THE United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network (UCCN) recently awarded Iloilo City as the UNESCO “Creative City of Gastronomy,” a first for the country.
Iloilo City thus becomes part of the 55 cities around the world to be included in UCCN this year, following their designation by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
These new cities are acknowledged for their strong commitment to harnessing culture and creativity as part of their development strategies and displaying innovative practices in human-centered urban planning.
By accomplishing this feat, Iloilo City is now only the third city in the Philippines to be part of this prestigious international network, coming in after Baguio (2017) for craft and folk art, and Cebu (2019) for design.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos, for his part, lauded the city’s remarkable achievement and commended Iloilo City’s local government leaders, led by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Rep. Christopher “Toff” De Venecia, chair of the House Committee on Creative Industries, the city’s population, including other stakeholders for their significant involvement and active efforts that led to the inclusion of the city in UCCN.
“This recognition is an homage to Iloilo City’s Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and ancestors who passed down their customs, traditions, and ways of life, including the traditional Ilonggo recipes. It is a resounding testament to the richness, ingenuity, and diversity of our culture as Filipinos,” Abalos said.
The Creative City of Gastronomy tag, according to Abalos, will surely boost tourism not only in Iloilo City but also in the entire country. “This win by Iloilo City will create an environment that fosters innovation and creativity as key drivers for a more sustainable and inclusive development,” he said.
He likewise rallied all other cities in the country to replicate the success of Iloilo, Cebu, and Baguio in order to be recognized worldwide as icons of urban development.
“I strongly believe that there is no shortage of creativity and innovation in this country and that this land is home to a diverse cultural heritage. Ito ang mga bagay na nagbibigay kahulugan sa ating pagka-Pilipino. So, we must show these proudly to the world, for they are among the many reasons to love the Philippines.”
At present, the network now counts 350 cities in more than 100 countries, representing seven creative fields: crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music.
(PHOTO CREDIT: UNESCO – Philippine National Commission Facebook page)