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A day in the kitchen of Romy Dorotan (Part 1)
By Carina Evangelista On a beautiful Spring morning, I met Chef Romy Dorotan at the Union Square farmers’ market to do some food shopping before heading to Purple Yam Brooklyn for what he called a session of ‘satsatan lang.’ My husband James and I have known Romy and his wife Amy Besa, the duo behind […]
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The ‘shame piece’
By Cristina DC Pastor Also known as the “last piece of anything.” In Philippine culture, it is usually the last piece of food left on a plate. Filipinos are reluctant to touch that piece for fear they would be seen as ‘matakaw’ (greedy) or ‘gutom na gutom’ (overly hungry). Hence, that last slice of Bibingka […]
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You’re a Big Star now, Sisig
By Cristina DC Pastor It’s time. Adobo’s star has dimmed, although its influential place in the culinary mainstream is assured. Non-Filipinos now recognize Adobo and order it with authority like they had grandmothers who cooked it for them. You’re the New Star now, Sisig. We have waited and wondered when you will emerge in the […]
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Grand Central Terminal rolls out red carpet for Philippine tourism, business and culture
By Cristina DC Pastor Don’t be surprised if, from May 9 to 12, you will spot some men in Ati-Atihan soot and women in colorful couture at the Grand Central Terminal Main Concourse on your way to work. The frolicsome music of the rondalla is likely to lead you to Vanderbilt Hall as you exit […]
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Popsie’s Food Truck: ‘Kakanin’ comfort food revisited
By Cristina DC Pastor In her quiet Jersey City home, Marisse ‘Popsie’ Panlilio cooks Binatog while her freezer is packed with quarts of mango and ube ice cream waiting to firm up. Elsewhere in the kitchen, her partner, sous chef Cosette Malig, cuts vegetables. There are slow and busy days in Popsie’s food chamber. But […]
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Down Memory Lane on Roosevelt Avenue
By Cristina DC Pastor The long and disorganized stretch of Roosevelt Avenue in Queens — reachable by the 7 Train — was both familiar and unusual. Payag Restaurant at the corner of 52nd Street is now empty. Somewhere on 69th is Rosario’s Ihawan, a new and pleasant-looking restaurant. Rene and I were lured by the […]
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At Jo Koy’s restaurant, reconnecting with old friends, watching the comedy A-Lister serve tables
By Brendan Flores Prior to becoming the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) chairman and Wells Fargo Regional Banking Leader, I was a radio talk show host in Las Vegas. Little did I realize, I was following the footsteps of my Tita Josie who was the first female Filipino American radio talk show host […]
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Malagos Chocolate: Not quite Willy Wonka but close enough
By Cristina DC Pastor DAVAO City — Paul Hubahib, 13, and his sister Andrea, 7, were nibbling chocolates with their mother and cousin when I spotted them. What’s offbeat is they’re munching on chocolates they just made. At the Malagos Chocolate Laboratory, anyone — especially children like the Hubahib siblings – can make his/her own […]
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#metoo: Filipino women call for an end to sex abuse
By Cristina DC Pastor #metoo Two short words that now wield power in a society shattered by the actions of just one man. Or so we thought. Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein’s pattern of sexual assault and harassment is just one story although it has psychologically bruised at least 40 women he has victimized over the […]