ANTIQUE - The province of Antique is being considered for inclusion in the Philippines' food heritage map, following its prominent role in the recent Filipino Food Month celebrations.
According to Philippines News Agency, Commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the rich culinary traditions and pristine environmental conditions of Antique make it a strong candidate for this recognition. Villalon highlighted these attributes during the closing ceremony of the Filipino Food Month, held in Antique from April 28-30, under the auspices of Proclamation Order 469.
The event served as a showcase of Antique's culinary heritage, including its traditional dishes such as 'pinindang'—an unsalted dried fish fry listed in the Ark of Taste—and rice-based desserts like 'sapal', fermented rice often used in local rituals and healing practices. Villalon also emphasized the importance of labeling local products to highlight their origins and promote recognition.
Furthermore, a cultural mapping project is underway, led by the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, in collaboration with the University of Antique and the local government. This initiative, which began before the pandemic and is set to culminate in August, aims to document and preserve the diverse food practices found in Antique.
The significance of preserving culinary traditions was echoed by Senator Loren Legarda in a statement read at the event's opening. Legarda, the author of Senate Bill 244 or the proposed Philippine Culinary Heritage Act, stressed the importance of integrating Filipino culinary practices into the education system to sustain native ingredients and traditional cooking methods.