Miss Iloilo 2025 candidates showcase Ilonggo delicacies in gastronomy costume competition

Ilonggo delicacies were the highlight of Miss Iloilo 2025's gastronomy costume competition.

According to Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Wednesday, the candidates wore colorful costumes inspired by the mouth-watering dishes in Iloilo, including linaga, talaba, and sinamak vinegar.

Miss Iloilo pageant/program director Reyna Clamor called the competition "unique, campy, and fun," and also a perfect avenue to showcase the residents' creativity.

"Of course, we are really happy for how the netizens—paano nila tinanggap 'yung gastronomy costume na theme. Makikita rin naman sa social media and we see how happy they are. Minsan may nakikita pa kaming mga memes about the food and I think it's really a milestone," Miss Iloilo director for marketing and PR Michael Angelo Sarte said.

"It's all about promoting Iloilo and showcasing how rich the culture of Iloilo, at the same time, how creative Ilonggos are. And while promoting Dinagyang, we also promote other aspects of Iloilo," Sarte said.

The competition came after Iloilo was hailed as a Creative City of Gastronomy by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2023.

Other cities who were given the recognition were Burgos in Spain, Parma in Italy, Phuket in Thailand, and Macau.

Because of the recognition, Iloilo plans to further enrich its cuisine.

"Gagamitin na namin 'yung opportunity na ito because not every city's given this recognition," Clamor said.