SAB Week Serves Up Heritage: Students Elevate Indigenous Foodways and Global SDGs

The School of Accountancy and Business (SAB) integrated cultural immersion into its annual festivities on October 16, 2025, transforming the SAB Week into a platform for education and appreciation with a vibrant Cook Fest dedicated to Indigenous culinary heritage. Held at the Sacred Heart Center, the event demonstrated that the week-long celebration extended far beyond athletic contests and socio-cultural competitions, serving as a vital avenue to honor and inform the community about Indigenous cultures. Primarily organized by the extension unit and the Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) department, led by Mrs. Claire Lunag-Guinomon and Mrs. Jesusa Ana Maria F. Jacalne, this initiative took place during Indigenous Peoples Month to maximize its impact. The Cook Fest was spearheaded by enthusiastic Hospitality Management sophomores, who aimed to highlight the profound connection between traditional foodways and global sustainability goals. The students expertly prepared and presented authentic Indigenous cuisine, detailing the food origins, cultural rituals, and the inherent sustainability impact of the ingredients and preparation methods. They showcased techniques like bamboo cooking and using clay pots, illustrating how these methods are inherently eco-conscious. Their efforts fostered a deeper understanding of Indigenous practices as contributions to modern sustainability.

The event successfully modeled several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its design and outcome. SDG 2: Zero Hunger was supported by showcasing traditional ingredients and diverse Indigenous culinary traditions, emphasizing local, resilient food sources and agricultural wisdom. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities was modeled by fostering cultural appreciation and education, promoting the preservation of cultural heritage and traditional knowledge within the academic community. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production was directly addressed through the focus on traditional ingredients and eco-conscious cooking techniques, advocating for responsible methods that minimize waste and environmental harm. 

The inclusive spirit of the Cook Fest was sealed at the tasting stations, where everyone, including Dr. Allen Marquez, the CEIPSC Director, was invited to sample and savor the Indigenous gastronomy. This memorable and enriching experience successfully bridged cultural heritage with modern sustainability challenges, ensuring that Indigenous culinary traditions continue to thrive as a valuable lesson in preservation and ecological balance for a sustainable future.

Written by: Aryan L. Yuzon, SAB PIO Coordinator
Photo by:  Claire L. Guinomon