1. Annual Membership Meeting, Saturday, January 30, 2016, Seryé Restaurant, Quezon City
The meeting was attended by 23 members. A quorum was required, and fulfilled, in order for the group to update—and make decisions on—several administrative matters pertinent to 2016, including membership rules; the affirmation of the composition of the Board including the appointment of Susie Fong as Legal Counsel; the Treasurer’s Report; the activities planned for 2016; and plans for the CHOP Cookbook.
[Update: As of February 2017, the total number of active members is 109.]
[Update: As of February 2017, the total number of active members is 109.]
The current set of officers for a two-year term ending in March 31, 2017: President – Pia Lim-Castillo; Vice-President – Alvin Reyes Lim; Secretary – Ige Ramos; Treasurer – Nanette Medina; Susie Fong – Legal Counsel; and Regina Newport – Ex-Officio Board Member.
2. Food & Cultural Tour, QUEZON CITY, Saturday, January 30, 2016
The tour was held on the same day as the Annual Membership Meeting (see above). Impeccably organized by CHOP member Tetta Tirona—founder and Managing Director of STRAM EVENTS, INC. and tireless champion of Quezon City’s promotion at the helm of its Tourism Board, the tour made no less than seven stops, the first four of which were all located in Quezon Memorial Circle, a 25-hectare elliptical park sprawling with lush greeneries and pieces of history, surrounded by national government offices and the seat of power of Quezon City. First stop was the Quezon Heritage House, the weekend house of the first President of the Commonwealth, Manuel L. Quezon and his family. The group then took a leisurely walk to the Quezon Memorial Shrine, a 66-meter trylon monument to the legacy of President Quezon, and which provided a memorable group photo opportunity. Another quick walk to the Joy or Urban Farming, an urban agriculture program managed by the Office of the Q.C. Vice Mayor, Joy Belmonte, with the underlying objective of reviving and generating interest in agriculture by promoting the use of appropriate science-based technologies and practices in agriculture.
The newly renovated Quezon City Museum was the last stop in the Circle. This impressive museum now boasts 16 “galleries” showcasing important historical pieces of the birth and growth of the city. A quick van ride to La Loma followed, and the group feasted on its famous lechon, among many other dishes, at Ping Ping’s Restaurant. On the way back to the Circle, the group visited—and had a guided tour of—the Santuario de San Pedro Bautista Parish in San Francisco del Monte. The sumptuous merienda at Seryé Restaurant following the Annual Membership Meeting was a fitting and delicious end to a very successful day. Credits also go to CHOP President Pia Lim-Castillo, whose collaboration with Tetta made for a superbly organized event.
3. CHOP’s First Grand Cooking Demo of CHINESE AUSPICIOUS & CELEBRATORY FOODS, Maya Kitchens, Saturday, February 20, 2016
Spearheaded and, as always, excellently organized by CHOP President Pia-Lim Castillo, the afternoon featured cooking demonstrations by her and four CHOP Tsinoy (Filipino-Chinese) members—Susie Fong, Alvin Reyes Lim, Emily Yu, and Vicky Yu)—of their favorite authentic Chinese dishes. Pia cooked Cantonese Steamed Fish—whole fresh fish is a top choice for any Chinese banquet as it regarded as a symbol of plenty; she used lapu-lapu (grouper), which practically melted in your mouth.
Susie made the Fukienese Five-Spice Pork Rolls (a.k.a. Kekiam) and Cua Pao, an open-faced steamed bun filled with braised pork and preserved mustard leaves, while Alvin showed us how to make Cha Misua, a wheat noodle dish traditionally eaten at birthdays because the long noodles symbolized strength and longevity.
Finally, the sisters Emily and Vicky Yu cooked their big family’s mainstay for gatherings—Chinese Vegetable Lumpia—with Emily showing the audience how to cook the filling and how to layer the different toppings inside the fresh rice wrappers, while Vicky described each step of the preparation. The participants had a lot of fun wrapping their own lumpia at the end. Emily had a surprise demo while the audience ate—Peanut Balls in a Ginger/Pandan Syrup, which were delicious morsels of glutinous rice flour, ground peanuts and sugar simmered in the flavored syrup.
Susie made the Fukienese Five-Spice Pork Rolls (a.k.a. Kekiam) and Cua Pao, an open-faced steamed bun filled with braised pork and preserved mustard leaves, while Alvin showed us how to make Cha Misua, a wheat noodle dish traditionally eaten at birthdays because the long noodles symbolized strength and longevity.
