Iloilo City Joins UNESCO Creative Lists in the Field of Gastronomy

I was not surprise to read last month that Iloilo City, my place of birth and college years won the UNESCO Listing as a Creative City in the Field of Gastronomy. It now joins cities not only known but also respected for gastronomy, such as Phuket in Thailand and Alba (the land of truffles) in Italy. To date, there are 54 Cities of Gastronomy around the world.

The famous Batchoy of La Paz and Pancit Molo dishes (above photo)mentioned in the news are the two dishes my taste buds are familiar with since my childhood days. Batchoy is a Filipino noodle soup of pork offal, crushed pork cracklings, chicken stock, beef loin, and round noodles. Pancit Molo or Filipino pork dumpling soup is a type of soup using wonton wrappers which originated from Molo district in Iloilo City, Philippines. It consists of a mixture of ground pork wrapped in molo or wonton wrapper, shredded chicken meat, and also shrimp

The Kadyos, Baboy, Lanka(KBL)- the dish that my mother's maid use to cook for the family also was listed as one of the local dishes, Iloilo is famous for because of its originality and creativity.  KBL is Peas, Pork and Jack Fruit. The Peas and Langka are grown in our Farm in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, This dish is one of the pleasant Food Memories in my childhood and teenager years,   

From the Local News:   A significant trading port, Iloilo City boasts a diverse cuisine influenced by Chinese, Malay, and Spanish cultures. Iloilo City is known for its delicious dishes, such as La Paz Batchoy and Pancit Molo. New restaurants and food businesses have emerged, showcasing the city's rich culinary heritage and innovative dishes. Iloilo City is also home to a number of food festivals and events, especially during January's Dinagyang Festival, which attracts visitors from all over the world. In addition to its culinary excellence, Iloilo City is also committed to sustainable food practices.

The news is a huge win for Iloilo City as it joins the list of Creative Cities for Gastronomy of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco)! This is under the initiative of Unesco called the Creative Cities Network launched back in 2004, wherein they promote cooperation among cities that have recognized culture and creativity as a strategic driver of sustainable urban development.

There are actually seven fields under the Creative Cities Network: crafts and folk art, design, film, media arts, literature, music and gastronomy. Baguio was named Creative City for craft and folk art in 2017 and Cebu as Creative City for design in 2019.

Here are the 7 most Popular Ilonggo recipes that is known all over the Philippines. 
https://www.yummy.ph/lessons/cooking/ilonggo-recipes-a00261-20190121

Read more: https://business.inquirer.net/430072/hail-to-iloilo-unesco-city-of-gastronomy#ixzz8J466HNCk

For a Collection of Recipes of popular Ilonggo Dishes read this web site: 

https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/19/cook-bible-flavors-of-iloilo-makes-its-debut/

Personal Note: Other regional ethnic Dishes popular to Filipinos are the Sisig of Pampanga Province, the Pinakbet from the Ilocos Region (Northern Philippines) and the spicy coconut dishes from the Bicol Region of the Philippines. Pampanga Province is known as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines.

Sisig is by far the most famous Kapampangan dish. It is made from chopped-up pig face, cheek, and ears, cooked with chicken liver, and seasoned with calamansi juice and chili peppers. 

Marinduque-my second home have several local dishes that are sought by tourist and must be tasted if you are in Marinduque. https://outoftownblog.com/the-best-native-delicacies-visitors-must-try-in-marinduque/

One of My Favorite Vlogger About the Philippines

Kyle Douglas Jennermann, better known as Kulas is a Canadian-Filipino travel vlogger. I am one of his of more than a million subscribers to his You-Tube Channel Becoming Filipino. His Becoming Filipino as of today has more than 385 million views. As of today, he has travelled to all of the 82 provinces of the Philippines. He is an inspiration for the younger generation. My favorite episode was his first travel to Marinduque -my second home. I am reposting some of his photos taken at that trip that lasted for 3 days. Here are some of the photos for your viewing pleasure. 

