TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – The once we thought pest, Rice Eel (Monopterus albus) locally known as “Kiwet” will soon invade our kitchens as the DA-BFAR 2 thru the Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordinating Division holds the first Rice Eel Cooking Contest to promote the fish as a commercially-important fish available among consumers on September 22, 2022.
Said activity aims to showcase various recipes that can be developed from “Kiwet” aside from the traditional way of preparation for a wider acceptance among the non-eel-consuming population.
Dr. Evelyn C. Ame, National Eel Coordinator said that “The Philippines is a major exporter of live Eel fish including the Asian Swamp Eel (Kiwet) in eel-consuming countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. The Cooking Contest is just one way of encouraging Filipinos to appreciate this resource as an addition to the commercially-available commodities in the market.
DA-BFAR 2 Regional Director Angel B. Encarnacion in his message said that the cooking contest is the Bureau’s way to change the misconception of consumers on Rice Eels as menacing and undesirable to local markets. He is optimistic that consumers will find products developed from “Kiwet” available in the markets of region 2.
Of the five participating entries, the team from the Rural Improvement Club members from the municipality of Cabatuan, Isabela bagged first place and received a cash prize of P15, 000 for coming up with a Chinese-inspired recipe dubbed “Golden Ingot Rice Eel”. Second place went to the Handog Beneficiaries of Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya for their unique blend of vegan-fish dish entry “Cheesy Cabbage Roll” and received a cash prize of P12,000. The Rural Improvement Club of Liwayway, Diffun, Quirino placed third and was given P10, 000 cash prize for their mouthwatering “Crispy Kiwet” recipe. Consolation prizes of 5,000 were given to the Dodan Fisherfolk Association of Aparri for their delectable version of “Ginataang Kiwet” and to the Rural Improvement Club of Barancuag, Tuao, Cagayan for their delicious entry “Bottled Adobo Spicy Kiwet”.
Meantime, Dr. Esterlita Calanoga, retired professor of the Cagayan State University-Aparri Campus said that she’s not fond of eel fish, but she lauded participants for creating recipes uniquely packaged to attract consumers of all ages. She also stressed key points that she advocates, that in order to live longer, one must have “good food, good exercise and good sleep” to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
The panel of judges were: Ms. Marnelie G. Subong, Focal Person for Fisheries Research and Development Programs, DA-BAR; Atty. Orlyne T. Trinidad, faculty member, University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao; Dr. Kingford N. Tan, Nutrition and Wellness specialist; Ms. Marites O. Quilang, Trainor and Assessor in Cookery for NC II, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; Teresa O. Campos, Radio Anchor, Radyo Pilipinas; Dr. Esterlita Calanoga, Fish Processing Technology Expert and retired professor of the Cagayan State University- Aparri Campus and Dr. Emmanuel Acluba, former Chief Cagayan Valley Medical Center. #
