The Department of Agriculture – Cordillera (DA-CAR) continues to celebrate the Filipino Food Month (FFM) as they kick-off the regional food exhibit and Kadiwa Trade Fair today, April 21, 2025 at the Igorot Park in Baguio City.

Themed, “Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino: Yaman ng ating Kasaysayan, Kultura at Pagkatao,” the celebration underscores the importance of the country’s rich and cultural heritage through diversity in filipino cuisine and fusion of flavors.

In her message, DA-CAR Regional Executive Director (RED) Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan paid tribute to the six (6) provinces of CAR and the highly urbanized City of Baguio, recognizing their unwavering dedication to preserve and innovate the region’s native delicacies, highlighting the region’s most valuable local dishes such as the pinikpikan (beaten chicken stew), etag (smoked meat), inanchila (tongue-shaped sticky rice), patupat (rice-based delicacy wrapped in banana leaves), and binungor (spicy mix of local delicacies like stir-fried shells and bamboo shoots, among others). She also emphasized the heirloom rice, the indigenous rice of the Cordillera, and Baguio City’s local cafés and food artisans, which serve as the Cordillera’s culinary gateway.

“The labor and passion of our men and women farmers, fishers, and food producers, many of whom are here today, is what makes these delicacies so special. We recognize that behind every dish is a long chain of hard work, from the soil to the stove, from our ancestral lands to our modern tables,” RED Dawayan said.

Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong graced the activity, emphasizing that the true meaning of the celebration is not only to take pride in Filipino cuisine, but also to honor the farmers, fisherfolk, local entrepreneurs, and their families who bridge the gap between food and culture. “Ang bawat sangkap, bawat putahe, bawat paraan ng pagluluto ay sumasalamin sa ating kasaysayan,” he stated, adding that food is sacred in the Cordilleras, serving as a symbol of unity during rituals and gatherings.

He was also pleased that a Kadiwa fair is being conducted for easier access to local produce with an affordable price, empowering the agriculture sector and entrepreneurs in driving the region’s economy.

The opening activity also included a food tasting featuring rice-based dishes such as linapet, patupat, and biko.

The observance of the FFM is under the Proclamation No. 469, which is being celebrated in April every year, in a bid to preserve, promote, and appreciate filipino’s vast culinary traditions to ensure their transmission to future generations and to support various industries, farmers, and agri-communities.