Women entrepreneurs from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region are currently in Manila to showcase their freshest produce and regional specialties from different barangays and provinces to the national level.
Through a weekend market, Filipinos have the chance to experience and enjoy the works of 20 women-led agricultural cooperatives.
Their offerings include tasteful native delicacies and specialties, colorful and unique handicrafts, and decorative woven fabrics.
This initiative was made possible by the efforts of French-Filipino non-government organization ACTED Philippines in partnership with the French Embassy in Manila, SM Supermalls, Airspeed and Philippine Airlines.
The weekend pop-up is a venue that supports the sustainable and inclusive agriculture in the BARMM funded by France’s Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects.
The event also aims to celebrate and honor women entrepreneurs for their efforts to build businesses and empower and educate one another to contribute to the country’s economic and social development as the Philippines commemorate National Women’s Month.
Among the highlights of the pop-up are the native delicacies and specialties of the Bangsamoro Region proudly produced by women-led agricultural cooperatives.
Here are some of them:
Palapa
- Condiment commonly found in Maranao households
- Can be eaten raw or mixed with other dishes
- Has a spicy taste as it is made from Sakurab, a variant of scallion
Sakurab
- Maranao condiment made with a variant of scallion or white leek
- One of the major ingredients when making a “palapa”
- Also used in folk medicine
Kagitkit
- Key ingredient in making the Maguindanaon dish “pastil”
- “Pastil” is made with steamed rice wrapped in banana leaves with dry shredded beef, chicken, or fish
Tinapayan
- Maguindanaon dish featuring the combination of fermented cooked rice and dried fish
- Preparing it can be time-consuming but the process helps preserve the dish for a long time
Tinagtag
- A sweet Maguindanaon delicacy made from rice and sugar
- Best paired with one’s favorite local coffee
Panganan Sising
- Maguindanaon delicacy made from a mixture of mung bean and rice flour
Tipas
- Sweet and crispy native Maguindanaon delicacy
- Chip-like snack made from rice flour
Bokayo
- Native delicacy made from shredded coconut meat and molter muscovado sugar
- The coconut meat is fried and dipped into chewy caramel-like muscovado consistency
Dodol
- Must-try Maranao delicacy that can be bought in the streets of Lanao del Sur
- Made from sticky rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar
Other products being showcased are locally-made peanut butter, coconut cookies, banana chips, peanuts, salted fish, chili sauce, coconut oil, coffee powder, cocoa powder, calamansi juice, turmeric powder, salabat powder, herb juice, bananas, and non-leafy vegetables.
The public can show their support to the Bangsamoro women by visiting the agricultural pop-up at the Atrium East, Level 2 of The Podium in Mandaluyong City up to March 26, Sunday.