Pinoy pork

 NatFed officially opens 2025 Hog Festival

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte 

After the smashing success of its inaugural edition last year, which resulted in gaining a Guinness World Record for the Most Number of Pork Dishes Served at 313!, the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NatFed) officially opened this year's Hog Festival at the World Kitchens in Gateway Mall 2. 

With the theme, "Sarap ng Pinoy Pork . . . mula nguso hanggang buntot," the campaign to raise local livestock underscores the culinary value of the entire pig and reinforces the importance of promoting zero-waste cooking and food self-sufficiency. 

"All of a hog's parts are useful; nothing goes to waste. "Pork meat is a complete source of food protein. All the dishes that will be served during the festival will use parts from snout to tail. This initiative aims to increase and boost hog production and/or consumption," intoned NatFed chairman Chester Tan.

The main Festival, slated on the whole day of May 31, will unfold in two venues. Earlier in the day, at Gateway Mall 2, an exciting culinary cook-off will feature a playful yet skillful showdown between the reigning Binibining Pilipinas queens - Myrna Esguerra (International), Jasmin Bungay (Globe), Christal Jean dela Cruz (BBP 1st runner-up), together with Internet sensation Sassa Girl - against some of the country's most renowned chefs. 

"Each group will prepare two dishes. They will be given the parts ahead of time so they could plan well what to prepare," informed Chef Roland "Lau" Laudio, who will sit as one of the jurors.

Later in the evening, at the Versailles Tent of Novotel Manila, a pork degustation feast will showcase Chef Jessie Sincioco with her signature Filipino dishes, Chef Steve Ma highlighting Hong Kong flavors, and Chef Gale Sun presenting Spanish cuisine. They will be proffering specially curated dishes from their acclaimed kitchens.

"Last year, we created dishes that used pork meat only to help our hog farmers. During the coming festival, our entries will include Deconstructed Pork Binagoongan and Pork Liver Paté," shared Chef Miggy Moreno of Palm Grill, one of the many restaurants in Araneta City serving regional cuisine.

In 2024, the Philippines imported nearly 800 million kilograms of pork, a figure that NatFed hopes to reduce by encouraging local consumption and supporting farmers in restarting and scaling their operations. NatFed's vision aligns with broader food security goals, recognizing that true sustainability lies in local production and community involvement.

From crispy bites to full servings, savor the best of Pinoy Pork at the Versailles Tent in Novotel Manila on May 31, starting at 6 pm.