(The launch of PAGANA: Philippine Food Festival was led by Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Gina A. Jamoralin, Department of Tourism Undersecretary for Halal Tourism and Muslim Concerns Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar , Minister and Consul General Gonaranao B. Musor, Manado PCG Consul General Mary Jennifer D. Dingal, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Glenn Joseph D. Teh,  Chef Datu Shariff Pendatun, and Westin Hotel General Manager Mr. Thomas Glaser. They were joined by selected members of the Filipino community, food bloggers and media representatives, as well as the diplomatic corps)

(11 November 2024, Jakarta) – The Philippine Embassy in Jakarta,  in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Westin Jakarta, successfully launched “PAGANA: Promoting Mindanao Tourism in Indonesia through Gastro-Diplomacy,” on 11 November 2024. The food festival aims to explore the rich and diverse flavors of Mindanao cuisine and learn more about the shared heritage between the Philippines and Indonesia.

The title of the food festival was inspired by the Maranao word “pagana” which means feast and is afforded to guests during special occasions. Pagana also signifies how the Maranaos of Mindanao treat their visitors and very important guests with the highest form of hospitality, symbolizing the host’s level of civility and indicating the degree of the host’s grace.

The food festival featured Chef Datu Shariff Pendatun, a Maguindanao chef and food essayist.

During her opening remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Gina A. Jamoralin invited guests to get to know Mindanao through the evening’s cuisine and visit the Philippines.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism Director for Inter-Institutions Relation, Ms. Yulia, is hopeful  that PAGANA would generate word-of-mouth recommendations for Mindanao dishes and inspire similar initiatives in the region.

Department of Tourism Undersecretary for Halal Tourism and Muslim Concerns Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar conveyed the readiness of Mindanao to accept tourists, especially in Sulu and Tawi-tawi. She also shared that other parts of the Philippines are now ‘Muslim-friendly’ and can accommodate the food and accommodation needs of foreign tourists.

The dishes featured in the food festival include Pindilutanan a Sagutong (grilled eggplant dish), Liyawal Istah (raw macedoine fish dish), Tiyulah Itum (coconut beef dish), Riyandang a Sapi (beef in coconut and spices dish), Piyaparan a Manok (Maranao savory chicken dish), Sinigapuna (Tausug turmeric and lemongrass rice), Tapay (fermented cassava dessert) and Sindul (banana and durian in coconut milk dessert).

The launch of PAGANA was attended by officials from Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (KEMLU), Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, Ambassadors from various Embassies such as Brunei, Malaysia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kenya, selected Filipino community member, media representatives and food bloggers.

The Male Ensemble Philippines serenaded the guests as they enjoyed the evening meals.

PAGANA: Philippine Food Festival will run until 17 November at the Westin Jakarta. END

(The ribbon cutting ceremony was led by (from left to right) Chef Datu Shariff Pendatun, Westin Jakarta General Manager Mr. Thomas Glaser, Department of Tourism Undersecretary for Halal Tourism and Muslim Concerns Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Ambassador Gina A. Jamoralin, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism Director for Inter-Institutions Relation Ms. Yulia, and Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Inspector General, Mr. Ibnu W. Wahyutomo.)

(Ambassador Jamoralin, Department of Tourism Undersecretary Abubakar, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism Director for Inter-Institutions Relation Ms. Yulia, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Inspector General Mr. Ibnu W. Wahyutomo, the Westin Jakarta General Manager Mr. Thomas Glaser, and the Ambassadors of Brunei, Malaysia, Kenya, and Belarus enjoy the Mindanao cuisine served during the event.)

(Ambassador Jamoralin with Third Secretary and Vice Consul Glenn Joseph D. Teh, Chef Datu Shariff Pendatun, officials from the Philippine Department of Tourism, Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, Philippine Consulate in Manado and Philippine Business Club in Indonesia (PBCI).)

(Philippine Department of Tourism Undersecretary for Halal Tourism and Muslim Concerns Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar delivers her keynote speech during the launch of PAGANA: Philippine Food Festival.)

(Ambassador delivers her opening remarks at PAGANA: Philippine Food Festival.)

(Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism Director for Inter-Institutions Relation Ms. Yulia during her remarks at PAGANA: Philippine Food Festival.)

(Sample of Mindanao cuisines served by Chef Datu Shariff Pendatun for PAGANA: Philippine Food Festival.)