Iloilo City proudly showcased its rich culinary heritage and thriving food industry at the World Food Expo (WOFEX) 2025, earning praise from visitors, food experts, and national leaders for its strong and well-curated participation.
Led by the Iloilo City Government under Mayor Raisa S. Treñas, the Iloilo City Pavilion at the World Trade Center in Manila became a highlight of the event’s opening days.
Iconic homegrown brands, including Netong’s Original La Paz Batchoy and Patpat’s Kansi, drew long lines from food lovers eager to experience authentic Ilonggo flavors.
Netong’s, a La Paz Public Market mainstay since 1948, served its signature pork-based noodle soup rich with chicharon, garlic, egg, and deep umami broth. Patpat’s offered its famed batuan-infused beef shank soup, praised for its authentic, perfectly balanced tartness and savory depth.
The pavilion also featured a diverse roster of Ilonggo enterprises: RGies Delicacies, Kape Iloilo, Prince Baker, Kap Ising’s Pancit Molo, Sabor Ilonggo, JD Bakeshop, Biscocho Haus, and Carlo’s Bakeshop, which delighted guests with free biscocho giveaways.
The Metro Iloilo–Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) also brought in Guimaras mangoes, Cabatuan’s tablea, and Oton’s famous Nang Palang’s Buko Pie.
Tourism and hospitality were equally represented by Richmonde Hotel Iloilo and Damires Hills Tierra Verde, highlighting Iloilo’s excellence in service and leisure.
Former Senator Franklin Drilon, a proud Ilonggo, personally visited the pavilion and joined the audience for a live cooking demo by Chef Ariel Castañeda Jr. at the Kitchen Theater.
He lauded the collaborative efforts of the city government and the private sector, calling the showcase “the right direction” for promoting Iloilo as a gastronomic center of the Philippines.
Drilon believes that Iloilo’s culinary delights deserve recognition not only for their flavor but also for their potential to boost the local economy.
“We should keep on exposing Ilonggo food to the country because it really deserves to be recognized as a gastronomic center of the Philippines,” he added.
Senator Kiko Pangilinan and representatives from UNESCO–Philippines also visited the exhibit, expressing support for Iloilo’s ongoing promotion of its culinary identity.
“Iloilo’s food culture is not just about flavor, it’s about identity, heritage, and opportunity,” Mayor Treñas said. “Through WOFEX 2025, we are sharing our story with the country while opening doors for our local entrepreneurs to grow.”
This year’s participation reflects Iloilo City’s commitment to its distinction as the first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in the Philippines.
The successful showcase was made possible through strong public–private collaboration with the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc., Metro-Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council, Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., Iloilo Chapter; Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. Iloilo and Panay chapters; Iloilo Hotels Restaurants and Resorts Association, Fiesta Souvenirs, Iloilo MICE Alliance and the Department of Trade and Industry.
With vibrant flavors, rich traditions, and united community support, Iloilo City’s WOFEX 2025 participation reinforces its position as a must-visit destination for food lovers and cultural travelers, driving both pride and economic growth for the city.
Iloilo City earned its UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation in 2023, making history as the first and only city in the Philippines to achieve this global recognition.
It joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), a group of 350 cities from over 100 countries committed to using creativity as a strategic driver for sustainable development. The network covers seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.
In 2024, Iloilo City actively engaged in the UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy (COGs) Annual Conference in Thailand (May 9–13), joining fellow COGs in global dialogue, project sharing, and cultural networking.
The city also represented the Philippines at the International Gastronomy Forum in Macao, where it strengthened its international ties and showcased its culinary innovations.
