PH Embassy in Brunei Enhances Culinary Knowledge at Laksamana College of Business with Book Donation
Left: Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio and Dr. Sivarajah Subramaniam, COO of Laksamana College of Business, during the ceremonial handover of books on Philippine cuisine. Right: Ambassador Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio and Dr. Dr. Sivarajah Subramaniam unveil the new Philippine Culinary section at Laksamana’s College’s library.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWA, 06 MAY 2024— In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Brunei, the Philippine Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan donated a collection of notable books on Philippine cuisine to The Culinary School, Laksamana College of Business (LCB) on 02 May 2024. The donation launches the culinary arts library collection of Laksamana College, envisioned to grow into a more extensive collection, with a section dedicated to Philippine cuisine and its culinary traditions.
Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio remarked on the occasion, that “beyond the kitchen, these books symbolize something greater. They represent the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Brunei—a friendship rooted in mutual respect, understanding, and a shared love for good food."
She further shared that “these books are bridges that connect us in a shared journey of discovery and friendship.” She hoped that the books “... inspire future generations of chefs to push the boundaries of creativity, to preserve the traditions of the past, and to spread the flavors of the Philippines to every corner of the world.”
Dr. Sivarajah Subramaniam expressed appreciation for the donation, stating, "We are truly grateful for this initial donation from the Embassy, and we eagerly anticipate growing a dedicated Philippine cuisine book corner in our library. This corner will serve as a hub for exploration, learning, and appreciation of Filipino cuisine, fostering cultural exchange and understanding among our students and staff.”
The book donations feature Nicole Ponseca and Miguel Trinidad’s I Am a Filipino: And This Is How We Cook which is on Taste Atlas’ 150 Most Iconic Cookbooks of 2023 list. The annual global list released on 14 December 2023 ranked I Am a Filipino in 39th place. I am a Filipino was awarded Best Cookbook of the Year by The New Yorker, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, New York Times Book Review, Houston Chronicles, and more. Other books that have received recognition are Simply Delicious, Kulinarya, Amboy, Filipino-American Kitchen,
Also included were authoritative cookbooks issued by renowned Philippine institutions such as Maya Kitchen, Goldilocks Bakeshop and Via Mare, and respected Filipino chefs such as Nora Daza, Claude Tayag and Reynaldo G. Alejandro. Some focused on dish specific books such as Panaderia, the Ultimate Filipino Adobo, and Pancit 101.
The celebrated books were officially handed over by Philippine Ambassador Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio to Dr. Sivarajah Subramaniam, COO and Deputy Principal of Laksamana College in a formal ceremony at Laksamana College. They were joined by April Lim, Marketing Executive & HSE Officer, and Pg Mohd Aiman Safwan Bin Pg Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohd Jefri, Business and Hospitality Lecturer and Philippine Embassy officials Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jacqueline L. Ong, Cultural Officer Mayla Perez, Cultural Assistant Philip Adrian G. Fernandez, and Economic Assistant Alec Chrisanti Arenas.
The book donations are expected to be a vital resource for the academic community at The Culinary School of Laksamana College of Business, providing its students and faculty access to extensive materials on the culinary traditions of the Philippines. The Culinary School, Laksamana College of Business, is the first private Culinary Arts institution in Brunei. The initiative supports the institution’s efforts to enhance culinary education and aligns with the Philippines’ National Literature Month and National Food Month's objective to promote cultural, literary and culinary appreciation. END
Left: Ambassador Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio addresses her remarks at the Laksamana College. Right: Dr. Sivarajah Subramaniam speaks of the impact of the Philippine book donation on the college’s culinary program. (Brunei PE photo)
Left: Vibrant display of Philippine Culinary Literature and traditional decorations at the book donation event, showcasing the rich food culture of the Philippines. Right: The newly-established Philippine cuisine section at Laksamana College’s Library featuring a curated selection of influential Filipino cookbooks and cultural artifacts. (Brunei PE photo)
From Left to Right: Economic Assistant Alec Chrisanti Arenas , Cultural Officer Mayla Perez, Director Bogusia Mischke, Dr. Sivarajah Subramaniam, Ambassador Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jacqueline L. Ong, Cultural Assistant Philip Adrian Fernandez and Marketing Executive Pg Mohd Aiman Safwan at the book donation event at Laksamana College of Business. (Brunei PE photo)
Members of the Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam and Laksamana College of Business, including Ambassador Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio and Dr. Sivarajah Subramaniam, alongside College Faculty and Culinary Students at the Book Donation Ceremony. (Brunei PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.bruneipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassybrunei.org, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinBrunei/, https://twitter.com/PHinBrunei, or https://www.instagram.com/phinbrunei/.