19 October 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Catalino R. Dilem, Jr. conducted a lecture on Philippine Cuisine at the 4th Conference of Conventual Cuisine held on October 14 at the Municipal Palace of the City of Puebla. The conference is an annual academic-cultural event, organized collectively by the various public and private tourism and cultural institutions of Puebla, aimed at the preservation, dissemination and research of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, specifically on the heritage of conventual cuisine.
The theme of this year’s conference revolved around the development of Mexico´s gastronomic heritage from the Manila Galleon trade, which played an important role in the cultural exchange between Asia and the Hispanic world. The conference was also held in commemoration of the Galleon Day which is being celebrated every October.
Local government officials, faculty members and culinary arts students of different universities in Puebla were in attendance.
In his welcome message, Mr. Regidor Miguel Mendez Gutierrez, President of the Commission on Tourism, Arts and Culture, conveyed his appreciation to the Ambassador for visiting and participating in the conference and expressed hope for future collaboration with the Philippine Embassy.
Ambassador Dilem discussed the Mexican influences on Philippine cuisine; the similarities and differences between Mexican and Philippine food; the different food and agricultural products transported by the Manila Galleon; and the various ingredients used in Filipino cooking.
He also talked about the close historical and cultural links between the two countries brought about by the 250 years of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade and the different activities held by the Embassy in cooperation with cultural groups in Mexico, to commemorate the anniversary of the Galleon Trade.
The Ambassador also met with the Mayor of Puebla, Hon. Antonio Gali, where the latter presented the historical features of the municipal building, its large collection of books and its museum. He said the building is included in the UNESCO´s World Heritage list. END