Schedule of Events at Cavite Food and Culinary Expo 2019

Cavite Travel and Tours Expo [CTTE] had a successful venture before with Isla Events when they had collaborated for the very first time so the team behind it decided to do it again this year. Isla Events is now inviting everyone to Cavite Food and Culinary Expo 2019 happening from July 26 to 28, 2019 in Imus, Cavite province.

With the goal of promoting Cavite as a must-visit province, it also boasts of the region’s rich culinary and food heritage. The said event also targets to extend growth amongst micro-entrepreneurs especially those in the food business.

“The event will serve as a venue where they can reach out to their target market as well as avail of various skills on upgrading their techniques, trainings, build more networks with other businesses and get to know various programs which offer financial institutions as well as concerned government,” added Agrazada.

The food exposition is highly endorsed by the province of Cavite, Department of Tourism, SM Super Malls, Imus government, schools, Food Panda, Herold Travel and Tours.

Cavite Food and Culinary Exposition 2019 

 Cavite’s heirloom and culinary specialties such as Imus Longganisa, Cavite’s version of Adobo sa Dilaw, Halayang Sampalok, Suman ng Kawit, Cavite’s Tamales, Café Amadeo among many others.

Among the all time favorite is Big Ben’s longganisa and heirloom dishes.

Food enthusiasts as well as culinary fans in mind as its target audience, There will be an array of food choices as well as a pool of culinary experts who will be sharing their expertise under one roof.

Schedule of Cooking Demonstration and Talks

July 26, Friday, 10:30AM Chef Christopher Guado Caraingan of Razorchefs Philippines will talk about coffee on his lecture dubbed as “How Kapeng Amadeo Saved Our Coffee Industry.”

There will also be a Basic Entrepreneurship/How to Put Up a Business lecture by Katrina Paula M. Caballe, Development Management Officer III PCLEDO Entrep Division, it will be held from 1-2PM.

Also scheduled on Friday, July 26, from 2-5PM, There will be Dimsum Making, Pastries and Delicacies Making to be conducted by Corazon A. Tepora and Fruit and Meat Processing lectures by Elvira B. Perlado.

July 27, Saturday, 11AM Chef Lea Tagle Monzon of Razorchefs Philippines and United Hotelliers of the Philippines will give a cooking demo of Halayang Sampalok.

Also on Saturday, July 27, at 3PM, Ige Ramos, an award-winning graphic designer and food historian will talk about “Looking at the Past to Forge a Delicious Future.” Book signing shall also follow for his Republic of Taste book.

On July 28, Sunday at 11AM-12NN, Chef Orvin Sayos of Lime and Basil Restaurant [Alfonso, Cavite] will be preparing Asian dishes from local source.

Also slated on July 28, Sunday at 3PM Chef Gene Gutierrez of Big Ben’s Gourmet Imus Longganisa creates exciting dishes from the famed Imus Longganisa.

Aside from these amazing talks and food demos, there will also be a talk on Entrepreneurial Activities in Travel and Hospitality, and Guest Relations Management by Deogracias Esplanada, MTSM, Retired Professor, DSLU-Dasmariñas, College of International Hospitality Management. The lecture will be held from 9:30AM to 5PM.

All the lectures, seminars and demos will be held at the Isla Events Center, Tamsui Avenue, Bayan Luma II, Imus, Cavite.

Save the date folks, come one, come all. Bring your family and friends to this grand event. Happening from July 26 to 28, 2019—come and visit Isla Events Center in Bayan Luma II, Imus Cavite for the Cavite Food Culinary Expo 2019!

There are no entrance fees for those who wish to attend the upcoming Cavite Food and Culinary Exposition 2019!

For more inquiries, call or text (046)458-4595/09778201028/091730058990

 

Marikina Culinary and Heritage Tour part I

Marikina City, Metro Manila -Philippines

Kapitan Moy house

Marikina is known as the ” Shoe Capital of the Metro Manila ” and even in the Philippines. The author together with Mr. Jonathan J. Blaza and Ms. Vonette Fernandez both residents of Barangay Santo Niño  in cooperation with Marikina Tourism Office organized a Culinary , Industrial and Heritage tour.  All the itineraries were made by our group. Mr. Jonathan Blaza’s family were one of the pioneers of the city. They have an old ancestral house which unfortunately burned-down in 1998 .

