NakakaLocal Food Fest returns: A feast that brings communities together • PhilSTAR Life

(From left) Lucien Dy Tioco, executive vice-president of PhilSTAR Media Group; Jay R. Sarmiento, vice-president for Sales and Marketing of PhilSTAR Media Group; and Pamela Imperial, property editor of The Philippine STAR, award ‘New Anthem’ as this year’s STAR LOCAL Homegrown Chorale Showdown grand champion.

Good food often brings people together, and this is exactly what the second NakakaLocal Food Fest set out to do.

Organized by PhilSTAR Media Group and Federal Land Communities, in partnership with Mercato Centrale Group, the event highlighted Filipino dishes and the local entrepreneurs who make them.

(From left): Paul Anthony De Guzman, programs development manager of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship - Go Negosyo; Richie Cuna, MSME director of the Philippine Franchise Association; Catherine R. Bengzon, Marketing head of Federal Land, Inc. and FNG; Vanessa Pastor Ledesma, president of Mercato Centrale, Inc.; RJ Ledesma, chief executive officer of Mercato Centrale, Inc.; Masando Hashimoto, president of Toyota Motor Philippines; Jose Mari Banzon, president of Federal Land, Inc.; Hon. Marjorie Ann Ang-Teodoro, mayor of Marikina City; Lucien C. Dy Tioco, executive vice-president of PhilSTAR Media Group; Jay R. Sarmiento, vice-president for Sales and Marketing of PhilSTAR Media Group; Jay A. Acar, acting regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry - National Capital Regional Office (DTI-NCRO); and Ferdinand ‘Bong’ Angeles, Marikina area head of the Department of Trade and Industry - National Capital Regional Office

From Nov. 26 to 30, Marikina Town Center became a lively gathering point for families, friends, and food lovers. Dozens of micro, small, and medium enterprises served comfort food, snacks, drinks, and regional favorites.

Mix of homegrown flavors

Ligaya’s Chicken House is known as one of Marikina’s legendary fried chicken spots, offering not only its iconic specialty but also Filipino favorites such as sisig, lumpiang shanghai, and lechon kawali.

Visitors enjoyed a wide variety of offerings from MSMEs such as SauceMarieosep, Chops To Go, Crumbly Crust Cafe, Boodle HAUS, Ligaya’s Chicken House, Katip’s Foodhub, Steamed Bites PH, Mang Romaurk’s Ihaw-Ihaw, Paklings & Muneks, Cafe Rajah, Esting’s Bellychon, Kalye Classics by Maria Abish Kitchenette, Chick’Atons, Rice‘N’Roll, Humble Scramble, Nogi Slowbar Kofi, Nueva-C Calamansi Juice Mfg., BikedPH, MatTEAu's, Match Better Cafe, Espresso Studio Coffee Shop, Mr. Puffer, Classy Petite, The Mini Cakes Store, Plantation Prime, Ala-Mangga Corner, Magpocs Pastry Products Manufacturing, Loudmouth Hot Sauces and Peppers, Lola Ising’s Buko Pie at Pasalubong, Ahumada, Tsokorado: The Champorado Station, and First Harvest.

Tsokorado: The Champorado Station takes home the ‘Nakakatamis Award’ (best booth under the Dessert Haven Category), as they serve hot and chilled varieties made with 100% dark cocoa, delivering a rich, thick, and chocolatey taste.

Mercato Centrale Group also brought in its partner MSMEs, and Toyota showcased its Tamaraw food trucks, adding even more choices.

Chefs Sharwin Tee, Sai Montes, and Carla Kusinera dropped by to serve their specialties from their food trucks, giving guests a chance to try dishes made by some of today’s well-loved Filipino culinary personalities.

First Harvest is committed to uplifting local farming communities and delighting customers with homemade products crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Partners JuanCast, Horizon Land, and EastWest Ageas set up booths as well, offering additional activities and services for guests.

Fun for families and friends

Aside from food, the event featured light and enjoyable activities.

