OLONGAPO CITY — The indigenous food and culinary techniques of the Aytas in this city were among the highlights of this year’s My City, My SM, My Cuisine, held last Thursday at SM City Olongapo.
My city, my SM my cuisine is SM’s contribution to efforts to ensure the survival of Philippine food stories, as indeed of various Philippine cuisines, by identifying, collecting, retrieving, preserving and promoting traditional recipes and culinary techniques.
Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr. and wife, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Board of Director Anne Gordon, together with members of the Olongapo City Council and SM executives, graced this event.
Mayor Gordon said, the city’s cuisine is also one of contrasts – ranging from the indigenous food of the Ayta to Asian and Spanish influences, and of course, hearty American food.
The culinary diversity can be seen in the many restaurants that make Olongapo foodie haven. Most restos can be found only in the city, with their menus bringing us back to a time when dining simply about enjoying good food with one’s family and friends.
Renalyn Briones, Assistant Mall Manager said, the project consisted of mall-based events that highlighted the presentation of cuisine and the heirloom recipes of the Olongapo Aetas and well-kept recipes of prominent families here.
Other activities included the culinary contests featuring the Sinigang na Diana and Pastillas dessert wherein ten brave foodies competed for the cookout happening at the supermarket’s lobby and a display of classic specialties of Olongapo’s old iconic restaurants.
Miguel Recacho, a third generation Aeta and endorser of this year’s My city, my cuisine, presented to the public Aetas culinary recipes such as rice in bamboo tube and chicken tinola with “tanglad”.
“Traditionally, the Ayta cook their rice by steaming a bamboo tube filled with rice and water, chicken and fish are also cooked in a bamboo intermode. Once cooked, the bamboo is split open, releasing the food’s natural aroma, with a hint of bamboo flavor, giving rice, chicken or fish a very fresh and organic taste,” Briones said.
Recacho also bested four other contestants in the culinary contest “Best versions of the Sinigang na Diana” and received P5,000 worth of SM GCs and gift pack.
