By Jenny Ortuoste
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) held yesterday on its official Facebook page the first episode of its online conference “Philippines on a Plate” that celebrates Filipino Food Month this April.
Chef Edward Mateo, the series’ debut guest, discussed the traditional methods of making kakanin (rice-based desserts) and gave a demonstration on how to cook sapin-sapin (layered steamed rice cake) using contemporary kitchen tools and appliances.
His take on sapin-sapin is to incorporate non-traditional flavors and sangkap (ingredients). In his demo, he added coconut strings to an ube-flavored layer, and cheese to a plain layer, transforming the traditional recipe into one more likely to tickle modern palates.
He also advised experimenting with other non-traditional ingredients and colorings, such as strawberry.
“Huwag n’yong lagyan ng limit ang sarili n’yo [sa pagluto ng] tradisyonal na kakanin… dahil Pinoy tayo [Do not place limits on yourselves when cooking traditional kakanin…because we are Filipino],” he said.
Mateo emphasized the importance of passing on culinary traditions to help them stay
alive as a part of Filipino culture.
“Kailangan natin itong ipasa sa [susunod na] generation para hindi ito makalimutan” [We
need to pass these on to the next generation so that they will not be forgotten],” he encouraged.
The next episode will be aired live on the NCCA FB page on Thursday (April 8) with the topic “Buko” (coconut). The episodes are aired every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:00 p.m.
Through Proclamation No. 469 of 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte declared the month of
April the official “Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino” or Filipino Food Month, which aims to promote and preserve Filipino culinary treasures and traditions.
Read more: DA on Filipino Food Month: Eat “lutong pinoy,” maintain good health, help farmers
In line with this, NCCA has issued the ‘Kakanin Challenge’, which invites the public to send their photos and stories about the best kakanin they’ve ever had, to: filipinofoodmonthofficial@gmail.com
