HOSPITALITY Management students of the University of Santo Tomas recently presented their culinary heritage research in an international virtual symposium organized by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for History and Tradition.

Themed “Traditions of Food in Southeast Asia: In Trace of Southeast Asia’s Food Culture,” the event aims to bring awareness on the significance of food culture in the region, highlighting its similarities and diversities.

Dylan Cariño, Victor Ian Cera, Ma. Sophia Medina, Louise Orlane Reyes, Arrian Karl Zaldivar, and Thomas Dominic Zambrano discussed their research titled “Amputi Balitok (White Gold): Explicating the Culinary Significance and Safeguarding Dimensions of Puto Calasiao in Pangasinan, Philippines.”

The study was made in partnership with the municipal government of Calasiao, Pangasinan. It was co-authored by the Municipal Tourism Officer Tammy Marie Fernandez and Municipal Agriculturist Gerald Quinit.

Meanwhile, Karen Grace Aster, Jaime Ramir Castillo, Shekaina Cheng, John Paulo Trillana, and Ysabella Marie Varlez shared their research on “Sawsawan: Explicating the Culinary Heritage Significance of Philippine Condiments using Bibliometrics (1972 – 2018).”

Both teams were mentored by co-author Jame Monren Mercado from the UST Department of Tourism Management.