PSEi climbs to 6,900 level on last-minute bargain hunting

March 27, 2024 | 4:51 pm

THE MAIN INDEX climbed to the 6,900 level on Wednesday as investors continued to pick up bargains before a two-day break.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went up by 0.07% or 5.36 points to close at 6,903.53 on Wednesday, while the broader all shares index rose by 0.24% or 8.96 points to end at 3,607.51.

“The local bourse gained by 5.36 points (0.07%) to 6,903.53 on last-minute bargain hunting,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Analyst Claire T. Alviar said in a Viber message.

“The market mostly traded in the red following the negative cues from US markets overnight, while maintaining a cautious stance ahead of the long weekend. Still, investors took the chance to buy at bargain levels,” she added.

Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message that the PSEi was mostly flat amid the shortened trading week.

Philippine financial markets will be closed for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

“Traders are currently waiting for data on US gross domestic product growth, consumer sentiment, and jobless claims to be released before the US market closes on Good Friday,” Mr. Limlingan added.

Majority of sectoral indices ended lower, with services being the biggest decliner as it dropped by 0.76% or 14.21 points to 1,851.02. Property lost 0.27% or 7.66 points to close at 2,809.81; holding firms retreated by 0.24% or 16.06 points to 6,461.22; and mining and oil went down by 0.09% or 7.52 points to 8,123.30.

Meanwhile, financials rose by 1% or 20.21 points to 2,034.27, and industrials climbed by 0.74% or 66.87 points to 9,099.58.

“Among the index members, Century Pacific Food, Inc. surged the most by 8.70%, while DMCI Holdings, Inc. was at the bottom, losing by 6.89%,” Ms. Alviar said.

Value turnover rose to P10.67 billion on Wednesday with 2.44 billion issues switching hands from the P7.62 billion with 698.89 million shares traded on Tuesday.

Advancers outnumbered decliners, 102 against 81, while 58 names closed unchanged.

Net foreign selling declined to P310.52 million on Wednesday from P1.80 billion on Tuesday. — R.M.D. Ochave

First Gen seeks bidders for new LNG supply

March 27, 2024 | 4:41 pm

Lopez-led First Gen Corp. is seeking bidders for a new supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to be used in its gas-fired power plants in Batangas.

The company, through its subsidiary First Gen Singapore Pte. Ltd., intends to procure a single LNG cargo amounting to 100,000 to 135,000 cubic meters, according to a bid notice.

The award to the selected bidder will be announced on April 12, and the delivery window will commence from May 25 to May 31.

The supply of the LNG cargo will be via a delivered ex-ship basis at the port located at First Gen Clean Energy Complex, where it will be loaded onto the BW Batangas, a floating storage and regasification unit.

“First Gen reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel the invitation to bid or to reject any or all bids prior to the acceptance of a bid or proposal,” the company said.

In February, First Gen initiated an emergency tender process for a fourth LNG cargo, with a target delivery in March, in the interest of energy security.

However, the energy company postponed the purchase of the new LNG cargo as it needs commitment from Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) regarding the recovery of full costs and approval for LNG use..

Meralco Regulatory Affairs Head Jose Ronald V. Valles has said that the power distributor is waiting for guidance from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

In an order dated Feb. 29, the ERC directed Meralco and the subsidiaries of First Gen to submit documents on or before March 6 for review regarding the approval of the fuel costs that were passed on to consumers.

Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Hotel group sees 80% occupancy during Holy Week

March 27, 2024 | 4:41 pm

The Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc. (PHOA) anticipates an 80% occupancy rate during this year’s Holy Week, driven by increased travel to beach destinations.

“Last-minute bookings, especially from Thursday to Saturday, may also drive demand for city hotels, particularly from the staycation market,” PHOA Executive Director Benito C. Bengzon Jr. told BusinessWorld on Tuesday. PHOA is a non-profit organization with 206 hotel members nationwide.

He attributed the increased bookings to travelers taking advantage of discounts and promotions offered during the break.

Some prefer staying in a three-star hotel with a pool as a cheaper option, he said.

According to the latest consumer trends study led by the travel platform Klook, domestic travel is projected to reach 92% this year. Tagaytay, Baguio, Boracay, and Palawan are the preferred domestic travel spots.

