Pinoy makes a name in Spain’s art of ham carving

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Who knows more about the finest, top of the class Iberian ham than the master ham carver himself Michael López? The first maestro cortador Filipino demonstrates the art and the science of carving one of Spain's most prized gourmet jamón ibérico de bellota cinco jotas. Watch out for my full TV report on ABS-CBN! #jamón #ham #iberianham #jamonibericodebellota #cincojotas #maestrocortador #hamcarving #hamcarver #gourmet #Spain #Madrid #España #gastronomy #gastronomia #foodculture #foodporn #tapas #Filipinos #Philippines #Filipinas #philippineflag #maestrocortadorfilipino #meliacastilla #arcoscuchillos #arcos #knives #jamondejabugo #jabugo #acorn #huesca

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SPAIN – Michael Lopez’s exceptional skill, hard work, and more than a decade of experience in ham slicing have earned him the title of first Filipino maestro cortador of cinco jotas hams, one of the priciest and famous Iberian ham brands. One leg can cost around 30,000 pesos.

Iberian bellota hams, whose curing process takes place for three years, come from pure-bred pigs exclusively fed with bellota or acorn.

“The pigs only and exclusively eat acorn. It’s the acorn that makes them a cinco jotas, which we have here, and the best ham available. The size is very important so you can savour it. It has to be very thin, very transparent,” said Restaurantes Cinco Jotas store manager Silvia Garcia in Spanish.

Lopez has been invited to carve this most prized Spanish gourmet for the most exclusive crowd and sometimes to the surprise of foreign and Spanish audience who wouldn’t expect a Filipino like him to master an art practically exclusive to Spaniards and more so represent Spain in international gastronomy congresses.

“Pag nagsimula ka nang mag-demonstrate, alam nila ang ginagawa mo, na magaling ka namang mag-explain so nakukuha mo yung respect,” said Lopez.

Recently, Michael, with his brother Mark, was invited anew to UEFA Champions League to slice hams for the V.I.P. crowd of Europe’s most prestigious football tournament.

Five-star hotels in Madrid like Melía have also regularly availed of Lopez’s services because of his work ethic and excellent work quality. They also trust Lopez because they know he will never tamper a fine product like the Iberian ham.

Lopez also participated at the international food fair Madrid Fusión Manila held for the first time in the Philippines last April.

“Na-enjoy ko nang husto kasi na-appreciate ng tao ang trabaho mo lalo na yung sa Pilipinas, sa Madrid Fusion Manila, enjoy na enjoy kasi Filipino ang kaharap ko,” said Lopez who considered the event a dream come true and even offered the Filipino crowd a free crash course on ham carving.

“Kailangan talaga super nipis ang hiwa (at) maganda, paano mo i-te-take advantage the entire piece. In different parts of the ham, mayroong different kinds of techniques,” advised Lopez.

Lopez added that one will get thick, gristly slices or worse cut one’s self if someone’s not skilled enough to slice the ham. He also stressed the importance of using a stable ham stand and special knives.

 

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A master ham carver's table. Jamón de Jabugo de Bellota Cinco Jotas + Cuchillos + Pan #jamonibericodebellota #cincojotas #iberianham #ham #jabugo #huesca #cuchillos #knives #pan #bread #jamonero #hamstand #pinzas #tongs #meliacastilla #lalbufera #maestrocortador #maestrocortadorfilipino #foodculture #food #foodporn #gastronomia #gastronomy #Spain #España #cocina #tapas #gourmet #mesa #table

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Lopez disclosed, in an exclusive interview with TFC’s Balitang Global, that he is excited to demonstrate once again the fine art of ham carving to fellow Filipinos as he is set to slice jamón ibérico de bellota cinco jotas for Chef Jessie at Rockwell in October. ABS-CBNnews.com

Here’s the related TV report in Filipino aired on TFC Balitang Global:

 

Pinoy dance sport athletes shine in Germany

SPAIN – Celebrity and international dance sport athletes Stephanie Sabalo and Michael Angelo Marquez made it to the finals of international dance tournament German Open Championships held on August 11-15 in Stuttgart, Germany.

