KAON 'TA, ILOILO. Dinagyang Festival revelers gather at the Kaon 'Ta, Iloilo food festival in Arsenal Street in this city on Sunday (Jan. 26, 2020). The Kaon 'Ta, Iloilo Facebook group gathered food enthusiasts and support local food businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises. (PNA photo by Gail Momblan)
ILOILO CITY -- This year’s Dinagyang festival did not only exhibit Ilonggos faith, culture, and tradition, but it also showcased the Ilonggo’s love for food.
Food served in almost every corner of the Calle Real, a historic street located in the Iloilo City downtown, attracted local and foreign tourists alike.
One of the more anticipated food experience of Dinagyang revelers is the food festival organized by a Facebook Group “Kaon ‘Ta, Iloilo” (Let’s Eat, Iloilo), which is situated in this city’s Arsenal Street.
The group has invited 52 restaurants and 18 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMSE) and gathered the highest engagement in their online post at Kaon ‘Ta, Iloilo group, J Scott Sarria, Kaon Ta, Iloilo Facebook administrator, said on Saturday.
Sarria said the non-profit group is “happy” to serve the Ilonggos and to support as well the budding food businesses in Iloilo.
Started in July 2018, the Facebook group has grown from 4,000 members in last year’s Dinagyang to 105,359 at present, he said.
The Facebook group became an online hub where food enthusiasts can post, share, and even suggest food spots in Iloilo.
“It has not only become a source of where to eat but also a source for all small businesses to grow. We welcome small businesses like squid rings and siopao businesses, ube halaya, ube pandesal, and even some hard to find small restaurants outside of Iloilo,” he said.
For the Dinagyang food festival organized by the group, participating restaurants and SMSEs feature a range of choices of bread and pastries, delicacies, seafood, drinks, street food, among others, that will cap off one’s Dinagyang Festival experience.
“I use to follow the postings at the Kaon Ta, Iloilo Facebook group and I was glad that I tasted the food featured online here during Dinagyang. This completes the Dinagyang experience and one will really leave this food festival satisfied,” April Nievarres, 27, said.
Participants in the Kaon Ta, Iloilo food festival were also encouraged by the administrator to post food pictures at the Facebook group.
Sarria also assured that the group behind the Kaon Ta, Iloilo is local-friendly and will continue to help businesses in Iloilo. (PNA)
