Iloilo Is Now A UNESCO Creative City Of Gastronomy

It’s official! Iloilo is the first Philippine city to be designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. It is one of 55 cities all over the world that recently joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. The announcement was made on October 31, which was also UN World Cities Day.

“Iloilo has preserved much of its heritage cooking in its everyday cooking at home, having restaurants that serve Ilonggo cooking, some of them preserving the old method of cooking with charcoal or using vessels like bamboo, and yearly organizing a culinary competition that feature traditional Western Visayas cooking.

“But while preserving the past, Iloilo is also known for innovative cooking producing what the whole country does only so much better—its desserts, even their siopao. How can it not deserve to be a Creative City of Gastronomy?"  says respected Filipino food writer Michaela Fenix. 

To be a City of Gastronomy means that Iloilo meets a number of criteria set by UNESCO, including a vibrant gastronomy community with numerous traditional restaurants and chefs, indigenous ingredients used in traditional cooking, local know-how and traditional culinary practices that have survive industrial and technological advancement. 

Iloilo City submitted an entry for the title two years ago. The entry, themed "fiesta," highlighted  traditional Ilonggo food and culture, with emphasis on heritage and identity, history and sustainability. The entry included this video.

What does it mean to be a UNESCO Creative City?

Launched in 2004, UNESCO Creative Cities Network consists of 350 cities in more than 100 countries, in seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts and Music. 

Creative cities are identified as those that can lead the way in "galvanizing the power of creativity as a key strategic factor for urban resilience and development," says Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General.

Two other Philippine cities belong to this network. Baguio City was designated a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art in 2017, and Cebu City became a Creative City of Design in 2019. 

More than just a source of Filipino pride, Iloilo's status as a Creative City of Gastronomy has important implications. 

Jam Melchor, President of the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement and a primary mover behind Filipino Food Month says, "Being a Creative City for Gastronomy is important because it supports cultural heritage, economic growth, and the global appreciation of a city’s culinary contributions. The UNESCO designation brings international recognition and prestige to the city, making it a part of the global network of Creative Cities."

For more information about the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, check out the official website.

Lead photo: Janssen Panizales on Pexels