The dance couple still couldn’t believe that they clinched the top 5 position, besting 150 couples from around the world who competed in the Adult A Amateur Five Dance category.

“Sobrang happy talaga. Kahit noong tinawag pa lang na nakapasok kami ng top 6 sobrang happy na namin talaga,” said Marquez in an exclusive interview with The Filipino Channel’s Balitang Global.

They also took the 48th spot in the “Rising Star,” considered as the second biggest category of the week-long competition.

Sabalo and Marquez stood out despite height limitations and impressed judges in performing Latin dances such as jive, rhumba, cha-cha-cha, pasodoble, and samba.

Aside from them, according to the tournament’s website, two more dance couples from the Philippines dominated the Senior II A Standard Category namely Drs. Winifreda Constantino and Edgardo Ladimo and Veronica Lo and Oliver Rivera, who ranked 5th and 7th respectively.

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Celebrity and international dancesport athletes Stephanie Sabalo and Michael Angelo Marquez made jaws dropped at "Dance Festival" an event organized by Barcelona Dance Athletes. They had already impressed judges from around the world in the recently concluded German Open Championships. Watch out for my abs-cbnnews.com article and Balitang Global TV report on TFC ABS-CBN to know more about their latest achievement in the world dance stage. #dancesport #dancefloor #dance #latindance #fivedances #athletes #sports #jive #germanopenchampionships #Stuttgart #Germany #Barcelona #Spain #stephaniesabalo #angelomarquez #dancefestival #barcelonadanceathletes #balitangglobal #tfc #abscbn

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Sabalo and Marquez were also invited to perform in “Dance Festival”, an event organized by Barcelona Dance Athletes (BDA) in Barcelona, Spain.

“Masaya kami kasi we have the chance to share our talent, at the same time inspire small children to follow their dreams. Dreams do come true, just believe in yourself, (and) believe in God’s gift for you,” said Sabalo.

Rodel Espinosa, BDA founder and international dance sport champion himself, promotes dance sport among young children in Barcelona. He emphasized that it is no different with other sports because it is very technical, competitive, and dance athletes aim for perfection.

Rhea Rose Gautier, instructor based on Antibes, France, on the other hand, stressed the values that children can learn from dance sport.

“Maging punctual, maging masunurin…Sa practice nyo andun yung patience, respect sa partner…patient to learn basic steps. Makikinig sa parents kasi hindi nakakasayaw ang kids pag hindi susuportahan ng mga parents,” Gautier said. ABS-CBNnews.com

Here’s the related TV report in Filipino aired on TFC Balitang Global:

Filipino Martial Arts kick it way to Spain

 

SPAIN – Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) are becoming more and more popular in Spain.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Jhonee Llandejar teaches the techniques of Laraw, Kali, Pamuok to both Filipino and Spanish students in Fitness Place Sports Center in Barcelona.

Laraw, Kali, Pamuok, explained Llandejar, is a type of Filipino Martial Arts that employs the use of weapons such as wooden sticks Arnis and dirty boxing techniques.

Laraw means picture or reflection of the Kali weapon and the warrior. Kali means the use of weapons like Arnis and dagger, and Pamuok, which refers to hand-to-hand street fighting or no rules boxing techniques.

This type of martial arts is not only for self-defense, but also develops patience and self-control.

“Napaka-kumpleto niya, pwede mong ituro sa bata, pwede mong ituro sa matanda…sa mga babae. At saka kailangang-kailangan natin kasi mga Pinoy tayo, maliliit tayo. Yung sistema na pwede nating atakehin ‘tong isang ganitong kalaking tao, pwede tayong mag-defend sa sarili natin. Hindi tayo magpapa-bully, basta basta,” said Llandejar, who underwent FMA training in the Philippines and earned the rank of Guro.

Barcelona-based Filipinos Morland Magnayi and Daven Baraquel Magboo attend the sessions for health and self-defense reasons.