Filipinos, or “balikbayans,” travel in large groups since it is cheaper and helps to reduce booking expenses. PHOA said its members’ guests are mostly families with kids and young adults.

Similarly, Klook found that Filipinos preferred traveling in large groups of three to six people.

Despite the hotel group’s optimism for tourism recovery, it said booking and revenue figures are far from their pre-pandemic levels.

He cited the recorded foreign arrivals of 5.5 million in 2023, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT), which is below the 8.2 million international visitors in 2019.

The Philippine Statistics Authority saw 102 million domestic trips from 2022 to mid-2023, with P1.5 trillion in domestic tourism expenditure.

As of March 1, the DoT has recorded 1.2 million total visitor arrivals this year.

According to Mr. Bengzon, guests can expect higher rates this year due to inflation.

“Despite the increased costs of labor, utilities, and direct expenses, the hotel aims to maintain accessibility for its customers, especially for leisure travelers during peak seasons, such as Holy Week,” he said.

PHOA has also observed that guests prefer booking through digital travel platforms such as Agoda and Booking.com, and their stays typically span two to three days. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

CREC raises P5 billion from sale of shares to SMIC

March 27, 2024 | 4:41 pm

Citicore Renewable Energy Corp. (CREC) said it raised P5 billion after selling its shares in its real estate investment trust to conglomerate SM Investments Corp. (SMIC).

The energy company sold a total of 1.88 billion common shares, equivalent to 28.79% in Citicore Energy REIT Corp. (CREIT) at P2.6534 per share, the Saavedra-led company said in a statement on Wednesday.

The transaction was carried out with CREC’s subsidiary Citicore Solar Tarlac 1, Inc.

“We believe that the SM group’s entry and investment into CREIT and the partnership with CREC unlocks potential synergies given the energy requirements of the SM group,” CREC President and Chief Executive Officer Oliver Tan said.

CREC said it will continue to be “the single largest stakeholder” in CREIT with a 32.88% effective ownership post-transaction.

“As part of our group-wide sustainability agenda to prioritize environmental responsibility and support a low-carbon economy, we are investing in CREIT to increase SM’s footprint in the renewable energy sector,” SMIC President Frederic C. DyBuncio said.

Proceeds from the sale will contribute to the development of CREC’s ready-to-build and under construction solar power projects with a total capacity of 1,583 megawatts, the company said.

BDO Capital & Investment Corp. acted as transaction adviser for the sale.

In a separate disclosure, SMIC said it does not see “any material impact” on its financials or operations.

“This deal shows SM’s commitment to expanding in the renewable energy space. Nonetheless, it is also a bet on real estate since CREIT is the country’s largest renewable energy REIT landlord,” China Bank Capital Corp. Managing Director Juan Paolo E. Colet said in a Viber message.

He said the deal is a “win-win” for the conglomerate since it is “supporting the renewable energy sector in a way that is still within its core property business.”

CREIT is the country’s first real estate investment trust listing focused on renewable energy.

VOLUNTARY SUSPENSION
In a stock exchange disclosure prior to the announcement, CREIT said it voluntarily submitted itself to a trading suspension following the “successful crossing of shares.”

“The voluntary trading halt is requested to give the investing public sufficient time to consider or assess the impact of the execution of the block sale before transacting CREIT shares,” the company said.

The trading suspension was implemented starting at 9:30 a.m. on March 27 and will be lifted on April 1 at 9:00 a.m.

CREC is targeting to go public by the second quarter, aiming to raise as much as P12.9 billion.

It was supposed to conduct its initial public offering in March.

The company is set to offer 2.9 billion common shares at a maximum price of P3.88 apiece, including an additional 435 million outstanding common shares for overallotment. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Converge ICT joins efforts in blocking access to Binance

March 27, 2024 | 4:41 pm

Listed internet service provider Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. has also started blocking online access to cryptocurrency exchange Binance.

“Upon receiving the NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) memorandum and pursuant to SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) directive, we have blocked the identified Binance website in our network,” Paulo Martin G. Santos, Converge executive vice-president and chief network transformation officer, said in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday.

The corporate regulator’s move aims to prevent further proliferation of Binance as it has been operating in the country without a license.

“We join our regulators in the advocacy for greater online protection for consumers, our customers, and the investing public,” Mr. Santos said.

Globe Telecom, Inc. and PLDT Inc. have also blocked online access to Binance within their networks.

