If you are a French citizen, there is a landmark right here in Cebu, lovingly called Petite France that makes you feel that you really have not left France. You hear the French language being spoken and there are lots of eager students trying to learn the nuances of your cradle language in a building which houses the Alliance Française de Cebu.
You can order some of those delicious dishes that your mother or grandmother used to make and drink French wines sourced from the Region of France where you came from in a restaurant called La Maison Rose. There is even a boulangerie or French Bakery and Pastry Shop called La Vie Parisienne, where you can taste all the croissants and baguettes and say that these breads taste like your friendly neighborhood bakery in France.
And if you are lucky enough to be known personally to the French Honorary Consul Michel Lhuillier, Dr. Amparito Lhuillier or the Officers of the Alliance Française de Cebu, you can be a guest to the celebrations of the Bastille Day or the La Fête Nationale, which commemorates the beginning of the new French Republic on July 14, 1789. Your favorite food columnist is one of those lucky regulars to the Bastille Day celebrations by reason of his profession.
Guest of honor was the Ambassador of France to the Philippines Gilles Garachon and the government officials led by Cebu Governor Hilario Davide lll were present to celebrate La Fête Nationale. Everyone had a good time because of one the most significant features of French culture is its cuisine and when you have a very generous host like the Honorary Consul Michel Lhuillier, you are assured that only the best of the foods and wines of France will be served.
Well, nearly everyone probably enjoyed it except me because I had a food allergy much earlier in the week. I found this small piece of Spanish ham left in my fridge, ate it, and the allergy set in. I avoided all meat proteins and alcohol products and began to live like a goat, eating only greens, rice with some salt.
It was sheer torture to watch friends and guests began eating all those delicious appetizers which are also called les amuse-bouches along with an apéritif, and sipping the traditional before-dinner drink like the Champagne Lhuillier Brut. I had only mineral water to comfort me. When the main dishes were served like the Plateau de Fruits de Mer (Fresh Seafood on Ice), Ratatouille, Tanguigue Grille, Gratin Dauphinois, Cassoulet de Porc and the Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Burgundy), I viewed the food with envy and behave, excuse me, like a goat!
I had to leave the Bastille Day 2013 celebrations very early before temptation would set in to taste all the wonderful food, and drink some of those thirst quenching wines. Only problem was the fact that I had committed earlier to attend a birthday party and when invitations are confirmed, the show must go on. docmlhuillier@yahoo.com