“At least mayroong self-defense ba, habang nag-e-exercise ka may natutunan ka sa sarili mo,” Magnayi said.

“Habang nasa kalye ka, hindi mo alam kung bigla ka na lang nanakawan alam mo yung gagawin mo para ma-defend mo yung sarili mo,” Baraquel pointed out.

The martial art also attracted interest of Spaniards despite mastering other combat sports.

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Suntukan to the next level. Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) which include the use of weapons (sticks or kali/arnis and knives), dirty boxing, and street fighting techniques have long been offered in a number of fitness centers in Barcelona. According to Guro Jhonee Llandelar, its origin can be traced to the fighting techniques employed by Philippine hero Lapu Lapu when he killed Fernão de Magalhães the Portuguese voyager sent by then Spanish Empire to colonize the archipelago now called the Philippines. In the picture is Llandejar's Itak Tagalog Barcelona chapter teaching Filipino martial arts Laraw Kali Pamuok. FMA have already been used in movies such as Bourne Identity and Fast and Furious 7 #kali #arnis #arnisdemano #filipinomartialarts #laraw #pamuok #panuntukan #itak #selfdefense #martialarts #fight #artesmarciales #Barcelona #España #Spain #suntukan #boxing #dirtyboxing #streetfighting #bourneidentity #fastandfurious #furious7 #Filipinas #Philippines #culture #history #lapulapu #magalhães #upbeatsunday

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Ruben Salas, who teaches boxing, said: “Most of my friends are Filipinos and I consider it very interesting because it trains the body both internally and externally and provides more defense than boxing,” said.

Filipino-Spanish taekwondo instructor Pepe Manuel wants to know more about Filipino culture through FMA.

“My mother is Filipino (so) it’s something that I want to learn, and its teaching method is more fluid. Perhaps, Korean taekwondo (and) Japanese karate although (have similarities with FMA) are very static, very rigid, but Arnis is very fluid with different method and employs a lot of strikes. I like it,” explained Manuel in Spanish.

Llandejar added that Filipino Martial Arts can trace its origin from precolonial fighting skills. Philippine hero Lapu-Lapu already showed expertise in the use of shield and weapon against Ferdinand Magellan’s heavily armored forces.

Filipino Martial Arts have also gained more international exposure, thanks to action stunts used in Hollywood blockbusters like Bourne Legacy and Fast and Furious 7. ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

UP Manila Chorale int’l prize win to help Bohol quake survivors

UP Manila Chorale competing at 61st Certamen Internacional de Habaneras y Polifonia in Torrevieja, Spain. Photo from UP Manila Chorale Facebook Page.

The official choir of the University of the Philippines Manila, UP Manila Chorale (UPMC), reaped awards in the two international choir competitions held in Spain.

UPMC, under the baton of Prof. Eman P. de Leon Jr., bagged two awards at the 33^rd Cantonigros International Choral Music Festival held in Vic, Spain—second prize in the Folk Music Category and third prize in the Mixed Choir Category.

Photo from UP Manila Chorale Facebook Page

It also competed at the 61^st Certamen Internacional de Habaneras y Polifonia in Torrevieja, Spain where it took the top prize in the Polyphony Category.  The award includes a cash prize worth 10,000 euros (approximately PHP 500,000).

Proceeds of the cash prizes and donations they received during their European tour will be given to the NGO Habitat for Humanity to build houses for the Bohol earthquake survivors.

“Bilang mga nasa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas at bilang yung mga istudyante ko po ay istudyante ng Medicine or Dentistry, basta nasa field kami ng health sciences, talagang pinili namin na tumulong para doon sa mga kababayan natin kasi pagkatapos nilang mag-aral, doon din ang punta nila, manggagamot ng mga kababayan natin at tutulong doon sa talagang mga nangangailangan,” de Leon said.

The choir also shared their world-class talent in music to international audience and fellow Filipinos living in Europe.  As part of their European tour “Talindaw 2015”, they also performed in Switzerland, France, Austria, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, and Czech Republic.

