“Food does not just feed the stomach ika nga, it also feeds the soul,” the President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his 259th vlog episode, titled “Chibog.”
Marcos highlighted the rich Filipino cuisine which he said is gaining popularity in many parts of the world and has been the subject of many food bloggers from desserts, viands, street food and even fast food, among others.
The President said the online site TasteAtlas had listed the Philippines in its top 100 countries with the best food, Makati City as one of the “best food cities,” and “Pinoy cooking” as the 33rd best in the world.
He also noted “Sinigang” had ranked as the 97th best dish while “Lumpiang Shanghai” was 93rd best street food.
The Philippines’ ranking would improve further, he said, if the world knew and tasted the other dishes that Filipino cuisine could offer.
The President said the great variety of Filipino dishes would also help bring in more tourists in the country through “gastronomic tourism.”
In his opinion, a lot of Filipino dishes deserves a “Michelin Star ‘’ including Ilocos’ own bagnet, empanada, and dinardaraan of Ilocano Dinuguan.
PERSONAL FAVORITES
Asked if he cooks, the President said he does not have any specialty but he can whip up something using whatever ingredients are in his pantry or refrigerator.
“Ang talent ko sa pagluluto, hindi sa isang klaseng cuisine. Ang talent ko sa pagluluto, kaya kong gumawa ng pagkain, kahit na anong laman ng refrigerator at saka anong mga de latang naiwan (My talent in cooking is not limited to a single cuisine. My talent in cooking is I can make any dish using whatever food item is left in the refrigerator or the canned goods that are left),” he said.
Marcos said he learned how to cook when he was still a bachelor living in London where he would sometimes whip up a meal for himself since he does not have a maid. He laughed at himself as he recalled that he sometimes even eats directly from the pot or pan that he used to cook his meal to lessen the plates that he needs to wash.
The President, who considers himself a foodie, said balut (fertilized duck egg) is his favorite street food but he is not into any chichirya.
Marcos said, however, he would not say no to fruits which he would eat as snacks.
He said pizza, sashimi and any pinoy food are his and First Lady Liza Marcos’ comfort food, while his sons Sandro, Vince and Vinny’s favorite are sinigang na baboy and pochero.
Another Pinoy food he saw in several food vlogs which he wants to try is the “pares.” “Mukhang masarap. Tingnan nga natin at masubukan natin. Patuloy po nating suportahan ang ating mga lokal na pagkain at produkto (They look delicious. Let us go see and try them. Let us continue to support our local food and products),” he said, as he also sought advice on where his next “food trip” should be or what food he should try.
