Flavors of the Philippines: There’s no better time to be a foodie

Must-try items during the Seafood Fair in the seafood capital of the Philippines, Roxas City, are scallops, oysters, and diwal (angel wings). Photos: Stanley Baldwin O. See

According to the Internet, the recently-coined term foodie is someone “who has an ardent or refined interest in food and alcohol beverages.” The definition paints a foodie as a person who takes dining and drinking seriously. The Filipino foodie, though, is someone who simply loves to eat no matter how expensive or ordinary a dish or meal is.

Food is ingrained in the Filipino DNA, as much a part of any event as the people who celebrate it.

Flavors of the Philippines, the Department of Tourism’s initiative to elevate the status of Philippine cuisine to global recognition and touted as “the grandest food fiesta of all”, is back for its third year. From one end of the country to the other, several tasting and food-related events are already underway.

Check out these upcoming activities on the Flavors of the Philippines calendar.

Sabado Mercado (San Juan City, NCR)

Dates: April 15, 22, and 29

Venue: Plaza/open space across the San Juan City Hall

The City of San Juan’s Sabado Mercado is a showcase of home-cooked meals which are fusions of Oriental and Western cuisines and influences.

Seafood Fair (Roxas City, Capiz, Region VI)

Dates: April 21-23, 2017

Venue: Roxas City Plaza, Roxas City

Having visited Roxas City in Western Visayas a year ago, I can attest to the bounty catch of the seafood provided by the Sibuyan Sea. The seafood fair, a weekend event offering a variety of local delicacies—oysters, scallops, mussels, crabs, prawns, and fish—happens in downtown Roxas City, where the city hall and Capiz Provincial Capitol is located. If you plan on visiting outside the event dates, head to Baybay, where several stalls cook fresh seafood according to your liking.

Savores Year 2 (Zamboanga Peninsula, Region IX)

Date: April 22, 2017

Venue: Paseo del Mar, Zamboanga City

One of the more eye-catching booths at the past two Madrid Fusion Manila events has been the one depicting colorful sails of the vintas of Zamboanga. Savores is a showcase of the region’s farm produce, food products, and local chefs. Aside from Muslim influences in its dishes, the Chavacano cuisine is known for Muslim, Spanish and Chinese influences, and its use of Malay ingredients like lemongrass and coconut milk.

Savores, Chavacano for flavor, is a showcase of the Zamboanga Peninsula's food - heavily influenced by Spanish, Chinese, and Malay ingredients and techniques.

Sisig Fiesta 2017 (Pampanga, Region III)

Date: April 29, 2017

Venue: Gueco St. aka “Crossing”, Angeles City, Pampanga

A buffet spread of Pampanga’s pride, sisig, is featured in this one-day event happening in what is widely accepted as the birthplace of the sizzling dish, Aling Lucing Sisig. Traditionally made with parts of the pig’s liver, snout, jaw and cheeks and made creamy using pig’s brain, sisig is not just a tasty pulutan to go with your beer anymore: it has become a widely popular mainstream dish enjoyed at lunch or dinner nationwide.

The Sisig Fiesta happens on April 29 at the birthplace of sisig, Aling Lucing's Sisig Diner.

Bangusan Street Party (Pangasinan, Region I)

Date: April 30, 2017

Venue: Dagupan, Pangasinan

Tel. No.: (072)-8882411

Approximately 23,000 bangus will be simultaneously grilled along Jose de Venecia Expressway Extension on this day, with the event serving as the main activity of Dagupan City’s fiesta. For P3,300.00, participants are given a one-meter grill, five kilos of freshly caught bangus, charcoal, salt for seasoning, ice, carbonated drinks, a pack of hotdogs, and a pair of tongs. — BM, GMA News

For more information about these and other Flavors of the Philippines events nationwide, visit the official Flavors of the Philippines Facebook page.