Drone View of the Boac Cathedral-Boac, Capital of Marinduque Province

Inside the Cathedral with Kumar and his Camera

Kulas in his Morion Out fit as a Roman Soldier

Inside of one of the Caves in the Province

Blue worm inside the underground river in one of the caves

Aerial View of Marker of the Geographical Center of the Philippines

Kulas and Kumar in Marinduque's small airport

Coconut Shells Chandelier-one of the many handicrafts projects in the Island

Kulas -Snorkeling? or just swimming in one of the Hot Springs in the Island?

One of the numerous vintage Houses in Downtown  Boac at Night Time

Purple rice cakes made of be yam- delicious and ibos ( sweet rice wrapped in coconut leaves) below 

Kulas honored and crown King of the Day with Putong Ceremony-only in Marinduque

Butterfly Pupae getting Ready for Packing and Export-Butterfly Industry in Marinduque 

Kulas admiring the Newly Hatch Butterfly for the Putong Ceremony and Other Events

 Hand- Carve Wooden Artifacts for Home Decor For Sale to Tourists
Kulas Inside Bagumbayan Cave in Santa Cruz  

Here's a short bio of Kulas from Wikipedia: 

Kyle Jennermann has traveled to multiple countries (29 countries in Europe and Southeast Asia) prior to settling in the Philippines. His last stop would be in Hong Kong. He went to the city in 2012 to work as an outdoor recreation educator. He would befriend his Filipino colleagues and learn about the Philippines.

BecomingFilipino is the name of Kulas' vlogging project which features his activities across the Philippines. He runs a YouTube channel and an Instagram account for this. He has previously maintained a standalone blog website where his followers can suggest activities for him. Kulas would feature in his own television show titled Becoming Filipino Your Travel Blog which first aired at ANC in August 2016.

Kulas acting as an ambassador for a grassroots community-led innovation program by the Department of Science and Technology. May 2021

Kulas' would first visit the Philippines in January 2013. He was still employed in Hong Kong at the time so his visits remain sporadic for a while. One noted visit was in November 2013, when he assisted in relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). He would commit more to his project when he quit his job in Hong Kong by around 2015, deciding to live in Cagayan de Oro which serves as his hub for his travels.

Kulas' content on his vlog features his experiences in visiting different parts of the Philippines as well as the culture of the relevant localities. One of his most viewed videos featured the lantaka weapon.

Kulas has helped in relief operations for victims of various other typhoons that impacted the Philippines like he did for Haiyan back in 2013.

By February 2023, he has visited 81 out of 82 provinces with Sulu the only unvisited province.

Kulas is a native of Comox Valley in British Columbia, Canada. Having been born around 1987 or 1988 in Vancouver Island, he has Canadian citizenship.

He received Filipino citizenship through an Act of Congress, specifically through Republic Act No. 11955 in 2023

His naturalization process began when Senate Bill No. 1509 was filed on November 14, 2022 by Senator Joel Villanueva in the Senate. This was followed by House Bill No. 1764, the House of Representatives counterpart of the proposed measure which was approved in February 2023. This bill was authored by Biñan Representative Marlyn Alonte. The two bills were consolidated in May 2023 and eventually was signed into law by President Bongbong Marcos in August 4, 2023.

He formalized his Filipino citizenship when he took his oath allegiance on September 13, 2023.

My blog Becoming American was inspired by His vlog Becoming Filipino. Here is the list of the top ten foreign vloggers promoting the Philippines. Kulas is #2 in the list.

top 10 foreign vloggers in the philippines

I Experienced Discrimination Because of the Way I Look

There were two episodes of my life here in the US that I experienced discrimination because of the color of my skin and the way I look.  I am reposting this today after reading an article recently that one out of five Asian-American born in the US hide their ancestry to Non-Asians because of fear of rejection and not able to "fit in". 

The first episode was in Gladstone, Missouri( suburb of Kansas City) in 1965 and the second was in San Diego, California in 1982. 

