Villar pushes for promotion of Pinoy culinary as a tourism attraction

Senate President Manny Villar said the uniqueness and excellence of Filipino cuisine must be capitalized to boost the Pinoy national identity and to entice tourists to visit prime destinations in the country.

Villar said studies show that Thailand and Vietnam became a favorite tourist destination because of their famous cuisine.

"Hindi ilang dayuhan lamang ang nagsasabing maihahalintulad o higit pa ang ating kulinarya sa taglay na kaibahan at sa kagalingan ng pagkakaluto. Nakakapukol ng atensyon, may tamang timpla at may samyong nagpapatunay ng pagiging tatak lutong Pinoy," Villar said in filing Senate Bill 1814.

The bill written in Filipino seeks to include in the academic curriculum the teaching of Filipino culinary under subjects such as Social Studies, Hekasi and Home Economics.

The proposal also seeks to mandate the Department of Tourism to feature Filipino culinary in tourism programs such as brochures, billboards, motoring advertisements, among others.

"Hindi naman matatawaran ang angking lasa at sarap ng lutuing Pilipino. Ang mga pagkaing tulad ng adobo, pinakbet, laing, sinigang, inasal, bibingka, puto bumbong, kapeng barako, balut at iba pa ay sumasalamin sa mayaman at makulay na kultura ng ating lahi," Villar said.

The Nacionalista Party President also cited the achievements of enterprising Pinoys for making Pinoy culinary popular overseas through companies like Jollibee, Chowking, Red Ribbon, Goldilocks and Figaro, which have branches in the United States, Canada, Shanghai, Dubai and Hongkong.

"The success of these proudly-Pinoy companies abroad is an indication that Filipino culinary is warmly received and patronized even by foreigners," he stressed.

"Ang pagpapalaganap ng kulinaryang Pilipino ay makakatulong sa pagpapalaganap ng pambansang kamalayan at pagkakakilanlan," Villar added.