Manyaman Festival showcases Pampanga’s culinary heritage
Photo from Pampanga Provincial Government
The provincial government of Pampanga opened this week its first-ever Manyaman Festival celebrating its food and culinary heritage, which gave tribute to the region’s gastronomic greats.
Board Member Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, who is the chairperson of the festival’s Executive Committee and the head of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan’s Committee on Arts, Culture and Education, said the Manyaman Festival aims to showcase and strengthen the culinary heritage of the province.
The festivities kicked off with a three-day food fair and expo, which was held from December 4 to 6 at the Events Center of SM San Fernando. It featured iconic dishes from the province’s 19 municipalities and three cities, as well as their best food products and delicacies.
A two-day cook-off challenge on December 5 and 6 among the province’s 22 local government units was also held, with participants vying for the gold medals for the Best Heirloom/Iconic Dishes, Best Arobu, and Best Kapampangan Dishes categories.
The cooking competition had a separate category for senior high school and culinary/HRM students.
The cook-off was capped by a cooking demonstration at the Benigno Aquino Hall in the Capitol Grounds that featured celebrated chefs in Pampanga.
Prior to the Manyaman Festival, the province also held the Mutya Ning Kapampangan 2023 that featured Pampanga’s most beautiful ladies. Coronation night will be on December 10 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center.
To end the festival on a high note, the provincial government will award the Most Outstanding Kapampangan (MOKA) on December 11, at the Kingsborough International Convention Center in San Fernando City to close the seven-day celebration.
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