MABUHAY!!

In celebration of the country’s 118th Independence day, Marco Polo Hotel Cebu is proud to launch Cafe Marco’s Culinary Journey: Independencia LuzViMin!

Feast on all-time favorite dishes from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao as their chefs travelled from different regions to bring you the best of what Philippine Cuisine has to offer! Available until the 16th of June on top of Cafe Marco’s international buffet spread!

Me and fellow bloggers had the chance to try the dishes as they launched it last Friday. While waiting for the main program to start, we were offered Filipino snacks like Peanut Kisses, Butterscotch, Piña Pastel Sticks, etc. (photo above) and a buko melon drink (photo below) while also waiting for everyone to arrive.

I grew up a Filipino and even though I enjoy eating other cuisines like Chinese, Japanese, Italian or even Indian cuisines, there’s nothing like coming home and having those Filipino home cooked meals waiting for you at the dining table. But what makes me even more excited for this month’s “Culinary Journey”at Cafe Marco is that I can get to try other provinces’ specialties! I imagine myself visiting my friend’s hometown, lets assume in Iloilo and his mom will be preparing me “lumpiang ubod” for lunch or I come visit my father’s hometown in Zamboanga and my lola prepares me “satti” for breakfast. Imagine all those food from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in one huge buffet? This is something you don’t wanna miss when you’re in Cebu at this time around!

Here are some photos I took during the launch. Lets start up with some appetizers:

Lumpiang Ubod Ilonggo

Kinilaw

Langka na Salad Kag Pasayan

Squid Rings

Kasahos

Lapu Lapu sa Mayonesa

Chorizo Recado

Bagnet Salad

Make your own La Baz Batchoy is also available!

Lechon Manok, Baked Oysters and Baked Scallops

While manong here serenades us with some traditional Filipino songs, lets move on to the main course! P.S. These are the dishes you don’t get to try everyday here in Cebu!

Btw my Dad is happy to see this in their menu. My Dad originally grew up in the city of Zamboanga and Satti was one of the main dishes he grew up with! He even asked me who the chefs were and asked me to thank them for him.

These dishes are carefully crafted and perfected  under the guidance of heritage cuisine expert, Ms. Jessica Avila and her team!

Time for desserts!

Leche Flan

Lambanog Tiramisu

Bukayo (lower left) and other delicacies

Pinasugbo – a native confection made from thinly sliced caramelized native banana sprinkled with sesame seeds. This reminds me so much of my childhood as my parents always come home with a pack of these goodies!

Potato and Pumpkin Ice Cream

Pastillas, Kalamay and Peanut Kisses

Barquillos

Piaya and Piña Pastel Sticks

Cochinta and Peanut Brittle

Sikwate and Balut (no photo) was also available.

Dexter Alazas also graced the event with a fashion show showing his Hablon Collection. Hablon is a local hand-woven fabric from Argao, Cebu dating back to the 1900s.

Once again thank you for the people behind Marco Polo Hotel Cebu for letting me be a part of this celebration! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

In Photo: Zee Lifestyle’s Patty Taboada,iSTORYA.NET’s MJ Rivera-Yuvallos & Gerald Abao Yuvallos, SunStar Cebu’s Joanna Cuenco,MarcoPolo Cebu’s Communications ManagerManna Alcaraz Cebu Fashion Bloggers Jean Candice Yu and Kätrinä Enrera and Marco Polo Plaza Cebu’s E-Marketing Manager Yumz Mariot

Follow @marcopolocebu on Instagram; Like Marco Polo Plaza Cebu on Facebook and visit their official website at www.marcopoloplazacebu.com for latest updates.

For inquiries, ticket sales and reservations, please call Cebu at +63-32-253 1111 Local 8249 or Manila at +63-2-887 1263 or email fb@marcopolocebu.com.

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