The R’ Cebu Expo featured local delicacies from several towns in Cebu province.
The seventh district of Cebu province consists of eight towns, located on the southwestern part of the island. Many of these places have notable tourist spots and recreational activities that have gained popularity worldwide.
Their local delicacies are not as popular, however.
As you know, food is essential to any culture, as it gives these far-flung towns and cities a unique identity and a piece of history preserved by their residents.
Whether it’s the Filipino version of famous international dishes or the local food made by the townsfolk, make sure to experience the food culture of the following towns and municipalities during your next visit.
An assortment of Filipino products and services were offered during the event.
R’ CEBU
The Cebu Provincial Government organized the R’ Cebu Expo to bring Filipino products sold in remote areas to a larger audience in the metro.
The exhibit spanned three days, from September 9 to 11 at the Robinsons Galleria. The name is a spin on the words “Our Cebu,” using the letter R to coincide with the name of the venue.
On July 15, 2022, the exhibit featured products and services from the First District, consisting of the municipalities of Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, San Fernando, Carcar, and Sibonga.
Cebu Provincial Governor Gwendolyn Garcia checked out the different local delicacies.
Cebu Provincial Governor Gwendolyn Garcia was present in all iterations of the expo to purchase the local products sold at the event.
THE BEST LOCAL DELICACIES AND PRODUCTS FROM DISTRICT 7
- DUMANJUG
The municipality of Dumanjug has its fair share of famous hangout spots, and the local government is working on identifying locations that will make great tourist attractions.
The town featured several local snacks and desserts during the R’ Cebu Expo, including pastries and locally made cocoa beans. They also sold their iconic Inasal Manok Bisaya.
Exhibitors brought locally processed vinegar made up of coconut water, garlic, chili, and onions.
- RONDA
Ronda is the municipality after Dumanjug and is famous for its recipe for humba. This popular Visayan dish consists of thick pork cuts braised with soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic.
This dish is the theme for its local festival, with traditional dance performances inspired by the pork dish. There is also a contest to see who can make the best humba in town.
Other products at the exhibit include locally made chorizo – a sausage famously sold in Cebu – some peanut brittle, and their local vinegar.
- ALCANTARA
Alcantara is another lesser-known town in southwestern Cebu. However, there are a few places you should check out, like the Alcantara Sea Paradise. This eco-tourism project is famous for its boardwalk and animal observatories.
The town featured its local arts industry, with paintings made by fellow residents. These paintings depict abstract artwork, tourist spots, and the livelihood in the province.
The town also showcased its locally-made peanut butter, a local Cebuano bread called binangkal, and jars of smoked fish. The exhibitors brought in some locally made halo-halo for people to try as well.
- MOALBOAL
Among the towns in the seventh district, Moalboal might be the most popular. It plays a big role in Cebu tourism due to its rich marine life, bringing in hundreds of divers yearly.
Pescador Island, a famous diving spot, is accessible through this town. The waters of Moalboal are also where many divers witness the mesmerizing Sardine Run, where thousands of fish converge into dazzling patterns.
Their exhibit featured key chains of local wildlife, like sea turtles, whale sharks, and starfish. Emilyn Nuevo also sold bangus (milk fish) sardines at the event.
- BADIAN
The town of Badian is famous for its numerous waterfalls, including the iconic Kawasan Falls. Canyoneering is also a popular recreational activity here, which many consider a must-try experience when visiting Cebu.
The Badian exhibit featured several brochures of hotels and accommodations with tours to the most famous waterfall systems in town. They also showcased equipment used for canyoneering, like a helmet, life jacket, and water bottles.
The food featured at their exhibit is not as foreign to many people. Locally made desserts and pastries, including cookies and cakes, were among the more popular food items on display. The exhibit also included several woven products like bags and sleeping mats.
- ALEGRIA
Similar to its neighboring municipalities, this town also has numerous waterfalls. The four most popular are Cambais, Canlaob, Montpellier, and Cancalanog Falls.
Alegria also promoted its growing art industry. The paintings – made by the local youth – were sold to support the young artists.
The town sold organic products like turmeric powder and ginamos (fermented fish), as well as snacks like banana chips and macaroons.
- MALABUYOC
Here comes another town famous for its waterfall systems. Malabuyoc may be lesser-known, but they happily promoted their canyoneering businesses at the event.
Their exhibit featured two local delicacies, namely binangkal and atsara. Binangkal is a famous local bread known for its crunchy texture. You will notice these rice-crisp-covered desserts in small-scale bakeries in the province.
Atsara, on the other hand, is a pickle relish made from papaya. These are commonly served together with grilled dishes, especially in barbecue restaurants.
- GINATILAN
Finally, the furthest among all the towns is Ginatilan, 142 kilometers away from Cebu City. The town has several historical sites and famous waterfall systems like the Inambakan Falls.
Ginatilan featured many lesser-known snacks made in the town. These include snacks made from buli, like palagsing and tinumpi. Buli is a famous ingredient removed from the trunk of a local tree and made into several desserts in the province.
The exhibit also sold statues and prayers dedicated to the first Cebuano canonized saint, Pedro Calungsod. Records show that Calungsod was born in this southwestern town.
Cebu has many local delicacies that make great food souvenirs in the Philippines. Fortunately, events like the R’ Expo give various towns and municipalities the opportunity to showcase their products to both tourists and fellow Cebuanos.
Now that you have an idea about the food culture of the island’s seventh district, stay tuned to the next exhibit to learn more about what other towns in Cebu have to offer!
