PRESS RELEASE - 12 - 2020

(24 June 2020, Honolulu, Hawaii) – Before the onset of COVID-19, the Philippine Consulate General planned this June to host its second installment of Filipino Food Week, where participating restaurants in Hawaii offered at least one Filipino dish during the event. Last year, 20 food establishments, majority of which are non-Filipino restaurants, featured “Filipino Food Specials” from 9-15 June 2019. Due to social distancing guidelines, the Consulate decided to create an Online Edition for Filipino Food Week this year. From 14-20 June 2020, the Consulate uploaded videos on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube featuring cooking tutorials from Hawaii chefs, interviews promoting Filipino cuisine and food products, and other features highlighting the culinary traditions of the Philippines (i.e. kamayan, wrapping food in banana leaves, panata).

Each day of the week had a theme. On Day 1 (June 14), viewers were introduced to Filipino cuisine and how it has evolved in Hawaii. The following day is about “Family Gatherings and Fiestas”. Filipinos love to eat together and the Monday segment showcased how to create communal meals (balon and kamayan) that can be shared by many. On June 16, viewers were able to catch cooking tutorials from Maui-based chefs. The Wednesday episodes explored the long-standing linkages between the Philippines and Big Island, where many of the first Filipino sugar plantation workers lived. As both Hawaii and the Philippines share the tradition of coffee farming, viewers are treated with an online Kapihan between Kape, a company that source beans from indigenous women from the Philippines and Rusty’s Hawaiian, an award-wining local coffee grower and roaster. On Thursday, June 18, Filipino Food Week featured different versions of Adobo by Oahu-based chefs and homecooks. On Friday, the focus was Filipino desserts and drinks. Bars and food establishments showcased how to do Filipino desserts and cocktails inspired by flavors of the Philippines. The last day of Filipino Food Week highlighted the importance of passing culinary traditions to the next generation. All videos can be accessed through Filipino Food Week Youtube Channel: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcxaimqIAgww2gQSnHYHXbA/).

The list of chefs and home cooks who were featured during the online event includes: Adam Tabura (chef and author of “A Filipino Kitchen: Traditional recipes with a Hawaiian twist”), Ailene Ponce-Molina (US Marketing Manager of Kape) Brian Gremillion (sous chef, Ruscello), BJ Chiefe (8-year-old student), Diana Gremillion (life coach and entrepreneur, Succesful Life Strategies), Dayne Tanabe (chef and owner of DYNE by Chef Buddha), Eva Washburn Repollo (Professor, Chaminade University), Gabrielle Mae Chiefe (15-year-old student), Isabelle Ada Toland (Chef de Cuisine, Banyan Tree at Ritz Carlton), Iona Fresnoza (co-founder of Kape), Joe Derla (Chef de Cuisine, Hilton Hawaiian Village), Joan and Lorie Obra (Co-founder of Rusty’s Hawaiian), Joel and Grace Bulos family (employees of Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu), Joey Macadangdang (chef and owner of Joey’s Kitchen), Lanai Tabura (multimedia personality and host of Cooking Hawaiian Style), Mely Ballocanag (chef and owner of Dana’s Restaurant and Catering), Philip Lemoine (cinematographer and owner of Supreme Wedding LLC), Sam Bulos (student), Rose Churma (architect and writer), Tante Urban (chef and owner of Tante’s Island Cuisine). The project was conducted in partnership with different US FSPs, PTIC Offices, PTB, DTI CITEM, and the Agriculture Attache in DC.

Despite the restaurant version of Filipino Food Week being cancelled this year, three (3) food establishments still opted to offer Filipino specials during the Online Edition of Filipino Food Week: Elena’s Restaurant (Filipino restaurant featured in Food Network’s “Diners, Dive-ins, and Dives”), Dickey’s Kapolei (which is part of a Texan barbecue franchise with 485 branches nationwide), and Beerlab (which concocted a special beer, Pandan Ale, available on Filipino Food Week). This year’s Filipino Food Week also saw the participation of CIH Events, Tiki’s Grill and Bar, Magnolia Ice Cream and Treats, Joey’s Kitchen, UBAE, Dana’s Restaurant, Wow Baguio, Jun’s Awesome Sauce, DYNE by Chef Buddha, Sticky Sweets, Shortcakes Hawaii, Mama Sita’s, Seafood City, Bahay Kubo Asian Store, and FYLPRO- Hawaii Alumni.

Because of the warm reception from the public and the culinary community, the Consulate plans to have another online edition of Filipino Food Week this October as part of the Filipino American History Month. Those who are interested to participate in the October run of Filipino Food Week online edition can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The public is also invited to follow the Facebook and Instagram of Filipino Food Week @filipinofoodweekhawaii. (END)