(January 29, 2012) MANILA, Philippines – Iloilo is said to be a food capital, as indeed almost every town in the city boasts a distinct cuisine in their locality. In fact, many Ilonggo specialties have the town of their origin proudly affixed to their names like La Paz Batchoy, a famous soup composed of round noodles, pork organs, chicharon, vegetables and boiled beef for stock. Then there is pancit molo, or minced chicken, pork and prawns cooked in a tasty soup.

Likewise, it is said that the course of a meal defines Ilonggo culture. The Ilonggo smile is the appetizer; followed by morsels of Ilonggo history, arts, individuals, customs and traditions, attractions and festivals as the main course. And for the dessert, there is the warm Ilonggo hospitality and the value of being malambing or “sweet,” that makes every experience in Iloilo a memorable one.

Mallgoers at SM City Iloilo had the rare opportunity to rediscover the wonderful flavors of Iloilo when “My City, My SM, My Cuisine” made a stop at the City of Love this January.

A joint project of SM and the Philippine STAR with support from Homeworld, “My City, My SM, My Cuisine” celebrates the flavors of Philippine regional cuisine through a culinary contest featuring two signature recipes from fourteen cities where SM malls are located.

Held just in time for the Dinagyang Festival, the event also showcased two of Iloilo’s signature dishes gifts in a cookfest — Pancit Molo for the entrée and Mango desserts.

Maria Zaide-Bastistin’s delightful Pancit Molo entrée and Analye Padilla’s delicious Puto Cheese with Mango Pudding dessert were judged the winners by the distinguished board of judges.

These included Panaderia de Molo’s Heather Sanson Laraga-Maloto; chef Tibong Jardaleza; Ilonggo foodie Eugene Jamerlan; SM Department Store assistant branch manager Reina Donesa; and Cora Alvina, food writer and researcher.

They each received P5,000 worth of SM gift certificates and gift packs from Homeworld from SM vice president for marketing Millie Dizon and SM City Iloilo manager Girlie Liboon. The rest of the finalists received P1,000 worth of SM gift certificates and gift packs from Homeworld.

Ilonggo heritage was showcased during the event with replicas of the city’s iconic landmarks — the Molo Plaza Bandstand and the backdrop of the Miagao Church, which is considered one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites; and the Arroyo Fountain.

Guests including Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Councilor Perla Zulueta, Department of Tourism OIC regional director Atty. Helen Catalbas, civic leader Marissa Segovia, and Boy and Ruth Jarantilla were seated at a beautifully decorated table that seemed to be transported out of an Ilonggo ancestral home where they watched the specially prepared video and sampled Iloilo’s wonderful cuisine.

The video, hosted by food writer and researcher Corazon Alvina, featured members of some of the city’s prominent families demonstrating heirloom recipes. The first stop was the ancestral home of Luth and Gerard Camia in Villa de Arevalo, where Eugene Jamerlan of the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council cooked his family’s famous Estofado nga Pato sa Tuba, duck cooked in coconut vinegar.

The next stop was the home of Maridel Padilla Uygongco, where she happily shared her YSL (Ybos Saint Laurent), suman as ibos caramelized with mangoes and cream sauce wittily named after the legendary French designer.

She also prepared potato praline, a winning cake recipe inspired by street banana Q which brings back happy memories of gatherings with close friends.

Chef Rafael “Tibong” Jardeleza II, who is credited with having started Tabuan, which showcases Iloilo’s best food and delicacies in partnership with the Department of Tourism VI, then shared his family’s prized Lengua Consitas con Olivas.

These heirloom recipes along with Ilonggo specialties prepared by Chef Miguel Cordova of Esca’s Restaurant were showcased in a delicious spread, which all the guests enjoyed. These mouthwatering delights included pancit molo, Pandesal ni Paa, adobo pate, quezo de Bola spread, ukoy, panara, fresh lumpia, Pancit Efuven and Turonocito de Halo-Halo.

“My City, My SM, My Cuisine” in Pampanga is the 10th stop of this exciting culinary event, which first took place in April in Santa Rosa where participants competed for the best Puchero with Lauya and Puto Maya with Kilawing Puso ng Saging. It then proceeded to Lucena in May, where contestants whipped up the best Hardinera and Bucayo recipes; and then to Cavite in June for the Tamales and Sapin-Sapin cookout.

More recently, great music and great food highlighted the event at SM City Batangas, where food lovers competed for the best Kaldereta and Coconut Dessert recipes. “My City, My SM, My Cuisine” made a stop at SM City Cagayan de Oro in August for the best Singulaw and Pineapple Dessert recipes; and the month after in Naga in time for the Our Lady of Penafrancia celebrations, where contestants competed for the best Laing or Pinangat and Pili Desserts. 

More recent “My City, My SM, My Cuisine” stops took place in SM City Marilao, which showcased Bulakeno specialties as well as the best Pancit Marilao and Pastillas Dessert recipes; and in SM City Davao where its rich culinary culture was highlighted along with winning Tuna entrees and Durian Desserts. Negrense specialties like Lumpiang Ubod and Piyaya were highlighted when the competition made a stop in SM City Bacolod. Just in time for Christmas, “My City, My SM, My Cuisine” made a stop in Pampanga for the best Bringhe and Tibok Tibok recipes.

The event goes to next to Cebu where contestants will compete for the best Humba and Dried Mango or Masareal Dessert recipes.

“My City, My SM, My Cuisine” is a joint project of SM and The Philippine STAR with support from SM Homeworld.   Other sponsors include Tatoy’s Manokan, ACE Hardware, Robles Heritage and Romy Penaredondo.

SM shoppers and Philippine STAR readers can submit their recipe of their city’s selected entrée and dessert along with their name, address, and occupation to [email protected]. They can also mail these to the Publicity Department, Building C, SM Corporate Office, JW Diokno Boulevard, Pasay City, or the Lifestyle Section of the Philippine Star at R. Oca Jr. and Railroad Streets, Port Area, Manila.

Ten finalists will be selected — five for entrees and five for desserts. Two winners — one for entrée and one for dessert — will be selected from each city during the culinary contest that will be held in time for the city’s festival. The two winners will each receive P5,000 worth of SM Gift Certificates, while finalists will receive packs from SM Homeworld.