BusinessWorld has yet to receive a reply from DITO Telecommunity Corp.

Globe said it has been working to block access to Binance’s websites and related web pages, but advertisements on social media platforms are not within the company’s control.

SEC has sought assistance from Google and Facebook operator Meta to prevent Binance’s online advertisements from targeting users in the Philippines.

Binance is considered the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, with more than 183 million members and an average daily trading volume of $65 billion, covering over 402 cryptocurrencies. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

SEC cautions public against FX Affiliate, MVL Mall

March 27, 2024 | 4:41 pm

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against investing in FX Affiliate and MVL Mall.

The commission flagged the two entities in separate advisories posted on its website.

The SEC said that FX Affiliate is allegedly engaged in foreign exchange trading through its artificial intelligence robot called zheroFx.

The entity offers a robot subscription incentive where a minimum investment of P1,000 per account could earn P200, equivalent to 20%, up to five times within a maximum period of 60 days, allowing for 100% earnings in just 60 days or double the amount of investment after the said period.

FX Affiliate also reportedly offers unlimited referral incentives worth P100 for every new subscription; unlimited indirect referrals worth P5 every time the upline’s downline recruits or avails; and unlimited leadership incentives, where the member will earn 10% equivalent to the total earnings of direct and indirect recruits.

Meanwhile, MVL Mall claims to be an intermediary company engaged in increasing the transaction volume of online merchants and assisting merchants on e-commerce platforms such as Lazada and Shopee in improving sales volume.

The entity is allegedly offering an online job involving grabbing or placing orders from their website. It promises commissions ranging from 20% to 50% per order, which can only be withdrawn after paying a so-called tax charge.

The SEC also said that MVL Mall is presenting a copy of a bogus registration certificate to entice investments from the public.

“As such, the Securities Regulation Code requires that said offer and sale of securities must be duly registered with the commission and that the concerned entity or its agents should have the appropriate registration or license to sell such securities to the public,” the SEC said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Jollibee group invests $28M for 10% stake in beverage tech company Botrista

March 27, 2024 | 4:41 pm

Listed Jollibee Foods Corp (JFC) announced on Wednesday a $28-million investment to acquire a 10% stake in US-based beverage technology company Botrista, Inc.

“We look forward to Botrista’s rapid and asset-light distribution and channel expansion that will create more value to its partners and ultimately, the end consumers,” JFC Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong said in a statement.

Botrista holds more than 100 patents worldwide for its proprietary dispense technology, which provides automated solutions to serve cold specialty coffee and tea-based drinks.

JFC’s wholly owned subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. will be the lead investor. The funds will come from its current surplus cash.

JFC’s brands in the coffee and tea business include Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Highlands Coffee.

“This gives JFC an opportunity to leverage Botrista’s technological capabilities, which will create significant learnings and synergies that will further enhance JFC’s competitive advantage,” the fast food giant said.

“It will pave strategic access to innovative and sustainable platform and technology, creating gateway to tap the $3 trillion-worth total addressable market for beverages industry globally, by expanding distribution channels and providing consumers with healthier options,” it added.

On Wednesday, JFC shares fell by 0.55% or P1.40 to P252.60 apiece. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

ERC allows limited use of LNG for gas-fired power plants

March 27, 2024 | 4:41 pm

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it is allowing the subsidiaries of First Gen Corp. to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) for their gas-fired power plants that supply power to Manila Electric Co. (Meralco).

In a statement on Wednesday, the regulator said it has approved the use of LNG as an alternative fuel supply source to power the Sta. Rita and San Lorenzo gas plants operated by First Gas Power Corp. (FGPC) and FGP Corp., respectively.

But this only applies if there is a shortage or unavailability of natural gas supply in the Malampaya field, it added.

To recall, Meralco sought confirmation from the ERC to pass on to consumers the recovery and payment of LNG-related costs.

Meralco’s application covers the LNG costs during test and commissioning and commercial operations, as well as the Malampaya natural gas costs under First Gen’s new gas sale and purchase agreement (GSPA).

According to the regulator, the power distributor claimed that FGPC and FGP are allowed to use other sources of gas besides the Malampaya field, “provided that the same is under competitive price and supply terms.”

The ERC said that the shortage of the Malampaya gas — which is the primary fuel being used to generate power for the said plants — falls under the terms in the power purchase agreements as a “fuel supply force majeure event.”

