One of Luneta's pocket gardens, transformed into a bustling food park on April 3 as over 30 food joints offered dishes like Cebu lechon, chicken inasal, Ilocos empanada, to Bicol Express, among other iconic food that represent the Filipino way of celebration.

Frasco (center) joins (from left to right) DoT Undersecretary Myra Paz Abubakar, Malaysia Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony, Thailand Ambassador Tull Traisorat, National Commission for Culture and Arts Executive Director Oscar Caysasay in a traditional Filipino salo-salo lunch at the launch.

The new Filipino fiesta-themed food and lifestyle market at Noli Me Tangere Garden is now open to the public, selling various regional cuisines for one year. It is accessible to commuters and cars, just a stone's throw away from Roxas Boulevard and Kalaw Avenue.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the traditional pot breaking to launch "Philippine Eatsperience" to celebrate the Filipino Food Month 2024.

The Filipino lifestyle and food market is now open to the public from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday in Luneta, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Intramuros daily.

Along with the lineup of vendors, the food joints also feature a weekly lineup of food demonstrations and activities to drum up food goers while they enjoy their weekend food trip.

Speaking before guests from partner government agencies, members of the diplomatic corps and invited guests, Secretary Frasco zeroed in on the Department's efforts in promoting the Filipino brand and identity in all aspects of travel.

"Today, we gather here at the Rizal Park not just to savor the sumptuous flavors that our nation offers but to recognize Filipino food and cuisines as pivotal to our cultural heritage. The Department of Tourism is fully committed to the task of preserving and elevating our culinary assets on both the domestic and international tourism markets," she said.

As part of the DoT's flagship project, the Philippine Experience Program (PEP), Eatsperience celebrates the Filipino Fiesta, recognizing the pivotal role of food and gastronomy in shaping the country's tourism landscape.

"This Philippine Eatsperience is a component of the Philippine experience, and it highlights one of the most enjoyable things that you can experience when you visit or when you live in the Philippines, the Filipino Fiesta," the tourism chief added.

Quoting from the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028, the country's tourism roadmap, Secretary Frasco said the DoT strives to offer travelers an authentic taste of Filipino hospitality, while visiting top destinations like Rizal Park and Intramuros.

"We are crafting unique culinary tours and circuits that allow connoisseurs and travelers alike to explore our gastronomic delights at the grassroots level. Through these, we aim to showcase the diversity and richness of our culinary traditions," Secretary Frasco explained, promising to elevate the Philippine tourism experience.

Meanwhile, the Filipino Fiesta brought the tourism chief and guests to the next stop at Baluarte Plano Luneta de Sta. Isabel in Intramuros, where over 30 food junctions, cooking demonstrations, and tasting await hungry travelers on board the Philippines Hop-On-Hop-Off (HOHO). Open daily, HOHO guests can now have their own Eatsperience.

"I invite all of you to celebrate the Filipino culinary spirit as we put Filipino flavors on the spotlight of Philippine tourism and showcase to the world the multitude of reasons to Love The Philippines," the tourism chief finally said.