Mangan Tako Cordillera fest set

By Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY – The “Mangan Tako” Cordillera Food Fair Festival will now be celebrated every second week of April as part of the Sum Vac (Summer Vacation) activities of Baguio City.

The ordinance was approved by the city council on Sept. 23 and was signed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Oct. 2.

The week-long festival will feature cuisine and heirloom dishes from the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province including the preparation techniques by respective accomplished chefs from the said provinces. Food tasting of the authentic dishes will also be offered to the public after cooking demonstrations.

“The Mangan Tako Food Festival aims to put Cordilleran cuisine into the spotlight in order to boost culinary tourism in the Cordillera Region, which has evolved as a vital component of tourism, and in the over-all tourism experience of local and foreign visitors,” the ordinance reads.

Under the ordinance, a committee will be formed to facilitate the activities and programs of the festival.

The committee’s duties will be as follow: convene and plan for the event; schedule programs, set dates and arrange venue; formulate rules and regulations in food preparation for delegates from different participating provinces, cleanliness and maintenance of security and order.

Other rules to be observed; draft working plans for putting up stalls to house participants and other beautification and/or landscaping ornaments; delegate security personnel to patrol the area during the event; and other activities that may be deemed necessary to ensure the success of the event.

The festival was first held April 14 initiated by the Dept. of Tourism – Cordillera in partnership with the Tourism Promotions Board and supported by the Dept. of Agriculture and the City Government of Baguio.