Finally, the sisters Emily and Vicky Yu cooked their big family’s mainstay for gatherings—Chinese Vegetable Lumpia—with Emily showing the audience how to cook the filling and how to layer the different toppings inside the fresh rice wrappers, while Vicky described each step of the preparation. The participants had a lot of fun wrapping their own lumpia at the end. Emily had a surprise demo while the audience ate—Peanut Balls in a Ginger/Pandan Syrup, which were delicious morsels of glutinous rice flour, ground peanuts and sugar simmered in the flavored syrup.
The program was emcee’d by our leading authentic Tsinoy, Ivan Man Dy of Binondo Wok fame, who regaled the audience with his unrivaled knowledge of Tsinoy history. Finally, the success of the event would not have been possible without the generosity of Maya Kitchen’s owners, Ernie Fajardo and his wife Lourdes, who provided the use of one of their state-of-the art kitchens to CHOP for free; both are now members of CHOP.
4. ANTIPOLO Food Tour, Saturday, April 2, 2016
This was a full day of communing with God and nature. First stop was the Nuestra Señora de la Annunciata Parish, also known as Boso Boso Church, the oldest church in Antipolo; it was first built in the late 16th century. Next stop was Carolina’s Bamboo Garden, a vast expanse devoted to indigenous and exotic varies of bamboos whose focal point was the “Bambusetum,” a gene bank conservation area for various bamboo species.Then on to a guided tour of Flor’s Garden, a five-hectare garden devoted to natural farming where all plants and herbs grown are organic and don’t use chemical fertilizers. It is also a sanctuary for birds and butterflies, as well as a laboratory and a place of learning about nature, medicinal plants and their applications, edible weeds, vermiculture, vertical gardening, growing ornamental plants, and making organic fertilizers. The tour included a fully organic lunch, with all the ingredients grown and harvested in the premises.
Last stop was the Crescent Moon Café & Pottery for a merienda of their delicious and filling home-made suman. The Crescent Moon houses the store for Lanelle Abueva-Fernando’s stoneware ceramics, each piece handmade in the studio in the premises. They offer classes in pottery, stoneware hand-building, bicycle mechanics, calligraphy, painting, photography, healthy smoothies, and terrarium-making. Wendy Fernando Regalado also gave a lecture on vertical gardening in the Crescent Moon compound, where she lives and takes care of the most interesting plants.
5. MALABON Tricyle Tour, Saturday, April 30, 2016
A unique tour tailor-made by CHOP member Chef Melissa Oreta just for CHOP, the group went from one stop to the next in tricycles (on account of the small roads). Morning assembly was at the Baroque San Bartolome Church which was built in 1564. First stop was the Lugaw Experience, where the group enjoyed bowls of Arroz Caldo.
Next, a visit across the street of the Ibaviosa House and Patis Factory, a pre-war ancestral home originally made of bamboo and nipa, and completed in the early 1940s owing to the success of Malabon Patis. We also visited Rufina Patis, the oldest in Malabon, and we were treated to a most interesting lecture by one of the owners, Atty. Monchet Lucas. He showed us the factory and served us an array of Malabonian food fit for royalty. Then he gave each one of us a take home gift of 6 bottles of Rufina Patis each. A short tricyle ride followed, to Angel Cacnio’s Art Gallery, which holds the collection of famous artist Angel Cacnio’s best paintings, sculpture works of his sons Michael and Ferdinand, and paintings of Malabonian artists who are members of the Sining Tambobong Foundation.
Next, a visit across the street of the Ibaviosa House and Patis Factory, a pre-war ancestral home originally made of bamboo and nipa, and completed in the early 1940s owing to the success of Malabon Patis. We also visited Rufina Patis, the oldest in Malabon, and we were treated to a most interesting lecture by one of the owners, Atty. Monchet Lucas. He showed us the factory and served us an array of Malabonian food fit for royalty. Then he gave each one of us a take home gift of 6 bottles of Rufina Patis each. A short tricyle ride followed, to Angel Cacnio’s Art Gallery, which holds the collection of famous artist Angel Cacnio’s best paintings, sculpture works of his sons Michael and Ferdinand, and paintings of Malabonian artists who are members of the Sining Tambobong Foundation.
