Iloilo City as new gastronomic center
City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO) chief Benito Jimena said they want foreign visitors here to recognize Iloilo City as the “new gastronomic center.”
Iloilo City is now hosting the Philippine International Mathematics Competition 2009.
The international math competition is participated by more than 30 countries from Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Africa.
Jimena said they have included city tour in various districts for the visitors to savor the food offered by each place. Iloilo City has only the food and majestic churches to offer to the visitors. It has no scenic spots.
He said the best Lapaz batchoy originates from La Paz district; Molo has its pancit molo and historical church; Jaro has the biscocho. The district of Arevalo has the best seafood and City Proper has the delicious grilled food such as chicken and pork.
The CTDO is also developing the district of Mandurriao to become a “kansi” district. Best “kansi soup,” a bone marrow soup, can be found in Mandurriao, said Jimena.
Jimena said they want the foreign visitors to remember the city as a place for mouth watering and delicious foods aside from being excellent in the field of mathematics. They have to taste the food Iloilo City is offering.
Nine of the contestants for competition are from Iloilo City. They made a name in the 8th China Primary Mathematical Olympiad held in Tianjin, China and 5th International Math Competition in Singapore.
The CTDO has already come up with several activities in promoting the Ilonggo foods even before the international competition is held here. Cooking contest was launched to help realize the vision which will place the city not only in the national tourism map but in the international map after the Dinagyang festival has reached its peak.
