Kabankalan’s heirloom crops—Ube-Kinampay, Tinigib corn, and muscovado sugar—risk disappearing unless the local community acts now to protect them. These heirloom products, essential to the region’s culture and economy, require immediate local support to survive.
Doreen Alicia Gamboa, president of the Slow Food International Community in Negros Occidental, told Brigada News Philippines on Tuesday, July 28, that residents must prioritize the purchase of heirloom crops.
She said that Ube-Kinampay, Tinigib corn, and muscovado sugar form the backbone of Kabankalan’s agricultural heritage.
Gamboa pointed out that these heirloom products, which thrive within the reserve of Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in Camingawan and Oringao’s muscovado sugar, are more than just food. They embody the city’s culture, economy, and environment.
“Food satisfies us. We get excited when we eat, but we must think beyond that. Supporting local crops helps our farmers, protects our biodiversity, and sustains our environment. And of course, it honors our Ilonggo culture,” she said.
Besides Ube-Kinampay, Tinigib corn, and muscovado sugar, Gamboa mentioned other heirloom products like batwan, which also face threats and need protection.
These crops are listed in the Ark of Taste, a global catalog created by the Slow Food movement, actively documents and protects endangered traditional foods.
Gamboa stressed that their survival depends on the local community’s commitment to supporting and purchasing them.
The Slow Food movement is a global initiative that works to ensure good, clean, and fair food for everyone. The movement promotes a food system that prioritizes sustainability, supports small-scale farmers, and helps preserve local traditions.
Gamboa said that it has communities in Kabankalan, Bago, Sagay, and other areas of Negros Occidental.
She also urged locals to ensure that heirloom crops continue to thrive for future generations.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.