By Shane F. Velasco
MALOLOS CITY (PIA) — The city government of Malolos will soon establish the Center for Kalutong Malolenyo Studies, to be locally known as ‘Sentrong Pansaliksikan ng Kalutong Malolenyo’, to preserve and promote the city’s culinary traditions.
This initiative was the key output of the ‘Huntahang Pamana: Kaluto, Sining, Kultura at Turismo’ forum organized by the city government with the support of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
City of Malolos Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Sports Office event focal Marichelle Santos said the center will be housed in the old municipal hall located in the Poblacion Heritage Zone. Built during the Commonwealth period under President Manuel Quezon, the 85-year-old structure will undergo adaptive reuse.
The center will serve as a research and training institute to document, preserve, and teach traditional Maloleño recipes, ensuring that preparation of heritage dishes is passed on to future generations.
This project supports Malolos’ broader cultural tourism efforts, which now include food tours covering the kabayanan (town centers), kabukiran (rural areas), and latian (coastal zones).
The food tour packages feature historical sites of the First Philippine Republic alongside favorite dishes of national heroes.
These include Nilitsong Manok sa Saha of Andres Bonifacio, Tinolang Manok of Jose Rizal, Nilagang Manok sa Puti na may Asperagus of President Emilio Aguinaldo, Pochero of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, and the Tempura of Mariano Ponce prepared by Bistro Malolenyo, the first and only heritage restaurant in Bulacan recognized and accredited by the DOT.
Heritage food expert Roly Marcelino said that kabukiran cuisine is inspired by the “Bahay Kubo” lifestyle characterized by simple meals with ingredients from home gardens and rice fields.
Meanwhile, kabayanan dishes use premium ingredients and seasonal produce, such as the classic menudencia or popularly known as menudo.
The newest tour package is the ‘Tena sa Latian’, where tourists are treated to unlimited seafood ‘fiesta style’, to promote the richness of the marine resources of Malolos coastal area.
DOT Regional Director Richard Daenos expressed full support for the project and is exploring assistance through the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, along with other funding and technical aid.
The center is expected to open by 2027, in time with the completion of urban renewal efforts in the Malolos Heritage Zone. (MJSC/SFV, PIA Region 3-Bulacan)
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