My City, My SM, My Cuisine goes to Cavite

MANILA, Philippines - The province of Cavite is known for its heroes, history, and rich cultural tradition. It is also a place for foodies, as seen in the recent “My City, My SM, My Cuisine” competition held at the SM City Bacoor Event Center.

A joint project of SM and the Philippine Star with support from SM Homeworld and SM Supermarket Bacoor, “My City, My SM, My Cuisine” celebrates the flavors of Philippine regional cuisine through a culinary contest featuring two recipe dishes from 14 cities where SM malls are located. Held in time for the Independence Day celebrations in June, was also very much like a town fiesta where prominent families from Cavite brought samples of their prized heirloom recipes for the guests to enjoy.

No less than Cavite’s Second District Representative Lani Mercado together with Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla graced the event, which featured a competition for the best Tamales and Sapin Sapin.

Young aspiring partner-chefs Catherien Gabuten and Carlo Mostoles and Julie Ann Trinidad and Kristayn won the top prizes for tamales and Sapin Sapin, respectively. Each of the winning teams, composed of Hotel and Restaurant Management students from Emilio Aguinaldo College in Cavite, brought home P5,000 worth of SM Gift Certificates.

The board of judges, which included food expert and Ilustrado Restaurant owner Bonifacio Pimentel, Metropolitan Museum of Manila vice chair Corazon Alvina, Linden Suites manager Marissa Macuja, Philippine Star vice president for advertising Lucien Dy Tioco, and SM Homeworld’s Ronald Bacala had a difficult time choosing from among the many delicious entries.

SM VP for owner of Illustrado Restaurant Bonifacio Pimentel, SM Homeworld selling supervisor Ronald Bacalla, VP for Star group of publications Lucien Dy-Tioco, and Linden Suite’s Theresa Macuja.

Other contestants included team mates Amor Grace Barrido and April Rose Vega, Agape Kariz Hiponia and Fe Mae Love Cabe, Felix Nicole and Lloyd Tesaluna, and Laica de Rojo and Piggy Mae Gamila for the entrée Tamales; and Imran Afzal and AlyZza Besira, Nina Ortega and Zerina Reyes, Patrick Dale Salem and Ann Margareth Teologo, Xavier John Gloria and Marvin Bane for the dessert Sapin-Sapin. Each group received Gift Packs from SM Homeworld and P 1,5000 worth of SM Gift Certificates.

During the event, guests also had a glimpse of Cavite’s rich cultural tradition in a video featuring Metropolitan Museum Vice Chair Corazon Alvina together with Angelo Aguinaldo, General Emilio Aguinaldo’s great grandson, who prepared the family’s famous Pancit Henoy in the Aguinaldo Shrine. Malen Bunda of Malen’s Restaurant in Noveleta also cooked her family’s Sugpo Luto Sa Kinchay, while Island Cove Managing Director Gilbert Remulla shared his family’s signature Native Adobo dish.

Guests also enjoyed great food from all over Cavite: the famous Paella Negra from Noel Lozada of Calle Rizal, Paella Valenciana from Mayin Sison of Jam’s Café, Beef Puchero with Ensaladang Talong from Mitchie Sison, Tamales from Elena Guevara’s family, Buchi from Carmen Giron, and Kilawaing Puso ng Saging from Marvin Arnan.

This is the third of the fourteen My City, My SM, My Cuisine stops - the first took place in Santa Rosa in April, where participants competed for the best Puchero with Lauya and Puto Maya with Kilawing Puso ng Saging. Lucena was My City, My SM, My Cuisine’s stop in May, where contestants whipped up the best Hardinera and Bucayo.

My City, My SM, My Cuisine will make its next stop in SM City Batangas in July where contestants will compete for the best Kaldereta and Coffee Dessert recipes. My City, My SM honoree Atty. Antonio Pastor and Taal Heritage Advocate Dindo Montenegro will also share their family’s heirloom recipes during the event.

My City, My SM, My Cuisine is a joint project of SM and The Philippine Star with support from SM Homeworld.