Petition for the Preservation of the Philippine Culinary Heritage & Gastronomy through Celebration of  “Buwan ng Kulinaryang Pilipino” for the Preservation of the Philippine Culinary Heritage & Gastronomy 

by Chef Jam Melchor of the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement 

LET’S BRING PHILIPPINE CUISINE TO THE FOREFRONT

Philippine food has been receiving a lot of recognition in the global food scene lately. Many have predicted that it will be the next big thing in food. But I personally think that there is still work to be done to encourage our countrymen and women to learn about, appreciate and honor our rich culinary traditions as a strong pillar of our national cultural identity.

Just like our beautiful old churches, antique carvings and folk dances, our longstanding culinary traditions need to be celebrated and preserved as well, especially since many of our culinary products and practices are slowly disappearing in the face of the globalization of food culture. 

The Philippines has all the right ingredients to become an international culinary destination. So long as we can cultivate a homegrown appetite for and interest in our local cuisine, global recognition will soon follow. 

 With this, we are imploring for the government’s support particularly the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for the following: 

a.    To initiate the request to the President of the Republic of the Philippines for the declaration or issuance of an Executive Order / Presidential Order that Filipino Cuisine will be celebrated yearly as “Buwan ng Kulinaryang Pilipino”, particularly last week of April of every year. This month long celebration is for the preservation of FILIPINO CUISINE which will pay tribute to our rich Culinary Heritage. It will also encourage and support the study and in depth research about Philippine gastronomy.

b.    Requesting NCCA to coordinate with DILG as soon as this is approved for implementation through Memorandum Circular to all LGUs.

c.  Include and recognize Gastronomy and Philippine Culinary Arts (Kulinaryang Pilipino) in form of Philippine Food Festival as an integral part of the National Arts Month (Proc. No 683) which is being celebrated every February of every year.

d.  Include and recognize Philippine Culinary Heritage to be part of the National Heritage Month (Proc. No 439) This will aim to raise awareness among Filipino people of the importance of culinary heritage and tradition preservation.