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NEW YORK, 21 October 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York successfully hosted “Handog sa Hapag: A Filipino Food Tasting Experience” on 16 October 2025, reaching a largely non-Filipino audience with the rich flavors of the Philippines. Held at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall, the event showcased Filipino food as a vital component of the nation’s cultural identity and advanced the Consulate’s cultural diplomacy efforts.
The culinary event, which commemorated Filipino-American History Month, was a continuation of initiatives that began during Filipino Food Month to promote and preserve Filipino cuisine. Partnering with New York-based Filipino-American culinary artists Chef Woldy Reyes and Chef Abi Balingit, the Consulate presented a curated tasting experience featuring traditional and contemporary dishes.
Guests were treated to a menu that highlighted regional flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques from the country’s three major island regions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The menu was intentionally designed to appeal to both Filipino and non-Filipino audiences, successfully promoting Filipino cuisine to a wider public.
The guests also received signed copies of Chef Woldy Reyes’ In the Kusina, featuring his seasonal, vegetable-forward takes on Filipino cuisine, and Chef Abi Balingit’s Mayumu, which focuses on inventive Filipino American dessert recipes.
The event not only promoted Filipino food but also advanced cultural diplomacy by showcasing the creativity and artistry of Filipino-Americans in the US Northeast. END
