J. Albert Gamboa l November 10, 2023 l The Manila Times
THE 2023 Namit Namit Food Festival (NNFF) is happening this weekend at the Rockwell Center in Poblacion, Makati City. For those who were not able to join the MassKara Festival in Bacolod City last month, their cravings for authentic inasal will be satisfied by three big brands that are participating in the NNFF: Bacolod Chicken Inasal, JT’s Manukan Grille and Inasalan sa Dalan.
This three-day festival also features Negrense foodie favorites such as Manolo’s by Chef Manny Torrejon; Mit-Namit Food Hub by Silay City-based Sir & Ma’am; Pat-pat’s Kansi, the Ilonggo version of Batangueños’ bulalo beef soup; Ereñeta-Manoloto Chorizo de Bacolod; Grem’s Deli; Quan Delicacies; Elsie’s Diner; flavored piayas from Fresh Start; Marissa’s Artisan Ice Cream & Pies; and the iconic century-old El Ideal Bakery.
Negros Island has a rich culinary heritage that fuses Indigenous flavors with Spanish, American and Chinese cuisines. This unique blend of cultures has given rise to a diverse food scene in the province of Negros Occidental, known as the “Sugar Bowl of the Philippines,” because of its vast sugarcane plantations.
As an ingredient, sugar plays a significant role in the Negrense cuisine — with sugarcane and its by-products often used in various main dishes, pastries and sauces. Many restaurants and eateries in Negros source their ingredients locally, ensuring freshness and promoting sustainable farm-to-table practices.
Now on its second annual edition, the NNFF at Power Plant Mall’s Hidalgo Driveway is co-presented by Rockwell Land Corp. and Sugarsmiles Philippines Management Inc. (SPMI) in partnership with San Miguel Beer and The Keg BGC. It celebrates the Cinco de Noviembre holiday in Negros Occidental commemorating the short-lived Republic of Negros established by Generals Juan Araneta and Aniceto Lacson in 1898-1899.
With over two decades of experience in creating holistic lifestyle centers all over the country, Rockwell Land is bringing its signature touch to the “City of Smiles” through Rockwell Center Bacolod. The 30-hectare mixed-use development will have residential properties, office buildings, retail establishments and 80 percent open space catering to a wide variety of lifestyles.
SPMI is an all-Negrense company that produces coffee table books, community magazines, industry publications and special events. Its name is derived from Sugar & Smiles: The Negrense Legacy Beyond 2020, a 320-page book about Negros Occidental that has won international awards in Toronto, Canada, and Bali, Indonesia. Festivals and trade fairs are likewise part of SPMI’s portfolio, including the Sugar & Smiles Festival in Bacolod and the NNFF in Makati.
MagBoracay launch
An online magazine was launched by SPMI last month in the Philippines’ beach capital, Boracay Island. Simply titled MagBoracay, the quarterly publication is aimed at highlighting the transformation of the island into a sustainable tourist destination after its six-month closure and rehabilitation five years ago. The launch coincided with the fifth anniversary of the island’s reopening on Oct. 26, 2018.
In its maiden issue, the magazine’s cover story places the spotlight on Bulabog Beach and its new brick road that redefines accessibility to the island’s previously neglected eastern seaboard. Bulabog has lately become a must-visit area for overseas and domestic travelers who used to prefer staying along white beach in western Boracay. Water sports like kiteboarding and windsurfing are popular in Bulabog due to its location on the windy side of the island.
Not many people know that Boracay’s three barangay (villages) — Yapak, Balabag, Manoc-manoc — belong to the local government unit (LGU) of Malay municipality in mainland Aklan province. Malay’s incumbent mayor, Frolibar Bautista, is profiled in the “LGU Matters” section of MagBoracay, while another section called “Only in Malay” spotlights the Motag Living Museum as the first interactive living museum in the Philippines.
To reach a wider audience, the print edition of MagBoracay will be released by SPMI during the NNFF’s opening cocktails tonight. Expected to attend are city officials of Makati and the newly elected members of Poblacion’s Barangay Council. Visit www.MagBoracay.com for the magazine’s digital version and find out why Boracay has maintained its top ranking among the best islands in the world.
*** The author is the chief finance officer of Asian Center for Legal Excellence and vice chairman of the Finex Ethics Committee. The opinion expressed herein does not necessarily reflect the views of these institutions and The Manila Times. #FinexPhils www.finex.org.ph