By CESAR JOLITO III
Cadiz City’s signature Pinakbet Mais-aya will represent the Negros Island Region (NIR) in the national finals of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) “Walang Gutom” Program Kusinero Cook-Off Challenge in Manila on Friday, July 17.
The winning dish, prepared by Cadizeña cooks 64-year-old Teresita Villegas and her niece, 51-year-old Connie Magbanua, topped the regional competition held on July 2 with a unique take on the traditional Ilocano vegetable dish.
Their version incorporates sweet corn kernels and locally produced Cadiz shrimp paste (ginamos), giving the classic pinakbet a distinct flavor while maintaining its affordability and nutritional value.
Known in their community as the “hacienda cooks,” Villegas and Magbanua bested other entries across the region. They also received a P15,000 cash prize for winning the regional tilt.
The competition seeks to promote innovative, affordable and nutritious recipes that can help address hunger and malnutrition among low-income Filipino households.
Villegas and Magbanua said their recipe was designed to remain accessible to ordinary families by using readily available vegetables and enhancing the dish with sweet corn and Cadiz-made ginamos.
The recipe also aligns with the government’s “Go, Grow and Glow” nutrition campaign by combining vegetables and locally sourced ingredients into a balanced meal.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. said the victory reflects not only the city’s culinary identity but also the dedication of two women whose years of hard work shaped their cooking skills.
“Pinakbet is a very budget-friendly dish. Many of its ingredients can even be harvested from one’s backyard, making it nutritious and accessible for Filipino families,” Escalante said.
He added that the use of Cadiz’s locally made ginamos gives the dish a unique identity that could earn national recognition.
Before becoming regional champions, Villegas and Magbanua spent years working in sugarcane fields, selling vegetables and preparing meals to support their families./CCJ, WDJ