Don Leureano Guevarra statue

 Don Laureano Guevarra  ( aka Kapitan Moy ) (4 July 1851 – 30 December 1891), who was known as the Founder of the Marikina Shoe Industry. Also known as Kapitan Moy, he served as capitan municipal in the city.

historical marker

A historical marker honoring him as the Pioneer of the Shoe-making Industry in Marikina was installed at his birthplace in 1970. The house is 225 plus years- old. It is located along J.P. Rizal street corner Deguangco street within barangay Santa Elena .  As time passes -by , Doña Teresa dela Paz was actively engaged in philanthropic services for the poor and underprivileged. She bought the house of Kapitan Moy to serve the needs of the marginal sector of the community. The  dwelling place of Kapitan Moy was eventually transferred to his brother-in-law Don Jose Espiritu. Subsequently , it was transformed into a primary school in 1907-1955 and many years later, the local government of Marikina developed it to be the city’s cultural center.

Cafe Kapitan

There are 2 restaurants at the ground floor area which are tenants of the historical house . Cocina de Kambal and Cafe Kapitan .

Cocina de Kambal

Bulwagan bayani

The second floor serves as an event or venue place . It is  fully air-conditioned and can house 300-500 guests. It also had a stage area and an elevator service for people with disability. Venue rentals starts at Php 15,000 for 4 hours and payment can be made at the Marikina Cityhall.

old house

This is a pre-world war 2 house along J.P. Rizal owned by a lawyer .

The building had a fish gargoyle and a Spanish -Mediterranean style architecture.

Mr. Lance Manasan

 Mr. Lance Manasan selling his slogan t-shirts beside the Our Lady of the Abandoned Church . He works at a BPO industry and his sideline is selling slogan t-shirts.

contact : 0922-8994948

email: lance.manasan@yahoo.com

Shoe Museum

The shoe museum is another historical place in Marikina.  The original building used to be a rice storage area ( Camalig )

shoe park

The shoe park is just adjacent to the shoe museum with manicured lawn , century-old  acacia tree and some ornamental plants.

The museum was conceived in 1998 under then Mayor Bayani F. Fernando on the assumption that the City, being the Shoe Capital of the Philippines, can be a significant venue for nurturing the historical and cultural values of its shoe industry.

Bayani Fernando’s construction hat and shoes

It was opened in February 16, 2001 and was initially called the Footwear Museum of Marikina.

Entrance fee of Php 50 per head , big groups must have a prior appointment before visiting the place.

There are also over 100 famous people like politicians, artists , celebrities , former presidents   which donated their shoes at the shoe museum list includes Dolphy, German Moreno, Maria Venus Raj , President Fidel Ramos, President Joseph Estrada , Postmaster General  Maria Josefina dela Cruz , Senator Ralph Recto among others.

Mrs. Imelda Marcos shoes

The 800 pairs of shoes of Mrs. Marcos, are part of the 3,000 pairs collection which she accumulated performing her duties as first lady during her husband’s 20-year incumbency.

Imelda Marcos portrait

She wore those shoes at meetings with dignitaries both here and abroad. Aside from the shoes. Most of the collection came Malacañang Palace

porcelain shoes

group photo

L-R author, Ms. Evelia Tapel ( vol . staff ) , Ms. Rosechelle Abella ( Tourism staff ) Ms. Hennesy Joy L. Villaniz ( Treasury Staff) Mr. Karl Aguilar ( Urban Roamer ) Mr. Jonathan J. Blaza ( stamp blogger, postcrossing ambassador, heritage advocate ) and Mr. Bryan Jalipa ( Cebu blogger)

Marikina postcards

Before we left the Shoe Museum , We bought some interesting postcards ( 6 pieces ) per pack – Php 50 .  All the participants signed the postcards and will be send via the Marikina post office for posterity and part of our collection.

Don Isabelo Mendoza Street

Isabelo’s Restaurant

Rustic Morning Restaurant is some sort of garden, artists haven , gourmet place . The place is also an event venue place. Rustic Morning’s by Isabelo.

old wine bottles

Some of the paintings are for sale .   We would also recommend that a prior appointment must be made several days or weeks in advance.

Isabelo Garden Restaurant

Isabelo Mendoza Street , Barangay San Roque, Marikina City

Website: http://www.isabelogarden.com/

sales ladies

Aling Remy’s puto and kutsinta started their operation in  1935 , the business was handled down to a second generation son who continued the business .

