In a sweet nod to Ilonggo heritage, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Iloilo has officially declared the town of Pavia, particularly Barangay Anilao, as the “Sorbete Capital” of the province.
The declaration was made through Provincial Ordinance No. 2026-356, which the Provincial Board approved on third and final reading during its 50th Regular Session on June 30.
The ordinance, principally authored by Ex-Officio Board Member Jo Jan Paul “JP” Peñol, was sponsored by Board Member Nielito “Doc Darling” Tupas, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, History, Culture, and Arts, and co-sponsored by Board Member June Mondejar, Vice Governor Nathalie Ann Debuque, and all members of the Sanggunian present.
In an interview, Peñol told IMT NEWS that his childhood fascination with the distinctive metallic chimes of sorbeteros and his firsthand appreciation of the dedication behind traditional sorbete-making during his tenure as a municipal councilor inspired him to push for the ordinance.
“Well basically, when I was younger, I was very enthralled and amazed by the sound of metallic chimes of every sorbetero and as time goes by and I became councilor of Pavia, nakita ko pa gid ang beauty sang craft sang sorbete, kung ano ka budlay mag-ubra ka sorbete,” he recalled.
Peñol said the ordinance was crafted after extensive cross-matching, cultural mapping, genealogical research, and documentation of Pavia’s sorbete industry.
The official explained that the measure was introduced in response to the declining interest of younger generations in the traditional sorbete business after discussions with the Pavia Ice Cream Association, led by Pastor Joel Agudilo, revealing that most sorbete vendors are already aging.
“If indi naton ini pag preserve, madula lang ining sorbete; we will lean more on commercialized ice cream while our sorbete vendors are struggling under the heat of the sun just to earn a living,” Peñol said.
The official added that another key objective of the ordinance is market integration by preserving Pavia’s traditional methods and flavors while expanding its reach to grocery stores, restaurants, malls, and other commercial establishments.
There are also plans to package Sorbete de Pavia in pints, liters, gallons, and cups for retail sale through the Tourism Promotions Development Center of the town, where chillers will be put to showcase locally made sorbete.
Peñol likewise outlined that the Pavia Ice Cream Association will be renamed to Pavia Sorbete Association to strengthen its Filipino identity and emphasize its distinctly Ilonggo heritage.
The provincial government and the Department of Tourism, meanwhile, announced their commitment to including Sorbete de Pavia Day every May 2 and the Sorbete Day of Barangay Anilao which is to be determined when in their official tourism calendars.
Additional support also came from the Pavia Entrepreneurs and Multi-purpose Cooperative through the creation of the mascots Ani and Lao, named after Barangay Anilao.
To back implementation, at least ₱500,000 has been allocated by the provincial government, with ₱150,000 each earmarked for Sorbete de Pavia Day and Barangay Anilao’s Sorbete Day, while the remaining ₱200,000 will fund livelihood assistance for sorbete vendors, including food safety and hygiene training, uniforms, aprons, umbrellas, and upgraded carts.
Innovation also forms part of the ordinance, as the exploration of new flavors will be encouraged to attract more consumers without compromising the traditional character of Pavia’s sorbete.
Peñol expressed gratitude to Pavia’s sorbeteros, saying their perseverance has kept the tradition alive despite changing times.
“Una sa tanan nagapasalamat ako sa mga sorbeteros, if not because of them, this craft could have ended several years ago, through their indomitable spirit, we were able to preserve the craft and pass on to another generation,” he said.
“Dako gid ang appreciation nga ginahatag naton sa aton mga sorbeteros because they are the pillars of our society,” Peñol added. Jose Alphonso Ceria, WVSU-COC intern/IMT
