participants to the event safe. Pandemic protocols will highly be observed.
NAMIT! is an offshoot of Kain Na! a project of the Department of Tourism in support of culinary tourism which introduces the specialties, as well as new dishes that mostly highlight every region’s culinary produce. This culinary tourism project is the first of a series of events that will continue in the coming years in support of the food and farm tourism project of the DOT.
The event will be one of the highlights along with the 14th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair during the grand launching of SM City’s Giant Christmas Tree lighting and Three-Day Sale on October 30 till November 1, 2021. NAMIT! is presented to you by the Provincial Culture, Arts, History and Tourism Office – Iloilo, the Department of Tourism-VI and SM City Iloilo and co-presented by The Daily Guardian.
CREDITS:
– Text and photos are by Bombette G. Marin, Iloilo Provincial Tourism Officer.