On Aug. 6, members of the diplomatic corps converged at the SM Mall of Asia for the annual ASEAN Food Festival, one of the many ways the Philippines marks the inception of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Whether it’s in Manila, Kuala Lumpur, or Berlin, I always make a point to attend ASEAN food events. The initiative has consistently exceeded expectations and opened up palates, a great way to get to bond with our neighbors in the region. Organized here in Manila by the ASEAN Ladies Foundation (ALF) Inc., the event was held to commemorate the founding anniversary of ASEAN.
 

The annual food festival is a celebration of camaraderie and cultural diversity and this year, it welcomed distinguished guests, including Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, ALF chairperson Madame Pamela Louise Manalo, ALF president Madame Ranny Agus Widjojo, ALF board members, Ambassadors of the ASEAN Missions, and members of the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines.
 

“It is especially significant that the ALF annual ASEAN Food Festival is a project initiated by women that highlights the crucial role they play as leaders and agents of change within ASEAN,” Madame Pamela Louise Manalo expressed during the opening ceremony. “Beyond cultural promotion, this event serves as an initiative to empower women in the diplomatic community, recognizing their efforts in promoting awareness understanding and appreciation, have a say as a region, as well as its member states.”
 

“ASEAN Food Festival is a celebration of culture where each country displays and attendees learn aspects of each culture such as visual art, cuisine, performances,” Madame Ranny Agus Widjojo shared in her speech. “In order to foster mutual understanding—not only to know but understand—and be aware of the similarities and differences among the countries in Southeast Asia. So we can become culturally sensitive and expectant of the people around us.”
 

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo graced the event, extending his wholehearted support to the ALF and his wife’s endeavors. The Manalos diligently toured each booth, savoring a variety of delicacies on offer. The Philippine booth featured a classic “magtataho” (taho vendor) alongside snacks from Via Mare, such as empanadas and other quintessential merienda dishes like arroz caldo, fresh lumpiang ubod, and empanaditas, with the signature cooler guinumis offering a refreshing and delightful treat.
 

Notable favorites from each country’s booth include Brunei’s cherished nasi lemak and fried prawn mee hoon, Vietnam’s fresh spring rolls and pho noodles, Myanmar’s delectable mohinga rice noodles, Singapore’s eagerly awaited Hainanese chicken rice and roasted chicken rice from Tion Bahru, and Thailand’s renowned pad Thai, mango sticky rice, and Thai milk tea from Amazon Cafe. Indonesia introduced the traditional tempeh, a plant-based delicacy crafted from fermented soybeans. Combined with an array of spices and traditional marinades like sambal, tempeh presented itself as a culinary treasure for vegans and vegetarians.

Malaysia celebrated the aromatic spices of the region with their hearty and flavorsome Laksa Sarawak and curry puffs. Laos prepared Pieng Gai or Lao grilled chicken, paired alongside Khao Soi, their flavorful noodle dish, and a cup of their traditional coffee.

The booth representing the Embassy of Korea, expertly managed by the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in collaboration with the renowned Korean grocery store chain Funhan Mart, attracted lengthy queues as it showcased a delectable array of popular Korean street foods. Tempting delights such as tornado potato, so-tteok-so-tteok, Korean fried chicken, and kimbap were presented to guests, inviting them to indulge and relish in these iconic Korean streetfood favorites. Adding to the immersive experience, KCC director Kim Myeongjin and PR officer Jang Seonji were actively present at the booth, enthusiastically serving the dishes and engaging visitors in conversations about the vibrant facets of Korean culture.

Adding to the festive ambience, an assortment of fashion accessories, textiles, and souvenir items delighted visitors. Satren, a rising Filipino brand, showcased innovative footwear designs, espadrilles, and modern Filipiniana tops. Cambodia contributed to the vibrant atmosphere with cultural products that also offered a glimpse into its rich heritage.

The main stage reverberated with colorful and dynamic cultural performances from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and South Korea. The festivities culminated in the Embassy of Thailand being awarded the Best Booth Prize by the ALF.

Each year, Aug. 8 marks ASEAN Day, a commemoration of the establishment of the ASEAN, emphasizing the unity and cooperation among member countries.

Highlighting tempeh
The very next day, the Indonesian Embassy hosted “All about Tempeh,” a celebration of Indonesia’s superfood and its versatile culinary applications. Tempeh, crafted from fermented soybeans, undergoes a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into cake-like formations. With a nutty flavor profile, it’s a primary source of protein for those residing in Java.

Set within the Indonesian ambassador’s residence, the afternoon tea, organized by Mme. Ranny Widjojo and the embassy’s women, was punctuated by a captivating cooking demonstration led by Indonesia’s tempeh advocates, such as Yudhi Harijono and Hoo Eek Kee. From tempeh iced lattes to an array of snacks, these tempeh connoisseurs artfully showcased the multifaceted nature of this ingredient. Packed with iron, probiotics, B vitamins, and manganese, tempeh’s nutritional prowess took center stage. I personally wasn’t a fan until this event changed the way I saw this superfood. Its earthy flavor can be a huge plus for certain dishes. It can also be turned into a rich, iced latte.
 

There was a mesmerizing fashion show, which featured Indonesian batik. Ambassador Agus Widjojo was also a notable presence at the event, further adding to its esteemed ambience and making everyone feel welcome by sharing fascinating aspects of Indonesian culture.