The future of Filipino food

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) presented last 30 May to 1 June, a three day food festival presenting the richness of Filipino gastronomy and the innovative spirit of local food micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The successful exhibition featured over 250 MSME exhibitors from across the country, blending culinary tradition with technology and innovation. The event was held at Megatrade Halls 1–3, SM Megamall.

The festival was also the launch of DTI Malikhaing Pinoy Website, a key milestone for the Philippine Gastronomy Creative Industry. Known as the “National Gateway to Filipino Creativity and Business,” the website is a technological space for the DTI B2B Marketplace online platform and is designed to connect Filipino MSMEs with a wider market. Anchored on the Tatak Pinoy Strategy Program, the festival supports the acceleration of MSME competitiveness and digital adoption, serves as a platform to showcase heritage-inspired food products from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao through curated exhibits, live cooking demonstrations, features the Kayumanggi Philippine heritage recipe book and celebrates Iloilo City’s as a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy.

DTI Food Festival 2025 aims to transform MSMEs into globally competitive brands.

While distinct from the National Food Fair, the Food Festival 2025 shares the DTI’s mission to uplift MSMEs. The successful fair drew participation from MSMEs across the National Capital Region, Western Visayas (particularly Iloilo City), and other key regions such as Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON.

The future is bright and hopeful. Through our collective and unifying efforts, let’s celebrate our rich regional flavors and the future of Filipino food.