Inaugural menu: Kesong puti on pan de sal, no champagne

MANILA, Philippines - President-elect Benigno Aquino III’s austerity program begins at the moment he should be celebrating the most – his inaugural reception at Malacañang.

Instead of pricey champagne to be used in the traditional toasts with the diplomatic corps, Aquino’s inaugural team has opted for the more affordable Cava, which is Spanish sparkling wine.

“The President has asked us to keep things simple,” says Bettina Osmeña, wife of Sen. Sergio Osmeña III and coordinator of the inaugural receptions. “Since champagne will cost too much for 600 guests, we opted to serve  Cava instead.”

The incoming president does not take alcoholic drinks.

A bottle of Cava costs one fourth of a bottle of pricey champagne, which retails from P5,000 to P25,000.

The food as well as the décor of the early-evening inaugural reception at Malacañang will be Filipino-themed, with a bahay kubo as centerpiece of the décor and fresh sampaguita arrangements by Al Caronan and Peachy Prieto bedecking the elegant Rizal Hall (formerly Ceremonial Hall).

To be catered by Via Mare, the cocktail reception will have pritchon (suckling pig served Peking Duck style) instead of lechon and Laguna kesong puti on pan de sal instead of imported cheeses. Instead of roast beef, there will be fresh corned beef. These delicacies will be served in different stations around Rizal Hall. There will be no dinner tables.

The dessert station will consist of Filipino sweets such as halo halo, ginumis and assorted kakanins (rice cakes).

For the lunch immediately following the inaugural rites at the Quirino Grandstand, Osmeña opted for Japanese fare of sushi, sashimi, tempura and yakitori. The lunch will be catered by the Palace kitchen, led by chef Babes Austria.

Osmeña says the original menu presented to her by the Palace kitchen staff was “so fancy.”

Conscious of the new president’s standards, she asked them, “Can we just make the menu simpler?”

Osmeña says the Palace kitchen is equipped to handle a reception for 500 guests, and only about 250 are expected at the lunch.

According to Sonny Coloma, in charge of inaugural activities at Malacañang, the lunch will be held at the first floor of the Kalayaan hall, and some of the tables will be al fresco.