Hidden Treasures, an ongoing agro-industrial exhibition and trade fair, closes today at the Iloilo Convention Center.

The event also featured the Tabu-an Ilonggo Heritage Cooking Competition.

“Hidden Treasures is an event that helps in preserving the native Ilonggo heritage and cuisine,” explained Department of Tourism-Region VI (DOT-6) director, Atty. Helen J. Catalbas. “This is also a way to showcase and share with others the Ilonggo cuisine that has been passed on from generation to generation.”

“The travel experience of tourists in Western Visayas will be more memorable because they will have deeper understanding of the culture of the place through the native food they eat,” she added.

Cooking demonstrations were conducted by various chefs including Boy Logro, Don Colmenares, Raphael Angelo Cristobal, and Jorn Erik Fonseca.

In addition, talks were also held during the event.

Food writer and historian Micky Fenix hosted a discussion entitled, Do you know your Western Visayas Cooking?; Zarraga Integrated Diversified Organic Farmers Association chairman Joby Arandela spoke on the topic “Rice…The Soul Food;” and award-winning author and celebrity chef Myke Tatung Sarthou talked about similarities and differences in Visayan cuisine.

The event was organized by DOT-6, the Department of Agriculture-6, and Commission on Higher Education-6./WDJ