Maritime Museum of Barcelona Showcases PH Cuisine in 

“Fish in the Kitchens of the World” 

Left photo: Maritime Museum of Barcelona (MMB) Director General Dr. Enrik Garcia Domingo welcoming guests to the “Fish in the Kitchens of the World” Philippine night. (Barcelona PCG photos)

BARCELONA, 27 October 2022 – The Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona participated in a culinary event organized by the Maritime Museum of Barcelona (MMB) with the theme “Fish in the Kitchens of the World”. The dinner event was held at the Norai Restaurant of the Maritime Museum. Philippine Consul General to Barcelona Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro and cultural officer Bernardo Bagalay represented the Consulate during the event.

The program was inspired by the travels of Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano. In organizing the event, the museum also served to commemorate the quincentennial of the first circumnavigation of the world. In keeping with the core objective of the museum and the program, ingredients associated with the sea were used for the 4-course meal.  

“I would like to express my appreciation to the Philippine Consulate General for taking part in tonight’s event. I hope that this will be the start of more collaborative efforts between the MMB and the Consulate to help revitalize our shared objective to promote the Philippines in Spain.” MMB Director General Dr. Enrik Garcia Domingo said in his welcome message.

Consul General Lazaro gave a brief message highlighting Philippine culture as it relates to the maritime nature of the country as an archipelago. The undersigned commended the museum officials for celebrating the quincentenary of the first circumnavigation of the world. Consul General Lazaro informed the guests, “The sea is very much a part of Philippine culture and heritage and has shaped the lives of many Filipinos not only in the past but also at present”.

The 4-course meal as presented by Norai Chef Xavi Barrachina consists of kilawin, vegetable lumpia, adobong sea bass and cassava cake. A cultural program showcasing the tinikling performed by members of the Fiesta Filipina Barcelona of the St. James the Lesser Church in Barcelona also highlighted the cultural fare. The meal was met with much enthusiasm, most of them experiencing Philippine cuisine for the first time. Attendees, most of whom are from the professional sector, were amazed by the creativity and skill exhibited by Fiesta Filipina Barcelona and were enticed to perform tinikling, much to the delight of those present. 

Director General Garcia also arranged a mini-exhibit showing historical documents and artifacts related to the voyage of Spanish seafarers to the Philippines in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  Of particular interest is a logbook with entries pertaining to the technical data of the ship’s voyage as well as drawings showing different islands in the Philippines.  

The night ended with everyone experiencing a glimpse of the Philippines as well as its strong connection with its Spanish heritage. END

Guests savoring the four-course meal presentation of Philippine cuisine.

Consul General Lazaro with Norai Chef Xavi Barrachina presenting the food to be served (in the photo is kilawin and lumpiang vegetables). (Barcelona PCG photo)

Fiesta Filipina Barcelona performers dancing the tinikling with a guest dancing to the delight of the audience. (Barcelona PCG photo)

Historical items on Philippine maritime travel presented during the event. (Barcelona PCG photos)

For more information, visit https://barcelonapcg.dfa.gov.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBarcelona/.