The "Pen" Promotes the Philippines

On a recent assignment, I was tasked to show guests of the Manila Peninsula Hotel around Intramuros. Part of the itinerary was sent to me via text message and I was mildly surprised that some of the stops to be made were not the usual tourist routes. It seemed odd that the other sites to be visited were more artisanal than the usual tourist souvenir shops.

Aussie journalists viewing  Eugene  Jarque's artwork

It was odd but those were the orders so I decided to dutifully stick to the itinerary. Then when I, on board the Jeepney Tours vehicle stopped at the Manila Pen, I realized this was no ordinary tour. It was part of the Manila Peninsula's corporate responsibility program which invites journalists from different countries to visit the Philippines and promote the country by showcasing the best of what we have to offer.

Lilliana Manahan's installation

On this tour, I was introduced to four Australian journalists and Peninsula Sydney's PR Director Sue as well as Peninsula Manila's PR Director, Maning Garchitorena. While waiting for the other members of the touring party, I had to adjust pretty quickly as everyone was pretty witty... punchlines were thrown at me from left, right and center. You'd have to be ready with funny repartee to catch up.

Manila Pen's table setting 

The stops after lunch were inspiring, to say the least. We went to the La Fuerza Compound in Pasong Tamo Extension. What was formerly a distillery has been re-purposed into different atteliers. The first stop was at Gallery where three young visual artists whose works we viewed. Lilliana Manahan had an installation of seventeen layers of drapes that were handpainted aside from smaller frames. Eugene Jarque who featured his frames of wooden collages and Mac Valdezco had her sculptural pieces in plaster and rope. Her pieces seemed like they came from archeological digs and looked very organic.

Mac Valdezco's sculpture

Manila Pen had an elaborate set-up for lunch that served updated versions of adobo, lumpia, and caldereta. I had all been so good that while the conversation kept flowing so did the food and the wine. But since I was on assignment, i begged off on the bubbly and stuck to the cucumber and sprite drink that was so refreshing on a hot summer day.

Manila Pen's menu card and cucumber sprite coolie

Ms Kaye Tinga (wife of former Pateros Mayor) and Andy Vasquez Prada of  W17 joined us for lunch after which we proceeded to their store within the compound. All the items in their store are unique finds albeit pricey. You get what you pay for, of course, but their items can hold your attention for hours. I fell in love with a dining table made of one humongous plank of acacia tree. It could've probably seated 20-25 people comfortably. I didn't dare to ask the price... If have to ask... you can't afford it.

W17 facade

Then we headed off to Dasmarinas Village for a private fashion show of Len Cabili's clothes and Natasha's jewelry. This tandem come from two distinct regional backgrounds. Len hails from the south and so early on she was interested in local weaves while Natasha comes from mixed  Ifugao/Australian parentage. It was so awe-inspiring that Michael McHugh of Mindfood Australia decided to feature both of the designers exclusively in his glossy mag.

The entire day was a lot of fun and an eye opener for the guests courtesy of one of the better hotels in Manila. The following day, the guests were whisked off to Amanpulo in Palawan for the weekend.  I'm so hoping they invite me again the next time around.

Andy Vasquez Prada and Mrs Kaye Tinga in thier store W17

Treats from La Cocina de Tita Moning

Two days prior to President Obama's historic visit to Manila, I was tasked by the Tourism Board of the Philippines through Jeepney tours to guide for a motley group of Australians who are in the business of promoting the Philippines as a tourist destination.

Legarda Mansion taken from The La Cocina de Tita Moning website*

The group was headed by Ms Gillian Salter. an Aussie who's lived and worked in Manila for two years with the Mandarin Hotel. This was her job before heading back home and working in the tourism industry.

La Inocencia (Felix Resureccion Hidalgo) photo from the website*

The full day tour started with Intramuros, then back to the hotel and in the afternoon was the trip to Malacanang palace and a dinner at Tita Moning's. However, because of the state visit of President Obama, the trip to the Malacanang Museum was not permitted. The Museum reserves the right to deny entry to visitors on various ocassions: in matters of national security, and of course for the state visit of the U.S. president.

Don Alejandro Legarda Sr.'s camera's (photo from Tita Moning's website)

The evening was balmy and the guests had dressed up for a well planned evening by the Tourism Board. La Cocina de Tita Moning is an ancestral home of the Legarda's. The much lived-in home has been converted into a fine dining restaurant by one of the scions of the clan. Dr. Legarda's clinic along with his collection of antique cameras is intact. The reading room has his collections of books. A marvelous idea, I should think, since the house has remained true to the original structure and contains a marvelous collection of paintings and artifacts owned by the family through the decades: Among them,  Hidalgo,  Juan Luna and Zalameda art pieces and antiques galore that are a feast for the eyes.

Zalameda's painting of sailboats in the main foyer of the mansion

That being said,  the menu was a feast for the senses. The Menu read like a traditional Spanish feast starting with a trio of salads: grilled eggplant salad with homemade vinaigrette and salted duck eggs; papaya salad with jamon serrano, fresh basil, carabao cheese and honey calamansi vinaigrette; fresh Kangkong salad with grilled peppers, caramelized walnuts and homemade walnut vinaigrette. For the entree we had whole baked Lapu-lapu, Tita Moning's chicken adobo, Paella Valenciana, Sauteed fresh vegetables, organic brown rice. The dessert served was fresh  fruit platter and Tita Moning's bread and butter pudding. 

So many reviews have been written about the food coming out of Tita Moning's kitchen mostly revived by chef Suzie Legarda-Montinola that I wouldn't even attempt to write about the gustatory treats in store for the diners. Yes... it's that good! You actually get what you pay for. But for me, it's the little details that make dining in La Cocina de Tita Moning always a delight. The drinks served at the patio prior to the mandatory tour of the house, and the little chit chat from the food servers who have been with the Legardas for years, and the atmosphere of dining in an ancestral home complete La Cocina de Tita Moning's old world charm. Some more Salsa Monja, please?

Paella Valenciana at Tita Moning's (photo from lifestyle.inquirer.net*)