As part of the celebration of the 24th Cityhood Anniversary of Isabela and the 2025 Sakayan Festival, the Bene ya KUSIna: The LGU Employees Cooking Contest gathered on April 28, employees of the LGU-Isabela City to showcase their culinary talents and highlight the abundance of local produce.
The event was spearheaded by the City Government of Isabela under the leadership of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman through the City Tourism Office headed by CTO Claudio Ramos II. Notably, Mayor Turabin-Hataman, an accomplished cook herself, is an ardent promoter of Isabeleño culinary heritage.
Six teams, each composed of six members, participated in the cooking contest. The competition featured two categories. The first was the Sakayan Full Course Meal Challenge, where participants were tasked to prepare an appetizer, three main dishes, and one dessert. The second was the Mystery Ingredient Challenge, where participants were required to create a dish using a secret ingredient, which was pumpkin (kalabasa). Dishes were evaluated based on taste, nutritional value, creativity, and costing.
Serving as members of the panel of judges were Marlyn Anoos, Chief Senior Labor and Employment Officer of DOLE-Isabela City Field Office; Kalbiya Comez, NC trainer from MHBTE-TESD Basilan; and Argie Sarco, provincial director of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism-Basilan. The champion team will receive a cash prize of P20,000 plus P10, 000 worth of sponsor products and a plaque of recognition.
In addition to being one of the highlights of the cityhood anniversary, Bene ya KUSIna also served as the culminating activity of the city’s celebration of Filipino Food Month, also known as “Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino.” Celebrated every April, this year’s observance is anchored on the theme “Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino, Yaman ng Kasaysayan, Kultura at Pagkatao” (The Taste of Filipino Food, Treasure of our History, Culture, and Identity), which aimed to conserve, popularize, and promote Filipino cuisine as a vital expression of the nation’s cultural identity. (Words by M. Guerrero/Photos by M. Santos, CIO)
