Filipino Food Month 2026: Culinary picnic on Zamboanga's Pink Beach

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The Savores festive spread at the Sta. Cruz Island consists of (from left) Chicken Endulsao, Chupaculo or Marisco, and Rice-stuffed Sea Urchin. The "Savores" festival is part of the month-long Filipino Food Month observation led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Philstar.com / Raoul J. Chee Kee

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — To mark Filipino Food Month this April, Zamboanga City held "Savores en Isla de Sta. Cruz" on Sarurday, April 18.

The multi-activity event commenced with a traditional dance followed by a volleyball game and a beach cleanup.

By midmorning, the beach was filled with the aromas of Chicken Endulsao, a traditional Zamboanga dish conisting of a whole marinated chicken that is seared and braised before being plated and garnished with pineapple slices. It was the star of the culinary competition jointly organized by the city government with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Aside from the chicken, the participating teams had to prepare grilled fish and some traditional dishes good for 10, including sweets and fresh fruit. Everything then had to be arranged on a table that they had gussied up with colorful woven fabrics.

After the judges had made their rounds and sampled the different Chicken Endulsao, everyone present on the island — volleyball players, scuba divers, musicians and dancers — was invited to partake of the delicious beach picnic.

The festivities move to Once Islas (11 Islands) today, April 19, where a second Savores will be held.