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.

Here's the menu during the occasion: Roast Beef, Chicken with Cashew Nuts, Shrimp Casserole, Fish Fillet, Mixed Veggies, Buko Pandan & Sapin-sapin.

Shrimp casserole

Mixed veggies with quail eggs

Chicken with cashew nuts

Roast beef

Fish fillet in sweet & sour sauce

Sapin-sapin

Buko pandan

Sponsored by:

PinoySpa

Our own small oasis

Happy Birthday Gwen!

"The sweetest song fades to echo in the wind", lyrics from the song "It's just Goodbye". We said goodbye because we learned that our birthday girl Gwen will also be leaving for good to attend to her and hubby's children back in the Philippines.

So this is a birthday sans despedida celebration.

Well, ganon naman talaga. We, Filipinos here in the Kingdom, should always try to focus to what is more important. Syempre, the welfare of our children. Ika nga, what's the sense of trying hard to fulfill our material dreams kung di naman natin maisaayos ang kapakanan ng mga anak-anak natin (from the book, KAPENG ARABO).

So, to Gwen and hubby, we salute you in your decision.

Kunsabagay, pansamantala lang naman tayong lahat dito, di ba? wink! wink!

"It's just goodbye. Time is never our friend. Now, I'll tell you do not cry. 'Coz what we have will never die."

Here's Artscooking set-up during the occassion held last April 29 at Sheraton Al Nakheel.

The menu: Shrimp Casserolle, Pansit Malabon, Mixed Veggies with quail eggs, Mixed Seafood Fried Rice, Chicken with cashew nuts, Beef Menudo.

Shrimp caserolle

Pansit malabon

Mixed veggies with quail eggs
Mixed seafoods fried riceChicken with cashew nutsBeef Menudo

Our sponsor:

http://kapengarabo.blogspot.com

Baptism of Coco

We at Artscooking join the family and friends in welcoming Coco into the Christian world. We wish that this little boy grow up to be a better person, and that our good Lord above always showers him with His love and guides him on life's way.

This event was held in Al Hamra District last April 15. We found the house was full to the brim with friends of the family. Well, that's what you get when you're kind and nice to other nationalities. Yes, the event seemed a multi-cultural party.

Here's Artscooking menu: Beef brocolli, Roast chicken, Mixed veggies with quail eggs, Fish fillet (maya-maya) in sweet & sour sauce, Fish fillet (lapu-lapu), Pichi-pichi, Maja blanca, & Sapin-sapin.

Beef brocolli

Roast chicken
Mixed veggies with quail eggs
Fish fillet (maya-maya) in sweet & sour sauce

Fish fillet (lapu-lapu)

Pichi-pichi

Sapin-sapin
Maja blanca

Our sponsor

WATHC OUT FOR THE RE-FILL, BOOK 2 OF KAPENG ARABO

http://kapengarabo.blogspot.com

Bicol-Saro sponsors Computer Seminar

For the last 6 Fridays (March 5 to April 9), Artscooking has been a part in one of the most meaningful seminars that aims to uplift literacy of our kababayans in Jeddah. "Basic Computer Seminar" is crash instensive course that uses lectures and workshop to teach the basics of computer trouble shooting.

While Bicol-Saro, the ever dynamic group that sponsored this event, fed the hungry minds and tried to build/add skills of the participants, our role is to nourish these peepz by providing packed lunch. We did our best to provide sumptous food every Friday so they can hold on to the challenges of learning all throughout the day. We did provide 2 viands, rice and dessert (our bad is that we failed to take picture of each packed lunch week after week. Well, there's always next time : >)

Bicol-Saro officers and staff

It always feels good supporting these kinds of efforts. And we hope all the groups and organizations here in Jeddah emulate Bicol-Saro Group by coming up with their own worthy projects.

So kudos to Bicol-Saro!

And to the participants of the seminar, with your newfound skill, we wish you goodluck in your careers!

Cheers!

http://kapengarabo.blogspot.com/