In Barcelona, Spain, UPMC participated in the 17th anniversary of the Filipino Personal Parish Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción y San Lorenzo Ruiz held at Iglesia de San Agustin.

The choir sang Spanish, Filipino, classical and popular music to the delight of Filipino residents in Barcelona.

 

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Something soothing and soporific from the University of the Philippines Manila Chorale who just had their concert at Iglesia de San Agustin as part of the Filipino Personal Parish's 17th anniversary celebration. It's their rendition of the Spanish song by Mocedades "Eres tú". The official choir of my alma mater recently reaped awards, under the baton of Prof. Eman de Leon Jr., in Cantonigros and Torrevieja International Choir Competitions. The last stop of their "Talindaw 2015" European tour is Frankfurt, Germany slated next week. Proceeds of cash prize and donations raised will be donated to Bohol earthquake survivors through Habitat for Humanity. More power to them and to our kababayans abroad who always open their homes to accommodate these talented students and goodwill ambassadors! Details on TFC Balitang Global and ABS-CBNnews.com #iskolarngbayan #upmanilachorale #upmc #talindaw #torrevieja #cantonigros #iglesiadesanagustín #anniversary #parish #parroquiadeinmaculadaconcepcionysanlorenzoruiz #mocedades #erestu #choirs #Spain #España #Barcelona #concert #Frankfurt #Germany #Europe #goodmusic #supportmusicians #supportartists #bayanihan

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“Napakaganda, naalala ko tuloy ang aking Inang Pilipinas,” said Emma Mercado.

“Napakaswerte ng parokya na meron tayong UP Choir from Manila. Kayamanan ng bayan yan,” said Thezz Saulog.

Filipinos in Barcelona also showcased the treasures they have in the community during the event—the the Filipino-Spanish youth talent in dancing and choir singing, which also won the hearts of the audience. ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

‘Taklub’ makes it to Gijon Int’l Film Fest in Spain

SPAIN – Just after winning the Ecumenical Jury Prize-Special Mention at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival last May, Filipino filmmaker Brillante Mendoza’s “Taklub” is still on a roll, this time competing at the Official Section of the Gijon International Film Festival in Asturias, Spain.

Starring Nora Aunor, the film is about the life of survivors of supertyphoon Yolanda.

The festival which will be held in November is famous for featuring independent films from around the world.

Last year, the festival invited Mendoza as its guest of honor.

Recently, his work was featured in a presentation by the Casa Asia in Barcelona.

Mendoza is considered as someone who continues the legacy of Lino Brocka, Kidlat Tahimik and other prominent directors who used their films to criticize social ills in the 70s.

Award-winning director Brillante Mendoza in 2013 Sitges International Film Festival in Spain with the author.

Jorge Ivan Argiz, program director of the Gijon International Film Festival, said Mendoza doesn’t surrender to what the market dictates. He maintains his identity as a director and continues to fight for cinema literacy and portrays reality.

Director Nacho Carballo of the Gijon International Film Festival added that Mendoza is a great filmmaker with fresh and unique films. Most importantly, his films tackle the real issues of Philippine society.

Aside from the praises he receives, the Filipino director knows how to interact with people, according to Gloria Fernandez, director of CineAsia, who wrote a book about him.

Mendoza is also behind the films “Masahista”, “Foster Child”, “Manoro”, “Kinatay”, “Lola”, “Thy Womb”, and many more. He said his stories are based on ordinary people in extraordinary situations. ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

Pinoy basketball player in Spain gets own Nike jersey

SPAIN – A Barcelona-based Filipino playing for Spain’s 3×3 street basketball team has once again brought pride, especially to Filipinos in Spain.

Nike Spain has produced basketball jerseys that bear the surname of Ruben Zaballa, the only Filipino player representing Spain in FIBA’s international street basketball tournaments.

According to Zaballa, only 3,000 shirts have been released in Spain last January but more shirts will be available this summer.

His photo with Filipinos wearing the Zaballa jersey went viral among Filipino residents in Spain.

