DOT Releases New App Featuring Metro Manila’s Famous Dishes

The Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Thursday, December 12 a new mobile application featuring the iconic dishes in Metro Manila in a bid to promote the developing food tourism in the National Capital Region (NCR). 

The app, called “MyMetroManila” is a food guide to the famous diners, stalls, and homes converted to restaurants in the metro.

The app promotes Metro Manila’s dishes under the Metro Yummy Picks category, which include the Kalderetang Itik of Pateros (a stew made with duck meat and liver spread); the Inutak in Taguig City (a rice pudding topped with ube and baked over charcoal fire); and the popular Chinese-style honey-cured ham in Mandaluyong City famous for its sugar amber coating. 

It also features a real-time messaging tool that enables interaction between users and DOT-NCR representatives.

According to DOT-NCR Director Woodrow Maquiling, “This is a gamechanger because in the past you need a brochure to go around, but if you are still planning to come here in Manila, you can already download the app and plan your trip and everything’s right at your fingertip.”  

He also states that MyMetroManila is the first mobile application initiated by the DOT dedicated to the promotion of a single region. 

“A tourist spends an average of 1.71 nights in Manila. Our goal is to really increase to 2.5 or three nights because they come to Metro Manila and then just sleep here and then leave already to other regions,” he added. 

The app will also showcase old and new tourist sites around Metro Manila, such as the Ayala Museum in Makati City, the Bamboo Organ in Las Piñas, the Shoe Museum and Gallery in Marikina City, the ornate Kiu Pat Long Shiao Temple in Parañaque City, and the Presidential Car Museum in Quezon City. 

DOT announced that it will soon introduce a listing of its accredited tours and accommodation providers in the app, in a bid to help users book tours and hotels through their smartphones. 

The app is now available for download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.