ILOILO City – The Ilonggo cookbook “Flavors of Iloilo” is one way to promote this southern city as the country’s food haven.
The city’s first lady, Rosalie Treñas, is also hopeful that it will also be a chance for others, especially the next generations, to learn and embrace more authentic Ilonggo cuisine.
“We hope this book pushes the next generations to continue the (Ilonggo) tradition in food preparation and cooking, and never lose the history of our gastronomy even as we keep evolving and adapting to the trends of the modern world,” Treñas emphasized.
The Ilonggo cookbook is the brainchild of Treñas. She, together with husband, Mayor Jerry Treñas, Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) president Jose Marie V. Layson, and Ilonggo heritage cuisine advocate chef Rafael “Tibong” Jardeleza Jr., led the recent launching of the cookbook at SM City Iloilo.
The 200-page cookbook features the best-tasting Ilonggo specialties that promote the city’s heritage cuisine worthy of sharing with the rest of the world.
The first lady, who came from a family of hoteliers and restaurateurs, said reading through the cookbook is like going back in time, rediscovering youthful recollections of the kitchen and food fares.
“Creating it was like forming a written databank, a reference of our memories of our childhood and of paying homage to generations of cooks, of tables filled with good food surrounded by family and loved ones. Indeed, we can say Ilonggos are defined by their food,” she added.
Meanwhile, the successful publication of 5,000 copies of the cookbook was made possible through the sponsorships of the Iloilo City Government, JS Layson Group of Companies and Department of Agriculture Region 6.
Mayor Treñas, for his part, thanked his wife for making the project possible together with other partners.
“We are very happy to launch our official cookbook that tells stories of Ilonggos – distinct yet so diverse, traditional yet still so full of surprise, of delight, and of love, which is the most important ingredient in any of our cooking,” the mayor said.
He added that with the interest generated by the Iloilo cookbook, his wife is now planning a second edition of a collection of heritage recipes from old families in Iloilo city and province.
“We need to preserve our rich gastronomic heritage and culture. We are proud to be Ilonggos because of our rich history,” said Mayor Treñas.
Meantime, the city government also expressed appreciation to the team behind the cookbook which included chefs Jardeleza, Maridel Uygongco, Wilson Esperancilla, and Gerry Treñas; Myka Perlas, Leny Ledesma, and Paolo Treñas; and several Ilonggo families who have contributed their heirloom recipes.
For those interested to buy the book, contact Jennie Tamon at 0910 552 7304 or visit the IFFI office at the ground floor of Ker and Co. Building behind the Iloilo City Hall, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m./PN
