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‘FLAVORS OF CULTURE’: IPs showcase unique recipes in Iloilo’s nutrition month cook-off

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In a captivating display of culinary heritage, the different IPs (Indigenous People) of Iloilo showcased their skills in cooking by  highlighting their community’s unique culture and history through indigenous recipes, during the provincial government’s celebration of Nutrition Month on Monday, July 10, 2023.

Members of the Panay-Bukidnon Tribe, Camiros Ati Tribe Organization, and Sitio Balabag Ati Tribe from the different districts of Iloilo participated in the cooking contest as it is another way of providing a glimpse of delectable indigenous meals that IPs consume daily. Notably, these dishes do not just symbolize the rich history of their community, but also contain high nutritional value.

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Rosa Labiana and her daughter from Sitio Balabag Ati community in San Rafael, Iloilo prepare the ingredients for their dish, Adobo nga Tikling kag Umbok.
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The Panay Bukidnon tribe members are mostly scattered in the mountainous hinterlands of Central Panay, especially along the boundaries of Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique, and they traditionally depended on kaingin or shifting cultivation, supplemented by hunting, fishing, and local trade; while both the Camiros and Sitio Balabag tribes also came from the same cultural community of Atis, but only derived their tribe names based on the place where they live – the Brgy. Camiros in Anilao town, and Sitio Balabag, San Rafael, Iloilo.

Among the dishes cooked by the groups during the contest are: Ginat-an nga Balingkokok kag Itlog sang Tikling; 

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Guinisa nga Kadupdup with Gata; Guinat-an nga Taklong; Papisik nga Korokokok kag Punay; and Adobo nga Tikling kag Umbok, which are their usual meals in their respective communities.

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Rosa Labania, one of the contestants from Sitio Balabag, Poblacion Ati community in San Rafael, Iloilo, shed light on the culinary practices of their community by emphasizing that they usually use ingredients from their surroundings. These include a wide variety of highly nutritious food crops, native and wild types of vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, fish, and other protein sources found in the mountains or bodies of water.

Labania further elaborated that one of the reasons why most IPs are healthy is the absence of  oily and processed food in their dishes. 

For the result of the cook-off, Thelma Tagacay from Brgy. Victoria, Tubungan, Iloilo, won first place for her menu Ginat-an nga Balingkokok kag Itlog sang Tikling. Balingkokok is an edible snail that is usually found in buri plants, while Tikling is a local term for buff-banded rail bird. 

Winning second place, on the other hand, was Renato Segura of Brgy. Tina-an Norte, Leon with his dish Guinisa nga Kadupdup (wood ear mushrooms) with

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The dishes (Guinisa nga Kudupdup with Gata; Guinat-an nga Taklong; Adobo nga Taklong kag Umbok; Papisik nga Korokokok kag Punay; and Ginat-an nga Balingkokok kag Itlog sang Tikling) prepared by different IP communities in Iloilo province during the Iloilo Provincial Government’s Nutrition Month Cook-off on July 10, 2023. *(Photos courtesy of Balita Halin Sa Kapitolyo)
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Gata; third place winner was Juanito Lebuna Jr. from Brgy. Panuran, Lambunao who prepared Guinat-an nga Taklong (snail).

The meals were judged based on palatability, originality, nutritional value, presentation, ease of preparation, and cost efficiency. The winners received P1,500 (first place); P1,000 (second place); and P500 (third place).

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The IP participants together with NCIP Regional Director Anna Burgos, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., and IPHO Chief Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon. *(Photo courtesy of Balita Halin sa Kapitolyo)
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Meanwhile, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. noted during the program that the celebration and campaign of the province towards nutrition should focus on securing the availability of food in the community; knowing the types of food available for consumption; and determining the lifestyle of the public.

“[Nutrition] is one of the most important aspects of health and governance. It is just often overlooked, but we will take advantage of this one month celebration to start new approaches, new strategies and new solutions,” Defensor said. 

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Regional Director Anna Burgos, on the other hand, said that aside from cooking their unique dishes that contribute to their healthy physique, the event elevated the IPs’ voices by amplifying their rich culture and history which in return, empowers their community.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat that they are recognized at nandyan ang proteksyon para sa kanila, proteksyon para sa kanilang kultura,” Burgos said. (AAL/JNH/PIA 6 Iloilo)

About the Author

John Noel Herrera

Information Officer

Region 6

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