'We already have dates for Madrid Fusion Manila. Tuloy siya' — TBP official

A Tourism Promotions Board official confirmed Madrid Fusion Manila 2018 is really pushing through in September.

At the launch of Buhay Carindera Wednesday, Marketing and Promotions Deputy Chief Operating Officer Maricon Ebron confirmed with GMA News Online that Madrid Fusion Manila will be held in September.

“Tuloy siya, we already have the dates: September 25 to 29,” Ebron said.

Madrid Fusion Manila was originally scheduled for April, but the Tourism Promotions Board in complying with procurement laws were pressed to postpone the event.

“No’ng gusto nating mag-comply, ‘yong Foro de Debate hindi siya available do’n sa pino-propose naming dates. ‘Yong chefs hindi available, ang hirap i-marry [ng schedules].”

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Ebron said that the difficulties in consolidating the availability of the parties involved led to much confusion, prompting TPB COO Cesar Montano to believe that the event might be cancelled.

Nonetheless, the issues are now being ironed out and the bidding is underway.

“Kung sino mananalo, hindi na namin alam,” Ebron said. 

On April 1, the Philippine Daily Inquirer published a story that confirmed the much-awaited culinary event had indeed been  canceled.

A few days later, TBP COO Cesar Montano released a statement on TBP's Facebook page, saying the board was still assessing the possibility of still staging the fourth edition of the Spanish food fest later in the year. — LA, GMA News