The much-awaited lunch at Jamico’s Restaurant featured Malabon’s famous juicy sweet Crispy Pata and other specialties. Another tricycle ride followed, this time to the Borja Ancestral House, which was built in 1923 following the art nouveau fashion of that time, is maintained by the descendants of the Rojas/Borja family; it is one of the few well-maintained ancestral houses in Malabon. Three food stops followed: to the Concepcion Market and Plaza, Dolor’s Kakanin, Nanay’s Pancit Malabon, and Betsy’s Cake Center, where the group tasted—and bought as pasalubongs—the various local merienda items. Last stop was the Luna Ancestral House, a colonial-era house built in the 1890’s, with rooms and ceilings painted by Fernando Amorsolo.
6. BOARD MEETING, Friday, July 1, 2016, Manila Polo Club, Makati
The CHOP Board had a very productive and lively meeting to discuss: (1) the upcoming CHOP events for the rest of 2016; (2) the finalization of our official documents with the SEC; (3) membership issues; (4) financial update and accounting issues; (5) the forthcoming composition of the Executive Board; and (6) CHOP's advocacy mission.
Pia surprised Alvin with a delicious avocado cheesecake baked by her grandson Andy, complete with candles, to celebrate in advance Alvin's birthday on July 8. Andy is thinking of selling the cheesecakes, and I recommend it very highly, so try to get a good place in the queue once he does!
7. PAMPANGA Food Tour, Saturday, August 13, 2016
This food tour turned out to be a huge challenge because of the heavy rains that were forecast, which resulted in the cancellation of a couple of the planned venues for tastings and cooking demos. But we feel so grateful that renowned Chef Sau del Rosario (a CHOP member) went out of his way despite his very busy schedule and the uncooperative weather, to successfully stage and curate the events of the day. This included a heavy brunch and no less than three cooking demos at his popular restaurant [name] in Angeles, Pampanga; followed by a heavy late lunch at the [place].
The meals and cooking demos featured Chef Sau’s signature and other popular dishes. Our appreciation and gratitude as well to our President, Pia Lim-Castillo, who managed to make a big success of the tour; Chef Edith Singian (a CHOP member), who helped in a big way to coordinate the event; and all our intrepid participants, who braved the steady rain and threats of flooding in certain areas, and still had such an enjoyable and fun day.
The meals and cooking demos featured Chef Sau’s signature and other popular dishes. Our appreciation and gratitude as well to our President, Pia Lim-Castillo, who managed to make a big success of the tour; Chef Edith Singian (a CHOP member), who helped in a big way to coordinate the event; and all our intrepid participants, who braved the steady rain and threats of flooding in certain areas, and still had such an enjoyable and fun day.
For the first time in CHOP's experience, not only did we have the biggest number of participants (49), the spaces were also filled in a flash and we had to turn down some late registrants -- I suppose everyone wanted a taste of Chef Sau's cooking! Bravo to all!
8. LIPA, BATANGAS Food Tour, “Lasa at Pananampalataya” (Taste and Faith),
Saturday, September 17, 2016
CHOP members (and native Lipeñas) Inez Reyes and Nanette Medina pulled out all the stops for yet another impeccably organized food tour of Lipa in Batangas. A welcome snack (of Lipa bonete and pan de sal filled with kesong puti, Lipa honey, burong paho, kapeng barako and salabat) greeted the group at the first stop, the serene Marian Orchard Shrine. We then proceeded to the Taal Lake Conservation Center located on the shore of scenic Taal Lake, where three speakers (Taal Lake conservationist Ipat Luna Severino, Inez Reyes, and Nanette Medina) gave highly interesting and engaging talks about the history of Lipa. In between the talks, we snacked on local kakanin paired with sinturis juice. Chingbee Kalaw gifted us with photocopies of the first cookbook ever published in the country (in 1918; in Spanish, authored by her grandmother, Pura Kalaw Villanueva, a native of Lipa.
We next enjoyed the scenic ride to Café de Lipa, where we listened to owner Marilen Mercado’s talk about the history of Lipa’s Café Barako while we tasted all the different varieties of their coffee. Next stop was the Carmelite Monastery and the Shrine of Our Lady Mediatrix, the site of the Blessed Virgin’s apparition in September 1948, and then on to the San Sebastian Cathedral which was founded by the Augustinians in 1605.The final, and most memorable stop, was Casa Segunda, the ancestral home of Segunda Katigback, who was a sweetheart of national hero Jose Rizal, and where we were welcomed by a Subli dance by local folk dancers in their colorful costumes. A cooking demo of Loming Lipa regaled the group, followed by another huge feast of more Lipa dishes and a tour of the ancestral home for those who still had the energy to do so. Local purveyors sold their delicacies to eager participants. A nice touch was the art work of local children who painted using coffee as their medium.
