The Filipino Fix
Photography: Nicole Ponseca
Greetings from Manila — this week is short and sweet.
Every time I'm in Manila, I'm drawn to visiting The National Museum. The artworks of the great minds and imaginations of my ancestors keep me connected to the past and inspired for the future.
"Spoliarium" by Juan Luna (1884), contributed by Laurinne Eugenio (2023)
“Spoliarium” is a famous artwork by the Filipino painter Juan Luna in 1884. The “spoliarium” was the place where Roman gladiators were stripped of their armor after defeat in the amphitheatre. “Luna’s painting reflects the cultural and political context of the Philippines during its colonial period. It was created while the Philippines was under Spanish rule, and Luna used it as a way to criticize the oppressive colonial government and the exploitation of the Filipino people. The painting expresses Luna's strong sense of nationalism and his desire for freedom and justice for his fellow Filipinos. “Spoliarium” played a role in inspiring Filipinos to stand up against the political oppression imposed by their Spanish colonizers.
MANHATTAN
Meet the Speakers Representing Filipino Flavors at ACE NextGen’s Annual Unity Conference
Click above for a message from both founders!
Jake Deleon of Fila Manila
Jake Deleon is a true inspiration when it comes to putting Filipino representation into the limelight! 🌟 During the pandemic, Jake used his stimulus check to start Fila Manila, a now nationally recognized brand sold at Whole Foods, Target, Kroger, Amazon, and many other reputable retailers. Jake’s mission is to really put Filipino food on the map as a way to show Americans (and soon, the world 🌎) how delicious it can truly be! From Ube spread to Kare Kare, to Adobo marinades, and last but not least - the iconic Banana Ketchup - Fila Manila is on its way to take over the CPG market by storm, one retail store at a time⚡️
Taufeek Shah of Lola’s Fine Hot Sauce
Taufeek Shah is a fantastic example of what it means to pass down traditions for generations to come. Lola’s Fine Hot Sauce is the first Filipino-owned hot sauce in the States and can be found in thousands of Walmart’s, Albertson’s, and other reputable grocery stores across the nation 🛒
Made with a blend of Filipino and Pakistani flavors that were inspired by his parents, Lola’s embodies diverse ingredients like jalapeños, mangos, and even bacon from Iowa 🥓 However, Taufeek mentions that the most important ingredient in Lola’s is love ❤️
Learn from Taufeek and Jake on our “Loud, Proud, & Flavorful” panel at the Unity Conference this October 3-5 in NYC. Use promo code UNITY100 for $100 off your ticket!
MIAMI
Celebrate Filipino culture and cuisine at the 2nd Annual Banana Catchup Filipino Block Party at 1-800-Lucky, Miami's first Asian food hall, on October 19th.
Hosted by Nicole Ponseca of Jeepney, Darren Mendoza of Lutong Pinoy, and Cheryl Tiu of Cross Cultures in partnership with the Filipino Food Movement and ACE NextGen Miami, this vibrant celebration honors Filipino heritage and cuisine.
Enjoy a Filipino marketplace featuring local vendors, including Graze & Gobble and Ives & Bees. Delicious dishes will be served by hosts Nicole Ponseca and Darren Mendoza, as well as a lineup of esteemed South Florida chefs curated by Cheryl Tiu.
Collaborative culinary concepts will feature creations from Leicel Ros and Nancy Dominguez of Sili Miami, Reiji Yoshizawa and Jason Acoba, and Filipino-Cuban mashups by Masa Craft.
The event will also include live entertainment, with a DJ set by Kuya Trey, traditional dance performances, and a karaoke competition, making it a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in Filipino culture and community.
Admission is free to the public, but space is limited so reserve your spot!
RECIPE SPOTLIGHT
Biko
Photography: Foxy Folksy
“Biko (pronounced bee-koh), a rice cake, is a native Filipino delicacy or 'kakanin' where glutinous rice is cooked with coconut milk and brown sugar then topped with Latik. The latik can be either in curd form or syrup. Traditionally, biko is served on a bilao, a round wooden bamboo tray, lined with coconut-oiled banana leaves, and is a popular dessert for every special occasion like birthdays, reunions and fiestas.”
Check out this recipe from Foxy Folksy.