And since the Christmas season certainly entails families coming together, gathering round the table to partake of special dishes, and reliving memories of Christmases past, we decided to ask some exceptional ladies about their favorite dishes during Christmas and which of these dishes remind them of their parents.
So, let’s hear it from some of these ladies’ most memorable Christmas get-togethers and the sumptuous food that completed their Yuletide season.
Georgina Antonino Lopez: "Roast turkey always reminds me of my parents, because we would have that on the table during Christmas gatherings. Now that I have my own family, roast turkey has also become a staple. It’s something of a tradition for us!"
Lizette Banzon-Cojuangco: "I love roast beef which I usually serve on Christmas Eve. We also must have good food, good desserts and the company of loved ones celebrating the true essence of Christmas – the birth of Jesus and His Love for us. Castañas and Via Mare food and corned beef – these are what I remember of my parents and my mother-in-law!"
Marilen Santos-Concepcion: "When I think of Christmas, I always think back on my childhood days and I remember seeing castañas, grapes and quezo be bola. For Christmas lunch, we were never without my Lola’s lengua with creamy mushroom sauce! The recipe was handed down to my Mom and to us and has become a tradition in my family!"
Beng Dy-Dee: "On our Christmas table, it’s a tradition to have Buddha Jump Over the Wall because it has so many ingredients. It also means prosperity and harmony. The one thing that reminds me of my parents was an abundance of food because my family loves and lives to eat."
Yvette Llamas-Lopez: "It’s got to be mom’s corned beef; we all can’t get enough of Mom’s. For all of us, it’s got to be the best corned beef in the world! Aside from that, what reminds me most of my parents are the fruits on the Christmas table while we were growing up – grapes and mangoes!"
Dr. Liaa Cojuangco-Bautista: "Lechon definitely, because of its being a Filipino staple and because it is a festive fixture on the table during the season. Than-long style crabs, meanwhile, cooked by my sister Pin, remind me of family gatherings."
Tessa Jacomina-Ablaza: "Roast beef with waldorf salad, definitely. It’s been my favorite and I always make sure we have that on the table. As kids, my Mom used to prepare something of her own – roast turkey with sticky rice, there would also be chestnuts, pine nuts and walnut stuffing!"
Lyra Rufino-Maceda: "I don’t have any particular favorites; I am quite happy with whatever is on the table, as long as all my loved ones are there. I enjoy having chestnuts, though, and fruits."
Marissa Orosa-Concepcion: "There’s roast beef, because it is a dish that everyone enjoys. So I make sure there’s one on the table when the family gathers. When we were younger, there would always be baked ham, some fruits and desserts."
Tisha Cruz-Bautista: "Since I have a sweet tooth and love to eat bread, I always look forward to this Christmas bread made by Salud de Castro every Christmas. The one that reminds me of my parents, meanwhile, is honey-baked ham. My Mom used to bake it every Christmas when we were younger. She used to serve it sliced together with Chinese Pao and a special sauce and spring onions."
Monina Dayrit-Lopez: "I like to prepare something different on the table for Christmas, something homey, and yet is guaranteed to delight the family, so I have Chicken Relleno. Can’t miss with that! The one dish that reminds me meanwhile of Mom and Dad, and the Christmases we had as kids, is definitely roast turkey. It still is one of my favorites!"
Cedie Lopez-Vargas: "I love a good baked ham, preferably from Via Mare. Also castañas and Food for the Gods for dessert. The dishes that remind me of my parents include roast beef, giant prawns, pate and a good red wine, which reminds me of Dad."
There you go! Some of our remarkable women and their all-time favorites on the Christmas table! I’m sure we have our own choices, but one thing is certain – the best thing we can have as we come to that table remains each other’s cherished company. That is something that is priceless.
Again, may you and your family take the Spirit of Season in your hearts. Merry Christmas from me and my family!
Advanced birthday greetings to Grace Gallego, Dec. 24; Noel Benitez and Joyce Ramirez, director of communications, Roehr Group of Companies, Dec. 25; businessmen Cary Rufino Lopez, Jun Campillo and socialite Mely Hechanova, Dec. 26; Jayelles (Holdings) Phils. Inc. president Roselle Rebano and business executive Boy Guevarra, Dec. 27; George Litton Jr., Concepcion Industries’ Raul Concepcion and his twin, Namfrel’s Jose Concepcion Jr., Jose Maria Montemar and Union Gas Hauling Corp.’s Narcing Mabanta, Dec. 29.
So, how was your week?