The David B Katague Family at the Hamilton Heights Swim Club, Gladstone. Mo. 1965

"Our Life in Missouri will not be complete if I do not write this incident about a subtle racial discrimination my family experienced from our local swim club.

In 1965, my wife and three children experienced their first discrimination experience in Gladstone, Missouri.   Gladstone is a northern suburb of Kansas City, Missouri with about 99.5% Caucasian population at that time.

The discrimination was not blatant but very subtle. After relocating in Missouri for my first job after my Ph.D graduation from the University of Illinois, my family and I joined a Country Swim Club just a couple of blocks and a walking distance from our rented residence. 

My wife, Macrine, and the kids would swim at the country club twice or three times a week. The first day, they were there, she overheard the conversation from two middle-aged ladies. She heard a comment of the first lady to her friend, "look we are getting invaded by blacks already". Macrine look around, but there were no black families around; she and the kids were the only colored ( brown) relaxing and swimming in the pool area. Macrine was bothered by what she heard but did not get upset. She continued watching the kids swimming in the pool and relayed her experience later to me. 
 

The David B Katague Family, Platte Woods, Missouri, Christmas Photo-1966 

After our second year in the neighborhood, we became more active socially and became well-known to the Gladstone community. I was elected by the members of the club as treasurer for two years. I was handling the payroll of three employees and collecting the membership fees of the 300 members. I was delighted that the club members and Board of Directors trusted me with their finances. I therefore conclude that the cure for discrimination is education and ignorance is the mother of prejudice".

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

This is the second episode of discrimination and stereotyping I experienced in 1982 because of the way I look. 

"Macrine and I attended a 3-DAY of Tennis Class and Vacation Package at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, California which at that time was a five star resort  to celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary in 1982.

Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, Caliornia

The following article (excerpt in Chapter 10 from my autobiography, written in 2009) is an example of an ethnic stereotyping based on my skin and appearance as an Asian man and a Filipino. 

"Life in Pinole, California would not be complete, If I do not write about our tennis activities as related to our 25th Wedding Anniversary in 1982. As part of our community activities, Macrine and I played tennis almost everyday after work. On weekends. I also played double with the men's team at Contra Costa College. So, as one of my silver wedding anniversary gift to Macrine, we decided to attend a 3-day tennis academy package at Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego. The five star resort is home of one of the best tennis academy in California at that time. For the three days, we played tennis 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. In between tennis we had gourmet meals and entertainment at night. The cost of the tennis package was very expensive, comparable to the cost of playing golf and staying at Bellarocca Resort here in Marinduque today.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2012/10/bellarocca-resort-versus-balesin-island.html

The cost of the trip was not my concern, since it was my Silver Wedding Anniversary gift to both Macrine and myself. An incident at the resort is why I am mentioning this trip. As soon as we check in, Macrine stayed at the front office to smoke, while I carried our luggage to our room. On my way to our room, an elderly white couple approached me and requested that I also helped them with their luggage as soon as I finished what I was doing. I gave them a surprise stare and blurted out, "I am just checking in myself, and I do not worked here". They apologized profusely. 

Later on, I realized why I had been mistaken for a porter. About 95% of the resort porters, janitors and maintenance workers were either Filipinos or Mexicans. This incident is an example of how people judged you with the color of your skin and not what you had accomplished or what is in your head".

The above tennis vacation package, a post 25th wedding anniversary gift to my wife and myself, we will never forget, because it reminds us of our younger days. Moreover, the above incident also reminds us that most people first impression of you is your external appearance and not what is inside your heart and head.

If you are a Filipino-American, have you experience a similar incident in your life? I will be glad to hear from you.

I Have Cravings for Soft Shell Crabs

After 2 days of feasting, ( Turkey Dinner on Wed-Thanksgiving Eve here at THD) and yesterday Honey Baked Ham Dinner at Dodie's and Ruth Residence in Bencia, you would think that I will not be thinking and writing another article on my Food Cravings.  On the contrary good food triggers more cravings and perhaps a sign of Food Addiction. Hopefully Not!  So today I am posting on my cravings for soft shell crabs. I wrote this last September.

