'My City, My SM, My Cuisine' goes to Naga

MANILA, Philippines - When one thinks of the Bicol region, coconut-, gabi- and pili-based specialties come to mind. And mallgoers had the rare opportunity to see some of the best recipes made from these indigenous ingredients, as well as heirloom recipes from some of the region’s prominent families when “My City, My SM, My Cuisine” recently made a stop at SM City Naga.

A joint project of SM and The Philippine STAR with support from Homeworld, “My City, My SM, My Cuisine” celebrates the flavors of Philippine regional cuisine through a culinary contest featuring two signature recipes from 14 cities where SM malls are located.

Held just in time for Naga’s Peafrancia Festival, which honors the miraculous image of the Blessed Mother, the event was a time of celebration, as food lovers, food experts, and some of the city’s prominent families gathered together at the mall.

Laing and pili desserts, two signature dishes that showcase Naga’s rich culinary tradition, were selected as the basis for the cookfest, which drew contestants from all over the city.

And the judges — writer and genealogist Sonny Tinio; renowned Bicolano stained glass artist/painter and “My City, My SM” honoree Pancho Piano; foodie Clara Gumabon, who owns the famous Aling Conching restaurant in the city; Avenue Plaza Hotel Chef Roger Badillo; Aya Roces, who represented SM Supermarket; and Metropolitan Museum of Manila vice chair Corazon Alvina — clearly had a difficult time choosing the winners from the very delicious recipes.

Top prizes went to Maricris Balderas, a student of the Naga International Technology Center for her laing entrée, and Botong pili candy maker Jess Mendones for the best Pili Dessert. They each received P5,000 worth of SM gift certificates and gift packs from Homeworld. The rest of the finalists received P1,000 worth of SM gift certificates and gift packs from Homeworld.

Guests, including Camarines Sur Congressman Luis Villafuerte, Naga City Mayor John Bongat, Vice Mayor Gabby Bordado, Councilor Nathan Sergio, Philippine Army 9 Major General Ramon Sinajon, Jr., DTI director Edna Tejada, as well as city librarian Riko Vinluan, had a glimpse of Naga’s rich culinary tradition in a video showcasing Naga favorite food stops.

The video, hosted by Metropolitan Museum of Manila vice chair Corazon Alvina, also featured members of some of the city’s prominent families demonstrating their heirloom recipes. Former Camarines Sur Congressman and City Mayor Sulpicio Roco, Jr. shared his family’s delicious calderatang kambing recipe; while Carmen Pablico demonstrated the signature chicken pork adobo of the Almeda family. The event also showcased less traditional recipes showcasing the versatility of Bicolano cuisine like the laing ravioli and crispy Bicol express of the Cu family of the Avenue Plaza Hotel.

In true fiesta tradition, the antique table very graciously lent by Beda and Sweet Realuyo was filled with heirloom recipes from SM City Naga’s tenants — the famous toasted siopao of Naga Garden Restaurant, the spicy pinangat cake of Geewan, special empanada from Ice Blinkers, and pork sisig and sizzling barbecue from Triboo Grill.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the surprise presentation of a birthday cake for Camarines Sur Congressman Luis Villafuerte from SM officials led by vice president for marketing Millie Dizon, regional operations manager Cid Luis Victoria, mall manager Wesley Villanueva, and assistant mall manager Jeanette de Vera. The congressman, who had celebrated his birthday a few days before, was visibly touched by the gesture.

“My City, My SM, My Cuisine in Naga” is the sixth stop of this exciting culinary event. The first took place in April in Santa Rosa where participants competed for the best puchero with lauya and puto maya with kilawing puso ng saging. It then proceeded to Lucena in May, where contestants whipped up the best hardinera and bucayo recipes; and then to Cavite in June for the tamales and sapin-sapin cookout.

More recently, great music and great food highlighted the event at SM City Batangas, where food lovers competed for the best kaldereta and coconut dessert recipes. And just last August, “My City, My SM, My Cuisine” made a stop at SM City Cagayan de Oro for the best singulaw and pineapple dessert recipes.

The event goes to next Bulacan just in time for the singkaban festivities this September where contestants will compete there for the best pancit Marilao and pastillas dessert recipes.

“My City, My SM, My Cuisine” is a joint project of SM and The Philippine STAR with support from SM Homeworld and SM Supermarket Naga.

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SM shoppers and Philippine STAR readers can submit their recipe of their city’s selected entrée and dessert along with their name, address, and occupation to sm_starculinary@yahoo.com. They can also mail these to the Publicity Department, Building C, SM Corporate Office, JW Diokno Boulevard, Pasay City, or the Lifestyle Section of the Philippine Star at R. Oca Jr. and Railroad Streets, Port Area, Manila.

Ten finalists will be selected — five for entrees and five for dessert. Two winners — one for entrée and one for dessert — will be selected from each city during the culinary contest that will be held in time for the city’s festival. The two winners will each receive P5,000 worth of SM gift certificates, while finalists will receive packs from SM Homeworld.