The Gastronomic Kaleidoscope: Uniting Tradition and Innovation at the 2023 National Food Fair

The 2023 National Food Fair with the theme “Go Discover, Taste, Enjoy!” commenced on Wednesday, July 12, with a simple opening ceremony led by Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual as the keynote speaker.

This exciting event is organized by the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion (BDTP) in collaboration with the DTI Regional Operations Group. Held at the Megatrade Halls of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, the fair runs from July 12 to 16.

Visitors to the fair can explore a diverse array of products showcased by more than 250 MSMEs from all 17 regions of the country. The event provides an excellent opportunity for these local businesses to present their offerings on-site, allowing attendees to experience the rich and varied flavors of the Philippines.

To extend the reach of the fair nationwide, there’s also an online component hosted on the Lazada e-commerce platform. Through this online National Food Fair, customers from all over the country can access and purchase the products from the participating MSMEs, promoting a broader market reach and greater exposure for these local entrepreneurs.

Highlighting the seamless blend of tradition and innovation, the National Food Fair features captivating settings, pavilions, and MSME clusters. These platforms serve as focal points for showcasing remarkable advancements that elevate traditional Filipino products to meet stringent food industry standards, making them competitive in the global market. The key elements of the fair include:

• Philippine Coconut Industry Pavilion and Coconut-Based MSME Cluster
• Philippine Food Industry Innovations Lounge
• Philippine Fruits and Nuts Pavilion
• Innovative and Biotech Products Cluster
• Rural Agro-Industrial Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth) Project Pavilion
• Farm Fresh Produce Pavilion
• KAPEtirya or Philippine Coffee Pavilion
• Philippine Island Wine, Beer, and Juice Bar

Catering to the culinary enthusiasts, the National Food Fair boasts a daily program of activities featuring renowned Filipino chefs. These talented culinary experts take center stage with live cooking and food preparation demonstrations, delighting the audience with their skills and creativity. The exciting lineup of chefs includes:

• The Ultimate Filipino Adobo: Stories Through the Ages book launching and cooking demonstrations (Chef Claude Tayag)
• Isang Dekada ng Guevarra’s: An Inspiring Story (Chef Laudico Guevarra)
• Fiesta Recipes (Chef Boy Logro)
• Halal Recipes and lavish feast during social occasions (Chef Yed Dimaporo & Mustapha Ala, Jr.)
• SIMPOL Recipes Using Coconut (Chef Tatung Sarthou)
• Culinary Kurobuta Masterpieces (Chef Donatello Montrone)
• Changing the Food Mindset: Slow Food (Chef Jam Melchor)
• Plant-based Desserts (Chef Aileen of Studio Plantmaed)
• Benefits of a Plant-based Diet (Chef Mylene Dolonius of Studio Plantmaed)
• Healthy Daily Recipes (Chef YLYT Frixiah Manaig)
• Magsaysay Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts (Chef Eric Gruba)
• The Farm at San Benito (Rose Pagcaliwagan)
• Philippine Wine Mixology (Bartender Nino Cruz)

The grand finale of this celebration, dedicated to the diversity and cultural heritage of Filipino food, is an immersive and interactive cultural presentation known as the BARMM Pagana Maguindanao, under the guidance of Mustafa Ala and Chef Yed Dimaporo.

The Pagana Maguindanao is a cherished tradition in the Maguindanao province of the Philippines, embodying profound cultural significance. This vibrant and joyous event brings the community together to honor and commemorate special occasions like weddings, religious festivities, and community milestones.

At the heart of the Pagana celebration are lively music, resplendent costumes, and captivating traditional dances that vividly depict the rich cultural heritage of the Maguindanaon people. The enchanting melodies of the kulintang ensemble, a set of gongs creating rhythmic harmony, set the tone for the festivities. Meanwhile, mesmerizing dances like the Singkil and Pangalay grace the stage, captivating the audience with their graceful movements.

The event also serves a sumptuous feast of traditional Maguindanaon cuisine, featuring delectable dishes like LININGGIL A MANOK (chicken cooked in turmeric and coconut milk) and palapa (a spicy condiment made from chili and scallions), tantalizing the taste buds of all present.

Beyond a mere celebration, Pagana is a cherished moment for strengthening community bonds, passing down time-honored cultural traditions to younger generations, and proudly showcasing the artistic talents of the Maguindanaon people. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Filipino culture and heritage.

In addition to the exciting culinary showcases, the daily program of the National Food Fair includes engaging entrepreneurship talks and informative learning sessions, providing valuable resources and ideas for food entrepreneurs to fortify and position their businesses for sustained growth. These sessions are facilitated by various government agencies and partner institutions, offering invaluable insights on the following topics:

• Geographical Indications and the Benefits of Registering One’s Trademark or Brand in IPOPHIL (Intellectual Property Office)
• Sustainable Planting and Replanting of Local Cultivars; Natural and Healthy Coconut Vinegar; Health Benefits of Coconut (Philippine Coconut Authority)
• Halal Culinary Tourism (Department of Tourism)
• Bioplastic Derived from Pineapple Waste Packaging Technology; Coco-Based Food Technologies (Department of Science and Technology)
• Kitchen Lab and Food Connect Plus (Philippine Trade Training Center)
• Dairy and Coconut Farming, A Viable Integrated Farming Enterprise (National Dairy Authority)
• Boosting Nutrition to Different MSMEs as Suppliers of Healthy Food Products (National Nutrition Council)
• Healthy Food Consumption Trends and Research on Health Benefits of Philippine Herbs (Department of Health)
• Franchising – A Way to Make Every Filipino Taste Your Lola’s Recipe (Philippine Franchising Association)
• Accelerating Growth Through One Research and Extension in Action (UP Los Baños-Agora)
• How MSMEs Can Thrive Online (Lazada)
• Unilever’s Healthy and Sustainable Food Program (Unilever Philippines)
• Maximizing Your Digital Marketing Potential with Analytics and Business Intelligence (Pamela Padilla)

All activities in the daily program are open to the public and completely free of charge. For those unable to attend in person, the events are also being livestreamed on the BDTP social media channels, ensuring remote viewers can still participate and enjoy the festivities.

To stay informed about the latest updates regarding the 2023 National Food Fair and other initiatives from the DTI-Bureau of Domestic Trade Promotion, please follow their social media accounts on Facebook (DTI.BDTP), Instagram (dti.bdtp), and Twitter (@DTI_BDTP). For any inquiries or further information, you may also reach out to BDTP Director Marievic M. Bononan via email at bdtp@dti.gov.ph. Stay connected to experience the vibrant world of Filipino food and entrepreneurship!