Senator Imee Marcos recently launched her new book “PinakBEST! Recipes from the Marcos Kitchen & More” at Pandesal Forum of 83-year-old Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City, expressing hopes that Filipino food can become popular globally and also hoping the country shall enjoy affordable food prices especially for Noche Buena. The book’s contributing author is award-winning Chef Reggie Aspiras, daughter of the late Marcos era Tourism Minister Jose Aspiras and who said Senator Imee’s cookbook took 10 years to finish.
Among the many special guests at the PinakBEST book launching included Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Chairman Dr. Jaime Laya, Dept. of Trade & Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Congressman Roman Romulo, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) President Dr. Henry Lim Bon Liong, FFCCCII Honorary President and Bank of Commerce Chairman Ambassador Francis Chua, FFCCCII Vice-President Michael G. Tan, FFCCCII Vice-President Joey Go, PhilSTAR columnist Prof. Alex Magno, former Press Secretary Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles, Philippine Jinjiang Association President Charles Chen, former Mayor Elisa Dela Cruz-Candingan of Hinundayan in Southern Leyte, SMNI anchor Sass R. Sasot, Pandesal Forum moderator Wilson Lee Flores and others.
In the Pandesal Forum, Senator Imee Marcos revealed that her parents late President Ferdinand E. Marcos and former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos loved foods but they had contrasting preferences and tastes. Her father preferred Ilocano, healthy and predominantly vegetable dishes, while her Visayan and Waray mother loves richer or “Imeldific” foods like her Chicken Relleno recipe (which Imee described as “the centerpiece of our Imeldific Christmas”!), also her love of hams and chorizos. Senator Imee also revealed that she loves cooking and foods, but that she is “a gangster chef” with simpler and impatient ways, but she revealed that the best and more patient cook in the Marcos family is her younger brother President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. Her book “PinakBEST” has recipes from Marcos family members plus old family photos and stories.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said she’s half Ilocano and will ask her cook to try the Marcos recipes in the “PinakBEST” book, she also welcomed Senator Imee Marcos holding her book launching at the city’s pioneering Kamuning Bakery Cafe. DTI Secretary Fred Pascual said their department is inspired by Senator Imee Marcos’ cookbook in their goal to promote Filipino foods globally, while House of Representatives Basic Education Committee Chairman Congressman Roman Romulo said appreciation of Filipino foods and local ingredients can be part of education of the youth.
FFCCCII President Dr. Lim said: “We support this new cookbook by Senator Imee Marcos not only because she is an outstanding and progressive leader, we also support her various advocacies like this interesting cookbook promoting Filipino foods.” FFCCCII Honorary President Ambassador Francis Chua cited Senator Imee Marcos for promoting Filipino cuisine through this new cookbook and commended her also for encouraging healthy lifestyle through healthy eating.
The PinakBEST book can be bought online or through the office of Senator Imee Marcos at P598 pesos each.
Learn recipes that are not only rich in taste but also filled with heartwarming narratives as Senator Imee Marcos shares her first-ever cookbook: “PinakBEST! Recipes from the Marcos Kitchen and More”. The recipe book pays homage to the Marcos family’s favorite dishes.
The book features traditional food that is innovated by adding ingredients according to personal taste, as well as all-time favorite comfort foods. Senator Imee Marcos said her favorite dish is Dinengdeng, with a recipe she inherited from her late father President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos which is different because it doesn’t use “bagoong” but clams for salty flavoring.
In this cookbook, Sen. Imee Marcos shares a detailed and step-by-step procedure for creating some of their family’s favorite dishes like Okoy, Dinengdeng, and Ginataang Kinilaw, which are from her parents President Ferdinand Marcos and First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos’ respective home provinces of Ilocos Norte and Leyte.
Aside from learning how to cook different recipes, PinakBest also has stories, shared by Sen. Marcos herself, on how each dish gave a piece of a happy memory — from Pres. Ferdinand Marcos frying Okoy for his friends, First Lady Imelda Marcos waiting along the shores of Leyte for a fresh catch of fish, and Sen. Imee Marcos’ sons enjoying oysters while on their vacation in France.
With a foreword and additional cooking tips from the Marcoses’ long-time friend and fellow Ilocano, chef Reggie Aspiras, PinakBest is more than just a book of recipes but a memoir by Sen. Imee Marcos that honors their family’s history, tradition, close relationship, and of course, their love for food. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
