At the recent launch of the Department of Tourism’s “Strategic Framework and Roadmap for Food and Gastronomy Tourism,” the spotlight wasn’t just on policies — it was on the cocktail that stole the show. The event’s clink was a toast to “Thousand Colors,” crowned Philippine Food Month Cocktail of the Year after a competition among top bartenders from across the country.
Jedrick Devesa, the mastermind behind the winning drink, hails from Kinse Kinse in Lucban, Quezon. His creation is a lambanog-based cocktail with Davao cacao nib infusion, Ilocos Balikutsa syrup, and a splash of passionfruit cordial. Served in a tall, elegant glass, it’s finished with a crushed balikutsa rim.
This cocktail is a story in a glass, and Jedrick sums it up perfectly: “It’s inspired by the beauty of the Philippine Islands. Lambanog represents the artistry of the region, Davao cacao stands for the majesty of the mountains, Ilocos Balikutsa echoes our rich culture, and the passionfruit captures the essence of Filipino cuisine. Lastly, Tibuok saline solution reflects the mesmerizing beauty of the Philippines’ vast ocean.”
Here’s what’s in the glass:
45ml San Juan Lambanog
30ml Davao Cacao Infusion
15ml Ilocos Balikutsa Syrup
15ml Lucban passionfruit Cordial
3 drops Albuquerque Tibuok Solution
Out of nine entries, Jedrick’s cocktail stood out during the competition, earning him PHP70,000 and the coveted title for this year’s Filipino Food Month Cocktail of the Year.
As much as this is a celebratory moment, it’s also a signal of things to come. The event was dotted with discussions about market (palengke) tourism as a new subproduct, launching the “Market Tourism: A Philippine Palengke Experience Product Development” program modules. These innovative modules, crafted by some of the country’s top culinary minds, aim to turn the humble market into a flavorful, cultural experience.
The kickoff featured a quick overview from Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso on how the roadmap will shape the future of Food and Gastronomy Tourism in the Philippines, with support from Senator Loren Legarda, delivered by Tourism Undersecretary Maria Ric Bueno. It’s a move that underscores the importance of local flavors and markets in reimagining tourism — one sip, and one bite, at a time.
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