spiCes

Lasang Pinoy or ‘the Filipino taste’ was created as a monthly food blogging event to promote Filipino food to the world and at the same time inspire the Filipino himself to continually preserve and savor the eminent Pinoy palate. Such was clearly manifested in the close to two years that Lasang Pinoy participants, both in and outside the Philippines, have shown in each and every delectable dishes presented for every theme.

The blogger-organisers of Lasang Pinoy and participants strive to make the events reflective of Filipino culture by evoking childhood memories, expounding on Philippine holidays and associated practices.
–Karen, The Pilgrim’s Pots & Pans

Lasang Pinoy [LP], incidentally paved the way for spiCes. It was through the invitation of former colleagues and good friends, Mike and Iska, of Lafang and Edible Experiments respectively, that I started to learn more about the wonderful world of blogging and got hooked, both in blogging AND cooking! As they say, and the rest is history…

Then came the day that I was invited to host the 11th month event of LP. In my mind, I already had an idea going…that of a theme that would give the Filipino food a little twist. This was obviously a by-product of a frustration to satisfy ones Pinoy food craving when one or two ingredients aren’t easily accessible in the neighborhood then of…New York! Hence it was aptly titled…
Lasang Pinoy 12 : ‘Distinctly Pinoy with a Twang!’

Around two weeks ago, I received an email from GMA-7’s segment producer for a show called 100% PINOY requesting for assistance/referral to Pinoy chefs or contributors in the Philippines whose entry to the Lasang Pinoy 12: Distinctly PINOY with a TWANG! are fusion desserts. To cut the long story short, despite the fact that there were only 2 dessert entries then, I have made announcements, shout-outs to all my social networking sites, tweets [I would've plurked too if I was already plurking then:)], emailed, IM’d, texted, called… and the only LP member who responded quickly was my cousin, chefKC. Although she wasn’t able to join in that round, I knew that she would be a good candidate because of her credentials, being a Pastry Chef graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and she is in the process of opening up her own Culinary Academy in Quezon City. [worthy of another post, but it's tentatively opening September of this year!]

As the segment was to focus on desserts and as it was titled ‘Panghimagas’, Mr. segment producer said they would want to feature the said desserts from its preparation, cooking, and finished product and was specifically interested on featuring ManangKusinera’s entry, her Bibingka Cake. In short, all parties agreed and so chefKC made a demonstration of how the bibingka turned into a cake at 12 midnight, a la the fairytale diva, Cindee:)…

100% PINOY is GMA7’s magazine show about Philippine Arts and Culture and its significance to nation building. It aims to bring back the pride of every Pinoy in our heritage, tradition and identity as Filipinos. It is hosted by Ms. Miriam Quiambao and Mr. Joaquin Valdes. The program airs every Thursday night and is also aired in Pinoy TV International.

Acknowledgments:
chefKC…. for braving this TV-op
ManangKusinera… for her wonderful recipe
my dear brother-in-law, Mike Chang…for recording and sending me this video until half past 1 am!