PH Embassy in Pretoria participates in World Food Festival
The Philippine Embassy in Pretoria is one of the participating diplomatic missions in the inaugural World Food Festival organized by the Korean Cultural Center, which commenced late last month.
During the opening ceremony, Philippine cuisine took center stage when distinguished guests from the government, business sector, and arts and creative community of South Africa sampled classic Filipino desserts such as turon (banana roll) and ensaymada (Filipino brioche).
Reflecting on the event, Philippine Ambassador to South Africa Noralyn Jubaira Baja remarked that it had been a delightful experience to share with the South African audience the vibrant flavors of authentic Filipino cuisine. She expressed hope that this modest attempt of the embassy would serve as a catalyst for deeper understanding and appreciation by the host country and its people of Filipino culture and heritage.
In addition to exhibiting Filipino food, the embassy screened Kailangan Kita (I Need You), a Filipino film released in 2002, which features the culinary traditions of the Bicol region, to a limited South African audience. Also hosted was a cooking demonstration of chicken adobo, a quintessential Filipino dish, with the help of Jocelyn “Joie” Van Nel, an active Filipino community member and cooking enthusiast.
It had been a delightful experience to share with the South African audience the vibrant flavors of authentic Filipino cuisine.
The World Food Festival was a weeklong event. www.pretoriape.dfa.gov.ph