- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
- Tags:
- AppreciationCulturalFood
- Where:
- Philippines
- Date change rule:
- Every April
- Holiday emoji:
- 🇵🇭
Filipino Food Month celebrates the vibrant culinary heritage of the Philippines every April. This month-long observance honors traditional dishes, local produce, and the dedicated farmers and fishermen who sustain this rich culture. Explore food competitions, exhibitions, and online seminars to deepen your appreciation. Discover new flavors, support Filipino businesses, and share your favorite dishes.
Want to sponsor Filipino Food Month? Learn how
Expected Filipino Food Month Deals
Throughout April, Filipino Food Month inspires a range of promotions and special menus. Expect major Asian grocery chains like Seafood City and Island Pacific Seafood Market to feature discounts on Filipino ingredients and meal kits. Local Filipino restaurants, such as those within the Jollibee Group (including Jollibee, Red Ribbon, and Chowking), will likely offer special month-long deals, tasting menus, or limited-time dishes. Look for online retailers specializing in Filipino goods, like SarapNow, to run promotions on imported snacks and pantry staples. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as April approaches.
Platform Guide for Filipino Food Month
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #FilipinoFoodMonth. Share vibrant photos and reels of your favorite Filipino dishes, cooking processes, or dining experiences at local restaurants.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #FilipinoFoodMonth. Create short-form videos showcasing quick Filipino recipes, food challenges, or reviews of Filipino eateries.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #FilipinoFoodMonth. Join community groups to share recipes, event listings, and discussions about Filipino culinary traditions.
Filipino Food Month Hero
Claude Tayag
History of Filipino Food Month
Filipino Food Month was created in 2018, according to Presidential Proclamation No. 469. It all began when the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (P.C.H.M.) lobbied the Department of Agriculture (D.A.) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (N.C.C.A.) in 2016, requesting that April be declared Filipino Food Month or ‘Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino.’ Now, these three government bodies, alongside the Department of Tourism, plan and organize the activities and events of the month.
Explaining the necessity of the holiday, P.C.H.M.’s President Jam Melchor stated, “Just like our beautiful old songs, antique houses, and folk dance, our long-standing culinary traditions need to be served as well, especially since many of our heirloom food products and practices are slowly disappearing in the face of globalization of food culture.”
The creation of this food month ignited conversation and interest among members of the food industry, from scholars to restaurateurs to chefs and food producers. Yet Filipino Food Month is not only about Filipino food. According to William Dar, the D.A. Secretary, the month also presents a good opportunity to thank and appreciate farmers, fishermen, and all who contribute to food security in one way or another. Activities for the month usually include cooking demonstrations, contests and exhibitions, and seminars. In 2021, an online seminar titled ‘Culinary Heritage of the Philippines’ featured traditional food from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao — Islands of the Philippines.
Filipino Food Month timeline
Rice production in the Philippines hits a surplus, making exportation possible.
The Philippines gains independence from the United States.
The P.C.H.M. lobbies for the creation of Filipino Food Month.
Filipino Food Month is created through Presidential Proclamation No. 469.
Filipino Food Month FAQs
When is Filipino Food Month?
In 2027, Filipino Food Month will again take place throughout April, offering a full 30 days to savor and appreciate the Philippines’ unique gastronomic heritage. Plan your culinary adventures!
How many people celebrate Filipino Food Month?
Filipino Food Month garners widespread attention from the approximately 115 million people in the Philippines and the over 12 million Filipinos living abroad. Beyond the diaspora, a growing global interest in Filipino cuisine means countless food lovers participate in events and celebrations throughout April.
What is the economic impact of Filipino Food Month?
The economic impact of Filipino Food Month in 2027 is expected to be substantial, with a focus on strengthening agricultural supply chains and promoting food-related businesses. It encourages domestic consumption and exports of Filipino food products, contributing to job creation and economic growth across the archipelago and in international markets.
What are some iconic Filipino dishes?
Among the most beloved Filipino dishes are chicken adobo, often considered the national dish, and sinigang, a versatile sour soup that can feature various proteins and vegetables. Other popular choices include lumpia (spring rolls), kare-kare (oxtail stew in peanut sauce), and halo-halo (a refreshing dessert with mixed fruits, beans, and shaved ice). These dishes showcase the unique blend of sweet, sour, and savory that defines Filipino cooking.
Filipino Food Month Activities
Visit a Filipino restaurant
This April, add some spice to your diet by dining at a lovely Filipino restaurant. If you can’t find one near you, try your hand at a Filipino recipe and whip up something good!
Learn more about the Philippines
Make all your travel fantasies come true. Take a virtual trip to the Philippines by learning all you can about the fascinating country!
Use the hashtag
It’s always more fun when we’re celebrating together. Share all you know about Filipino Food Month and make sure to use the hashtag #filipinofoodmonth!
5 Of The Best, Most Famous Filipino Foods
Adobo
Made from either chicken or pork — or a combo of both — the meat is stewed in a soy-vinegar mix.
Kare-kare
Served alongside fermented seafood paste, kare-kare is a stew made from oxtail or other types of meat, alongside a peanut sauce.
Sinigang
Sinigang is a sour broth made from tamarind, vegetables, and meat.
Crispy pata
Served alongside a soy-vinegar sauce and chopped spices, crispy pata involves deep-frying a full pig leg.
Lechon
Lechon is made by roasting an entire pig until it’s brown and crispy on the outside.
Why We Love Filipino Food Month
It promotes Filipino culinary heritage
In the busy world of fast food, Filipino Food Month brings us back to cultural basics. The month-long event promotes the rich cultural heritage behind traditional Filipino food.
It appreciates farmers and fishermen
Before food gets to our tables, it goes through arduous and unglamorous processes. Thanks to the hard work of farmers and fishermen, we have clean, healthy food to make our meals.
It gives opportunities to chefs and food producers
The various events and activities that take place during Filipino Food Month provide opportunities to chefs, restaurateurs, and food producers. Not only do they have the chance to showcase their unique skills, but these professionals also get to brainstorm together and come up with more brilliant ideas.
Social Media Tips for Filipino Food Month
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