Bill to declare Pampanga as PH culinary capital reaches Senate floor

KAPAMPANGAN SPREAD Apag Marangle in Guagua, Pampanga, is among the top destinations for authentic Kapampangan dishes. —WILLIE LOMIBAO

MANILA, Philippines — The bill seeking to declare Pampanga province the culinary capital of the Philippines has reached the Senate floor.

During the chamber’s Tuesday plenary session, Pampanga native Sen. Lito Lapid stood to co-sponsor Senate Bill No. 2797.

He said Pampanga deserves the recognition as it was named a food destination by Conde Nast Traveler in 2022, while Angeles City was one of Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destinations in 2024.

“You know, the story of Pampanga is not only about food, but also our resilience and creativity. You can see that on our food,” Lapid said in Filipino.

“Ang Pampanga po ay hindi gaya ng ibang mga probinsya na may likas na tanawin at pasyalan. Wala po kaming makikinang na mga beach at magagandang bulubundukin o mga rock formation. Ang mayroon po kami ay pusong Kapampangan at ang aming pagkain na hinubog ng aming kasaysayan,” he added later on.

“Unlike other provinces, Pampanga does not have a tourist attraction. We do not have shining beaches and beautiful mountains and rock formation[s]. What we have is the Kapampangan heart and food shaped by our history,” he added.

In his speech, Lapid mentioned Pampanga’s notable dishes such as sisig, kare-kare, adobong puti, adobong balut (fertilized duck egg), camaru (mole crickets), buro (fermented dish of rice and fish or shrimp), humba and morcon.

According to the senator, many famous Filipino chefs like Nora and Sandy Daza, Atsing Lillian Lising-Borromeo, Clarita Reyes Lapus of Mama Sita’s, Claude Tayag, Sau del Rosario, and Gene Gonzales, to name a few, came from Pampanga.

“[W]e are asking, with all our hearts, help us to give the province of Pampanga the slogan, which is the culinary capital of the Philippines,” Lapid said.

READ: Lito Lapid Pampanga’s pride, shame

Aside from Lapid, Senators Mark Villar and five other legislators sponsored a bill declaring Pampanga as culinary capital.

SB No. 2797 was also sponsored by Senators Imee Marcos, Loren Legarda, Jinggoy Estrada, Francis Escudero and Joel Villanueva.

Marcos and Legarda filed the initial bills under the tourism sub-committee of Villar following the approval by the lower Congress of House Bill 10634 of former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

In his sponsorship speech, Villar said that by declaring Pampanga the culinary capital of the Philippines, “we are recognizing its significant contribution to our culinary heritage and ensuring that its legacy is preserved and celebrated for future generations.”

“This bill is not just about honoring a province—it is about ensuring that the Philippines remains a key player in the global culinary landscape. The recognition of Pampanga as our culinary capital will not only boost local pride but will also be a driver of economic and tourism growth,” he added.

Villar explained that the bill “does not in any way diminish the value of the diverse cuisines from other provinces.” “From the hearty dishes of the north to the vibrant seafood of the Visayas and the delectable flavors of Mindanao, every region in our country has its own special place in our culinary tapestry.”

The legislation originated from the legislative board of Pampanga, mainly by former board member Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, who pushed a local ordinance to boost food tourism and agriculture.

The draft of the bill tasked the Department of Tourism to promote Pampanga as culinary capital of the Philippines.