On Thursday, 16th June, 2016, CG Abdullah joins the Opening Ceremony of WOFEX 2016 at SMX Convention Center in Davao City.
The simple opening ceremony emceed by Arch’t. Michael Ebro Dakudao was held at the lobby of SMX. It began with an invocation delivered by Baby Maceda-Montemayor, the Vice Chairperson of the National Micro Small Medium Enterprise Development Council. Guest speakers included City Councilor Marissa Salvador Abella, the Committee Chair on Agriculture & Food; Assist. Reg’l. Dir. Eduardo P. Tesorero of the Finance and Administrative Div. of the Dept. Of Science and Technology of Davao; and DTI Reg’l. Dir. Maria Belinda Q. Ambi. Consul General Abdullah Zawawi came to support the food expo along with the friendly Jeffrey Albanese, the Agricultural Attache of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who came accompanied by Ramona Singian of USDA.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was led by the glorious culinary stars of Manila which included Chef Fernando Aracama, President of the Les Toques Blanches (LTB) Philippines; Chef J Gamboa, Dir. For Education of LTB; Chef Buddy Trinidad, President of the Pastry Alliance of the Phil. (PAP): Chef James Antolin, VP of the PAP; plus chefs Carlo Miguel, Dan Basilio, Jem Raymundo, Jackie Ang Po, Penk Ching Tan, Mia Yan and Reggie Aspiras. The famous chefs definitely provided added prestige to the food event.
The Philippine Government has always been aiming for the country to become the culinary hub in Asia with its native cuisine and culinary influences unlike any other among our neighboring countries. “A lot is riding on the shoulders of the people that actually bring the food to the table. Fortunately, the Philippines is not lacking in culinary heroes—professionals that continue to push the envelope to bring our unique taste profile to the rest of the world,” said the WOFEX head, Joel Pascual, as he joined the well-attended DATA 13th Mindanao Culinary Festival held at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier. The Mindanao Culinary Festival 2016, which was held in partnership with the Philippine Culinary Cup of LTB Philippines, is definitely the biggest annual culinary event in the Mindanao region.
Consulate General of Malaysia
Davao City
Philippines
16th June, 2016