Negros Occidental showcases its delectable food and delicacies
TAPPING its vast and diverse agricultural and aquatic resources, the province of Negros Occidental showcase its unique and delectable food and delicacies through a Food Parade.
The event was held in celebration of the 18th Negros Occidental Tourism Week,the opening ceremonies of which was conducted at the Main Atrium of Robinson’s Place in Bacolod City.
Around the Main Atrium were the booths of each region in the province to showcase their distinct and unique products.
“The event was a showcase of Negros Occidental’s rich culinary offerings, featuring the specialty food, dishes, and delicacies prepared by each municipality and city in the province,” says Cristine Mansinares, the supervising tourism operations officer of the Negros Occidental Tourism Division.
Following the opening ceremonies, a Tour Guiding Competition was conducted, where pupils and students coming from the different schools, colleges and universities in the province, and members of the tourist police force participated in the Elementary, Junior High School, College, and Tourist Police categories, respectively.
According to Mansinares, the competition, which is part of the celebration, displayed the knowledge of the participants regarding the different tourist attractions that the province of Negros Occidental has to offer to the visitors.
As one of the highlights of this year’s Provincial Tourism Week celebration, the provincial government hosted a forum on “Tourism and the Digital Transformation” where three speakers from the different parts of the country were invited to share their expertise and experiences to promote the tourism sector in the province.
Prior to the culminating activities, a Thanksgiving Mass was also held at the Social Hall which was attended by local tourism officers, private sector partners, regional and provincial officials of the Region-6 office of the Department of Tourism, officials and employees of the provincial government, and visitors coming from different areas like Metro Manila.
This was followed by the opening and welcome address delivered by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr.
Afterwards, the Food Parade started where representatives coming from the different municipalities and cities in the province showcased the food and delicacies which they can offer.
During the parade, among the most noticeable food and dishes that were cooked with fresh ingredients included alimango (crabs) from the municipality of Ilog; the piaya, a muscovadofilled unleavened flatbread which is a popular delicacy in Negros Occidental; the alimasag (blue crab); sicad-sicad, a seashell with a very tasty meat; squash pancit canton of Kabankalan City; the pasayan (tiger prawn); unsalted danggit; the native chicken adobo of Don Salvador Benedicto town,