The Visayan Daily Star
BY MAX N. MACAHILO
Thursday, September 26, 2019

Talisay City emerged as the local government unit with the most winners in the 3rd District elimination of the Best Food Product Olympic of the Provincial Federation of Rural Improvement and 4H Clubs, sponsored by the province of Negros Occidental, and held in Murcia yesterday.

The contest was joined by 15 participants from the towns and cities of the 3rd District namely Silay, Talisay, Victorias, EB Magalona, and Murcia.

Sardines, pineapple, and squash were the three commodities featured in the product Olympic.

Salome delos Santos, Asuncion Labayen, and Melinda Conlu won the top prizes of P4,000 each for pineapple and squash categories, while Mary Anne Bañas of Victorias, won in the sardines category. Anthony Ceballos of Lopez Jaena National High School and Zote May Perez of Cansilayan National High School, all of Murcia, won in the student category for sardines and pineapple.

Supervising home management specialist, Ma. Teena Pineda, said the event is on its third year and aims to produce new and innovative products. “It is also one of the components of the Provincial Organic Program of the province,” she added.

Meanwhile, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas said that the contest will positively bear fruit as it encourages local producers and food manufacturers to come up with novelty stuff. These creative food products will, in turn, become signature dishes for the town.

Rojas also said that the Food Olympic comes at the time when the town is gearing towards the construction of a “pasalubong” center, tentatively in Brgy. Caliban. The location is perfect for it is strategically located where the tourists, who go in and out at the eastern part of the town going to Salvador Benedicto and San Carlos, pass by.

The Food Olympic will continue up to its sixth district elimination. Winners of the elimination round will compete in November for the provincial level. Winners of the provincial contest will compete for the regional level.*