The City Government of Vigan, led by Hon. Mayor Jose “Bonito” C. Singson Jr., in collaboration with the UNP – College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (CHTM), conducted on January 16-17, 2025, at Casa Vicente, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur an initiative aimed at preserving and promoting its culinary traditions.

The city is working on a book entitled, “One Hundred and One Ways of Cooking and Eating Longganisa”, which will showcase the many ways Vigan’s iconic delicacy, longganisa, can be enjoyed, celebrating its deep-rooted connection to the city’s food culture.

To bring this project to life, the City Government of Vigan called upon talented individuals to enhance and refine the various methods of preparing longganisa, the partnership with UNP was then formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement.

With the CHTM top students, their skill for cooking was picked to improve and execute the recipes. These students were mentored and supervised by Dr. Marilen Pablico and Dr. Mitessa-Inah Reynante, who guided them throughout the process, ensuring that each recipe captured the essence of Vigan’s vibrant culinary heritage while also adding their creativity and innovation.

In addition to the contributions of the students, some of the recipes featured in the book were compiled and collected from the previous Longganisa Cooking Festival, an annual event that celebrates Vigan’s longganisa tradition. By including these recipes, the book not only showcases the versatility of longganisa but also honors the city’s culinary events and the strong sense of community involvement that has long been a hallmark of Vigan’s food culture.

The purpose of this initiative is to celebrate the versatility of longganisa and to provide a platform for culinary innovation while honoring Vigan’s food legacy. By showcasing the many different ways longganisa can be prepared and enjoyed, the City Government of Vigan aimed to preserve traditional recipes while also introducing new techniques and flavors.

This project not only helped to deepen the connection to Vigan’s culinary identity but also provided an opportunity for students to contribute to the city’s cultural enrichment. While the book has yet to be launched, the work of the students in perfecting One Hundred and One Ways of Eating Longganisa marks an exciting step forward in this celebration of Vigan’s rich food heritage. Once released, the book will be a true reflection of the city’s ongoing efforts to honor and share its culinary traditions with the world.

Article by Mitessa Reynante.