Guests joined raffles, food trivia games, and stage competitions that encouraged everyone—kids, teens, and adults—to participate.

The ‘Tikim Time Relay’ brings high-energy fun to the fest as participants compete in a fast-paced, plate-clearing relay.

One of the crowd favorites was the Tikim Time Relay: Food Crawl Edition, where participants raced to finish dishes from the MSMEs. Another was the Shoe-down game, which tested players’ balance and added a playful twist to the festivities.

Spotlight on local talent

P-pop boy group WRIVE captivates the crowd with captivating performances of their songs *Señorita* and *Ooh La La*, leaving fans energized and singing along.

Entertainment was also part of the week-long celebration. During the launch, P-pop group WRIVE and girl group Quadlips performed for the crowd, adding energy to the evening.

The STAR LOCAL: Homegrown Chorale Showdown took place on opening day, featuring two Metro Manila chorales: New Anthem and the Campus Ministry Ensemble from Adamson University.

P-pop girl group Quadlips ignites the stage with power-packed performances of their hit singles *IDGA* and *Lipstick*, showcasing talent, charisma, and undeniable star power.

Each group performed two pieces—one OPM or cultural piece and one free-choice piece. Judges included Philippine STAR Property Report Editor Pamela Imperial, Kammerchor Manila President Arvin John Garcia, and Horizon Land Property Development Corp. Operations Head John Frederick Cabato.

New Anthem won the grand prize of P10,000, while the Campus Ministry Ensemble earned P8,000 as first runner-up.

Crowd favorites take home awards

The NakakaLocal Food Fest delights food lovers with a vibrant selection of treats from over 45 food merchants and 10 food trucks, creating a festive and flavorful experience at Marikina Town Center.

Guests were also invited to vote for their top picks through the Flavor Fame Awards, facilitated by JuanCast.

After five days, four MSMEs received recognition.

Whatz Poppin won the NakakaTakam award; Tsokorado: The Champorado Station won NakakaTamis; and Chick’Atons received NakakaBighani for their booth design.

Espresso Studio Coffee Shop emerged as one of the most-loved stalls, taking home both the NakakaTighaw and Pinaka-Masarap awards.

Shared effort for local businesses

Organizers expressed their gratitude for the MSMEs and partners who made the event possible.

In his opening remarks, PhilSTAR Media Group EVP Lucien Dy Tioco highlights NakakaLocal Food Fest as a celebration of Filipino creativity and community, supporting local MSMEs and the entrepreneurs behind every dish.

Lucien Dy Tioco, executive vice president of PMG, emphasized the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs: “... when we support local, we are not just enjoying great food—we are sustaining livelihoods and helping communities grow in patronizing the Filipino culture.”

Federal Land, Inc. and FNG Marketing Head Catherine Bengzon also shared her thanks for the partnerships that powered the event.
Mercato Centrale CEO RJ Ledesma spoke about the group’s mission: “Ang ginagawa po namin dito, hindi lang magpo-provide ng venue para sa ating mga food entrepreneurs. We are also here to train them as well.”

Toyota Motor Philippines President Masando Hashimoto spotlights the Toyota Tamaraw Food Truck, which drives culinary innovation as a versatile partner for cafés, caterers, and pop-up kitchens at the NakakaLocal Food Fest and Toyota Tamaraw Food Park.

The second NakakaLocal Food Fest reflected what happens when people come together to enjoy food, support local talent, and celebrate Filipino culture in a simple, meaningful way—a true celebration of community.

The NakakaLocal Food Fest 2025 was presented in partnership with Business for Sustainable Development, the Philippine Franchise Association, and the Philippine SME Business Network, with media support from Discover MNL, IKOT.PH, Marikina City Today, Inside Marikina, Explained PH, Kwento CO, Edge TV Philippines, and Blogapalooza. Sponsors include Viva Communications Inc., EastWest Ageas Insurance, Maybank, and Toyota Motor Philippines.

TAGS: NakakaLocal Food Fest