Recently, Zaballa was given the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by Filipino organization Barcelona All Filipino Sports Commission (BAFSCOM) for serving as an inspiration to fellow Filipino basketball players.

The former UE Red Warriors varsity was MVP for a number of times in BAFSCOM leagues and Spain-wide tournament for Filipinos Ambassador’s Cup.

“Proud ako kay Ruben dahil napakagaling niya maglaro ng basketball hindi lang dito sa liga namin ng BAFSCOM, sa Europa (rin),” said BAFSCOM president Allan Mabilangan.

“Pinatunayan ko lang na hindi puro height ang labanan dito, kundi yung sabi nga sa national team natin, puso, puso, saka yun nga, siyempre trust in God, yun ang pinakaimportante roon,” said Zaballa.

Self-discipline and right attitude are also important to reach one’s dream, he added. Daniel Infante Tuaño ABS-CBN

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

 

Pinoy, part of rising indie rock band in Spain

 

Photo grabbed from the band’s Facebook page

SPAIN – A local band with a Filipino drummer is gaining popularity in Spain. Their first album is also titled in a local Philippine dialect: Pangasinense.

The Prussians’ Filipino drummer Tino Lucena Bautista was born in Spain but still remains Pinoy at heart. His father is native of Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija while his mother is from Urdaneta City, in Pangasinan.

“Sa mga ibang lugar, walang Pilipino kaya nagugulat sila. Parang taga-saan ka? Bakit perfecto, perfect ang Spanish mo, tapos Catalan? Kasi dito ako lumaki,” he said.

Bautista was the one who formed the band. Among his influences are the drummers of Yosha, Michael Alba and Vic Mercado of Bamboo.

“The Prussians” is composed of vocalist Dominic Masso, guitarist Jorge Alarcon, bassist Biel Abrines and keyboardist Ferchu Vallejos, who are all from the island of Mallorca.

“It’s nice that a lot of people come to your show and congratulating you after the show,” said Abrines.

The band just recently capped its national tour at the Barts Club in Barcelona.

“I really like it. I mean, they are really young people but I think they have a very good future,” said concert promoter, Inday Mercader.

The band held concerts all over Spain to promote their first album titled in Pangasinense called “Mul Mul”.

“We want to play in international festivals. We want to grow up all time. First of all festivals in Spain and then let’s see what happens,” said Alarcon.

Meanwhile, Masso mentioned that the band was supposed to be named “White Philippines”. But since they were already known as The Prussians, they decided not to change it anymore.

“We would love to go to Philippines on tour, for example. Philippine promoters, if you want us, we will be there. Girls, boys, we want to go to Philippines. You won’t regret it,” he said. Daniel Infante Tuaño, ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

‘Kinilaw’ steals spotlight at food festival in Madrid

SPAIN – The Philippines’ very own raw dish in vinegar captivated food lovers and the world’s top chefs who participated in Spain’s important international gastronomy summit, Madrid Fusion.

It is a culinary milestone for the Philippines as this is the first time the country has been invited to showcase Filipino cuisine in an event considered as world’s most important chef’s congress, and a dream come true for superstar Filipino chefs Margarita “Gaita” Fores and Myrna Segismundo to put the country in the world’s culinary map.

Fores and Segismundo’s demonstration on how to prepare kinilaw received enthusiastic reception and praises from the public at the Palacio de Congresos Municipal in Madrid where the event was held.

Fores presented Negrense seabass kinilaw while Segismundo showed how to prepare Batangueño seafood kinilaw. They also prepared grilled pork and fish kinilaw called ‘sinuglaw’ and introduced some of the ingredients that can only be found in the Philippines such as tabon-tabon fruit, calamansi, and salt with coconut called ‘duldul’.

 

 

“Very innovative, I like it a lot. It has a mixture of new flavors, lot of spices, very spicy. It’s new for me,” Amanda Iglesias, a chef at Madrid five-star Hotel Orfila, said in Spanish after tasting kinilaw.

