Last year, Presidential Proclamation no. 469 was signed, declaring April as the official Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino or Filipino Food Month. The month-long celebration aims to honor our native food, and it debuts this year. While the concept may be similar to Buwan ng Wika, it is still something very new to us Filipinos, that’s why the occasion needs to be discussed.

Good food reinforces good times.

The Municipality of Manolo Fortich through the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) recently celebrated the 3rd FBS Anniversary Celebration which further cemented Bukidnon with its title as “Food Basket in Mindanao”. The already established Manolo Fortich Farm Business School Foods and Agri-product Processors Association, Inc. (MFFBSFAPPA, Inc.) is an offshoot of the two batches of trainings on Farm Business School conducted by ATI-RTC X in November 2015.

Champorado is a rice porridge variation which uses unadulterated chocolate known as tableya. I like having champorado for breakfast, I grew up pairing it with buwad (dried fish) or buwad bolinao (anchovies). I know a lot of people like that odd sweet-salty combination teasing the taste buds but nevertheless palatable.

Mounting the 1st Info Caravan on Coffee in Maramag, Bukidnon was heaven on earth---at least for most coffee lovers and drinkers attending the event.

The wonders of coffee were discussed through coffee tasting (and testing) and also explored as a beauty soap ingredient. As partner during the event, Kape Maramag (the Rural Improvement Club and the product itself) was the star of the moment. A slew of coffee brands have popped up here and there to invade pantries and kitchen shelves, but for starters, Kape Maramag should be given a try.

A day before celebrating this month’s Rice Awareness Month in Valencia, Bukidnon, we were privileged enough to enjoy a meal with the Engallados at their Rescuer’s Stop. Rescuer’s Stop is a one-stop shop and food hub rolled into one to cater rice-based products to patrons on the go and foodie on the road conceptualized and managed by Nick Jay Arr Engallado (son of rice king Nicasio "Nick" F. Engallado) of Engallado’s Nature Farm.

Bukidnon has always had a strong tradition of farming, thanks to the commitment of its hardworking people who make full use of its rich agricultural land, rolling terrain and nutrient-rich soil. The abundance of high value crops, access to urban necessities in the cities, plus culinary fares influenced by a mix of traditions among seven indigenous tribes have shaped its rich foodways. Its proximity to Cagayan de Oro, with its dynamic tourism and booming restaurant industry, has also enabled Bukidnon to begin to develop a more modern take on the ways that they eat and cook.