SUSUDAEN 2023 celebrates Malaybalay City Culinary Heritage

MALAYBALAY CITY – In line with the 25th Charter Day of Malaybalay City Bukidnon, the Bukidnon State University and City Tourism Office organized a week-long food festival dubbed SUSUDAEN 2023 to celebrate Malaybalay City Culinary Heritage.

The said food festival aimed to promote and showcase the culinary prowess of the participants and local food products of the city.

This year’s theme was “From Farm to Table, Highlighting Malaybalay’s Rich Culinary Heritage.”

City Mayor Atty. Jay Warren R. Pabillaran, City Councilor Royland Orquia, City Tourism Officer Ms. Honolu Marie C. Cruzin, City Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office Head Mr. Romeo R. Lapeciros Jr., and representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) attended the event. It was launched through an opening program held at Malaybalay Plaza Rizal.

Dr. Lalevie C. Lubos, the Dean of the College of Administration and representative of the BukSU President, and Dr. Annie Leah Roxann L. Emata, Chairperson of the Hospitality Management Department represented BukSU.  

Mayor Pabillaran highlighted the importance of valuing local products and delicacies, promising to help local SMEs develop their products through partnerships with DTI and the newly opened department of LGU – The Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office (LIDEPO). He also emphasized how food tourism can improve the lives of many.

Dr. Lubos, representing BukSU President Dr. Joy Mirasol, emphasized the importance of partnerships between the LGU and Bukidnon State University, highlighting the initiatives of the LGU to involve the University in all of its activities.

Throughout the week, SUSUDAEN 2023 showcased different food displays and pasalubong items at Plaza Rizal. The Department of Trade and Industry – Bukidnon facilitated various seminars and talks for entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs.

The main highlight of the event was held at Bukidnon State University Covered Court on March 21, 2022.

Regional Director of Department of Tourism Region X, Director Marie Elaine S. Unchuan, commended the organizers of the event for its timely and relevant promotion of the food tourism of Malaybalay. She expressed hope that, someday, Malaybalay will be included in the food tourism map, not just in the city but in the whole Bukidnon.

High school students, faculty coaches, representatives from the barangay, and business owners competed in various cooking competitions that gave importance to the local products and ingredients of Malaybalay. Bukidnon National High School got the top prize in the cooking contest High School category and Barangay Casisang were hailed as champions for the barangay category.

There were also contests and exhibits for the famous dessert of Malaybalay, which is the Binaki, and coffee tasting featuring the city’s homegrown coffee beans. Successful entrepreneurs also shared their respective success stories during the event.

SUSUDAEN 2023 was made possible through the effort of everyone involved. The organizers expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the top officials of BukSU for allowing them to conduct the event and to the LGU Malaybalay for the partnership and trust. The successfully highlighted Malaybalay City’s rich culinary heritage and paved the way for the city’s continued growth in food tourism. (MARVEN JAN A. NADELA/HMD)