“I never knew that you could create this kind of acidity with this fruit that you have, so it’s amazing to me on how can you avoid to use lime or lemon and use this kind of fruit vinegar,” said Texas-based chef Juan Gomez.

Why kinilaw?

“When the Madrid Fusion people came to Manila, of course we were entertaining them and during the MOA signing, which was happening in Restaurant 9501, we had lechon, adobo, all other things, but it was particularly the kinilaw that caught their attention,” said Segismundo.

She stressed that kinilaw is a Filipino dish that doesn’t have any Spanish, Chinese, or foreign influence on it.

“Kinilaw is pure 100 percent Filipino (pero) international ang appeal,” she said.

Aside from kinilaw, attendees flocked to the Philippine booth strategically located at the venue entrance to have a try of Filipino delicacies such as pili and cashew nuts, chicharon, dried mangoes, and cocktails.

The Philippine delegation, headed by Department of Tourism director for Europe Verna Buensuceso with Agriculture undersecretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, introduced five different Filipino flavors—maalat (salty) matamis (sweet), mapait (bitter), maasim (sour), and malinamnam (tasty).

Taking Madrid Fusion to Manila

Philippine cuisine will be further introduced to the world in the upcoming Madrid Fusion Manila, which will be held on April 24-26 at MOA SMX Convention Center in Pasay.

The country has been chosen to host the event to rekindle cultural and gastronomic ties with Spain, which has strong influence on many Filipino dishes.

“They realized also that for European chefs, for Western chefs, their inspiration now comes from Asia, and our cuisine is so rich, the ingredients are unique,” added Fores.

Eight Spanish Michelin-starred chefs and top Asian chefs will travel to the Philippines to demonstrate and discuss with top Filipino chefs latest techniques and innovations that are transforming the global culinary scene.

“It will be a fusion of chefs of all over the world but also with the Philippines, and I’m looking forward [to it]. I’ve never been to the Philippines. I really want to go for many many years,” said chef Elena Arzak of three-starred Michelin and three-starred Repsol restaurant Arzak in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN.

Fores could not contain her excitement and believes that this will further boost Philippine tourism.

“To come to the Philippines and discover all these new things. I think that they’re really looking at not only our food but at our beaches, our hospitality,” Forés said.

“Alam nyo mga kapamilya, bihirang mangyari ito sa atin sa Pilipinas, sa kasaysayan ng ating kulinarya, ika nga,” said Segismundo. Daniel Infante Tuaño, ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on The World Tonight, ABS-CBN:

Why Pinoy food was served at top Madrid hotels

MADRID, Spain — For two consecutive nights, all-time Filipino favorites such as sinigang, adobo, ginisang munggo, kinilaw were served for dinner at two 5-star hotels in Madrid.

The two-night Filipino banquet was part of the city’s Gastrofestival 2015’s “Dinner with the Stars”.

Star chefs from around the world including top Filipino chefs converged to prepare dinner at the Spanish capital’s most important hotels and restaurants, where residents and tourists can have a taste of diverse gastronomic experience for a special price.

The elegant 1886 mansion Relais & Chauteaux Hotel Orfila was the first to play host to an equally elegant Filipino dinner held on the evening of February 3.

ABS-CBN Restaurant 9501’s Chef Myrna Segismundo with the assistance of Bale Datung’s Chef Claude Tayag took over Jardin de Orfila’s kitchen.

They prepared chicken inasal, tinapa, and sisig for appetizer. Fish and seafood kinilaw were served for the second course, ginisang munggo for third course, pork ribs adobo with papaya and green mango atchara and steamed rice for main course.

For dessert, they served ginataang bilo bilo and turon with chocolate tablea.

 

Kapeng barako, salabat, and calamansi liquor were also offered to the guests after the meal.

On the following night, Cibo’s chef Margarita Forés with the help of an all-Filipino crew made food artistry and special treats for the Goya Restaurant of the chandelier-clad Ritz Hotel.

Forés prepared fish kinilaw, barquillos, Negrense kadyos, and chicharon for appetizer.

