List of Activities, 2013

LIST OF ACTIVITIES, 2013

1.     Amy Besa Talk, March 7, 2013. This was the first CHOP-sponsored event, which was a well-attended affair and which brought us many new members. Amy spoke about the latest project of her non-profit, Ang Sariling Atin Culinary Heritage Institute (ASA), which is dedicated to documenting and preserving Philippine culinPary traditions and native ingredients through the establishment of community kitchens in the Philippines. Their first community kitchen in Dumaguete has been built, with assistance from Silliman University, and will soon be operational. ASA will develop scientifically based research methodology to gather data on flavors of the different regions of the country and, with the help of academicians, write a book on “Discovering the Filipino Palate: the Food, Flavor preferences and Meals of the Filipino People.” Now that CHOP has obtained its non-profit status, we hope to collaborate with ASA on its community kitchens program once the appropriate funds are raised to finance our side of the operation.

2.     Kumbira LuzViMinda, May 26, 2013. This was an informal dinner buffet organized by CHOP member Myke Sarthou and Enderun’s “Kawali Kings” headed by another CHOP member, Erwin Lizarondo. The buffet, held at Myke’s Chef Tatung’s Restaurant in Taguig, showcased family heirloom recipes from around the country.

3.     Artisanal Vinegars Tasting and Adobo Demo, July 22, 2013. A very successful event organized by Pia Lim-Castillo, who was ably assisted by the wonderfully dynamic tandem of Alvin and Gretchen Lim; Tina Morados of Pamora Farms; and Meng Perez. Thanks to Pia and Alvin/Gretchen for donating the vinegars and other ingredients, and to Tina for Pamora Farms’ donation of its free-range chicken. Pia did a presentation of local artisanal vinegars (coconut sap, nipa sap and sugar cane), followed by a tasting of the vinegars. Alvin and Gretchen brought chicken adobo which they cooked in the different vinegars, and the lucky participants got to taste them and compare. The Adobo Queen, Nancy Reyes Lumen, talked about adobo, followed by a tasting. Copies of her “The Adobo Book” were available for purchase at the event. Editha Singian followed with a demo on cooking Dinuguan using the vinegars; the participants also had a taste of the Dinuguan.

4.     Tulong-Tulong Fundraising Dinner for Typhoon Yolanda Victims, held on November 20, 2013 at the Swiss Residence. The CHOP Board is very happy to report on the resounding success of this fundraiser, which was organized by CHOP, Amy Besa’s ASA, and the Swiss Ambassador, Ivo Sieber, and his wife Gracita Tolentino Sieber (a founding member of CHOP). We raised Php 330,117 from donations from the 54 attending guests and 15 non-attending donors. All the food, drinks, work and service were donated (both by our own team and by purveyors), so every cent of the money raised went to the Yolanda relief efforts of Aid Line Philippine Swiss (ALPS), which provides humanitarian assistance to Filipino communities in times of crises. We have Amy Besa to thank for spearheading the series of fundraising dinners to benefit our Kababayans in the south, which gave CHOP the opportunity to do its share.

Regina Newport

January 2014