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THE aroma of celebration filled the air last May 31, 2025, as the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NatFed) Hog Festival 2025 brought together the country's finest culinary talents and pork-loving personalities for a day-long gastronomic fiesta, honoring the versatility and richness of Filipino pork cuisine with the theme "Sarap ng Pinoy pork mula nguso hanggang buntot."
The festival kicked off with an exciting cook-off battle at the Quantum Skyview, featuring the creative clash of culinary masters and celebrated personalities in a showdown dubbed "Chefs vs Queens."
Team Chefs brought fire and finesse to the kitchen, including Chef Miggy, the Mindanaoan Chef; Chef Tatung, the Simpol Chef; and Chef Massi, City of First, Secret Ingredient.
Facing them were the fearless and fabulous Team Queens: Nancy Reyes, the Adobo Queen; Trisha & Christal, Binibining Pilipinas Queens; and Sassa Gurl, the Viral Queen.
The cook-off was a celebration of creativity, humor and the boundless possibilities of pork, cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd.
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By nightfall, the celebration shifted to an elegant Fiesta Degustation at Novotel Manila Araneta City, featuring a curated pork tasting menu by renowned chefs from across the Philippines.
Signature dishes by featured chefs were the following: EJ Eric Jan Buenaflor's Bola Brûlée'd Hamon Gelato, Miguel Cabel Moreno's liver pâté and pork binagoongan, Dedet dela Fuente's truffle lechon on bite-sized pandesal with Divalicious jam, Kalel Chan's Kalel's Special Salad, Chef Jacqueline Laudico's cheesecake, Chef Roland Laudico's Sisig Shooters and crispy bagnet, Steve Ma's pig ear salad and pork belly char siu toast, Jessie Sincioco's crispy pata and lechon paksiw, Gale Sun's pork belly tocino and cochinillo croqueta, Massi Pauleto's Nonna Esterina Skin Ragout, Michael Santos's bagnet sinigang, pork tongue estofado, pork tail kare-kare with puto and kilawin pork mascara, KV Manlapaz's Malindig Cochinillo and Lauy ang ulo sa Batuan, Brotzeit's Brotzeit sausage and Brotzeit Schweinshaxn, The Plaza Ham, Rico's Lechon's Cebu lechon in original and spicy, Destileria Limtuaco Inc., UST's paella, ITCPH - Halamanan's BBQ, and Nathaniel Uy's Lasagna Corazon and Nacho Corazon.
Adding to the festivity were Rico's Lechon and Brotzeit, showcasing signature dishes and pork innovations that kept guests raving all night.
A partnership for Filipino flavor
The success of Natfed Hog Festival 2025 was made possible through the generous partnership with Araneta City, Gateway Mall 2 and Novotel Manila Araneta City, united in their commitment to celebrating local culinary culture and the beloved Filipino hog industry.
This year's theme reminded everyone of the unmatched richness of Filipino cuisine, wherein every part of the pig is transformed into a culinary masterpiece.
