The Philippines showcased Filipino heritage, cuisine, and artistry at a welcome dinner hosted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for foreign delegates who participated in the week-long 2026 ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) meetings.
The DSWD, on Thursday, said the venue, a project of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Intramuros Administration, served as an apt setting to fully showcase an authentic Filipino experience.
“It essentially tells the cultural and spiritual roots of the Filipinos, blending history with modern technology. As you look around, you will see the Philippines’ journey from our pre-colonial period through all the challenges that shaped us into the nation we are today,” Gatchalian said.
One of the major pieces featured inside the Centro de Turismo is the Galleon of the Psychopomp, which reflects the story of the ASEAN, he said.
“It is inspired by the old Manila galleons that used to cross vast oceans to trade and link people with different cultures. To me, it is a perfect metaphor for us. In many ways, it mirrors the story of ASEAN,” he said.
“Similar to a balangay or a galleon navigating gentle or towering waves, we know that we, too, are on a shared journey of steering the region toward a more people-centered, inclusive, progressive, and resilient future.”
The food served was prepared by Chef Florabel Co Yatco, whose culinary artistry has long celebrated Filipino excellence.
For the entrée, grilled tiger prawns with crab fat sauce and lamb adobo with red mountain rice and Baguio harvest vegetables were served.
Other food included mini chicken inasal skewers with atchara (pickled) papaya; pako (fern), salted egg with Palawan cashew salad in honey vinaigrette; and suman latik (glutinous rice with coconut milk residue) with Batangas tsokolate (chocolate), Palawan sans rival ball, and queso de bola cheesecake.
The ASCC delegates were also serenaded by Filipino singer Johnoy Danao and the award-winning string ensemble De La Salle Santiago Zobel (DLSZ) Rondalla. (PNA)