Iloilo City hosts Gastronomy Symposium, highlights ASEAN culinary heritage

Last April 7, 2026, the celebration of the 2026 Filipino Food Month continued with the Gastronomy Symposium at the PHINMA – University of Iloilo, bringing together various stakeholders of different universities across Iloilo province to engage in meaningful dialogues on culinary heritage and policies for food sustainability.

During the event, a plateful of knowledge was served to nourish the minds of the attendees on topics like regional flavors in ASEAN and culinary culture as the primary driver of national development. A gastrodiplomacy talk was also held as a collaborative knowledge exchange,  featuring focal points of other creative cities of gastronomy such as Kuching in Malaysia and Phetchaburi in Thailand.

Internationally-awarded non-fiction author, heritage advocate, and Philippine colonial-era culinary historian Felice Prudente Sta. Maria graced the event, taking the audience down memory lane with her talk on Pre-Colonial Filipino Cuisine. This was followed by a ceremonial turnover of her books to the University of Iloilo, marking a significant contribution to the institution’s academic resources.

In line with the theme, Flavors Across the Seas: Celebrating ASEAN’s Shared Table, Far Eastern University Manila Dean Dr. Harold Bueno emphasized the importance of appreciating and enriching culinary heritage as a means of bridging the distances between ASEAN nations.

On the topic of food sustainability, Prof. Jojo Villamin highlighted the role of the University of the Philippines Visayas in being a lead institution in community-based initiatives, particularly in fisheries. Meanwhile, Dhang Tecson of Sinaya Seafood featured how their sustainable fish sourcing can play a vital role in achieving a more sustainable future.

Filipino food advocate, Guillermo “Ige” Ramos, also took center stage as moderator of the open forum, delighting the audience with the recent launch of his book, Bukambibig, a collection of 14 essays narrating his culinary discoveries through research, cultural exploration, and personal reflection. (Written by Louiel Jay A. Concepcion)