Art's cooking: June 2010

Philippine Independece Day

A simple yet very meaningful celebration of the country's Independence Day was held at our Philippine Consulate in Jeddah last June 12 (Saturday). It started with a very brief message from the Consul General himself, Ezeddin Tago and the symbolic Philippine flag ceremony.

While this is only our 2nd time to visit the our Consulate (please refer to Migrant Workers' Day entry), ganon pala feeling, it's like you're at home. And during flag ceremony grabe! may kakaibang kirot (aray!). Probably because it has been that long since we attended a flag raising ceremony (ikaw? kelan ang huli mong naka-attend ng flag ceremony?)

The ceremony and messages of our respective consular officials were brief. And Artscooking's participation was limited to providing simple yet very Pinoy breakfast - tapsilog.

Thanks to Vice-Consul Jennifer Dinga for allowing us to cater during this very important event.

Philippine Independence Day celebration held at the 2nd Flr of the Philippine Consulate Bldg in Rehab District, Jeddah

Artscooking breakfast set-up during the Philippine Independence Day celebration

A very Pinoy breakfast Tapsilog (Tapa, sinangag & itlog) was served during the celebration (buffet style)

Sponsored by:

PinoySpa

Our own small oasis

Migrant Workers' Day

The event has been on all over the news, and we guess there's no need for us to state its rationale. Pero ang mahalaga, nakatipon-tipon na naman mga Pinoy dito sa Jeddah para muling magkasamasama at maging masaya. (kahit sandali lang ng June 4). Para sa mga common Pinoy tulad namin, its significance lies in giving due recognition to our contribution to the development of the country, however small they maybe.

Kaya nga Artscooking is so proud to have been chosen to cater to this very special event. Even though there has been challenges before, during and after the occasion, still, this celebration, hmmm...shall we way, really made us.

So, to Welfare Officer Ms. Nini Lanto and to Labor Attache Vicente Cabe, our sincerest thanks for giving us the chance to serve our Filipino community in Jeddah.

Mabuhay tayong lahat!

Here's Artscooking set-up during the event.

Yep, that's right! We used real china plates and stainless spoon & fork. And since we expected more than 200 guests (actually more than 300), we used our full force so we can be sure everybody's getting it on their plates.

The menu: Roast Beef, Shrimp Rolls with Cheese, Chicken Rolls, Mixed Veggies with Quail Eggs,& Buko Pandan.

Mixed veggies with quail eggs

Shrimp rolls with cheese

Chicken rolls

Roast beef

Sponsored by:

PinoySpa

Our own small oasis

See You Again Mercy!

The world has become a pretty small place and most of us move around a lot. We move away for school or a new job, and unfortunately for most of us Filipinos here in Saudi Arabia, especially those living with the family, we have to accept the reality that we need to send our kids back to our own country to continue their college education when the time comes.

This is the case of Mercy, a 16 year old kid who's known Jeddah her lifetime. While this temporary set-up is sad because she'll be away with the family, the positive spin to this situation is that she's taking a step to a brighter future.

We know, despite some misgivings, Philippines still has one of the best educational systems. And we parents know that education is the best "pamana" we can ever leave our children with. So to the parents and close relatives of Mercy, rejoice because you know you're doing the right move. We can always keep in touch with our loved ones back at home thru cell phones and instant messages, email, Facebook and Twitter anyway.

We failed to take a pix of Mercy because the young lady is shy.