Traditional dishes enjoyed by our heroes in 'Sa Hapag ng mga Bayani'

CEBU, Philippines - In celebration of National Heroes’ Day, GMA News TV presents ‘Sa Hapag ng mga Bayani,’ a two-part special feature on the traditional dishes once enjoyed by some of the country’s national heroes.

Hosted by Youth Ambassador for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Dingdong Dantes, the special uncovers the stories behind select heirloom recipes from significant periods in our nation’s history.

The first “course” of this gastronomic journey, which airs today (August 26), takes viewers back to the kitchen of Doña Teodora Alonso, Jose Rizal’s mother.

Dingdong traces her grocery route from Calamba, Laguna to Binondo and Escolta, Manila in order to purchase the finest ingredients – from European hams and French olive oil to Chinese sausages and imported cheeses. A descendant of Jose’s brother, Paciano, also prepares some of our national hero’s favorite dishes, including a fruity dessert made from santol.

One of the country’s premier chefs, Chef Gene Gonzales, recreates the menu prepared by his ancestor Capt. Joaquin Arnedo Cruz of Brgy. Sulipan, Apalit, Pampanga. The French-inspired three-course meal was proudly served at the Malolos Congress of 1898. It consisted of Sardines in Tomato Sauce and buttered radish as appetizers, Stuffed Truffled Turkey ala Manilloise for the main course and frosted strawberries for dessert.

Part One also features a native chicken dish said to have been cooked by Melchora Aquino to nourish the fighting Katipuneros. Two traditional Ilocano vegetable dishes - pinakbet and dinengdeng – were also recreated according to how the Ilocano heroine Gabriela Silang would have cooked it for her husband Diego and the revolutionaries back in the 1700s. 

In Part Two, airing on September 2, Dingdong heads to Cebu, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija for more kitchen delicacies that could have fuelled more of the country’s heroes.

“Sa Hapag ng mga Bayani” airs today and on September 2, 8:45 pm, on the leading news channel, GMA News TV.