From Left to Right: Mr. Erwin Doña III (Cluster Director, Marketing & Communications, Novotel Manila Araneta City & ibis Styles Manila Araneta City), Mr. Rhodel Sazon (Marketing Services Manager, ACI), Mr. Chester Warren Yeo Tan (Chairman, National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc.), Mr. Alfred Ng (Vice Chairman, National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc.), Mr. Dan Javellana (Chairman Emeritus, National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc.), Ms. Maria Teresa A. Tirona (External Relations & Protocol Officer, Office of the City Mayor, Quezon City Government), and Ms. Madel Cervantes (Senior Digital Marketing Manager, ACI)
Building on the success of its inaugural run last year—which saw the Philippines clinch a Guinness World Record for the Most Number of Pork Dishes on Display (with 313 dishes)—Hog Festival 2025 returns at the City of Firsts with even greater ambition and purpose. This year’s theme, “Sarap ng Pinoy Pork… mula nguso hanggang buntot!”, underscored the culinary value of the entire hog and reinforced the importance of promoting zero-waste cooking and food self-sufficiency.
At Gateway Mall 2, an exciting culinary cook-off exhibition featured a playful yet skillful showdown between local “queens” and some of the country’s most renowned chefs. Each team presented creative dishes using different parts of the pig—from snout to tail—demonstrating how pork can be both resourcefully and deliciously used.
At the Versailles Tent of Novotel Manila Araneta City, a Pork Degustation Feast showcased signature creations by culinary students, restaurant owners, and top Filipino chefs. Renowned international chefs of World Kitchens at Gateway Mall 2 took part in the event, including Chef Jessie Sincioco with her signature Filipino dishes, Chef Steve Ma showcasing Hong Kong flavors, and Chef Gale Sun presenting Spanish cuisine.
This feast aimed to celebrate pork as a sustainable protein source while offering a gastronomic journey through regional and traditional flavors. Guests from the Department of Tourism (DOT), culinary institutions, and the media were invited to explore the rich diversity of Filipino pork cuisine—with an eye toward securing the Philippines a place on the prestigious Michelin Guide culinary map.
“For us in the City of Firsts, the Hog Festival is both a celebration and a movement,” says Marjorie Go, Vice President for Marketing of Araneta City. “In hosting this festival for two years in a row, we aim to help increase public appreciation for fresh, local Pinoy pork, strengthen farm-to-fork linkages, and advocate for stronger support for our backyard farmers, especially in the face of challenges like ASF and the growing dependency on imported pork.”
In 2024, the Philippines imported nearly 800 million kilograms of pork, a figure that Natfed hopes to reduce by encouraging local consumption and supporting farmers in restarting and scaling their operations. Natfed’s vision aligns with broader food security goals, recognizing that true sustainability lies in local production and community support.
Members of the press, industry stakeholders, government agencies, farmers, and food lovers are all invited to join the celebration and help reignite the nation’s love for Pinoy pork.
Let’s eat local, support local, and love local—mula nguso hanggang buntot!
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