NOTE:
A full, detailed narrative of the entire tour, written by CHOP member
Susie Yap, can be found on CHOP’s Facebook page (post October 23, 2016), as
well as on CHOP’s blogsite.
9. BOARD MEETING, Tuesday, October 4, 2016, Manila Polo Club, Makati
Another productive Board Meeting, to discuss: (1) events organized so far in 2016 as well as those planned for the rest of the year; (2) the composition of the incoming Executive Board; (3) the planned “Thank You Dinner” for everyone who helped plan and execute our food tours; (4) membership issues; (5) financial updates; (6) legal matters involving the SEC; (7) update on CHOP merchandise items; and (8) CHOP’s advocacy mission.
10. THANK YOU DINNER, Saturday, November 5, 2016, at Pia's home
The Board of Directors hosted a delightful potluck dinner last night for all the movers and shakers who were instrumental in the successes of CHOP's tours and events during 2016. The dinner was held at the lovely home of our President, "Generalissima" Pia Lim-Castillo. The occasion was also a fitting time to announce that our next President beginning next year is none other than our beloved Ige Ramos, continuing CHOP's super lucky streak in having at its helm excellent leaders in the culinary heritage field.
Inumin:
Tanglad Pandan [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Sari-saring Alak
MENU: Pasasalamat para sa mga Tumulong sa CHOP;
Ika-5 ng Nobyembre, 2016
Pampagana:
Miang Kam [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Puso ng Saging at Kangkong sa Pandesitos [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Balimbing with Plum Powder [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Nilagang Mani [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Cuapao [Vicky & Emily Yu]
Miang Kam [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Puso ng Saging at Kangkong sa Pandesitos [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Balimbing with Plum Powder [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Nilagang Mani [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Cuapao [Vicky & Emily Yu]
Ulam:
Rellenong Manok [Alvin & Gretchen Lim]
Shrimp Curry [Ian & Regee Newport]
Adobong Pula at Atsarang Dampalit [Ige Ramos]
Seafood & Chicken Pancit Bam-i Style [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Chinese Lumpia [Vicky & Emily Yu]
Kalderetang Kambing [Tetta Tirona]
Rellenong Manok [Alvin & Gretchen Lim]
Shrimp Curry [Ian & Regee Newport]
Adobong Pula at Atsarang Dampalit [Ige Ramos]
Seafood & Chicken Pancit Bam-i Style [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Chinese Lumpia [Vicky & Emily Yu]
Kalderetang Kambing [Tetta Tirona]
Panghimagas:
Mocha Sans Rival Cake [Susie Fong]
Mocha Sans Rival Cake [Susie Fong]
Gluten-Free Sayote Cake (Alvin & Gretchen Lim]
Sorbetes na Dayap at Kaffir [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Tanglad Pandan [Pia Lim-Castillo]
Sari-saring Alak
11. “CROPS OF OPPRESSION” LECTURE by Ige Ramos, & DEGUSTATION DINNER by Chef Jessie, Saturday, November 12, 2016, Chef Jessie's at Rockwell
This dinner marked the last event of the year. It was an evening full of fun, food, learning, and love. Heartfelt KUDOS and thanks to our Generalissima Pia Lim-Castillo for organizing and orchestrating this very successful last event of the year for CHOP.
Our thanks also to our incoming President, Ige Ramos, for an insightful and entertaining lecture, and to Chef Jessie, for again hosting our year-end banquet. CHOP is blessed, indeed.
Finally, we say a big thank you to all of you who came to share this precious evening with the CHOP family!
[We are pleased to note that Ige came appropriately costumed for his lecture theme, complete with Salakot and custom-made leather Bakya (wooden sandals).]
12. CHOWDC Meeting in Washington, DC, December 12, 2016
Regee Newport attended the December 12, 2016 meeting of CHOWDC (Culinary Historians of Washington, DC), CHOP's sister organization the U.S.
The afternoon's feature was a very interesting lecture by Dr. Libby O'Connell, an executive at The History Channel, on the cuisine of the Gilded Days (late 19th century). As usual, the session was well-attended, with many first-time guests registering for membership after the meeting.
Members brought goodies to snack on for the afternoon tea. It was great to see old friends again after our long absence from meetings. I got the chance to briefly talk about CHOP.
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