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Arroyo defends eating of dog meat(Gulf News Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Manila: President Gloria Arroyo has defended the eating of dog meat, the use of which has been perfected by gourmets in northern Luzon and in her hometown in central Luzon. "Dog meat keeps you warm, does it not?" Arroyo told Mayor Braulio Yaranon of Baguio City, during a dinner which she hosted for local government officials. Arroyo and her family stayed in Bauio during the holiday season. In a transcript sent to Manila's presidential palace, Arroyo also said her knowledge of exotic cuisine using dog meat was rudimentary. Arroyo's hometown in Pampanga is known for its fine culinary tradition and exotic dishes which make use of frogs, mole crickets, snakes, field rats and monitor lizards. Arroyo said when in Pampanga, she indulges in local exotic cuisine. She is fond of fermented rice with fish and shrimp, fresh vegetables and salted fresh baby crabs. Food establishments in Baguio and in Benguet do not list on their menu the exotic dishes that the region is known for. Philippine Congress passed a Bill in 1998 which criminalises the selling of dog meat. |