The sizzle of pork and the spirit of Filipino resilience were on full display as swine industry stakeholders gathered for Hog Festival 2025—a vibrant celebration of culinary creativity and agricultural pride organized by the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc.
In a news release, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., guest of honor at the event, commended the federation’s nearly 500-strong membership.
He said the federation sustains rural economies, feeds communities, and keeps the pork industry alive amid challenges such as African Swine Fever (ASF), rising feed costs, and volatile market conditions.
The DA chief’s presence at the festival underscores the importance placed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the health of the swine industry in ensuring affordable food for Filipino families.
President Marcos recently ordered the Bureau of Animal Industry and the Food and Drug Administration to closely collaborate to fast track the commercial rollout of an ASF vaccine—a crucial step in revitalizing and repopulating the hog sector.
“On March 1, 2024, you set a Guinness World Record with 313 pork dishes—sending a clear message that Filipino pork is world-class from snout to tail,” Tiu Laurel said at the festival held Saturday in Cubao, Quezon City.
“Today, you make history again, proving that every part of the pig is not just a dish, but a story of sustainability, culture, and heart,” he added.
With the theme “Sarap ng Pinoy Pork, Mula Nguso Hanggang Buntot,” the festival celebrated not only food, but also Filipino ingenuity and resilience.
A cooking showdown featuring students, chefs, and restaurateurs showcased beloved dishes like lechon paksiw, sinigang na pata, dinuguan, and sisig nguso.
Tiu Laurel reaffirmed government support through programs like INSPIRE (Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion) and efforts in biosecurity and local feed development.
“We are not just rebuilding—we’re transforming the industry,” he said.
He called the hog sector “a cornerstone of food security” and urged stronger partnerships to uplift backyard and commercial hog farmers.
