The makings of a winner

Brand me with nepotism but my gut feel told me that students from the Center for Culinary Arts (CCA) will win in the Third Century Tuna Culinary Meet – The Tuna Asian Fusion. And they did. I had this forecast not because my friend and artist Ai ai de las Alas is enrolled in this school. It was purely instinct that told me so. The student contestants were all good. They tried their best but only the best came out champions. But whether you come out second or third in a tough competition like the Century Tuna Culinary Meet, everyone is a winner. And this is not a sound bite. The Century Tuna Culinary Meet is both prestigious and tough.

I am not much into preserved food. I want my food fresh unless it is Century Tuna and of course Argentina Corned Beef Chunky (kahit ipa-check nyo pa!) Still a probinsiyano at heart, I love paksiw-sapsap-bisugo with its sour taste sending me in a delirious state. Paksiw is one food that is always found in my house.

Two weeks ago, I hosted the Century Tuna Culinary Meet and witnessed how mothers and daughters, couples and students prepare Century Tuna in various dishes. Donned in their chef’s uniforms and toques, they were fast, they were experts as they moved about in their assigned makeshift kitchens (actually just a small table with their stove on, ingredients and Century tuna, of course).

But it was a competition not just for students but for homemakers as well. Cooking moms had a field day whipping up their best tuna recipes. And all of the finalists (who passed through rigid elimination rounds) in this year’s cooking meet competed in three categories: Amateur 1, Amateur 2 and the Student Categories.

In the beginning of 2005, I wished that before the year ended, I would learn how to cook. Who knows one day I will just find myself at CCA where I will whip-up Century Tuna Paksiw. Congratulations to culinary winners Harold Punsalan, Karen Michelle Cudia and Lionel O’ Hari Go who have what it takes to be chefs. They whipped up Century Tuna Croquetters with Thai Peanut Sauce, Century Tuna Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Cilantro Nuoc Cham and Century Tuna Chawan Mishi. La Consolacion’s Christine Louise Alma Jose, Roselle Rodriguez and Ma. Elfeda Bersalado won second place while OB Montessori College’s Marie Tan Imperial, Myron Ellis Nepomuceno and Shaira Shareen Salvador bagged the third place trophy.

In the Amateur 1 category Sharlene and Jessica Tan emerged as winners as they prepared Century Tuna Golden Pouches with Chili Orange Sauce for appetizer. Crispy Tuna with Mango and Mixed Green Salad and Spicy Century Tuna Pasta Thai were their entries for Salad and Main Dish portions, respectively. Second placers were Belinda and David Evangelista while the third place honors went to Caroline and Kaye Levine.

High schoolers from St. Scholastica’s College Leona Eubanas got the first place for her mouth-watering Tuna Maki Sandwich; Claret’s Marc Nino Chan, for his Hot and Spicy Tuna Supreme Patties won second place while Stephanie de Castro of St. Scholastica’s college won third place with her Tuna Pasta. They were asked to prepare baon using Century Tuna.

Aside from the Tuna fest, Drew Arellano, Mariel Rodriguez, Bianca Gonzalez brought glitter to the event while Fat Session band and The Akafellas provided the entertainment. The Century Tuna Cook Fest is only on its third year and I hope I will be one of the finalists sometime soon with my Century Tuna Paksiw concoction.

A Tesoro’s Celebration

Tesoro’s, the authentic, Filipino lifestyle store that is everyone’s favorite, celebrated its 60th year. To highlight its anniversary, a grand sale will be held in selected branches in Metro Manila this month. It will be a fiesta salu-salo where all-time favorites such as puto bumbong, bibingka, kakanin and a host of other native delicacies will be made available to patrons while a brass band will provide entertainment.

On sale are everyone’s favorite items such as children’s baby dresses as well as cute bunny and sleeveless smock dresses made from seersucker cloth. Ladies will also have a field day with the jusi dresses, as well as the Maria Clara-inspired gowns. An assortment of organza gowns, kimonos, tunics, silk dresses and linen blouses, skirts, ramie dresses, pina silk gowns will also be on sale. Barong material in both Santana and Gusot Mayaman Linen will be sold at 50 percent off.

The homeware section offers assorted tableware made from acacia and bottle holders, leaf trays and fruit trays made from saha. Space organizers such as utility boxes, sinamay dome chest boxes, CD holders, anahaw baskets and canisters, bamboo oval baskets and trays that come in all shapes, sizes and materials as well as picture frames are also in stock. So are bamboo wine and bread holders, soap dishes, tikki spoons and forks and accent pieces such as wooden stands, painted decorative wood and basel stands.

Visit Tesoro’s and enjoy a delightful Filipiniana sale today and tomorrow in Mabini and Oct. 28 to 29 in Alabang.