While the pass-through to customers and Meralco’s payment to First Gen subsidiaries for the LNG costs during commercial operations is allowed, the ERC said that the “recovery shall be based only on the landed cost,” which is subject to verification by the ERC.

Meanwhile, the ERC found that the terms of the new GSPA is “inconsistent” with the power purchase deal requirement of Malampaya, thus requiring an amendment subject to ERC’s approval.

“The commission will continue to impress upon distribution utilities their obligation to diligently comply with their least cost obligation, particularly in passing on fuel costs to consumers,” ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Monalisa C. Dimalanta said.

“We have consistently ruled that if recovery of certain costs has no basis…, these cannot be passed on to end users,” she added.

Meralco welcomed the ERC’s decision, saying the company strictly abides by the rules and regulations.

“This directive will help Meralco ensure affordable, reliable, and continuous electricity supply within our franchise area, especially during the dry season when demand surges,” Joe R. Zaldarriaga, Meralco’s vice president and head of corporate communications, said in a statement.

RESERVE MARKET
The ERC has temporarily suspended the billing and settlement of amounts in the reserve market due to issues arising from the implementation of the system.

In an order dated March 26, the ERC directed the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. and the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, Inc. to suspend the implementation for the co-optimized and reserve market.

The suspension covers the March billing period and will be lifted until the ERC finalizes its evaluation of the price determination methodology used by the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, which is likely in May, the commission said.

The reserve market allows the optimization of the market operator and system operator interfaces and automated real-time dispatch of committed ancillary services.

Ancillary services are deployed by grid operators to support the transmission of power from generators to consumers to maintain reliable operations.

The full commercial operations of the reserve market commenced in January.

The ERC said there has been a significant price increase in reserve costs for March compared to February, which will impact the total price of electricity charged to consumers.

The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines also observed the “high volumes of ancillary services” purchased from the market by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, as a system operator, despite its “contracted reserve volumes.”

“The commission raised concerns on the reasonableness of such cost increases as well as on the mechanics of co-optimization in light of existing policies and regulations,” the ERC said.

The ERC has directed the two entities to submit audit results of the software not later than April 15 “to identify and address” the issues and immediately resume normal operations of the market. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

PHL discount grocery chain DALI secures $25M in fresh funding

March 27, 2024 | 4:41 pm

Dali Grocery Store — DALI EVERYDAY GROCERY FACEBOOK PAGE

Singapore-based growth equity firm Venturi Partners on Tuesday said it has invested $25 million for the expansion of discount grocery chain DALI.

This marked the company’s second investment in the Philippines, following its investment in the grab-and-go coffee chain Pickup Coffee the previous year, Venturi said in a statement.

Dali is a discount grocery chain that currently has over 200 branches in the Philippines. It offers affordable prices in local neighborhoods.

It is the latest addition to Livspace, Country Delight, Believe, and Pickup Coffee under Venturi Partners’ portfolio of consumer-focused investments in Asia.

Venturi Founding Partner Nicholas Cator described DALI as “a company that is democratizing access to high-quality groceries in the Philippines.”

“DALI’s commitment to maximising value for its customers aligns seamlessly with our consumer-first investment philosophy, and we see tremendous potential for the company to expand its reach and improve the lives of even more households across the Philippines,” he added. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Toyo Eatery among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

March 27, 2024 | 4:21 pm

Toyo Eatery is the best restaurant in the country, going by its No. 24 placement at this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants List. The awards were held on March 26 in a ceremony in Seoul, South Korea.

The restaurant, founded in 2016 by chef Jordy Navarra and his wife May, debuted on the list in 2018 as recipients of the Miele One to Watch Award. It officially entered the list in 2019 at No. 43, and last year, it stayed on the list as No. 42. Its No. 24 placement this year is the restaurant’s highest ranking to date.

“Toyo, the Filipino word for soy sauce, presents local ingredients in modern ways, playing with fermentation and preservation techniques to create a bold palate of flavors. The restaurant serves both a Kamayan and tasting menu. With the unique Kamayan menu, guests are encouraged to ditch the cutlery and use their hands to enjoy a feast set out on banana leaves,” the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant rating reads. “The restaurant removed beef from its menus in 2022, and half of its dishes are now vegetarian or vegan,” it said, praising its Sustainable Restaurant Award 2023 (also from the same award-giving body).

