Left: Ambassador Garcia, Consul Mariño, and Ms. Caldito share a light moment with the audience; Right: Ambassador Garcia shares her thoughts on Filipino cuisine.

4 April 2019, Ottawa – The Embassy of the Philippines in Canada welcomed members of the International Club of Ottawa (ICO) and their guests at the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal Ottawa on Thursday, 4 April 2019, for a lively session on Filipino cuisine.

Dubbed “An Introduction to Filipino Food,” the event featured a short lecture by First Secretary and Consul Greg Marie Mariño and a cooking demonstration by Ms. Rachelle Caldito, another member of the Philippine Embassy. Ms. Caldito showed how to make Chicken and Pork Adobo (Chicken and Pork Stewed in Vinegar and Soy Sauce) and Maja Blanca (Coconut Pudding) while Consul Mariño explained the different steps. Members of the audience were also provided copies of the recipes.

At the end of the demonstration, guests were treated to a merienda of Chicken Adobo Pandesal (adobo sliders) and Maja Blanca.

Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia thanked the ICO for partnering with the Philippine Embassy for this event. She revealed that with the growing Filipino population in Canada, Filipino food is slowly making its way into Canadian cuisine. With the upcoming Canada-wide celebration of Filipino Heritage Month in June and the 70th Anniversary of Philippines-Canada Relations, she expressed hope that Canadians would continue to learn about Filipino food. END.