Iloilo City Launches First Gastronomy Conference

By Juliane Judilla

The Iloilo City Government, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6, launched “Pagtililipon,” the inaugural Iloilo City Gastronomy Conference, on Oct. 29 at the Grand Xing Hotel in Iloilo City.

The conference gathered city officials, industry experts, academics, business owners, and food enthusiasts to review the Iloilo Gastronomy Map, present drafts for the city’s Gastronomy Roadmap, and foster collaboration among stakeholders to shape the future of Ilonggo cuisine.

The event emphasized the city’s slow food movement, focusing on traceability, accessibility, and sustainability.

PJ Arañador, a renowned cultural advocate, highlighted the importance of indigenizing local cuisine by using native ingredients and traditional culinary techniques.

Chef Cidj Jalandoni shared his vision for Iloilo’s street food culture and expressed a commitment to making the city a platform for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to grow while establishing Iloilo as a culinary destination.

“Time will come when you can go to the streets of Iloilo without any fear and proudly say, ‘Let’s go! Let’s eat in Iloilo!’” he said.

Maricel Mabaquiao, head of the Iloilo Local Economic Enterprise Office (ILEEO), also provided updates on the redevelopment of two major markets in the city.

Mabaquiao announced that all seven markets in Iloilo City currently under rehabilitation are expected to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2025.

As one of ten cities in Western Visayas awarded a PHP 2-million grant under the Lunsod Lunsad Project, Iloilo City is competing in the 2024 Lunsod Lunsad Awards with the Lunsod Lunsad Creative Gastronomy Mapping, Strategy Development, Conference, and Showcase initiative.