spiCes

As some of you may now know, I have recently received an email from a local television station in the Philippines regarding a segment that is coined after my ‘DISTINCTLY PINOY with a TWANG! hosting stint with Lasang Pinoy. It came as a surprise actually when I saw the heading of the said email since I was still half-asleep then at 6:30 in the morning yesterday [hell-ow! it's summer break here...it was supposedly a time for longer sleep and late breakfasts with the kids].

The title said ‘100% pinoy episode on desserts‘. That instantly popped my eye open [well both] and I quickly fumbled on my mouse to click it open! To save me from explaining what this is all about, here’s an excerpt of the email…

Ms. Ces Anciano

Lasang Pinoy

Ms. Anciano,

Greetings!

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.

 

 

Currently, we are working on our next “Panghimagas” episode that will be aired on July 3, 2008, wherein one segment shall focus on Pinoy fusion desserts. In line with this, we would like to ask for assistance/referral to Pinoy chefs or contributors here in the Philippines whose entrees to the Lasang Pinoy 12: Distinctly PINOY with a TWANG! are fusion desserts. We hope to feature the said desserts from its preparation, cooking, and finished product. Our target shooting date shall be within the coming week (June 23-27) at the time/date of availability at the chef’s convenience.

 

We apologize for the urgency of this request but we are hoping for a positive and prompt response from your office. Rest assured that Lasang Pinoy will be properly acknowledged in the episode.

Well, well well! Wasn’t that something to be excited about? LP#12:’Distinctly Pinoy with aTwang’ was conceived about 2 years ago when I hosted the culmination of LP’s first year. I have reposted the round-up here. Sadly though, there were only 2 participants with a dessert entry. Manangkusinera, with her creamy bibingka cake, alas is also based here in the States and Mike of Lafang apparently has a previous commitment during the supposedly inclusive shoot dates which is in two (2) days! [psst! Mr. segment producer! if you can read this, try giving Mr. Mike a nudge, you'll never know!:)that is if you want to have a taste of his take on minatamis na saging, a la mode!]

Now, this is a big shout out to anybody out there in the Philippines who can come up with a delectable twist on any of our Philippine desserts, please drop me a line ASAP! The reason why I am posting this 10 hours earlier than agreed on.

Hence the theme for this week’s La.Pi.S., that is any DESSERT that you want to brag about will do. I don’t really expect you to cook up a twisted version of HALO-HALO, neither do I want you to make some coconut milk infused TIRAMISU [wow that sounds intersting! hmmm...], not even a GREEN MANGO CREPE [hmmm another challenging idea]! I’m drooling here already…but if you can and if you may, that would be great!

Desserts or panghimagas in our native language, are often defined as sweets, pastries, candies and rice cakes in the Philippines, using ingredients such as local fruits, rice flour, sugar, milk, coconut milk to name a few.

During the summer months when tropical fruits are abundant, salads with different variations provide succulent fresh and cool fruit dishes. Halo-halo for instance is a special salad-like preparation that incorporates fruits as well as sweets made with yam, tapioca milk and shaved ice. So show me what you got! I’d say anything that goes well with hot tea or coffee will pass as a good DESSERT! Have Fun in this rounds photo op you guys!

NOTE: Don’t forget to link up in the box below for a quick round-up and easier navigation to other participants and of course sprinkle some spiCe!