To celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Brunei, the Philippine Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan donated a collection of notable books on Filipino cuisine to the Laksamana College of Business (LCB) Culinary School on May 2, 2024. The donation inaugurates Laksamana College’s culinary arts library collection, which is expected to grow into a more extensive collection, with a section dedicated to Filipino cuisine and its culinary traditions.
The Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio, noted on the occasion of the donation that “beyond cooking, these books symbolize something bigger. “They represent the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Brunei, a friendship rooted in mutual respect, understanding and a shared love of good food.”
Furthermore, he shared that “these books are bridges that connect us on a shared journey of discovery and friendship.” He hopes that the books “…inspire future generations of chefs to push the boundaries of creativity, preserve the traditions of the past, and spread the flavors of the Philippines to every corner of the world.”
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Dr. Sivarajah Subramaniam expressed his gratitude for the donation, stating: “We are truly grateful for this initial donation from the Embassy, and we look forward to the growth of a corner dedicated to Filipino cookbooks in our library. “This corner will serve as a center for exploration, learning and appreciation of Filipino cuisine, fostering cultural exchange and understanding among our students and staff.”
Book donations include I Am a Filipino by Nicole Ponseca and Miguel Trinidad:And This Is How We Cook by Nicole Ponseca and Miguel Trinidad, which is on Taste Atlas’ list of the 150 Most Iconic Cookbooks of 2023. The annual global list, released on December 14, 2023, ranked I Am a Filipino at number 39. I am a Filipino was awarded best cookbook of the year by The New Yorker, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times , New York Times Book Review and Houston Chronicles, among others. Other books that have received recognition are Simply Delicious, Kulinarya, Amboy, Filipino-American Kitchen,
Also included were authoritative cookbooks published by renowned Filipino institutions such as Maya Kitchen, Goldilocks Bakeshop and Via Mare, and respected Filipino chefs such as Nora Daza, Claude Tayag and Reynaldo G. Alejandro. Some focused on books on specific dishes, such as Panaderia, the Ultimate Filipino Adobo, and Pancit 101.
Beyond cooking, these books symbolize something bigger, they represent the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Brunei
The books were officially handed over by Philippine Ambassador Marian Jocelyn R. Tirol-Ignacio to Dr. Sivarajah Subramaniam, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Principal of Laksamana College, in an official ceremony held at Laksamana College. They were accompanied by April Lim, marketing executive and responsible for health, safety and environment, and Pg Mohd Aiman Safwan Bin Pg Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohd Jefri, professor of business and hospitality, as well as officials from the Philippine Embassy: the third secretary and vice consul, Jacqueline L. Ong, the cultural manager, Mayla Pérez, cultural assistant, Philip Adrian G. Fernández, and economic assistant, Alec Chrisanti Arenas.
Book donations are expected to be a vital resource for the academic community of the Laksamana College of Business Culinary School, providing its students and faculty with access to extensive material on Philippine culinary traditions. The Culinary School at Laksamana College of Business is Brunei’s first private culinary arts institution. The initiative supports the institution’s efforts to improve culinary education and aligns with the objective of National Literature Month and National Literature Month. Philippine Food promotes cultural, literary and culinary appreciation.
