UTILIZING its vast and diverse agricultural and aquatic resources, the province of Negros Occidental was able to present its unique and delectable food and delicacies through a Food Parade.
The event was held in celebration of the 18th Negros Occidental Tourism Week, the opening ceremonies of which was conducted at the Main Atrium of Robinson’s Place in Bacolod City.
While the culminating activities was conducted at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol Building where the Food Parade was performed.
It was a showcase of Negros Occidental’s rich culinary offerings, featuring the specialty food, dishes, and delicacies prepared by each municipality and each city in the province.
Following the opening ceremonies, a Tour Guiding Competition was conducted.
As one of the highlights of this year’s Provincial Tourism Week Celebration, the provincial government hosted a forum on “Tourism and the Digital Transformation.”
Prior to the culminating activities, a Thanksgiving Mass was also held at the Social Hall, which was followed by the opening and welcoming address delivered by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr.
Afterwards, the Food Parade started where representatives coming from the different municipalities and cities in the province showcased the food and delicacies which can offer.
During the parade, among the most noticeable food and dishes that were cooked with fresh ingredients included the alimango (crabs) from the municipality of Ilog; the piaya, a muscovado-filled unleavened flatbread which is a popular delicacy in Negros Occidental; the alimasag (blue crab); the sicad-sicad; squash pancit canton of Kabankalan City; the pasayan (tiger prawn); unsalted danggit; the native chicken adobo of Don Salvador Benedicto town; the sweet and sour panit (tuna); and the fried squid, fish tocino and fried danggit from Cadiz City, among many others.
As expected, the one that caught the attention of the visitors, participants, and guests is the litson (roasted pig) from Kabankalan City which was uniquely prepared the Kabankalanon way.
During the food tasting portion of the Food Parade, a cultural dance number was also performed by the Kaanyag Pilipinas Dance Company of STI-West Negros University to entertain the visitors, afterwards, a group of masked dancers gyrated to the rhythm of Latin musical beats to display their mastery and coordination to perform the famous Masskara dance number.
The province of Negros Occidental has been popularly known as “Sugarland” for producing almost 60 percent of our country’s sugar supply.
However, there is more to be seen and enjoyed in Negros Occidental than just sugar following the display and presentation of the wide array of specialty food, dishes, and delicacies during the Food Parade, Governor Marañon said.
He says the other but equally distinctive attractions of the province include the flashing smiles of the locals, the lilting singsong dialect, the opulent heritage, world famous arts and crafts, interesting churches, sparkling white beaches, mountain resorts, and many more.
With the province’s rich agricultural and aquatic resources, Marañon says “We hope that you too would come and discover that there is indeed more to Negros Occidental than just sugar.” (jaypeeyap@ymail.com/PN)