"The end of September is also the end of the season for live or fresh soft shell crabs( SOFTIES). However, they are available all year round frozen and can be purchased in some restaurants or local fish markets in most big cities. Last May before I moved here at THD, I ordered soft shell crabs from my Favorite Seafood Restaurant in Rancho Cordoba.  It was expensive but delicious and it cured my cravings for the SOFTIES.  When we were residing in Maryland in the mid 1990's, availability of this seafood delicacy( fresh) was easy because of the nearness of Chesapeake Bay from May to September. 

Here in Walnut Creek, I am not sure where to buy soft shell Crabs. So I did a Google Search and here's what I learned.     

where to buy soft shell crab near me

One of the these Sunday Evenings when Food is not available here at THD I will order soft shell crabs via Door Dash, or Grubhub  and have it delivered in my front door not outside the gate of the The Heritage Downtown.  It will then be the only time when my cravings for this seafood delicacy will be satiated. Meanwhile I have several filipino dishes in my freezer ( Dinuguan, Calderetta) that I purchased recently just in case I will have cravings for Pinoy dishes. The other day my cravings for Dimsum was cured when Dinah and I were able to have a Dimsum lunch when we visited the Blackhawk Museum in Danville.  The other day, my friends from Fairfield, Frank and Mildred Cabunoc brought me PINAKBET that I consumed with gusto. 

Thank you, Frank and Mildred for the treat.  A lot of my non-Filipino co-residents here at THD had asked me the taste of pinakbet. Here's the answer to the question.

The tender and earthy sweet taste of the squash, the crunchiness of the green beans, the bitter taste of the bittermelon and the slimy texture of the okra are the flavors you will experience with pinakbet. This is a vegetable dish that may contain a little bit of shrimp or pork, but it is primarily a vegetable dish. The protein Pinoy dish that is a good pair is either Calderetta or Dinugu-an.  Calderetais a hearty meat dish using chevon (goat meat), beef, or pork combined with potatoes, carrots, tomato sauce, and liver spread or liver paste. This is a popular dish served during special occasions and a regular in every Filipino cookbook. 

Dinugu-an is a Filipino savory stew usually of pork offal (typically lungs, kidneys, intestines, ears, heart and snout) and/or meat simmered in a rich, spicy dark gravy of pig blood, garlic, chili and vinegar. As for the taste, Dinuguan is definitely porky and savory, not heavily salty, but usually with a sour note. Texture wise, this dish varies widely, from a fairly thin, light brown number to a thick, dark, grainy stew that Filipinos jokingly refer to as chocolate soup. I love this dish once in a while.

Finally, here's a photo of the Persimmons/Pomengranate Salad served Last Wednesday Here at THD to complement our Turkey Dinner! I hope you had a Great ThanksGiving Day. Mine was fantastic because it ended with the 49ers manhandling of the Seahawks in Seattle, Wa.

  

Thanksgiving Day- Time for Gratitude and Togetherness

My First Thanksgiving Day Celebration in the United States, Danville, Illinois, November, 1960. 

My first Thanksgiving Day was in 1960 and I have fully documented my personal experience discussed in this article in my hubpages.com writing account as follows:   

https://discover.hubpages.com/holidays/my-first-thanksgiving-day-in-the-united-states

Tomorrow will be my sixty three years of celebrating Thanksgiving Day here in the US. The David B Katague Clan will have a Get-Together Thanksgiving Party at My son's house in Benicia Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, however I am looking forward to enjoy the Special Thanksgiving Dinner at Newton's this afternoon.   

Here's the Thanksgiving Menu Here at Newton's this Afternoon.  On Thursday, Dinah and I are going to Benicia at Dodie's Residence for Honey Baked Ham Dinner,  Philippine Mahjong and 49'ers vs Seahawks Game at NBC to complete the afternoon/evening Thanksgiving Holiday Celebration.  For those of you celebrating this day alone, my thoughts are with you, and hopefully are thankful that you are Ok even if you are not with your love ones this Thanksgiving Day.