Sinigang na hipon at isda sa batwan was served for the second course, pancit guisado with mushroom and chorizo for third course, sugpo sa taba ng talangka with adlai and calamansi ice cream for fourth course, before ending with beef short ribs adobo with atchara, gata, and Cordillera rice.

Dessert featured mango with latik, maja blanca, and melted pastillas de leche with chocolate.

 

Segismundo and Forés also also introduced ingredients that can only be found in the Philippines such as calamansi, chocolate tablea, kapeng barako, adlai, and heirloom rice from the Cordilleras.

“It has been a very excellent opportunity to be able to promote Philippine cuisine, Philippine gastronomy… We are trying to promote more Spanish tourists to go to the Philippines and gastronomy is one of the ways to do it,” said Philippine Ambassador to Spain Carlos Salinas, who was present in the dinner together with his wife Isabelita, agriculture and tourism officials, and Spanish and Filipino press.

It was first time for Spanish Alfredo Garcia Reyes, food writer for El Mundo’s YoDona magazine, to try Filipino cuisine.

“The quality of the product, the flavors, (it’s) very different from the Spanish food but (there) are similarities between Spanish cooking and Filipino cooking,” said Garcia.

The Gastrofestival 2015 coincided with international food summit Madrid Fusión where Segismundo and Forés also made history with their participation as presenters of Filipino cuisine “kinilaw”.

The two are looking forward to further promoting Philippine gastronomy in the holding of Madrid Fusión in Manila, which is slated on April 24-26 at Mall of Asia SMX Convention Center. Daniel Infante Tuaño, ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

 

 

2 Pinoy boys join one of Europe’s oldest choirs

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

BARCELONA – Two Filipino boys in Spain successfully passed the auditions of the prestigious and oldest boys’ choir in Europe.

Jomari Chavez and Kevin Marquez, both 10, are now part of the l’escolania de Montserrat or the Montserrat Boys’ Choir.

Jomari Chavez Edan Galino, one of two members of Filipino descent of Montserrat Boys’ Choir

Kevin Marquez Lilagan singing at a benefit concert with the Montserrat Boys’ Choir.

They were part of the recently concluded benefit concert held at the Iglesia de San Agustin.

Aside from singing and learning to play musical instruments, they must also study elementary and high school at the Montserrat monastery.

The monthly tuition is more than 500 euros or about P27,000, but the two were granted financial support. They won’t have to spend education, food, uniform, fares, as well as expenses related to overseas concerts.

They will live in Montserrat and would be allowed to go home every weekend to their parents.

This kind of arrangement first made Malou Chavez hesitate to enroll her only son there. But the school’s security, quality of education and the disciple they instill in children put her at ease.

“Natutuwa yung amo ko kasi ang sabi niya kung pera ang batayan, maraming mayayaman ang mag-aaral doon. Ang batayan doon talaga ay boses,” said Mrs. Chavez.

For her part, Dolores Marquez fully trusted the institution as her eldest son, Mark Kenjie, had been a part of the boys’ choir.

Mark Kenjie was the first-ever Filipino member of the l’escolania de Montserrat.

“Maganda naman ang buhay nila doon pero talagang mahirap. Pero talagang maganda, para sa kanila, para sa kinabukasan nila. Sacrifice lang dahil mahihiwalay,” said Marquez.

Mark Kenjie is now a member of a popular Catalan choir, the Orfeo Catala.

“Alam na po nilang magbasa ng music, isang instrumento po kung mas maganda pag mayroon silang alam, tapos yung boses po pinaka-importante,” Mark Kenjie said to Pinoys aspiring to become choir members.

Mark Kenjie Marquez, the first Filipino member in the history of L’Escolania de Montserrat with his brother Kevin.

School prefect Fr. Sergi d’Assis Gelpi is happy with his Filipino students and urged more Pinoys to join the choir.

“We would love to have more Philippine boys because the experience we have with these families is so nice. They are very nice people, very catholic people. They love music. So if there’s any Philippine boy who has a good voice, it would be great to join our choir and to share with us the experience at Montserrat,” he said. ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN: