Filipino Food Month: A tribute to our culinary heritage and identity

The profound connection between Filipino cuisine and the nation’s history, culture, and identity highlights the celebration of Filipino Food Month (FFM). Every April, FFM is a national initiative that seeks to preserve, promote, and elevate the country’s rich culinary traditions. This year, the celebration centers on the theme, “Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino, Yaman ng Ating Kasaysayan, Kultura, at Pagkatao.”

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Leading FFM activities are the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Tourism (DOT), National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement (PCHM).

“Food is more than just sustenance; it is a living testament to our nation’s journey, our diverse traditions, and our shared values as Filipinos. But beyond history, our cuisine is also a symbol of our culture—one that celebrates unity in diversity,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, who heads the FFM 2025 steering committee, said.

Filipino food is a reflection of the country’s complex history—marked by trade, colonization, migration, and cultural exchange—which has culminated in a uniquely Filipino culinary identity.