These are the 12 things I am thankful for this year. There is no order of priority except for #1 and #2: 

1. Thank you Lord for giving me a Memorable and Goal-Achieved Life for almost 89 years.

2. Thank you to All My Children and Grand Children and my future Great Grand Children.

3. Thank you to all my Close and Distant Relatives All over the World   

4. Thank you to all My friends and relatives locally, specially the ones that visits me every now and then here at THD.

5. Thank you to all my loyal readers of my blogs and Face Book page all over the World.

Dean Elias and I enjoying beer at the Oktoberfest Party Here at THD  

6. Thank you to my loyal readers and commentators of my blogs here in THD- Dean Elias, Phil Paris and Richard Botton.  

7.Thank you to all my newly found friends here at THD- specifically my co-bridge players, and co-mahjong players and my dancing Zumba co-residents.  

8. Thank You to Val, the owner of THD for making this place an enjoyable Art and Garden Paradise right in the heart of downtown Walnut Creek, CA  and your commitment to make life of its senior residents a very pleasant experience.  

Martha ( Dining Staff) and I during The THD Halloween Party last October 31

9. Thank you to all THD Management, Office and Concierge Staff, Dining/Kitchen, House Keeping and Maintenance Staff and specially to Lisa Bellini💥 for taking care of Batman & Robin last June when I was away for 3 days and to Joseph Woo for helping me with my slides during my talk last month. 

10. Special thank you to Jenny S for her smiles and friendly demeanor to all the THD Residents.

11. Thank you to Karen K for organizing the activities that I have enjoyed here the past 6 months. Specifically, the first celebration of Filipino-American History Month of October here at THD with Filipino dinner menu offered in Newton's, Speaker of the Month- Resident Spotlight of "All you want to Know about the Philippines but were Afraid to Ask"  and the several award-winning Filipino movies at our Cinema in the two weeks of October. It's just too bad we did not have a Karaoke Night! 

And last but not least to 

12. Batman and Robin for keeping me company, in spite of their mischievous acts of breaking a couple of my potted plants while chasing the local squirrel visiting my patio.  

A Thanksgiving Bouquet from Last Year Thanksgiving Day in Fair Oaks, CA!

Here's my thanksgiving articles the last two years( 2021 and 2022).

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2022/11/two-young-cats-and-old-dude-wish-you.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2021/11/this-year-thanksgiving-celebration-what.html

In November, 2020, we did not have a Thanksgiving Get Together because of Covid-19. Instead we have:

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2020/11/no-thanksgiving-get-together-this-year.html

💥 As of last week Lisa is no longer employed here at THD. There was no explanation what happened so most of us residents are wondering what happen? We the residents here will be delighted to know why Lisa is no longer employed here at THD.  The last time I talked to her she seems happy and was looking forward for her coordinating the Wit and Wisdom Circle here at THD.   Good Luck, Lisa wherever you are! Thanks again for taking care of Batman & Robin.  

The Logic of the Response to No Trump Bidding in Bridge

Contract or Party Bridge is a Game of Logic!!! Bridge is my Card Game and Asian Mahjong is my Tile Game. I am now playing bridge 3 times per week here at THD.  There is a Bridge Game every day here at THD. If you love to play bridge, THD is the Place For You if you are looking for an Independent Living Senior Community in the EastBay!! 

https://discover.hubpages.com/games-hobbies/bridge-is-my-card-game

Here's some useful tips from Phil Paris-a good bridge player here at THD on responses to No Trump Bidding 

No Trump bidding

A bid of one no trump communicates something important to partner.  You have 15 - 17 points and a balanced hand (no voids, no singleton, only one doubleton).  It does not mean you want to end up with a no trump bid.  It is safer to end up in a suit.  It is best not to bid one NT with 18 or 19 points, a much stronger hand you let partner know on your second bid - a jump shift.  When even more fortunate to be dealt a balanced hand with 20 or 21 points, a 2 NT opener is called for. In the rare case of a balanced hand with 25 points, the bid is 3 NT.