Mr. Ramoncito Dalmacio

The specialties includes the traditional puto ( rice cakes ) brown colored ones . They use brownish sugar with cheese toppings, kutsinta and the flavored ones like ube ( purple yam ) ,  white , strawberry

It used to be made at their home and eventually words quickly spread and orders began turning almost an entire block into a colorful array of native delicacies .

kutsinta

229 J.P Rizal Street, San Roque , Marikina City

Contact : 645-6607 / 940-48-67/ 467-98-06

Cellphone : 0916-319-1811

Goto Garahe

Goto Garahe is a home -style restaurant which is located along 269 J.P. Rizal street . The restaurant started its operation in the late 1999 and closed down for several months after it was inundated by Ondoy in 2009 .  The place can accommodate up to to 50 to 60 people at any time of the day

specialties includes Goto , Tokwa’s Baboy , Okoy, Halo-halo, Minatamis na Saging ,  Ginataan sa Bilo-bilo, Tapsilog , Lumpiang Prito

goto

This is one of the specialties in the restaurant . This is  a MUST TRY

saging con yelo ( minatamis na saging)

halo-halo

We planned to tour around  the historical district and concentrate the tour within district 1 .

Mama Chit’s

collection

Mama Chit’s collection of old bottles, coke items, advertisement posters, car plate number , old photos , toys are simple astonishing . According to some, They got some of the biggest collection of coke items in this side of Marikina on display.

giant size-burger

It took us a while before we finished the giant size burger. 1 burger can feed 4 to 6 people.

Address : 278 J. P Rizal Street ,Barangay San Roque , Marikina City

Contact ( 02) 646-85-47

Note: It is just a few meters away from Shoe Museum, Our Lady of the Abandoned Church and Kapitan Moy Heritage House

mural

 The city-hall structure was built in the 1940’s.  Eventually,  a more modern building replaced the old one in the 1960’s while several renovation and structure was built  after the 2009 Ondoy floods.

Marikina Cityhall

 There are also bust of all the former mayors  .  The area was severely flooded due to Bagyong Ondoy aka Typhoon Ketsana , floods reached the second floor of the building and almost all the records were destroyed .

grill works

The group passed and visited the city hall with its unique grill works and murals .

Marikit statue

Origin and Etymology

– Marikit is a 40 feet statue ( about 4 to 5 story)  along the riverside area. In one legend it was believed that she was the first lady who accidentally fell and got drowned in the river. The riverbanks area is a hub for the people of Marikina and nearby places. Before 1788 according to some historical account the name of the town was ” Marikit – Na ” Tagalog term for pretty .

rows of restaurants

There are rows of restaurants , bars and grilling stations . During the Yuletide season , there are flea market style bazaars which showcases the products of Marikina.  Another legend was a young priest named “Mariquina” who was given the task of baptizing children to Christianity. Because of this very noble job, Mariquina was named in his honor, However there was not historical records to verify such claim. Another story was there was a beautiful and noble lady named a beautiful, virtuous, polite and intelligent lady named Maria Cuina was residing in the town. Because of her expertise in business, she became rich and her fortunes were expended in charity and eventually became famous in the whole town up to Manila. When a traveler from other towns visited the barrio, he asked for the name of the town, a resident replied “Maria Cuina” thinking that what was being asked was their admirable lady. Since then, the story spread throughout and the town was known as “Mariquina”

Captain Felix Berenguer de Marquina y FitzGerald.

The most acceptable historical claim was the name that came from Captain Félix Ignacio Juan Nicolás Antonio José Joaquín Buenaventura Berenguer de Marquina y FitzGerald. ( Former Governor General of the Philippines –  July 1, 1788 to September 1, 1793. ) Philippine historians like Dr. Trinidad Padro de Tavera and Dr. Teodoro Agoncillo.

Website: http://velascoberenguer.es.tl/F-e2-lix-Berenguer-de-Marquina-d–Virrey-de-Nueva-Espa%F1a.htm

Marikina river

There is a flower decorated right in the middle of her chest. It’s not just a decoration.  It is a mark to signify how high the flood was during the typhoon “Ondoy” a.k.a. Typhoon Ketsana.  It is one of the 3 or 4 legends which the name ” Marikina” was derive.  We also toured parts of the river and we saw some birds and fishes.

Teatro Marikina

Teatro Marikina is the cultural, convention, trade fairs and socio-civic center of Marikina.  The theater had a seating capacity of 1,100 . Note: The rates may vary but usually starts at Php 15,000 ordinary days and Php 20,000 for weekends

Teatro Marikina is located at the corner of Shoe Avenue and  V. Gomez Street,  Barangay Sta. Elena Marikina City.

