Pinoy firms, Igorot troupe promote PH in Prague embassies fest

Philippine cuisine and culture abounded in central Prague as Filipino entrepreneurs and an indigenous troupe represented the country in a recent international gastronomy and culture festival.

Two Filipino enterprises based in the Czech Republic sold Filipino dishes and products during the seventh Festival of Embassies Food and Culture held on June 8. The event featured 55 embassies and their food and cultural booths that catered to over 15,000 visitors.

At the store of Filipino entrepreneur Carren Joie Magno, customers feasted on dinuguan, pork barbecue, papaitan, sisig, and other dishes. Many Filipino migrants also gathered in front of the booth with their colleagues.

“[Nang] narinig nila na mayroong Pinoy food na ibinebenta, tipong iba ang saya at excitement kasi matagal na nilang nami-miss ang pagkain at lutong Pinoy. Kaya they spare[d] time and money just to have a taste ng aming paninda,” Magno said.

Meanwhile, online store owner Crisjel Kuklovsky and chefs Dario Lleva and Kristopher Ray Palma teamed up to serve Filipino dishes such as adobo, kare kare, chicken inasal, biko, banana cue, and more at their booth.

In addition to promoting her business in Prague, Kuklovsky saw a huge demand for Philippine cuisine and products at the festival.

More than 15,000 visitors attended the Festival of Embassies Food and Culture event, including nearly a hundred Filipinos from different parts of the Czech Republic and neighboring countries. Photo by Andy Peñafuerte III

“Ang booth banner namin, naka-Czech language at mayroon ding QR code menu para mapadali ang customers sa pagpili nila ng gustong bilhin sa amin. Naka-direct din sa e-shop namin ang QR code kaya makikita nila na available din ang Filipino products at maaari rin silang mag-order online. Marami ang natuwa at nagulat na mayroon palang Pinoy store,” she said. 

Brno-based workers Ruth Andrade and Amalia Cordero were proud to see how the Philippines was integrated into the festival. 

“Kahit five years na po ako [dito sa Czech Republic], this is my first time na mag-attend ng ganitong gathering. [Naimbitahan ako] ng friends ko, [at] marami raw na mabibiling pagkaing Pilipino. Marami rin na pumila dito na local who wanted to taste our food. Naubos nga yung sisig,” Cordero said.

Aside from the gastronomic delights, the festival also showcased the cultures of more than 20 presenting countries through song and dance numbers. 

The Igorot in the Czech Republic troupe has performed traditional dances from the Cordilleras at various Filipino events and international functions in Prague. Photo by Andy Peñafuerte III

The Igorot in the Czech Republic troupe, composed of members living in Prague, Brno, and other Czech cities, represented the Philippines with their rendition of the Igorot courtship “tadek” dance in the Cordilleras.

Kirsty Zachoval, a program manager at an educational travel agency in Prague, and her Igorot colleagues dressed in traditional attire and played gongs in front of the crowd.

“Mahalaga na ipakita sa buong mundo na buhay na buhay ang kultura ng ating bansang Pilipinas, lalung-lalo na ang kultura ng Cordillerans o ang Igorot in the Czech Republic,” Zachoval said. 

Consul General Indhira Bañares said the Philippine Embassy in the Czech Republic was very happy with the presence of Filipinos at the event. She added that the number of customers of Filipino booths this year increased compared to previous festival editions.

“I’ve seen that the local Czech and expatriate community appreciate our food very much. I’m very hopeful that with the increase in the number of Filipinos in the Czech Republic, more and more of our food and culture will be known in this country,” Bañares added.

“At the moment, there are more than 7,500 Filipinos here. Imagine the multiplier effect: if one Filipino introduces our food to their Czech or foreign friend, that increases the chance for our food and culture to be known, as well as the introduction of the Philippines as a tourism destination.”

In March, the Philippines and the Czech Republic signed a joint communique to establish a labor consultation mechanism between the two governments. This came as the Czech government increased the quota for skilled Filipino workers to 10,300 per year. —KBK, GMA Integrated News