Shanghai –  Philippine kamayan dining found new adherents in China’s financial capital on 23 November as close to 50 members of The Expatriate Center (TEC)-WǒMén treated themselves to a Filipino “boodle fight” lunch hosted by Tomatito Tapas Bar in Huangpu District.

Led by its President, Ms. Flora Peñalosa, the ladies of TEC-WǒMén partook of a generous spread of Philippine delectables – cuchinillo (roasted suckling pig); chicken inasal, fish, squid and prawns; pakbet (traditional northern Philippine vegetable stew), pansit and others.

The activity was tied up with TEC-WǒMén’s celebration of Thanksgiving.

Attending as guest of honor, Consul General Josel F. Ignacio delivered a spirited, well-received preface to the meal, explaining key elements of Filipino cuisine and dining culture. He expounded on the Filipino ways of kamayan (eating with the hands) and salo-salo (communal dining) and their recent incarnation as boodle fight, a trend fast catching on in the West.

The diners listened intently as the Consul General traced the historical and etymological roots of both traditions and demonstrated the Filipino “pick-pack-push” kamayan technique for partaking of items from the spread.

Consul General Ignacio was accompanied by Philippine Department of Tourism Administrative Officer Ghienel S. Gustilo.

TEC-WǒMén is affiliated with TEC, a one-stop service platform of the Shanghai Family Life Center, created to assist expatriates and Chinese re-establishing residence in Shanghai.

TEC-WǒMén was established earlier this year to support and promote women members’ welfare and mental wellness via a variety of events and gatherings. To emphasize this solidarity, the organization’s name is a play on the Mandarin word for “We” (我们, wǒmen).

Significantly, TEC-WǒMén’s gathering over a Filipino lunch took place on the eve of the global campaign to end Violence Against Women (VAW), which in the Philippines takes place as an 18-Day Campaign  stretching annually from 25 November until 12 December. END