PHL, Spain Ink 3rd Madrid Fusion Manila Deal

Madrid, Spain — Get ready for yet another exciting gastronomic treat as Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) Secretary Wanda Corazon T. Teo and ICEX España Exportación e Inversiones President Jaime García-Legaz recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to stage the third edition of Madrid Fusión Manila.

This agreement is a continuation of the only Asian edition of Madrid Fusion in the Philippine capital next year, following its successful runs in Manila in 2014 and 2015.

Slated on 06-08 April 2017, this third year of Madrid Fusion Manila will carry the theme, “Towards a Sustainable Gastronomic Planet”.

Staging the event in Manila for the third consecutive year, the PDOT aims to promote, and enhance culture, tourism and commerce between the two countries.

“We would like to make the Philippines a focal point of gastronomic interest worldwide. This third edition of Madrid Fusion Manila will feature the traditional gastronomy congress and a trade expo, as well as the month-long Flavors of the Philippines Festival across the Philippines,” Secretary Teo revealed.

Madrid Fusión has established itself as one of the leading international gastronomic gatherings, being attended by chefs and experts who discuss trends, tastes and habits during the days it takes place in Madrid each year.

“This event is designed to spur tourism, create an awareness and demand for agricultural and food products, and promote trade and business partnerships in tourism and gastronomy,” added Secretary Teo.

Based on the agreement, ICEX will once again organize a Tapas Festival and will bring the latest international developments in food and beverage business to the Philippines.

Mr. García-Legaz, who is also the Secretary of State for Commerce, explained that there will still be a Spanish Pavilion, which will feature around twenty Spanish companies showcasing the variety and richness of Spanish tapas and gastronomy.

“The pavilion has contributed immensely to the success of the previous editions of Madrid Fusion. This also heightens the special bond between the Philippines and Spain brought about by more than 300 years of shared history”, said Mr. García-Legaz.

He also stressed that the first two editions of Madrid Fusion Manila have been such a stellar success, and that the gastronomy event has a huge potential, not only in Asia but also in Europe and Latin America.

Also present in the signing of the agreement are Iñigo Cañedo and Mielle Esteban Powell of Arum and Lourdes Plana of Foro de Debate.

About Madrid Fusion in Manila

Madrid Fusion Manila (MFM) is the first and only Asian edition of Madrid Fusion, the most important international gastronomy congress in the world, celebrated annually in Madrid since 2003.

MFM brings together the most acclaimed avant-garde chefs from across the globe. On its first year, the theme of the congress was ‘The Philippines and Spain: A 300-year Gastronomic Journey.’

In 2016, in celebration of the 450th anniversary of the Galleon Trade that linked Asia with the Western World, the theme of Madrid Fusion Manila 2016 was ‘The Manila Galleon: East Meets West’, expanding the gastronomic conversation further, not only between two countries but between two very different parts of the world. (DOT/madridfusionmanila.com)