To kick off the Filipino Food Month (FFM)!celebration, a Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) was launched today, April 2, 2025, at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall.

Facilitated by the Department of Agriculture-Central Visayas through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (DA-AMAD), in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Lapu-Lapu City, some 21 farmer cooperatives and associations (FCA) displayed their fresh agricultural produce and processed products for the local residents to avail.

With the theme, “Sarap ng Pagkaing Pilipino: Yaman ng Ating Kasaysayan, Kultura, at Pagkatao,” the KNP officially opened with a ribbon cutting led by Lapu-Lapu City Vice Mayor, Hon. Celedonio Sitoy, City Councilor Hon. Annabeth Cuizon and Hon. Celestino Aying, City Administrator, Hon. Atty. Danilo Almendras, DA-Admin and Finance Division Chief, Dr. Melquiades B. Ibarra, and DA-AMAD Chief Aurea Madrio.

In her message, Hon. Cuizon expressed grateful to DA for the conduct of the KNP in their city, inviting the 21 exhibitors to display their produce for the consumers to have access to fresh and cheaper agricultural produce, as she says, “Thank you kaninyong tanan, padung na mu-2 years ang atong Kadiwa ng Panglo diri sa Lapu-Lapu. Thank you, DA, for bringing our farmers here in Lapu-Lapu, for bringing their products here na sobra kabarato, dako siyag deperensiya sa atong merkado. “

Part of the FFM highlight was the cooking demonstration of the native Filipino Food that showcases the One Town One Product (OTOP) of the FCAs.

The Catmon Deli Vendors Association presented and demonstrated their famous “Budbud Kabog,” a Visayan cake roll made from millet seeds, while the Cebu Province Mushroom Growers Agriculture Cooperative, taught the crowd how to cook mushroom chips, and the Carson Hills Farm showcasing their “sikwate,” a Filipino hot chocolate drink that was purely made with cacao.

The Lapu-Lapu City Cooperative and Livelihood Resource Center-Olango Island (LLC-LRC), demonstrated the step-by-step procedure of baking “pan bisaya” in pogon (ceramic oven), a native bread in Cebu.

Among the exhibitors were Growing Greens Farm, Catmon Deli Vendors Association, Lanao Dalaguetnon Coco Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, Pangdan Multi-purpose Cooperative (MPC), First Consolidated Cooperative along Tañon Seaboards, Lamac MPC, Carson Hills Farm, Cebu Province Mushroom Growers Agriculture Cooperative (AC), Macaban Kakaw-Krayollo And Lubi Netibo AC, Bez Acre, Guadalupe Community MPC, Cambinocot MPC, JDBee Apiary and Premium Honey, Cebu Peoples Cooperative, GPA Farms, Grnd Up Consumer Goods Trading, Ulay Agro Industrial Enterprises, Pestales AC, and the LGU-assisted FCAs, the LLC-LRC and the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina.