One of the easiest means to reconnect with one’s roots is by feeding the eyes and of course, the stomach. Thanks to the Philippine Embassy for organizing the three-day Filipino Art and Food Festival in celebration of the Independence day.
We were in Sheraton (Corniche) last night to check the exhibit of native Filipino products and selected paintings, and of course the promenade of Filipino dishes (aka dinner buffet). It was a sight to witness other nationalities peeking in and even taking photos of the fiesta-themed decors.
I liked that there’s the inihaw na lechon in this painting. I miss the lechon from Cebu. There were also performances of rondalla and folk dances to perk up the festival.
The dinner buffet was set in Flavours Restaurant, which was decorated in different native crafts like the sombrero.
I noticed that there was a significant amount of participation/ exposure for Mama Sita. Pre-dinner, there was a cooking demo headed by the niece of Teresita Reyes (popularly known as Mama Sita).
Chefs from Manila have been invited and while I liked most of the offerings, the maja blanca and turon with langka were the most satisfying.
While we are not deprived of homecooked Filipino meals while away from the Philippines, events like this will always be considered huge. It is “not another Asian-themed munch fest”. And I should say that the pork dishes (allowed to be) served (well yes, while in a Muslim country) in the three-day fest is a treat for several diners. Another reason why it gathered the attendance of other nationalities. I hope that they appreciated the background music during dinner, to the likes of Sitsirit, Alibangbang.
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It good that there are such event for pinoys out there para naman kahit papano hindi kayo mahomesick.
The turon looks enticing….yummm
Have a great day wits.
i envy you seriously for experiencing the philippines in native shores.
dito kasi sa lugar namin, wala. kumpara dyan, may mga filipino stores and restaurants.
was that amorsolo’s or a similar one?
katakam-takam nga ang maja blanca at turon with langka!
Oo nga, I didn’t notice Filipino stores or restos when we visited Penang. Pero sobrang nami-miss ko yung local food nila dyan lalo na ang char kuey teow.
The painting was not a real Amorsolo’s, but it was also nice piece.
that is so much fun. it’s a pity that i never participated in any filipino themed festivals around here.
Your visit to that place makes me want to visit a museum.
It’s nice to see other countries celebrate this kind of event. Hindi mo ma-miss ang Pinas. Mama Sita is expanding. Dami na nilang products.
OMG! naglaway ako sa turon! it’s 8:30 pm! saan ako maghahanap nyan! hehe!
totoo ba yung kiping?
i know how important events like these are to OFWs. it’s like tasting a bit of home. buti naman at may mga ganyan kayo.
Articial lang yung kiping. Pero ang ganda nung fiesta-themed. Kapag nag-crave kami ng turon, kelangang home cooked. Wala kasing readily available sa mga restos.
fantastic photos! i loved the third one a lot!