April 18, 2024 – The City of Balanga recently embraced the spirit of Filipino cuisine with the Kadiwa ng Pangulo & Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino program, aligning with the Pistang Balangueño 2024 and the nationwide Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino celebration. Spearheaded by the City Agriculture Office led by Ms. Nerissa Mateo, this event showcased the local delicacies and culinary talent of Balangueños while highlighting the importance of agriculture in Filipino culture.

Representatives of the city’s leadership, namely Committee Chairperson on Tourism Hon. Jowee Nisay Zabala, and Committee Chairperson on Agriculture Hon. Benigno P. Merino, expressed pride in Balanga’s agricultural heritage. They emphasized the important role of the KAANIB program in nurturing farming communities and promoting sustainable agriculture. 

The essence of the event centered around the KAANIB initiative, which saw active participation from barangays across the city. Farmers proudly displayed the fruits of their labor, with freshly harvested squash and eggplant as the main ingredients for a thrilling cook-off and cooking contest. Participants showcased their creativity and culinary skills as they crafted unique and flavorful dishes using the main ingredients. From traditional Filipino recipes to innovative culinary creations, each dish exemplified the rich diversity of Filipino cuisine. 

Visitors had the chance to savor the mouth-watering dishes prepared by the participants with the flavors of locally sourced ingredients.

Cash prizes were awarded to the overall winners: ₱7,000 for 1st place, ₱5,000 for 2nd place, and ₱3,000 for 3rd place.

Best in Costume
1st place – Brgy. Cataning
2nd place – Brgy. DFS
3rd place – Brgy. Camacho

Overall Winners
1st place – Brgy. DFS
2nd place – Brgy. Ibayo
3rd place – Brgy. Cataning

Adding an extra layer of excitement to the festivities is the presence of local booths offering various products, from fresh produce to handmade crafts.