13/03/2025
The final jury members have determined the finalists and winning entries in the Wiki Loves Food Philippines 2024!
SWEEP!
Jesse Alegre's appetizing photograph of Vigan Empanada was adjudged best entry in the latest edition of Wiki Loves Food Philippines. The local snack is well-known in the Ilocos Region which main ingredients are vegetables like papaya or cabbage, meat and egg.
He also captured the 2nd Place with his entry entitled Balicucha. His photograph of the sweet candy made from sugarcane is a perfect natural sweetener for coffee and tea. It is also a product from his beloved Ilocos Region.
The veteran photographer from Vigan has won all top prizes in the last three editions of Wiki Loves Food Philippines earning him a spot in the "Wall of Fame" of Wiki Loves Philippines photography contests!
Taking into the consideration the technical quality, originality and usefulness of image as an illustration on Wikipedia, here are the top 12 photographs depicting the unique Filipino cuisine.
Winning the 3rd Place is Herbert Kikoy, an award-winning street photographer for his depiction of an empanada delicacy in his beloved city of Cebu. Four more entries under his name made it as finalists.
Aside from his winning photograph, Herbert Kikoy also won the special prize for the most number of quality entries submitted in the competition!
This year's panel of jurors are Bijay Chaurasia, Wasiul Bahar, Elbert Baeta, Mrb Rafi, Irvin Sto. Tomas and Shreya Dwivedi.
THE FINALISTS
Finalist - Photo by Herbert Kikoy (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pinoy_Turon.jpg Turon is a popular Filipino snack made with sliced bananas, often saba or Cardaba, wrapped in a spring roll wrapper. It's then fried until crispy and coated with caramelized brown sugar. Sometimes, strips of jackfruit are added for extra flavor and texture. Turon is a beloved street food and a delightful treat for any occasion.
Finalist - Photo by Kramthenik27 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hard_bukayo.jpg Bukayo is a Filipino dessert made from shredded young coconut meat and cooked slowly into caramelized buko juice and brown sugar.
Finalist - Photo by Herbert Kikoy (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Masi_(Peanut_Stuffed_Sticky_Rice).jpg Masi are sweet rice balls are stuffed with brown sugar and crushed peanuts.
Finalist - Photo by Kramthenik27 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:P**o_Balinghoy.jpg P**o Balanghoy, P**o Lanson or also known as P**o Taktak in Negros is a kakanin made with grated cassava, coconut and brown sugar. It is perfect for snack or dessert.
Finalist - Photo by Herbert Kikoy (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sisig_Twist.jpg A different approach and presentation of the Pinoy Sisig.
Finalist - Photo by Idolwanderer (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%22Puso_Food,The_Heart_of_Filipino_Cuisine%22.jpg Pusรด or tamu, sometimes known in Philippine English as "hanging rice", is a Filipino rice cake made by boiling rice in a woven pouch of palm leaves.
Finalist - Photo by ShmilyDigital (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sapin_Sapin.jpg Sapin-sapin is one of traditional Filipino kakanin
Finalist - Photo by KDCwrites (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mango_Rice_in_Pili_Carmel_Sauce.jpg Mango Rice in Pili Caramel Sauce is like Philippineโs version of Thailandโs Mango Sticky Rice which is a special dessert made by a local restaurant natuk in Iriga, Camarines Sur. It is made of โsumanโ with pili caramel sauce and topped with mango and pili nuts.
Finalist - Photo by Herbert Kikoy (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kutsinta_Delicacy.jpg Kutsinta delicacy is made from a mixture of tapioca or rice flour, brown sugar and lye, enhanced with yellow food coloring or annatto extract, and steamed in small ramekins.
THE TOP ENTRIES
3rd Place - Photo by Herbert Kikoy (CC BY-SA 4.0)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pinoy_Empanada.jpg Empanada is a type of pastry that is stuffed with chicken meat, potato, carrots, and sweet pea.
2nd Place - Photo by Jesse Alegre (CC BY-SA 4.0)
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Balicucha.jpg Balicucha is a sweet candy made from sugarcane. It is a perfect natural sweetener for coffee and tea. It is made in the Ilocos Region.
1st Place - Photo by Jesse Alegre (CC BY-SA 4.0) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Empanada_de_Vigan.jpg
Vigan Empanada is a very famous merienda food in the Ilocos Region. It's made of vegetables like papaya or cabbage, and also meat and egg.
Thank you to all the participants and congratulations to the finalists and top winners!