  Contact number: (02) 647.3360 or 646.2360 loc. 208

Website: http://www.marikina.gov.ph/

Santos House

We toured some of the old houses that remains in the area.  The Santos house used to have a small clinic . Now, the former clinic is now a small convenient store.

inverted pots and potted plants

Iglesia Filipina Independiente

Part 2:  Marikina Culinary and Heritage Tour

Website: http://marikina.gov.ph

Mrs.Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes Stamp Launching

Old Senate Session Hall , National Arts Gallery – Padre Burgos street, Manila- Philippines

Doña Engracia Cruz-Reyes together with Mrs. Teresita ” Mama  Sita” -Reyes -photo is courtesy of Mama Sita foundation

Life  : Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes  was born on May 11, 1917 . She is the third of  Aling Asiang and  Mr. Alex Reyes’ 13 children, and was the one who got her mother’s features. She is  well known for her extraordinary gift with food- cooking, incorporating even selecting ingredients that really make our favorite food taste even better.  She is the eldest daughter of Doña Engracia Cruz- Reyes . Food wasn’t her only interest. She was also very business-minded. She would wake up early in the morning and would go to markets such as Divisoria and Nepa Q-Mart now ( Mega Q-Mart) to check out the items they offered.

Doña Engracia Cruz-Reyes was featured in a definitive stamp series of the Philippine Postal Corporation in 1992 ( Decade of Filipino Nationalism IV)  to mark the 100th anniversary of her birth .  Litho is by Amstar Printing Company . Perforation of 13 3/4  x 13 1/2 , Watermark .3 . 

Her mother, Doña Engracia Cruz-Reyes, is known as the “Mother of Filipino Cooking”. Through her parents, Mama Sita first learned that nothing could compare to the goodness of Filipino cooking. Her family ran the restaurant Aristocrat, which is why at an early age, her life already revolved around the world of food.

This is a  se-tenant strips of 5,  Sheets of 200 with total of 5,280,000 or 1,056,000 pieces per ( featured Filipino icon )

The set also includes President Manuel Roxas, Mrs. Natividad-Lopez,  National Artist Fernando Amorsolo and Mr. Roman O. Ozaeta (He was a former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (June 24, 1941 – May 16, 1950). Justice Ozaeta was born on February 28, 1891 in San Jose, Batangas to Julian and Florencia Ozaeta. ).  The stamp was issued on June 1, 1992

Highlights of Mrs. Teresita Reyes achievements was posted near the main entrance of the old session hall of the Senate during the stamp unveiling ceremony

Businesswoman :

When it came to buying things, Mama Sita was number one. As soon as someone would offer her products at a discounted price, she couldn’t stop herself from buying them. From sacks of rice to a dozen cans of evaporated milk, or ten baskets of mangos, she really would not let the opportunity pass. As long as she was able to buy something, anything at all, she would go home satisfied, and with a smile on her face.

Mrs. Amelita Cunanan , Mr. Reynaldo Ong de Jesus  and Ms. Macaria J. Leonardo ( Chief ) Postage Division -Philippine Postal Corporation

Passion :

Her hard-working efforts were not only seen in her traveling to so many places just to gather delectable and reasonably priced food. It was also apparent in the kitchen, of course.

traditional Filipino kitchen utensils and handicrafts

Mother : Mama Sita when she married Mr. Fidel Reyes and bore 11 children. She was able to come up with countless recipes and innovative ways of preparing food, due to her productive ethics. She never got tired of experimenting with different ingredients. Writing her new found recipes and discoveries on her diaries and journals also became a hobby of hers, which lead to us finding out fascinating secrets and tips on cooking!

The daughters of Mrs. Teresita -Reyes were introduced to the crowd

Another thing that stood out about Mama Sita was her character. Those who were fortunate enough to have met her can still remember her laugh. They also recall how she would pick on lansones and butong pakuan ( dried watermelon seeds)  even her habit of going to places that were far, just so she could taste the food they were well known for.

Postmaster General Maria Josefina Dela Cruz caught in a light moment  was shaking hands with Dr. Bartolome B. Lapus ( looking in the middle ) is Atty. Constantino de Jesus

Stamp Unveiling Ceremony:

The preparations of the stamp unveiling ceremony was initiated by the Mama Sita Foundation and the Reyes family clan members after the approval of the stamp design by the stamp advisory committee sometime last year.  The author got an invitation via  email from the foundation more than a month prior to the stamp launching.

National Museum Assistant Director Ana Labrador in her welcome address

Preparation was meticulously handled by the foundation .  Finally, on February 11, 2013,   the stamps and First Cover were issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation , the stamp unveiling ceremonies is set at  at the old session hall of the National Arts Gallery. The unveiling ceremony was set  for March 14, 2013 . Coincidentally , March was declared ” National Women’s Month ” .

