TACLOBAN CITY — Filipino flavors met Southeast Asian influences in a curated culinary showcase as the Department of Tourism Regional Office VIII staged a Filipino–ASEAN Degustation Experience in line with the celebration of Filipino Food Month.
Held on April 25, 2026 at Pasqualino’s Ristorante Italiano, in Sta. Rita, Samar, the event brought together chefs and partner restaurants to present canapé-style dishes under the theme “Connected by Taste: The Filipino Food in the Flavors of ASEAN.”
The degustation highlighted fusion dishes that combined Filipino ingredients with culinary traditions from across Southeast Asia, emphasizing both heritage and innovation in regional cuisine.
Among the featured chefs were Myla Lapuz-Mabute of Miyara Patisserie, who prepared Filipino–Thai inspired creations; Monch Salazar of Kitchen 2K, who showcased Filipino–Singaporean fusion dishes; Chefs Maud Ariane Jimenez-Sidhu and Sandeep Singh Sidhu of La Maison Punjab, who presented Filipino–Malaysian inspired plates; and Chef Giuseppe Bonavitacola, who introduced Filipino–Vietnamese fusion offerings.
Each chef shared the cultural inspirations behind their dishes, turning the degustation into a storytelling platform that highlighted shared culinary influences across ASEAN countries.
Department of Tourism Region VIII Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said the initiative supports gastronomy tourism by promoting the evolving identity of Filipino cuisine while strengthening cultural ties in the region.
“Our food tells stories—of trade and travel, of neighbors and exchanges, of spices and techniques that crossed seas and generations,” Tiopes said.
The event forms part of broader efforts to position Eastern Visayas as a destination for unique culinary and cultural experiences.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
