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Iloilo City is UNESCO’s creative city for gastronomy

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Iloilo City Mayor" s="" Office="" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/11/01/20231101-via-iloilo-city-mayors-office.jpg"/><figcaption>Workers apply the finishing touches to the Molo Plaza marker in Iloilo City on June 15, 2022, days before its scheduled inauguration on June 17. <em>Arnold Almacen, Iloilo City Mayor&#x27;s Office handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA – Known for their iconic cuisine, Iloilo City has made it to the list of UNESCO Creative Cities Network, joining 55 other cities in the world in being recognized for different fields. </p><p>Iloilo, which is known for kansi, la paz batchoy, and chicken inasal, got their spot in the exclusive list of UNESCO for gastronomy – making it the first Philippine city to make the cut.</p><p>Reports revealed that Iloilo has been eyeing for that recognition for a couple of years already. </p><p>The city joined Chaozhou, China; Gangneung, South Korea; Nkongsamba, Cameroon; Herakleion, Greece; Fribourg, Switzerland; and Battambang, Cambodia for UNESCO cities for gastronomy. </p><p>“This is truly a proud moment for every Ilonggo and Filipino as we finally got included in the prestigious list of cities worldwide for the UNESCO Creative Cities Network,” the Iloilo City government said on Facebook. </p><p>“Iloilo is the very first city in the Philippines to make it to the gastronomy category, and the country&#x27;s lone official entry this year.”</p><p>The Network now counts 350 cities in more than one hundred countries, representing seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music.</p><p>“The cities in our Creative Cities Network are leading the way when it comes to enhancing access to culture and galvanizing the power of creativity for urban resilience and development,” said Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.</p><p>Iloilo, alongside other creative cities, is invited to participate in the 2024 UCCN Annual Conference in Braga, Portugal.</p><p>In a statement, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco congratulated Iloilo City for its latest achievement.</p><p>&quot;Iloilo City is a gastronomic haven for both Filipinos and international visitors, and a hallmark of our Filipino culinary heritage,&quot; Frasco said.</p><p>Last September, the Department of Tourism&#x27;s Region VI Office launched the &quot;Slow Food in Western Visayas&quot; culinary and rural tourism event program in Iloilo City.</p><p>The said office is developing itineraries to promote slow food experiences for tourists, allowing them to engage in and observe food preparation and ingredients farming.</p><p>Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Pangasinan fourth district Rep. Christopher De Venecia also extended their congratulations to Iloilo City.</p><p>Professor Eric Divinagracia, one of the consultants of the City Government during its gastronomy bid, said the new title will pave the way for Iloilo to be known among tourists worldwide. </p><p>Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas, for his part, said he is proud that Ilonggo cuisine is &quot;taking the stage in the international gastronomy scene.&quot; </p><p>&quot;These awards are results of teamwork of our hardworking city officials and employees, and consultants. Congratulations to Iloilo City and the Ilonggos,&quot; he added. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1849331" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

Known for their iconic cuisine, Iloilo City made it to the list of UNESCO Creative Cities Network, joining 55 other cities in the world.