Mr. Victor Reyes ( lone surviving brother of Mama Sita ) and Postmaster General Maria Josefina Dela Cruz

Mr. Victor Reyes together with Postmaster General Josie Dela Cruz after the ceremonial unveiling of stamps and commemorative First Day Cover

Invited guests , media and vips came dressed in their best Filipinana outfit. Then a short program was initiated by the intimidate family members of the Reyes clan. There is a table set up of traditional utensils and native crafts , rondalla playing traditional Filipino music .

ceremonial signing of Mama Sita’s First Day Cover

after the ceremonial signing of the First Day Cover , Mr. Victor Reyes and Mrs. Josefina Dela Cruz  shakes their hands and showed the media and writers the signed copies

The organizing committee of the stamp launching event was led by Mama Sita group of companies and part of the Reyes family running famous restaurants such as Aristocrat, Chateau 1771, El Pueblo, Reyes Barbecue and Serye Cafe. Mama Sita Foundation led by Mrs. Clara Reyes-Lapus organized the event in cooperation with the National Museum and the Philippine Postal Corporation.

The Reyes family clan capping the night with traditional Filipino songs and medley

Advocacies:

Mama Sita is known for her passion of spreading the art of Filipino cooking not only in the Philippines but also the rest of the world.  Mama Sita’s “Mga Kuwentong Pagkain” is a nationwide contest launched to encourage everyone to share authentic, one-of-a-kind and little known stories on Filipino cuisine and cooking. These stories correspond to Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes’s own commitment to celebrate the cuisine and culinary heritage of the Philippines. Another cooking festival,  Kulinarya at Saya Local Food Cooking Contest was also sponsored by the foundation and was held in Puerto Gallera , Mindoro.

Mama Sita’s famous mixes, sauces , condiments and samalamig

Natural Ingredient

Mama Sita’s policy to use only natural ingredients has also led to helping small agricultural -industrial business in the countryside. MCC through its Mama Sita Foundation assists farmers in planting crops that can be dried and processed. Thus, the abundant produce of the season like chilis, tomatoes, onions are not wasted and instead can be sold to companies like MCC.

sumptuous late afternoon meal provided by Mama Sita’s Foundation, Aristocrat and Reyes family  to all the invited  participants , vips, guests and media

Farmer Project

Mama Sita Foundation is also helping small farmers thru their several projects  like producing Siling Labuyo ( chili peppers) for Marigold Commodities, The maker of the famous Mama Sita sauces and condiments. Siling Labuyo is one of the the smallest among hot peppers grown in the country. It has the hotness and the  flavor desired by Mama Sita.

Ms. Chuchay V. Andrada  together with Mr. Renz Emmanuel Raquion ( writer contributor of Manila Bulletin and a stamp collector )

Mama Sita’s First Day Covers ( FDC) and stamps  issued by Philippine Postal Corporation last February 11, 2013

Technical Description of the Stamps

Kind of Issue : Commemorative

Printer: Amstar Company , Incorporated

Printing Process: Litho- Offset ( 4 colors ).

Perforation : 14

Paper : Imported Unwatermarked

Singles,  Souvenir Sheets of One 10p   Teresita Reyes – Portrait  (105,000)

Sheet composition : 40 (10x 40)

Size of stamp : 30mm x 40mm

Size of souvenir sheet: 120mm x 85mm

Souvenir sheet Php 10 with Php 40.00 premium (8,000 pieces )

Mama Sita face illustrator :Ms. Chuchay V.Andrada

Design coordinator: Susan Ada Veneracion

Designers: Ms. Criselda Santos , Mr. Ian Aycocho and Mr. Christian Molina

 Note: My heartfelt ” Thanks” to all the people behind Mama Sita Foundation for the warm accommodation extended to me during and after the stamp launching . All the photos are taken by the author during the event, for those who wanted to use the photos for any purpose , please try to link this page .  The stamps are from the personal collection of the author.

References and Bibliography:

Artistocrat Restaurant : http://www.aristocrat.com.ph/

Engracia Cruz- Reyes, Filipinos in History Vol. III. Manila, Philippines: National Historical Institute. 1996. pp. 228–230.

Mama Sita Foundation : http://www.msita.com/

Philippine Postal Corporation : http://philpost.gov.ph/web/category/stamp-releases/

1997 Ngo’s Catalogue of Philippine Republic Stamps & Postal Stationaries . page 137.

2012 Scott’s Stamp Catalog of Philippine stamps

Souvenir Program / Presentation pack : Mrs. Teresita ” Mama Sita ” Reyes