by Lorie Ann A. Cascaro
When one visits a place, he or she may remember something about the place. It could be either its history or its culture. Or its food. This is the belief of Miss Universe 1973 and former president of the Davao Tourism Association (DATA) Ms Margie Moran-Floirendo who conceived and staged the Mindanao Culinary Festival (MCF) in 1996.
“The beach can be just like beach anywhere else in the Philippines,” she said, but the food is something that makes a place unique and remarkable to the tourists. Ms Moran-Floirendo said that 10 years ago, Davao City needed an upgrade in its culinary scene and that restaurants then were only famous for ihaw-ihaw (grilled meat). Always being part of the tourism and hospitality sectors, she said, the food industry has upgraded in 10 years, including the hospitality industry such as services done by waiters.
As one of the major events of the DATA, the MCF was conceived to showcase the facets of Mindanao’s culinary scene and to regularly update those who are involved in the hospitality industry, both in the academic and professional world. This was the observation of the president of DATA and chair of the 10th year celebration of the MCF 2010, Gene C. Bangayan, during the opening ceremony of the MCF 2010 and the 5th Food Processing and Packaging Technology Expo 2010 on June 16 at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Bangayan said the event, with the theme “Celebrating the Reign of Green,” aims to provide learning for tourism players and students “who want to be upgraded and addressed on new trends and techniques in the food service industry to uplift their standards toward culinary excellence.” They will be able to compete in the global market through seminars and trainings, competition, exhibitions and other related activities during the festival, she said.
“It has raised the level of consciousness among people to regard the food industry, the culinary industry as a thriving industry. And it is today,” said Mary Ann M. Montemayor, managing director of Konkordans, Inc. and organizer of MCF 2010, having seen the MCF growing through the years.
“Everyone is in tourism, in HRM (hotel and restaurant management), so we would like to believe that in a way that was part of what the MCF did,” she said.
The travel and tours sector also supported MCF 2010. Pia Lourdes P. Montano of Davao Travel Agencies Association said that tourists will definitely eat and that the festival is a time to showcase Mindanao food. “Culinary is a component part of tourism,” she added.
While food cannot be taken away from tourism, tourism should go together with investment, according to Councilor Susan Isabel Reta of Davao City who attended the opening ceremony by way of showing her full support for private sector initiative. Reta said tourists are potential investors in the city and elsewhere in Mindanao because they spot viable locations and/or products for business.
Tourism is “the gateway through which tourists come to know Philippine products and for Philippine products to be exported to world markets,” said Rene Esteban, director of product research and development of Brixton International Food Corporation/George Steuart Phils. Inc. Having joined the FPP Technology Expo in the past five years, Esteban said he was able to establish the demand and marketability of his products.
Another exhibitor, Leo H. De Leon, president of the Allegro Beverage Corporation, said the advantage of this kind of event is that buyers/customers come to them. In four days, he said, they will be able to meet prospective buyers in Mindanao, noting that it would otherwise not be this convenient to reach out to buyers coming from different parts of Mindanao. “They come here because they have a need,” he said.
Moreover, investment does not only mean businessmen coming to Davao City to buy products such as fresh fruits, vegetables and meat. Farmers can become businessmen as well by investing in technology to add value to their products and increase their income, the president of Premier Events Plus Group, Inc., said.
Joel Pascual said the intention of the FFP Technology Expo 2010 was to uplift the conditions of the farmers. “We don’t want our farmers to stay farmers only, but we want them to be food processors,” he said. He said by producing added-value products like bottled or canned fruits, farmers will not be afraid of storms or be dependent on seasons.
“We have the technology. We give them a better chance to earn more income. If you know how to process your products, you will not be limited to fresh ones during the harvest season,” he said.
The MCF 2010 cum FPP Technology Expo 2010 was participated in by over 100 exhibitors, 80% of whom came from Manila, according to Pascual. The exhibits were various equipment, not only for food processing and packaging, but a whole package for someone to start his or her own business.
For one, Allegro Beverage Corporation showcased Italy-made coffee machines, imported coffee beans, and labeled coffee cups of internationally recognized brands that will be sponsoring the World Barista Cup 2010 in London. Its very own award-winning barista (bartender) was there to demonstrate how to use the machines and make perfect espresso coffee. Instant consultations for starting a business were also done in the booth. It also conducted the Grand Barista Cup 2010 Champion Mindanao Finals on June 18 with Romyr R. Bago of Café Demitasse on Torres St., Davao City, emerging the champion who will be competing with three finalists from Cebu City, the National Capital Region and Luzon.
