The sizzle of pork and the spirit of Filipino resilience took center stage at Hog Festival 2025—a vibrant celebration of culinary creativity and agricultural pride hosted by the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NatFed).
More than just a showcase of local swine industry achievements, the annual festival shines a spotlight on the versatility of the beloved “Pinoy Pork”—a culinary star in Filipino kitchens across the country. According to NatFed, highlighting Pinoy Pork is also part of a bigger vision: to position the Philippines as a top food and tourism destination in Asia.
Gracing the festival as guest of honor, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. praised NatFed’s nearly 500-strong membership for their unwavering commitment to sustaining rural economies, feeding Filipino families, and keeping the pork industry thriving—even amid ongoing challenges like African Swine Fever (ASF), soaring feed costs, and volatile market conditions.
Secretary Laurel’s presence at the event underscored the Marcos administration’s strong focus on supporting the hog sector as a pillar of national food security. Recently, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the Bureau of Animal Industry and the Food and Drug Administration to fast-track the commercial rollout of an ASF vaccine—an essential step in reviving and repopulating the swine industry.
“On March 1, 2024, you made history by setting a Guinness World Record with 313 pork dishes—showing the world that Filipino pork is world-class from snout to tail,” Laurel declared at the festival held in Cubao, Quezon City. “Today, you make history again. Every part of the pig tells a story—of sustainability, culture, and heart.”
With the festive theme “Sarap ng Pinoy Pork, Mula Nguso Hanggang Buntot,” the event was a joyful tribute to Filipino resilience and ingenuity. A culinary showdown featuring students, chefs, and restaurateurs filled the air with the rich aromas of beloved classics like lechon paksiw, sinigang na pata, dinuguan, and sisig nguso.
Secretary Laurel also reaffirmed government support through initiatives like INSPIRE (Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion), along with continued efforts in biosecurity and local feed development.
“We’re not just rebuilding—we’re transforming the industry,” he said, calling the hog sector a cornerstone of food security and urging stronger partnerships to uplift both backyard and commercial hog farmers.
“You rise, you adapt, you elevate. This is what Filipino agriculture looks like—resilient, flavorful, and full of promise.”
