City Museum recommends tabon-tabon as Kagay-anon delicacy

The Cagayan de Oro City Museum has recommended that tabon-tabon, a tropical fruit that is native to the Philippines, primarily in Northern Mindanao, be declared a Kagay-anon delicacy.

Jesus Christopher Salon of the Cagayan de Oro City Museum made the recommendation during a meeting of the Committee on Tourism and Sister City Relations chaired by Councilor Joyleen Mercedes “Girlie” Balaba.

Salon said that the city museum is currently implementing cultural mapping, which includes documenting local food heritage and identifying culinary traditions that could help establish Cagayan de Oro’s distinct culinary identity.

He noted that Kagay-anons are among the biggest consumers of tabon-tabon and emphasized its essential role as a “non-negotiable” ingredient for kinilaw, a dish made from raw fish marinated in vinegar and mixed with onion and ginger.

Salon said the city museum is also documenting other aspects of Cagayan de Oro’s food heritage, including Manteca-o or Mantecado, a local cinnamon shortcake traditionally made with lard, as well as rice wine-making practices in an indigenous community in Barangay F.S. Catanico.

The discussion was held during the Regional Culinary Trail ordinance proposed by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez and Councilor Jonjon Rodriguez to strengthen Northern Mindanao’s culinary tourism and agritourism initiatives.

Balaba raised concerns about preserving the freshness of tabon-tabon, particularly if it is transported outside the city.

In response, Salon mentioned a possible preservation method by processing the fruit into powder or a ready-to-use tabon-tabon mix.

Executive Director Queritess Queja of the Oro Chamber of Commerce said they have worked with the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) on the development of the Tabon-Tabon mix.

Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through the Northern Mindanao Food Innovation Center (NMFIC), expressed its willingness to provide consulting and training assistance to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) interested in entering the business.(PGU/SP)