DSWD's Walang Gutom Program beneficiary-cooks from ZamPen win 2026 cook-off challenge

Walang Gutom Program (WGP) beneficiaries from the Zamboanga Peninsula, Kusinero Junrey Flores and Assistant Kusinero Ariel Balucan secured the region’s second consecutive championship title during the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Walang Gutom Kusinero Cook-off Challenge 2026 National Finals on Friday (July 17) held at the Quezon City Meeting, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (M.I.C.E) Center.

Kusinero Junrey, who hailed from Zamboanga Sibugay, represented the region and claimed the judges’ highest score with their winning dish called “Mong Gu’t Marang sa Gata with Tusaba Corn” – a delicious and nutritious dish made with mung beans, various vegetables, marang, dried fish, saba bananas, and corn cooked in coconut milk. It highlights local ingredients that reflect the culture and daily sustenance of the community.

The awarding ceremony was led by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who tasted the nutritious meals prepared and served by the regional finalists during the culinary event.

“Ito ang dahilan kung bakit napakahalaga ng ating pagsasama ngayon, sa pamamagitan ng Walang Gutom Kusinero Cook-off Challenge 2026. Pinatunayan natin na kayang-kaya natin magluto ng masarap na pagkain gamit ang mga simple at abot kayang sangkap. Higit sa lahat pinakikita dito na pag may tamang kaalaman sa nutrisyon, masustansyang putahe ang maihahain natin sa mesa ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” Secretary Gatchalian said during the awarding ceremony.

Coming in second place was Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) represented by Kusinera Laila Navarro and Assistant Kusinera Lea Ortega who prepared “Dinakdakang Puso ng Saging”, while Region 6 (Western Visayas) finalists Kusinera Diena Benbinuto and Assistant Kusinera Bernadith Benbinuto secured the third spot with their “Modern Tinolang Manok”.

Secretary Gatchalian said the cook-off challenge also served as a platform to showcase the culinary skills that beneficiaries acquired from their nutrition education sessions.

“Ang paglahok ninyo sa national finals ay patunay ng inyong sipag, talento, dedikasyon. Ngunit higit pa riyan, ipinakita niyo na ang bawat benepisyaryo ng Walang Gutom Program ay may kakayanang umangat kapag ang tamang suporta ay natatanggap,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

During the awarding ceremony, Secretary Gatchalian also announced that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the First Lady provided a cash gift of Php100,000 to each of the regional finalists.

Consequently, Secretary Gatchalian expressed hope that the finalists would serve as an inspiration to other Filipino families.

“Nawa’y patuloy kayong magsilbing inspirasyon sa iba pang mga pamilyang nagsisikap na mapabuti ang kanilang mga buhay,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

In the 2025 national cook-off contest, Region 9 also took home the championship title of the first-ever cook-off challenge in 2025 through the efforts of Kusinera Elenita Montaño and Assistant Kusinera Jovelyn Montaño.

The Walang Gutom Program (WGP) is the flagship anti-hunger program of the Philippine government, which aligns with the directive of President Marcos Jr. to combat food insecurity and reduce involuntary hunger among Filipino families. (KI)

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