April is a special month for Filipino cuisine and culture. The Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement, lobbied by the Department of Agriculture and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, has lobbied for April as Filipino Food Month. In 2018, by Presidential Proclamation No. 469, the President of the Philippines officially declared April as Filipino Food Month.
This proclamation aims to celebrate the country’s rich culinary heritage, composed of several regions with unique dishes and flavors.
Read more:
- Chef Tibong Promotes Heritage by Making You Hungry
- On the trail for Ilonggo food, local eats
- Best-selling book, “Let’s Cook with Nora” gets update from daughter
- 22 Best Ilonggo Sweet Treats and Pasalubong Stores
- 22 Popular Filipino Pampalamig Summer Desserts and Iloilo Summer Flavors
Activities involving Filipino Food Month
The celebration involves numerous activities such as cooking demonstrations, food festivals, food tasting events, and other informative activities that foster an appreciation for Filipino cuisine. These events allow people to experience authentic Filipino dishes from all over the Philippines and learn about its traditional ingredients and preparation methods.
Moreover, these activities also promote local agricultural products grown in various provinces around the country, which contribute to a healthier lifestyle while encouraging entrepreneurship at the same time.
Through this initiative celebrating Filipino Food Month during April, Filipinos can be proud of their heritage while celebrating its diversity in taste, culture, and ingredients. This allows them to share their knowledge of Philippine cuisine with others who may not be familiar with it yet, thus promoting its popularity worldwide.
How to celebrate Filipino Food Month
The Philippines is home to a wide range of delicious dishes. This month, it’s time to celebrate Filipino food and all the amazing flavors that come with it. Here is a top 7 list of activities you can do to honor this wonderful cuisine during Filipino Food Month.
Visit a Filipino restaurant
What better way to honor Filipino Food Month than visiting your local restaurant? Explore the menu and try something new or go for something tried-and-true. Look for classic favorites like adobo, tinola, or sinigang. You can talk a lot about the world of Filipino cuisine.
Learn about indigenous ingredients
Traditional Filipino cooking relies on native ingredients such as indigenous methods of producing salt, bagoong, batuan, banana leaves, and taro root. Learning more about these ingredients will help you appreciate the amazing flavors of many popular dishes.
Host a dinner party
Gather your friends and host an evening dedicated to Filipino food. Ask guests to bring side dishes or desserts, then pick out one or two main entrees for everyone to enjoy together. Enjoy a night of lively conversation amidst delicious fare. In short, a kakanin session for summer afternoons or evenings would be nice.
Take part in a cooking class
What better way to learn about this beautiful cuisine than by taking a cooking class? You can expand your culinary knowledge while learning how to make popular dishes from experts passionate about their food culture. PS: Cooking class for the public is not uncommon, but it’s not held regularly. It’ll just pop up from time to time. Coffee demos, meanwhile, are more common.
Try making some classic recipes
If there aren’t any cooking classes, why not give it a go yourself? Creating delicious dishes at home is easier than ever with many great online recipes and books devoted entirely to traditional Philippine cuisine. From pancit bihon guisado to dinuguan, you can start with Philippine cooking today. BONUS: Go buy yourself the Flavour of Iloilo book by Chef Rafael “Tibong” Jardaleza III.
Explore street food stalls
Street food stalls are an important part of Philippine culture and offer delectable treats! From balut to iskrambul, take a stroll through markets around town and beyond for some truly unique experiences when it comes to dining out.
Try fusion cuisine
Fusion cuisine has become increasingly popular over the last few years, combining elements from different cultures into one flavorful dish. Many restaurants specialize in modern takes on traditional Philippine cuisines that offer exciting flavor profiles never seen before—worth checking out if you want something new and exciting to try during this special month!
7 Filipino food dishes you should try this Filipino Food Month
Put together these unique flavors for something extraordinary this Filipino Food Month.
Adobo
This classic, beloved Filipino dish consists of meat stewed in soy sauce and vinegar, then simmered in oil and garlic until tender and flavorful. A favorite for any occasion, adobo will surely be your table’s star this month.
Read more: Chicken and Pork Adobo Recipe
Sisig
Originating from Pampanga, this dish is essentially sizzling pork bits served on a sizzling plate with various spices. It can be enjoyed with other accompaniments such as onions, citrus juice, and chili peppers – perfect for adding zing to your meal.
Kare-Kare
Another classic from Pampanga, kare-kare is a stew consisting of oxtail, tripe, green beans, eggplant, and peanut butter that’s slow-cooked over low heat until it forms a thick sauce. Traditionally served with bagoong on the side for additional flavor!
Lumpia
Lumpia are spring rolls composed of ground meat and vegetables wrapped in thin wrappers, deep-fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside while remaining moist inside. They can be filled with anything you like. Try some traditional versions, such as pork or shrimp lumpia, for something different this month.
Read more: Lumpia Recipe
Pinakbet
This vegetable dish usually consists of squash, string beans, okra , tomato, onion, and patola, all simmered together in bagoong. A delicious way to get your five-a-day!
Bicol Express
Hailing from the region of Bicol in the Philippines, this spicy pork dish is cooked in coconut milk until tender before being topped with chilies for added heat. It’s an incredibly delicious way to get your spice fix.
Halo-Halo
Considered by many to be a national dessert staple in the Philippines, halo-halo translates directly from Tagalog as “mix mix” – referring to its combination of ingredients, including shaved ice, evaporated milk, various fruits, jellies, sweetened beans, nata de coco, and ube ice cream.
Ilonggo dishes to celebrate this Filipino Food Month
When it comes to food, Iloilo has something for everyone. There’s a diversity of dishes that reflect the city’s multicultural heritage. From Spanish-influenced dishes to Chinese and Indian cuisine, Iloilo has something to offer all foodies. Here are some must-try dishes in Iloilo.
Lapaz Batchoy
The ultimate food of Iloilo City! This quintessentially Ilonggo dish is a pork noodle soup made with miki noodles, pork broth, chicken liver, and garlic. It’s usually garnished with chopped scallions, and chicharon. Note: always order puto for the sides!
Pancit Molo
Another popular dish, pancit molo is a bowl of wonton noodles served in a rich and flavorful chicken broth. The soup is filled with pork wonton, shrimp, or chiken, and topped with fried garlic and chopped scallions.
Linagpang
The dish of the moment is Linagpang na Turugsoy. Sounds like an interesting one, doesn’t it? This involves grilling or broiling fish or chicken before adding them to soup often cooked with tomatoes and ginger!
KBL
One famous local dish is kadyos, baboy, langka, a stew made with pigeon pea, pork, and jackfruit. Manamit!
Read more: KBL – Kadyos, Baboy, Langka Recipe
Dinuguan
Dinuguan is a savory stew made from pork blood and meat cooked with vinegar. It’s often served with steamed rice and a side of puto or atchara!
Roberto’s Siopao
Roberto’s Siopao is a must-try when you travel to Iloilo City! This delicious dish is made with steamed rice flour dough filled with pork, and it’s definitely one of the best siopaos in town.
Seafood
Iloilo City is known for its fresh seafood, so try dishes like grilled fish or squid, baked talaba, kinilaw (raw fish cooked in vinegar and spices), and green mussels!
