By Mariela Angella Oladive
Iloilo City, the first in the Philippines to be designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, continues to bolster its reputation as a culinary destination with the launch of Coca-Cola Foodmarks.
The event, held at Festive Walk Iloilo on August 9, marked the second Coca-Cola Foodmarks location in the country, following its debut in Binondo, Manila.
Running from August 9-10 and August 16-17, the Coca-Cola Foodmarks campaign features food festivals highlighting the best of Ilonggo cuisine, perfectly paired with the refreshing taste of Coca-Cola.
Pablo Medina, Senior Director for Franchise Operations at Coca-Cola Philippines, emphasized the campaign’s focus on celebrating Iloilo’s rich gastronomic heritage.
“This is not just a food festival,” Medina said. “It’s a celebration of Iloilo’s culinary heritage, where families bond over La Paz batchoy, friends toast over sizzling platters of kansi [Ilonggo sour soup made with beef shanks and green jackfruit, flavored with batwan or bilimbi], and communities come together to celebrate the harvest with hearty feasts. And an ice-cold Coca-Cola drink? It’s the perfect note to complete an unforgettable gastronomic adventure.”
The launch event included a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, attended by Coca-Cola executives and local officials, including Executive Assistant to the Mayor Jay Treñas, representing Mayor Jerry P. Treñas.
Treñas expressed the city’s full support for the partnership, highlighting its role in promoting Iloilo as a hub of culinary innovation.
“This gastronomic collaboration with Coca-Cola Philippines is not only a celebration of Iloilo’s culinary diversity but also a promotion of our local food industry. We are proud to further Iloilo City’s status as a hub of culinary innovation, complemented by the perfect partner: ice-cold Coke,” he said.
The Coca-Cola Foodmarks experience in Iloilo invites food enthusiasts to explore a culinary treasure map of the city, featuring recognized establishments such as Balay Bisaya Batchoy, Jeara’s Tinu-Om, Kap Ising Pancit Molo, and Mat-Mat Talabahan.
The campaign aims to create special moments for families and the community while showcasing Iloilo’s gastronomic treasures.
Coca-Cola Philippines plans to expand the Foodmarks campaign to more cities across the country, continuing its mission to celebrate and promote the diverse culinary landscapes of the Philippines.
