MANILA, Philippines - Some of the country’s top foodies and food writers recently got together for the recent launch of Savor the Word, a compilation of winning essays from the prestigious Doreen Gamboa-Fernandez (DGF) Food Writing Competition at the SM Megamall Atrium.
The event was a project of Anvil Publishing, Inc., the biggest publisher in the Philippines, and the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS) Manila Ladies Branch, the world’s most renowned gastronomic society, together with SM Megamall.
The book, which is edited by distinguished writers Maya Besa-Roxas (Doreen’s niece), Mickey Fenix, and Felice Sta. Maria, features the winning essays of the competition whose theme is traditional Philippine food. It also contained excerpts from Fernandez’s writings on food, a glossary, and recipes by foodie Mol Fernando.
The title of the book, Savor the Word, is from Fernandez’s essay, “Writing about Food: Savor the Word, Swallow the World,†her introduction to her book Tikim: Essays on Philippine Food and Culture.
The DGF Food Writing Competition a poignant part of Philippine food literature that honors the legacy of acclaimed food writer Doreen Gamboa-Fernandez. Its annual themes challenge writers to discover the emotion, the history, and the significance of culinary experiences. It is the country’s first nationwide food writing contest.
Doreen Gamboa-Fernandez was a teacher and writer renowned for her works on Filipino food culture. Fernandez served as the moderator of the student newspaper and as head of the Communication Department at the Ateneo de Manila University, where she taught English.
Fernandez was a staunch advocate of Filipino food. She strongly believed that food was the best form to value oneself and one’s culture. She not only wrote about food but she opened the eyes of her readers on the lives of the Filipino people.
The late food writer was one of the founding members of the IWFS. The competition is a tribute to her efforts in honing talented Filipino chefs by featuring them in her works.
The book editors Maya Besa-Roxas, Mickey Fenix, and Felice Sta. Maria graced the event along with Palanca Award winner Krip Yuson, chef Claude Tayag, Anvil Publishing general manager Karina Bolasco, foodie Mol Fernando, Metropolitan Museum of Manila Trustee Cora Alvina, and musician Dong Abay.
Book contributors came in full force, as did the winners of this year’s DGF Competition, which has the theme, himagas or desserts: Lolita Lacuesta for “The Day My Mother Learned to Make Leche Flanâ€; Elizabeth Quirino for “A Hundred Mangoes in a Bottleâ€; Zel Zalamea for “Perfecting Leche Flanâ€; Guillermo Ramos Jr. for “Haleyang Sampalokâ€; and Jun Belen for “Ano’ng Panghimagas?†SM officials led by SM vice president for arketing and communications group Millie Dizon welcomed them.
Book launch partners include The International Wine & Food Society (IWFS) Manila Chapter, SM Megamall, C2 Classic Cuisine Philippines, and National Book Store, where the book is available.