Promoting local cuisine. As the Philippines hosts the 2026 ASEAN Summit this May 6-8, Northern Mindanao travelers believe the event will showcase unique Filipino dishes like Kinilaw, Beef Rendang, and Dodol, which take local versions of flavors shared with neighboring ASEAN nations. (Photo courtesy of DOT-10/Lanao del Norte Tourism Office)
TheMindanaoToday.com | NorMin travelers see 2026 ASEAN Summit as gateway to showcase PH cuisine, tourism
By: Gabriel D. Andres
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Travelers from Northern Mindanao expressed optimism for the 2026 ASEAN Summit, viewing the high-level gathering as a strategic platform to showcase the Philippines’ culinary heritage, culture, and tourism.
For Cagayan de Oro-based traveler Jivi Rizaldo, food is a primary cultural identifier. Recalling recent travels to Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia, he underscored cuisine as integral to understanding the ASEAN identity.
While Southeast Asian nations are often distinguished by their distinct, strong, and spicy dishes, Jivi said that common ingredients in this region reveal shared palates among neighboring countries.
Jivi cited Indonesia’s famed Beef Rendang and Lanao del Norte’s local take on the dish as a prime example.
“Akong maingon kay murag, in a way, elevated pud ang version nato diri,” Jivi said, emphasizing that the addition of the unique local paste called ‘palapa’ infuses the dish with a local flair while retaining its iconic spiced notes in every bite.
(Our version is, in a way, elevated, noting that the use of “palapa,” a unique local spice paste, infuses the dish with a distinct Filipino flavor.)
Other local delicacies share striking similarities with international counterparts, such as the Dodol of Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, which is found across Malaysia and other ASEAN states. Similarly, Cagayan de Oro’s Kinilaw closely resembles the ceviche-style dishes of Indonesia and Thailand.
Jivi believes the Summit would let the Philippines to highlight its unique culinary offerings while illustrating its harmony with ASEAN flavors.
Meanwhile, Bukidnon-based traveler Van Domingo said the Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN provides an opportunities to showcase Filipino culture, much like his 2025 visit to Thailand, where culture is reflected in architecture, daily wear, and street food.
“This is an opportunity to show what the Philippines really has to offer, especially [our] food, [our] underrated tourist spots that deserve global recognition. Of course, most especially, the Summit is a chance for us to show how warm the Filipino people really are,” Van said.
Mary Anjaylyne Cataraja, another traveler from Bukidnon, shared similar insights from her recent trip to Thailand this year.
Among her favorite dishes were Pad Thai and Mango Sticky Rice, which she compared to popular Pinoy foods Pancit and Suman with Mangga and Latik, proving how food can bridge and foster cross-cultural appreciation.
Anj believes that the country stands to benefit from increased economic activity throughout the Summit, from May 6 to 8 in Cebu province.
“Hosting the ASEAN Summit provides massive exposure where we can showcase Filipino hospitality, festivals, heritage, and travel destinations,” she said.
For these travelers, the Summit goes beyond mere diplomacy. It is an opportunity to celebrate unique cuisines and integrate Filipino food into the diverse culinary traditions of Southeast Asia. (GDA/PIA-10)
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