LAOAG CITY, June 22 -- At least eight teams composed of four members each from the city's Rural Improvement Clubs showcased their culinary skills at Aurora Park on Monday afternoon, presenting innovative snack recipes featuring moringa as the main ingredient.

Laoag City tourism officer Mary Jane Pascual-Leano told the Philippine News Agency on Monday that the Marunggay Cookfest aims to encourage the development of more moringa-based food products for both tourists and local consumers.

"This is a trademark for all Ilocanos. We are known for this. So, we are celebrating this crop because of its numerous benefits. It is the kind of tree that gives too much and asks for less because it is so easy to propagate," she said.

"Marunggay" is th...