With the recent pandemic, tourism was one of the industries that was badly hit. With hope in bringing back the vibrance of the industry together with its stakeholders, incoming Department of Tourism secretary Christina Frasco underscored the importance of local cuisine to provide tourists with a multi-sensory experience. This trajectory lines up to the vision of Ma. Rosel Judith T. Claver and Mary Khatryna C. Capanzana, owners of El Padre – Benito’s Cafe in Leon, Iloilo. They project that Leon as a town holds three business opportunities untapped by investors and businesses.
As tourism industry slowly opens, more people travel to experience rural areas and islands for leisure and relaxation. This also opens up more business opportunities for these area to step up to cater the influx of tourists.
Food experience is seen to be a growing business opportunity. Food is the first element to make each travel worthwhile. Leon has its own culinary culture made with intricacy using local ingredients. “Our town is known for its Nilagpang, a native grilled chicken in soup,” Claver shared. ”I strongly believe that we need to elevate the culinary experience of tourists coming in our town,” she added.
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Farm experience is another booming endeavors for business-minded people. Farm your is one of the ideal activities intown being the the fruit and vegetable basket Iloilo province. With this moniker, “it only logical that we farms tours for our visitors,” Capanzana shared. Leon is also a large producer of mangoes in the province “which are underrated despite of it’s quality ready for export,” she pointed out.
Accommodation experience is another aspect for tourism to thrive. Leon itself is wide enough to experience it as a whole in one day. The town is comprised of 85 barangays and each has its own beauty and hidden gem. “It is our dream that Leon will have inns and hotels to accommodate the tourist as they stay longer to discover the diversity in our town,” Claver furthered.
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With this in mind, “El Padre – Benito’s is set to puzzle the tourism experience in Leon,” said Rosel.
The El Padre Story
El Padre started with a vision to elevate local tourism experience of Leon, Iloilo. It is poised to be a culinary attraction of the town with flavours from different origin and fusions while using local produce.
With the expertise of several chefs, El Padre is a burst of gastronomic surprise for the locals and tourists. The creative freedom in the restaurant yields delicious and appetizing dishes filled with stories about our people – in El Padre and in Leon.
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Being a product of a farmer, the founders are passionate to elevate the local farmers by utilizing their produce in every dish that they serve on the table. They are also eyeing to lead a systematic farm tour in town in partnership with farms all over Leon.
Moving forward, El Padre plans to invest to becoming an inland resort famed for its delicious and creative dishes, friendly and excellent accommodation with pool and instagrammable locations. Having this in the pipeline, it is their hope to also elevate the people of Leon with growing job opportunities.
You can visit El Padre in Anonang, Leon, Iloilo to experience their story. Contact them through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ElPadreLeonIloilo.
