DFA, ASEAN Ladies Foundation launch
‘Table for Ten: ASEAN Shared Food Traditions’
Remarks were delivered by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., ALF Chairperson, Mme. Maria Lourdes B. Locsin, Assistant Secretary Eduardo Martin R. Menez of the DFA Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy and H.E. Songkane Luangmuninthone, Ambassador of Lao PDR and his spouse, Mme. Anothay Luangmuninthone, ALF President. (DFA-OPCD photos by Philip Fernandez)
PASAY CITY, 31 December 2021 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the ASEAN Ladies Foundation (ALF) successfully launched the book, “Table for Ten: ASEAN Shared Food Traditions” on 29 December 2021 at the Bulwagang Elpidio Quirino in the DFA.
Championed by Mme. Maria Lourdes B. Locsin, spouse of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. and ALF Chairperson, the book aims to promote the varied and rich culinary traditions of ASEAN countries alongside Philippine culture and cuisine.
In her opening remarks, Mme. Locsin said that “The universal love for food always fosters camaraderie…This project is driven by the ALF’s desire to contribute to ASEAN’s vision of a caring and sharing community”.
In his keynote address, Secretary Locsin said that the book “speaks of the quintessential ASEAN story of togetherness and connection. It is a rich, vivid reflection of our shared but diverse cultural heritage, shaped by our common bounty and longstanding cultural harmony.”
“Table for Ten” contains 25 recipes and 12 essays that celebrate the diversity and similarities of the food heritage of the ASEAN countries. The book was put together as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the ALF.
Remarks were also given by Assistant Secretary Eduardo Martin R. Menez of the DFA Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy, and H.E. Songkane Luangmuninthone, Ambassador for Lao PDR to the Philippines, whose spouse Mme. Anothay Luangmuninthone is the ALF President. Amb. Luangmuninthone expressed appreciation for the DFA and the ALF in continuously playing an important role in enriching cultural exchanges between ASEAN members.
From left to right: Assistant Secretary Menez of DFA-OPCD, ALF Chairperson Mme. Maria Lourdes B. Locsin, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., Chief Coordinator Irene Susan B. Natividad, Assistant Secretary Daniel Espiritu of the Office of ASEAN Affairs, and, Deputy Undersecretary Marie Charlotte Tang of the Office of the Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs, and together with the ASEAN Ladies Foundation Board members and country representatives, launch the book, “Table for Ten: ASEAN Shared Food Traditions” (DFA-OPCD photos by Philip Fernandez)
The event saw the participation of the ALF Board of Trustees and country representatives from the ASEAN Embassies in the Philippines, including Ambassador Johariah Wahab of Brunei Darussalam; Ambassador Songkane Luangmuninthone of Lao PDR and Mme. Anothay Luangmuninthone, ALF President; Ambassador Hoang Huy Chung of Viet Nam; Chargé Vong Sopheap of Cambodia; Chargé Widya Rahmanto of Indonesia and Mrs. Linda Rahmanto, ALF Public Relations Officer; Chargé Nurriha Ahmad of Malaysia; Chargé Aung Kyaw Oo of Myanmar; Chargé Jingxuan Pan of Singapore; Chargé Thawat Sumitmor of Thailand, and from the Philippines, Ms. Nora Salazar, ALF Corporate Secretary, and Ms. Maria Cecilia P. Wenceslao, ALF Treasurer.
During the launch, a video message on a summary of the book and messages were given by the book production team led by Studio 5 Designs, Inc. President, Maria Lydia Y. Orosa and the award-winning writers, Michaela Fenix, Datu Shariff Pendatun, and Bryan Koh.
During the event, the concept for “Table for Ten” was brought to life through various dishes prepared by the ASEAN Embassies and the Philippines. Brunei brought Nasi Lemak Pusu, Cambodia served a noodle dish, Chha Mi Sur, Indonesia prepared Sate Lilit Bali with Sambal Matah and Lontong, Lao PDR provided Larb Kai, a chicken salad, Malaysia presented a Nasi Lemak Platter, Myanmar shared Si-Htamin, a yellow sticky rice dish with smoked dried fish, Singapore provided the biscuit, Kueh Bangkit, Thailand prepared a dessert, Pa Ka Krong, Viet Nam served Banh My (Bánh mì), and the Philippines provided Bibingka prepared by Chef Florabel Co-Yatco. The food dishes were pre-packed in accordance with prevailing health and safety protocols. To add to the celebration, music representing all 10 ASEAN countries were played during the brief program.
Founded in 1996 initially as the ASEAN Ladies Circle and incorporated in 2007 as the ASEAN Ladies Foundation, the ALF envisions to foster closer ties and unity among the ASEAN Embassies in the Philippines as well as promote awareness and understanding of the various history and cultural heritage of the ASEAN countries. END
Secretary Locsin views the “Table for Ten” representing dishes from all ASEAN countries; a ceremonial toast was led by Mme. Maria Lourdes B. Locsin and ceremonial cake slice by both Mme. Locsin and ALF President, Mme. Anothay Luangmuninthone of Lao PDR. (DFA-OPCD photos by Philip Fernandez)
Mme. Maria Lourdes B. Locsin, Spouse of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Overall Chairperson of the ASEAN Ladies Foundation, the DFA Ladies Foundation, and the International Bazaar Foundation, holds a copy of the “Table for Ten: ASEAN Shared Food Traditions” at its launch held on 29 December 2021. (DFA-SPU photo by Cecil Wenceslao)