The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) launched the “TienDA: Piyesta ng Pagkaing Pilipino” on April 10, 2019 at the DA Central Office.

The celebration is in line with the presidential proclamation declaring the month of April of every year as “Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino” or “Filipino Food Month.”

According to Secretary Manny F. Piñol, through Undersecretary for Operations Ariel T. Cayanan, the department “envisions a more competitive and sustainable agriculture and fisheries sector which is supported by a robust agribusiness scene that patronize local production.”

Through the activity, the vast culinary tradition and treasures of the country will be appreciated, preserved, and promoted to ensure the transmission to future generations and to support the various industries, farmers, and agri-communities.

Nina Daza-Puyat of the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM) also shared that the PCHM pushed for the promotion and celebration of Filipino Food to bring more awareness to the regional dishes of the country.

“We should really eat local and buy local,” Daza-Puyat stressed as she encouraged everyone to appreciate the Filipino farmers and fisherfolk who are the sources of ingredients.

The TienDA will showcase delicacies from all regions and will stage cooking demonstrations using the indigenous ingredients on April 10–12, 2019 at the DA Grounds. (Text by Gumamela Bejarin / Photo by Gian Carlo Luague, DA-AFID)