Erlinda's 'podrida'

CEBU, Philippines - Sixty-six-year-old Erlinda Butron, a barangay health worker from Poblacion in Oslob, toppled three other finalists in the baking competition featuring "podrida," a type of cookie akin to Liloan's Rosquillos and Santander's Tostados (sharing almost the same basic ingredients), but is made distinct by its filling made of grated young coconut meat coated in caramelized sugar.

Butron was invited to the "Kan-anan" kitchen to reproduce her delectable "winning pieces" last November 22 and to serve these to the sweet tooth in a dinner hosted by Parklane for its partners: San Miguel Group of Companies as well as members of the press who earlier covered the culinary tilt in the southeastern town of Oslob.

Contrary to initial impression, Butron pointed out, she didn't acquire the know-how at an early age. "I learned the technique on how to bake quality podrida from my parents-in-law, but we Oslobanons are already familiar with the delicacy growing up watching our grandparents prepare this on occasions," she shared in Cebuano. "Karon ra man gud ni namatikdan, pero panahon pa gyud nis Katsila," she added.

Butron received from Parklane general manager Cenelyn Manguilimotan and executive chef Arman Polon a P5,000 prize. She was quick to point out that P1,500 would go to her assistant who put up the "abuhan" (earthen kitchen) as it was a requirement during the competition.

Further, Manguilimotan shared that the next leg of the cooking competition highlighting dishes and delicacies, associated to a particular place, would be taken to northern Cebu in order to help revive tourism after super typhoon Yolanda ravaged most areas there. "We all know how most towns and islands in the north rely on tourism as a major source of revenue. Through this project, we seek to connect with their goal of getting back on foot and start rehabilitation," she said.