SM-Philippine STAR tie-up celebrates heirloom recipes

MANILA, Philippines - One of the highlights of “My City, My SM, My Cuisine” is the prized heirloom recipes shared by members of prominent families all around the country.

This culinary road show’s first season took us to some of the most beautiful and historical ancestral homes in the Philippines where we were privileged to have a taste of well-loved recipes passed down from generation to generation.

“My City, My SM, My Cuisine” took SM shoppers and Philippine STAR readers to the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, where Angelo Aguinaldo shared with us his great grandfather Emilio Aguinaldo’s favorite pancit henoy, to the Lazatin Mansion in Pampanga where Lillian Borromeo baked her family’s signature San Nicolas cookies with a century-old cookie mold, to the Bautista Mansion in Bulacan where Dez Bautista showcased an elegant Christmas dinner with the pavo as centerpiece.

It also took us to barangay Iponan, a food street in Cagayan de Oro, and to Davao where the Maranao and Manobo tribes shared their indigenous recipes.

We were delighted to know the many ways families would cook adobo — from Gilbert Remulla’s family recipe using star anise; to lawyer Antonio Pastor’s Adobo la Pastor with chicharon; to Dindo Montenegro’s Adobo sa Dilaw. Cocido was another family favorite. Chef Jomi Gaston showed how his family prepared it in his ancestral home in Bacolod; while Vince Rodriguez of Davao shared his Andorran mother’s prized recipe.

Cebuana businesswoman and socialite Annie Aboitiz surprised mallgoers with her foodie side during the event. Annie Aboitiz’s heirloom recipe caldo puch(inset).

Rarely cooked recipes were also featured: Luz San Diego’s perdis in Cebu; Mila Enriquez’s gurgurya in Bulacan; and Lillian Borromeo’s panaras. It was also a family affair for the Tayags at Bale Dutung, where Claude prepared his mother’s pata mole, while his sisters Meng and Doren shared their signature begukan babi and Claude’s Dream recipes, respectively.

“My City, My SM, My Cuisine”’s first season was filled with surprises and revelations when prominent personalities revealed their foodie side. Cebu businesswoman and civic leader Annie Aboitiz delighted everyone with her caldo puch; international beauty expert James Cooper showed he also was a whiz in the kitchen with his pancit chami; while former Naga Congressman and Mayor Sulpicio Roco Jr. shared his family’s kalderetang kambing recipe.

More heirloom recipes from 10 cities in the Philippines will be featured as “My City, My SM, My Cuisine” begins its second season in April. The first stop will be in Rosales, Pangasinan, where Gerry Austria of Matutina Restaurant; Councilor Brian Lim of Dagupan; and Priscilla Espino, wife of Governor Amadeo Espino, will share their heirloom recipes.