Flavors of the Philippines: Summer is the best time to be a foodie

So you missed out on Madrid Fusión Manila 2016. Maybe you were in another part of the country and couldn’t come to Manila to witness and participate in this year’s edition, sailing with the theme “The Manila Galleon: East meets West.” Fear not because there are more food events happening all around the country in the remaining days of April.

With the Department of Tourism (DOT) promoting the second "Flavors of the Philippines" event, more local and foreign tourists will get the chance to taste and experience how food is integral to the everyday lives of Filipinos.

Through food festivals, food tours, weekend markets, exhibits, and restaurant offerings across the entire Philippines, regional dishes get to share the limelight with Filipino favorites like adobo and sinigang.

National Captital Region (NCR)

Discover how Spanish design and gastronomy work hand-in-hand at the Tapas exhibit. Photos from Stanley See.

Tapas: Spanish Design for Food Exhibit
An art exhibit featuring a selection of Spanish designs dedicated to the world of food. The 300+ curated items are categorized into Kitchen, Table, and Food sections. Fascinating and must-see installations include a Paella wall, the “Tennis Shoe”, Wine Tower, and Food Photocall.
When: April 1 to June 16
Where: Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila
Fee: P100

World Street Food Congress 2016 (Jamboree)
The Jamboree will feature 25 top street food chefs and vendors/hawkers from India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, USA, Thailand and Singapore, and the Philippines, showcasing their country’s iconic street food in full-fledged street kitchens.
When: April 20 to 24
Where: Federacion Drive and 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City
Fee: Entrance is free, but expect to pay P200 or more for food

Flavors of the Philippines at Power Plant Mall
Enjoy special off-menu items from participating restaurants inside Power Plant Mall and around the Rockwell Center.
When: April 1 to 30
Where: Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City

Region 3

Pampanga Food & Heritage Tour
Eat your way through the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, Pampanga. Day tour includes activities that explores the culinary treasures of Pampanga province, as well as its antique churches.
When: April 1 to 30 , except on Sundays
For more information, visit Culture Shock PH

Region 4A (CALABARZON)

Laguna Sweets
Check out a spread featuring the 30 best local desserts from Laguna.
When: April 11-17, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Mall Atrium, SM City Calamba

Region 5 (Bicol Region)

Let’s Travel, Eat and Learn! features guided tour of Mt. Mayon and other Bicol landmarks plus a unique Bicolano dining experience. 

Let’s Travel, Eat and Learn!
The Coco Spice Adventures combines guided tours of the majestic Mayon volcano and firefly cruise dinner with dining experiences such as discovering how to make Pili, savoring the flavor of Laing pasta, and harvesting and eating sea urchins and sea grapes fresh from the sea.
When: April 29 to May 1
Fee: P15,980/pax includes round-trip airfare, twin sharing accommodations, full board meals, and specially designed culinary tours.
For more information, contact Food Holidays at EatYourHistory@FoodHolidays.ph

Region 6 (Western Visayas)

60th Aklan Day Celebration, Tsibugan sa Capitolyo
A nightly food festival showcasing Aklanon cuisine and local seafoods, the "tsibugan" is a venue for dining and entertainment for the locals, visitors, and tourists.
When: April 21 to 26
For more information, contact the Aklan Provincial Toursim Office at aklanpgo@yahoo.com

Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula)

Savore!, Spanish for the word taste, is a one-day food event happening in Centro Latino, Zamboanga City.

Savore! (Taste!)
As the name suggests, Savore! focuses on flavors, done through a food exhibit, skills competition for Hotel & Restaurant Management institutions, culinary exposition, and local food product selling.
When: April 16
Where: Centro Latino, Zamboanga City
For more information, contact Department of Tourism Region 9 at dotr9@yahoo.com

Region 11 (Davao Region)

Davao Food Trip and Heritage Tour
The food trip includes a local market tour with local fruit tasting, local delicacy tasting, and food preparation presentation. Itineraries include a walking tour of San Pedro Street (Quezon Park, Rizal Park, San Pedro Church, Museo Dabawenyo, et cetera), Bankerohan Public Market for local fruit tasting, and Claude’s Le Cafe De Ville for lunch.
When: March 25 to May 31
For more information or bookings, contact participating Davao Fun Sale Tours Consortium members: 101 Travel & Tours (pearly912@gmail.com), Bloomers Travel & Tours (bloomers_travel_tours@yahoo.com), CFBA Travel Station (cfbatravel@gmail.com), Dreamworld Travel & Tours Int’l Inc. (dreamworldtt@yahoo.com), Harvest International Travel Tours Consultancy, Inc. (harvestinterdavao@gmail.com), House of Travel, Inc., Lumad Konsult Travel & Tour, Inc. (lumadkonsult@gmail.com), Mt. Apo Travel & Tours, Inc. (mtapotravel@yahoo.com), Palazzo Travel & Tours (palazotravel@yahoo.com.ph), Southern Travel Corporation (southerntrvl@yahoo.com), Surelite Travel & Tours (surelitetraveltours@gmail.com), Travel Advantage Tours (travel_advantage@yahoo.com) — AT, GMA News