Native food eyed as new tourism attraction in Aklan

 Native food are being eyed as the newest tourism attraction in the province of Aklan, including world famous Boracay island.

Roselle Ruiz, provincial tourism information officer, said they have been preparing for the food tourism as the province joins the United Nations Tourism Day and the National Tourism Week celebration this September.

"Among the foods we are eyeing to promote is the traditional 'Inubarang Manok' (Coconut Simmering Chicken). We are also looking at the possibilities of each town having its own unique food such as the Ampaw (Pop Rice) of Lezo," Ruiz said.

On Sept. 21, the tourism office will also showcase a cooking contest among the culinary students in the province.

"Highlight of the cooking contest is the use of taro as the main ingredient. Whoever wins in the said contest will be featured in several restaurants including Boracay," Ruiz said.

The Philippines has been considered as the new gastronomic destination in the world by the CNN. It described the Philippine food as colorful and historical.

In a related report, Ruiz also bared that the province is coordinating with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts for cultural mapping in the province.