Metiz, a new entry at No. 48 last year, stays in the Top 100 list at No. 84, meaning the Philippines has two entries in the list this year.

The top restaurant for this year in all of Asia is Tokyo’s Sézanne. Its climb was quick: it debuted on the list in 2022 at No. 17 and climbed up to second place the year after.

For a complete list of winners, check out https://www.theworlds50best.com/asia/en/list/1-50. — Joseph L. Garcia

Making plant-based meat delicious and accessible

March 27, 2024 | 4:17 pm

Indonesian-Rendang-Quesadilla-thumb — Green Rebel's Indonesian rendang quesadilla (Official photo)

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NutriAsia brings in Indonesian startup Green Rebel

HOW can Filipinos be encouraged to stick to plant-based or healthy diets? Two things: make plant-based options delicious and accessible.

If we’re going by Indonesian brand Green Rebel’s cooking demonstration, those requirements are being fulfilled in the Philippines. Instead of flavorless alternatives typically made for Western palates, Southeast Asian delights like rendang, Korean barbecue, and Thai green curry are now on the market.

And rightfully so, given that the global vegan food market was valued at $26.16 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow to $61.35 billion by 2028, according to Fortune Business Insights.

“It may have started in the Western countries, but here there are vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians. It’s also a vast-growing market among young ones,” said Mario B. Mendoza, Jr., NutriAsia’s business development head.

During an event on March 20 at Apartment 1B in Bonifacio Global City, the condiments manufacturer and distributor officially launched their partnership with plant-based food startup Green Rebel.

INCORPORATING MORE FLAVORS
Max Mandias, a co-founder of Green Rebel, kicked off their expansion in the Philippines by demonstrating how to prepare two of their latest ready-to-cook offerings: the Indonesian rendang curry, and the Korean-style barbecue.

The fibrous texture of the soy-and-mushroom mix, imitating the chewy and juicy quality of meat, impressed the media that attended the launch. In the rendang, it was able to capture the flavors of the iconic dish, whereas the barbecue slices were soft and tender yet filling.

Mr. Mandias explained that Green Rebel’s cooking technology, borne from Indonesia-based manufacturing and product development, aims for food “that can blend well with any sauce, a crucial element in many Asian cuisines.”

In terms of the partnership, he said: “NutriAsia is more the expert on Filipino flavors and sauces while we have the expertise to create the plant-based alternatives.” A Filipino dish, perhaps adobo or kare-kare or sisig, will eventually be added to the ready-to-cook options.

Green Rebel products have 50% less saturated fat, 30% fewer calories, and zero cholesterol compared to traditional meat products. As demonstrated, those with a busy lifestyle can prepare a delicious meal in under 10 minutes.

The frozen products were also tested by the chefs of Apartment 1B, who brought out plant-based burgers for the media to try. The burgers were tasty and much like the real thing.

“We’ve built an innovation pipeline or roadmap with NutriAsia to launch gradually in the market,” Mr. Mandias said during the meal. “They’re the ones who selected the seven to eight products that will work in the Philippines.”

He added that the beef slices, for example, were chosen because they could be used in local tapa dishes. “It’s not all just burgers and chicken.”

TO THE CENTER OF THE PLATE
Mr. Mendoza told BusinessWorld after the launch that distributing (and investing in) Green Rebel is part of NutriAsia’s bid to expand their portfolio.

“This is part of our ongoing thrust to move from the side of the plate to the center of the plate, and what better way to do it than with this?” he said. “Offering plant-based meats is environment-friendly and sustainable.”

While the company is thankful for the stability their condiments brought during the pandemic, Mr. Mendoza said that it is now time to grow. “Consumption of our existing products has been high, but of course we want a bigger part. This is the first step in our center-of-the-plate offerings, vegan and non-vegan.”

Green Rebel’s shelf-stable products — Indonesian Rendang Curry, Blackpepper Steak Bites, Korean-style BBQ Slices, and Thai Green Curry — will be available in select Robinsons, Landmark, and The Marketplace branches. Meanwhile, frozen products — Steak, Beefless Bites, Crispy Fried Chick’n and Rybs — will be available through NutriAsia foodservice accounts.

Soon, they will all be available across the country and through e-commerce platforms Shopee and Lazada.

