The United States (US) Embassy in the Philippines held a culinary exchange and post-harvest training with the Bankero and Fishermen Association (BFA) at Driftwood Beach Resort in Barangay Barretto in Olongapo City, Zambales on 13 August 2026.

The event is part of the visit of US Culinary Envoy Chef Edith Johnson with Filipino fisherfolk. Chef Johnson is currently in the Philippines for the Flavors of Freedom250 Program, which highlights American cooking techniques and knowledge sharing with Filipino culinary professionals.

The said event showcased the local products of our fisherfolk, including bottled smoked galunggong and bangus. The event also provided an avenue for knowledge-sharing on post-harvest fisheries development, sustainable livelihoods, and culinary innovation.

With the theme “Safer Seas, Shared Prosperity,” the event was graced by Chef Johnson and Sous Chef Jeren Schimdt from Alaska; US Embassy Regional Foreign Assistance Section Becky Guieb; Chief of Party for Fish Right Prof. Nygiel Armada; and Dr. Joan Castro, Executive Vice President of PATH Foundation Philippines, Inc. (PFPI).

Also present were City Agriculture Officer Francis E. Maniago; City Tourism Officer Fifi Legaspi; and Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO) Director PCol. Deonido Maniago, Jr.

Organized through the US Embassy Manila’s Fish Right Program, the visit provided an opportunity to showcase the community-based post-harvest initiatives of the BFA and promote knowledge exchange on fish processing, product development, and livelihood initiatives.

The program featured an overview of the association’s livelihood activities, demonstrations of traditional fish processing methods—including the production and bottling of smoked round scad (galunggong) and milkfish (bangus)—and an interactive exchange of experiences between the US Culinary Envoy, Sous Chef, and members of the association.

The activity concluded with a fellowship lunch featuring a traditional Filipino boodle fight, celebrating the Filipino culture of sharing food while strengthening friendship, camaraderie, and community.