New Eating Habits from the Flavors of the Philippines Festival

“Eating will never be the same,” Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr. was quoted as saying at the 4th edition of the annual Festival de la Paella Gigante, which also formally launched Flavors of the Philippines Festival 2016 held Saturday in Greenbelt Park, Makati City.

According to him, Flavors of the Philippines envisions to position the Philippines as a “center of food and gastronomy in Asia”. “It will take us to every corner of the archipelago for gustatory discoveries—for treasures handed down from generation to generation, for fusion dishes that encapsulate the identity of the Filipino,” the undersecretary added, referring to Flavors as the uniquely Filipino taste in the much anticipated Madrid Fusion Manila 2016.



 Undersecretary Bengzon described Flavors as “the delightful run-up to the grand gastronomical event in Asia”, where everyone should “make conscious effort to try different cuisines, to be brave to try the unusual, and to work up those senses,” he suggested, enjoining guests and mall goers alike to patronize all activities that the DOT has lined up to celebrate World Food Month in April.

A month-long festival showcasing the best of the country’s gastronomic offerings ranging from culinary tours, food trucks, bar crawls, concerts, to agricultural fairs, weekend gourmet markets and bazaars, Flavors of the Philippines will be held simultaneously in different malls, restaurants and venues across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao beginning 31 March.        

Organized by the DOT and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), among the highlights of this year’s Flavors of the Philippines include a Tapas Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of the Philippines on 31 March, showcasing a selection of Spanish designs dedicated to the world of food; Market Tours in Old Manila by Smokey Tours from 1-30 April; a one-day culinary heritage tour to various destinations in Cavite, Malolos, Pampanga, Malabon, Antipolo-Angono, and Laguna-Quezon by Food Holidays; and Soccsksargen or SOX Food and Fashion event, “Treasures of SOX: A Food, Travel, and Trade Expo” on 11-14 April at the Glorietta Activity Center.

The recently concluded Paella Gigante also forms part of Flavors.

For the full calendar of events, visit www.madridfusionmanila.com.