Baguio Kalipi women’s organization conducts garden-to-kitchen cooking contest; 24 March 2023 – simple, available, healthy food choices noted
Home-grown concoctions were cooked and presented by thirteen Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipino (Kalipi) women members to food connoisseurs for their judgment last Friday (Mar. 17) at the Kayang Social Welfare Office.
The contest which is part of the 35th Women’s month celebration brought out the best in Happy Hollow, Irisan, Pacdal, Asin Purok 1 women representatives, who garnered first to fourth places, respectively, while Santo Tomas Proper and Lopez Jaena tied for the fifth place.
Consolation places went to San Vicente, Victoria Village, Middle Rock Quarry, Loakan Proper, South Central Aurora Hill, Brookspoint and Gibraltar ladies; all given cash prizes as willingly augmented by Councilor Leandro Yangot who was a special guest during the occasion. Soledad Go, represented her husband Congressman Mark Go in the afternoon event.
Chair of the committee on Social Services, Women and Urban Poor, Councilor Elmer Datuin graced the event with City Social Welfare and Development Officer Myrna Valencerina representing CSWDO head Liza Daisa Bulayungan.
The food presentations were ranked by judges; Milagros Yaranon-Pulido from the restaurant management sector; Daniel Compay, Jr. who represented Education, Culture, Creativity and Historical research chair Councilor Vladimir Cayabas; and Feliza de la Rosa, past Kalipi president from Camp 8 barangay.
The criteria for judging are: flavor and balance – 30%, availability of ingredients – 20%, nutritional value- 20%, neat working area – 20%, food safety and sanitation – 10%. All contestants complied with safety requirements while preparing the food, with one lady garbed in Cordilleran attire. A Person//woman with disability also joined the contest.
As required, organic food without artificial seasoning and cooked within 25 minutes were presented. The ingredients were nurtured and harvested from the presenter’s home, as ascertained by Kalipi officials’ regular monitoring and garden visits.
Membership to Kalipi women’s organization, or affiliated groups was a requirement.
Simple dishes of home-grown sayote, pechay/bokchoy, broccoli, carrots, cherry tomatoes, celery, eggplant in sauces were prepared with condiments provided by the Kalipi organization.
In her welcome message, CSWD Officer Valencerina emphasized that urban gardening assures city dwellers of food security, specially grown without chemicals through insecticides or fertilizers. This is part of empowerment for the homekeepers and urban gardeners/food providers, the women sector.
During the program, Baguio Kalipi president Lolit de Castro reiterated the theme, “WE (Women Empowerment) for gender equality and inclusive society.” She reminded the ladies of Kalipi’s goal: being the social welfare office’ lead agency in delivering programs and services to alleviate poverty and empower the vulnerable and disadvantaged sector, including the women.
This was echoed by the guests in their messages.
Other activities for women’s month are: Women Officer for a Day, Free Papsmear and Visual Inspection Acetic Acid (VIAA), Gender Sensitivity Orientation, Keeping our girls safe Forum; on various dates and venues; and an eco-fashion show, search for Ginang ng Tahanan, and seminar on Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) with disability on March 31. – JGFianza
