Come, Let’s Eat and Celebrate Cordillera Food This April

April is National Food Month in the Philippines, and the Cordillera region joins this year’s celebration with a Cordillera Food Fair from April 8 to 14, 2019 in Baguio City. This year, the regional offices of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) organize Mangan Taku which brings together different cuisines from the provinces of the Cordillera.

The Cordillera Food Fair runs from April 8 to 14 at the Rose Garden, Burnham Park.

National Food Month Celebrates Filipino Food as Art

In 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte declared April as National Food Month. The Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement collaborates this year with the DA and the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) to conduct activities and events that celebrate Filipino food and how it is deeply rooted in local culture.

Among the activities lined up are food systems mapping activities by the NCCA, and advocacy events on food security and sustainability by the DA, especially among the youth. Partner restaurants and institutions will also take part in the “Ang Sarap: Piyesta ng Pagkaing Pilipino” by promoting different food cultures like that of Capiz, Cavite, Pampanga, Quezon and the Cordilleras.

Mangan Taku: Cordillera Food Take Center Stage

The weeklong food festival opens daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. It features several huts or kiosks that showcase the usual and unique food delicacies of the provinces, such as Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mt. Province and the city of Baguio. While the provincial showcases will give you a taste of heritage food, the Baguio city kiosk wants to expose the public’s palates to modern takes on Cordillera food.

In the evenings, special events are in store for those dining at night, with a province assigned to provide entertainment for the night. The festival is open to the public. Make sure to come with an empty stomach and a huge appetite.