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4th Minalin Cooking Contest

Gracie Rutao

ABS-CBN News

<div>Ed&#x27;s note: Engish translation available after the story.</div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757212675737IMG_7326.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Photo courtesy of Daniel Ombina / Pampanga PIO</div>King balen ning Minalin, Pampanga, pane kukutang: “Nanung lutu ning tilapia ing buri mu, Kabalén?”Pirmi mung apag ing pritu, derang o maki-sabong tilapia.Onenh keng 4th Minalin Cooking Contest, inaliwa depa ing estilu at paralan ning pamaglutu nuno binida ing inobasyun at gelingan dareng Kapampangan.Mapilan kareng  standout entries a tagana namang menikwa king atensyun dareng ukum,  ila pin deng makatuki: Honey Butter Glazed Tilapia, Tilapia Sushi, Tilapia Shawarma, Tilapyaki Pasta – certified crowd favorite uli ning lasa at masanting nang presentationKabang reng aliwang kalutu maki global at fusion influences, kalupa dareng makatuki: Tilapia Quesadilla with Guacamole, Tilapia Tacos with Avocado Cream, Grand Prize winner, ing “Tilapia: The Golden Catch.”King mesabing ligligan, piyabe-abe reng 19 a matenakang kusineru’t kusinera ibat kareng miyayaliwang baryu at pipagaralan.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757212808356IMG_7339.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Photo courtesy of Daniel Ombina / Pampanga PIO</div>Balang metung susulung ing unique culinary flair king balang lamesa. Bilamh tepresentanti nang Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda at Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, pinuri nong 4th District Board Member Kaye Naguit ing tenakan king pamaglutu ding anggang mikyabe.Kabang y Minalin Mayor Philip Naguit pebayatnan na ing mas malalam a kabaldugan ning ligligan: yapin ing pagmaragul ing minonong industriya ning pamag-tilapia a amanwan dang metung kareng top producers ning tilapia king mabilug a bansa.Ding minyambut keng 4th Minalin Cooking Contest:1st Place: “Tilapia: The Golden Catch” – Brgy. Dolores2nd Place: Steamed Tilapia with Salted Egg in Garlic Mayo – Brgy. San Francisco II3rd Place: Parmesan Baked Tilapia with Bacon-Wrapped Tilapia Tenders – Brgy. Sta. Rita<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757212877000IMG_7341.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Photo courtesy of Daniel Ombina / Pampanga PIO</div>Bilang metung kareng pekamaragul a supplier ning tilapia king bansa, e magbaba keng 50 anggang 80 tons ning tilapia ing apupupul da balang aldo.Asne karagul a saup ing Minalin Community Fish Landing Center para king mas episyenti at minawang pupul ning tilapia.<div> </div><div>*****</div><div> </div><div>Tilapia gets a makeover at Minalin’s 4th annual cooking contest</div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757212928657IMG_7335.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Photo courtesy of Daniel Ombina / Pampanga PIO</div>In the culinary heart of Minalin, Pampanga, a simple question sparked a flavorful revolution: “Anung lutu ning tilapia ing buri mu, Kabalén?” (What’s your favorite way to cook tilapia, fellow local?)Traditionally fried or cooked in broth, tilapia has long been a staple on Filipino dining tables. But during the 4th Minalin Cooking Contest, this everyday fish was transformed into dishes that showcased both innovation and bold creativity, surprising even the most seasoned food enthusiasts.Among the standout entries that captured the attention of judges and spectators alike were: Honey Butter Glazed Tilapia, Tilapia Sushi, Tilapia Shawarma, and Tilapyaki Pasta, a certified crowd favorite for its inventive presentation and rich flavor.Other entries elevated tilapia with global and fusion influences, such as: Tilapia Quesadilla with Guacamole, Tilapia Tacos with Avocado Cream, and the event’s grand prize winner, the show-stopping Tilapia: The Golden Catch.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757212967780IMG_7322.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Photo courtesy of Daniel Ombina / Pampanga PIO</div>The competition gathered 19 talented participants from various barangays and schools, all bringing their unique culinary flair to the table. Representing Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, 4th District Board Member Kaye Naguit attended the event and commended the participants for their creativity and dedication.Minalin Mayor Philip Naguit underscored the broader goal of the competition: to highlight the town’s robust tilapia industry, which continues to earn recognition as one of the top producers of tilapia in the Philippines.Winners of the 4th Minalin Cooking Contest:1st Place: Tilapia: The Golden Catch – Brgy. Dolores2nd Place: Steamed Tilapia with Salted Egg in Garlic Mayo – Brgy. San Francisco II3rd Place: Parmesan Baked Tilapia with Bacon-Wrapped Tilapia Tenders – Brgy. Sta. Rita<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757213007359IMG_7323.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Photo courtesy of Daniel Ombina / Pampanga PIO</div>As the country’s largest producer of tilapia, Minalin yields an estimated 50 to 80 tons of the fish daily, thanks to its expansive aquaculture industry. The town celebrates this legacy through events like the Minalin Tilapia Festival and relies on facilities such as the Minalin Community Fish Landing Center for efficient production and distribution.This year’s cooking contest served more than just delicious food — it celebrated local ingenuity, sustainability, and the limitless culinary potential of a humble yet vital Filipino favorite.

Sa Minalin, Pampanga, isang simpleng tanong ang nagpasimula ng makulay na rebolusyong panglasa: “Anung lutu ning tilapia ing buri mu, Kabalén?”

Sa Minalin, Pampanga, isang simpleng tanong ang nagpasimula ng makulay na rebolusyong panglasa: “Anung lutu ning tilapia ing buri mu, Kabalén?”

Tilapia makeover keng 4th Minalin Tilapia Cooking Contest

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Tilapia makeover keng 4th Minalin Tilapia Cooking Contest

Gracie Rutao,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 07, 2025 10:57 AM PHT

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