Mr. Mandias told BusinessWorld that they are sure they can make a mark in the Philippines. “Our products are optimized to be used in any cooking, from sauces to satays to soups. We’re trusted by multinational brands like Ikea, Starbucks, Dominoes, and Air Asia, to provide sustainable meals.

“We will bring the same kind of energy to the Philippines,” he said. — Brontë H. Lacsamana

Filipino Food Month kicks off in Pampanga

March 27, 2024 | 4:16 pm

Next week marks the beginning of April, and that means the start of Filipino Food Month (FFM). It is set to officially open in Pampanga, regarded as the country’s “Culinary Capital.”

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Departments of Agriculture (DA) and Tourism (DoT), and the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM) are all joining forces for a set of programs and events for FFM 2024, or Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino. This year’s theme is “Kalutong Filipino, Lakas ng Kabataang Makabago (Filipino cuisine, strength of the new youth).”

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 469 signed in 2018, April of every year is declared as Filipino Food Month or Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino. The NCCA and DA are mandated to lead the yearly celebration, whereas the PCHM and DoT coordinate and work closely with the mentioned agencies in the implementation of programs and events. The FFM 2024 observance aims to ensure the appreciation, preservation, and transmission of Filipino culinary traditions as an established art form to future generations while celebrating and uniting regional diversity as a collective Filipino identity, and supporting the industries, farmers, and agriculture communities.

The lead agencies will officially open the FFM on April 5 at the Clark Parade Grounds in Mabalacat, Pampanga. The program — done in partnership with the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), the Provincial Government of Pampanga, the City Government of Mabalacat, DoT Region 3, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 3 – will see many local artists performing at the opening including BINI, Tanghalang Bagong Sibol, the Male Ensemble Philippines, Tanglaw Filipiniana, Sinukwan Kapampangan, among others.

A couple of days before the official opening, on April 3, the Philippine Eatsperience, a year-long food fair, will officially open at Intramuros and Rizal Park in Manila.

From April 15 to 17, a food conference KainCon will be hosted at the Far Eastern University, Manila (FEU). Open to all students, academics, and industry professionals, KainCon will feature talks on Philippine gastronomy, food agritourism, culinary heritage, Philippine regional cuisine, and food security and sustainability in line with the theme “All Things Filipino Food: Community, Culture, and Economy.” Speakers include Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, the pioneer researcher and historian of Philippine’s colonial food history, along with Erwan Heussaff, a James Beard Awardee and celebrity chef.

Local community engagement will be highlighted in the Hapag ng Pamana Philippine Food Festival which will promote regional culinary heritage, local producers, and stakeholders. The NCCA, in partnership with the provincial governments of Albay, Antique, and Tawi-Tawi, will launch the Hapag ng Pamana Philippine Food Festival in those regions. The activities will include food expositions, trade fairs, cooking demonstrations, food symposiums, conferences, workshops, cultural shows, food competitions, and other activities that highlight the festivity of Filipino food.

The festivals are set to roll out from April 13 to 15 in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi; April 22 to 23 in Legazpi, Albay; and April 28 to 30 in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.

Iloilo, hailed a UNESCO City of Gastronomy at the latest UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) 2023, will also have its own celebration. This year’s festivities will explore food and culture exhibitions in universities throughout the city from April 22 to 30. Reading sessions with children about food, table manners, and waste disposal will be held in the city’s public libraries.

Meanwhile, The Iloilo International Food and Culture Conference will offer a culinary journey for locals and visitors.

A three-day celebration in Roxas City, Capiz from April 18 to 20, will feature food expositions and trade fairs. Interactive activities such as cooking demonstrations, food symposiums, conferences, workshops, cultural shows, and food competitions will be held during the celebration.

Regional cuisines from around the country will be honored by meals from Filipina chefs Waya Araos-Wijangco, Rhea Castro Sycip, and Jacqueline Laudico at a six-hands dinner called “Higara: A Night of Filipino Food Culture” at the Sheraton Manila Hotel.

Another activity highlighting regional cuisine is the Ang Sarap: Philippine Food Festival 2024. The festival is a three-day promotional and retail food selling exhibit, helping small farmers, producers, and processors market their products and facilitate trade with buyers. The exhibition will run from April 26 to 28 at the SM Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Filipino Food Month ends with a culminating activity in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique on April 30.