No Trump responses

The first goal is to find a suit, combining eight cards in a major suit (hearts or spades).

There is a three step response to an opening no trump bid:

1. With a five card major, ( You need no points to transfer.)-Use the Jacoby transfer.  Most important is your second bid, after partner has transferred.  You have no idea if partner has 2 or 3 cards in you major suit.  You bid your points.  With 8 points, pass, With 9 points, bid two NT and with 10 points, bid 3 NT.  Now your partner knows exactly how many points you have.  Partner will bid the major suit if they have three of that suit, making a total of five.  Partner will bid No Trump if they have only two of the suit.  But partner, knowing exactly how many points you have, will bid knowing it takes 25 points for a game bid of either three NT or 4 of that major suit.
2. With a four card major suit and at lest 8 points, the bid is 2 clubs-Stayman. Partner will respond with their four card major suit in an effort to find that 8 card major suit.  If partner has no four card major suit, their bid is 2 NT if they have 15 or 16 points.  If fortunate to have 17 points, partner bids 3 NT knowing you have at least 8 points, a total of that 25 points needed for a game bid.
3. Without a five card or four card suit, the bid is simply on the basis of your point count.

      With 8 points or less, pass. With 9 points the bid is 2 NT.  With 10 points, bid 3 NT  as partner has at least 15 points for a total of 25 points.  That 2 NT bid with nine points serves as an invite to partner to bid 3 NT if they have 16 points, for a total of 25 points.

Question: Does 25 points guarantee making a game bid of 3 NT or 4 in a major suit?

Answer: Certainly not, but chances are very good the bid will succeed.  There is no perfect system; there is only the greater chance of success.

Personal Note: If partnership has a total of 25 Points and did not make a game contract- Just blamed it on distribution, if you did not make a bad play! or it is your unlucky day!

Question: Do you know the difference between a 2Clubs versus a 2NT opening bid?

The difference between a 2 Clubs bid ( 22 or more points) that it is a forcing bid, whereas you can Pass a 2NT( 20-21 balanced hand) opening bid if you have 0-3 points. You have to respond however 2 Diamonds if you have 0-3 points if partner opens with 2Clubs. This will keep the bidding open.   

Here are the artificial responses to a 2 Clubs Opening Bid showing your points: 2D(0-3 pts), 2H( 4-6 pts), 2S (7-9 pts) and 2NT (10 pts or more)

Here are the responses to an Opening 2NT bid ( 20-22 balanced hand) using the American Standard ( Yellow Card) bidding system. Enjoy the Game and Relax!

https://www.nofearbridge.co.uk/acol/responding_to_2NT_summary_and_flowchart.pdf

Chamber Music Here at THD- Most Enjoyable But a Lot of Empty Seats

Yesterday Chamber Music with Violinist Kathryn Hoffer and friends, Janet Grizzle ( violin) and Wendy Reynolds ( cello) is an activity that confirms THD is a Five Star Active Senior Community in Walnut Creek.  The trio's repertoire was well-planned with Bach, Handell and Bethoveen sprinkled with popular tunes such as Yesterday, the Prayer, Simple Gifts and other popular tunes if you are a music lover of chamber music . The rendition of Yesterday make me shed a tear or two, since the piece is one of Macrine's favorite piece.    The event was not well attended because there is a 49er's Game going at the same time slot. Here are some photos taken by Dinah, my oldest daughter who was visiting me yesterday.  Thanks Dinah for the photo:

Again Kudos to Karen K our Activity Director Guru for a most-enjoyable afternoon of Chamber Music. We need more activities similar to this. Meanwhile here's my post on my favorite Violin Concertos.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2020/09/my-three-favorite-violin-concertos.html