KILIG.NYC brings Filipino comfort food to Independence Day parade
Kilig.NYC will make its public debut at the Philippine Independence Day Parade in New York City on Sunday, June 7.
Co-founded by marketing and communications executive Bong Arquiza and certified public accountant Janina Gesmundo, Kilig.NYC is on a mission to do exactly what its tagline says: bring back the joy of eating…the Filipino way.
The brand launches with a menu built around the flavors Filipinos grew up loving. The star of the show is the Pork Sisig rice bowl, a crispy, flavor-packed take on one of the Philippines’ most beloved dishes, served over steamed rice with a signature house sauce. Rounding out the debut menu are Sisig Tacos, Chicken Inasal, Buko Pandan and Magic Water, an original Filipino-inspired house refreshment shrouded in mystery which will be revealed on launch day.
“Filipino food is joyful, generous and unapologetically bold, and New York City deserves a whole lot more of it,” said Arquiza, who brings years of marketing experience alongside a lifelong passion for Filipino cuisine. “We grew up with these flavors at every family gathering, every fiesta, every milestone. Kilig.NYC exists to bring that feeling to every New Yorker, because the Filipino table has always had room for everyone. Kilig is that giddy, can’t-stop-smiling feeling. Every plate we serve should give you exactly that.”
Gesmundo, who brings financial and operational acumen to the venture, shares that vision. “We’re not just selling food. We’re creating an experience that connects people to Filipino culture and community, one delicious bite at a time,” she said.
The choice to launch at the Philippine Independence Day Parade, one of the largest Filipino-American cultural gatherings on the East Coast, is no coincidence. For Arquiza and Gesmundo, there is no better stage for a debut.
Kilig.NYC will be on-site at the parade food festival area on June 7 in New York City, Madison Ave. and 26th St. Follow @kilig.nyc on Instagram for booth location updates and the full Magic Water reveal.
Kilig.NYC is a New York City-based Filipino food and lifestyle brand dedicated to celebrating Filipino cuisine, culture and community. Built on the belief that food is the ultimate expression of joy, Kilig.NYC brings bold, authentic Filipino flavors to New Yorkers through dining experiences, catering and beyond. The name “kilig” captures the brand’s spirit — that irresistible, giddy feeling that great food gives you. Follow on Instagram or visit kilig.nyc. – Bong Arquiza of https://kilig.nyc/
