Welcome and Mabuhay

If you love Marinduque and want to contribute articles to this site, please do so. My contact information is in my profile. The above photo was taken from the balcony of The Chateau Du Mer Beach House, Boac, Marindque, Philippines. I love sunsets. How about you? Some of the photos and videos on this site, I do not own. However, I have no intention on infringing your copyrights. Thank you and Cheers!

Tres Reyes Island view of the Marinduque Mainland

Monday, July 7, 2025

The Rich and Flavorful World of Filipino Cuisine

This posting is inspired from my recent mealtime conversations with fellow residents here at THD. I have written several articles on Filipino food and cuisine, but today's blog is a brief summary of what you should know about filipino cuisine. In this blog I listed the three Michelin rated restaurants in the US. In addition, I have A LIST of Bib Gourmand recommended restaurant that includes FOB in Oakland. THD had an excursion at FOB restaurant last year. I have suggested this year a repeat lunch to FOB and our Activity Section is considering my request. 

“More than just food, Filipino cuisine is a story—of resilience, community, and love passed down through generations.”

When people think of Asian cuisine, their minds often go to Japanese sushi, Thai curry, or Chinese dim sum. But nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia is a culinary gem waiting to be fully discovered: Filipino cuisine. It’s bold, savory, sweet, tangy, and sometimes all of that at once—an embodiment of the Filipino spirit.

A Tapestry of Influences

Filipino food is a product of centuries of history and cultural exchange. From the indigenous cooking traditions of the pre-colonial period to the lasting influence of Spanish, Chinese, American, and even Mexican cuisines, the Filipino table is a colorful fusion of flavors.

  • Spanish Influence: Over 300 years of Spanish colonization introduced ingredients and techniques like sautéing in garlic and onions, tomato-based stews (menudoafritada), and festive dishes like lechon and paella.

  • Chinese Legacy: The love for noodles (pancit), dumplings (siomai), and savory broths (mamilomi) comes from early Chinese traders.

  • American Era: Fried chicken, hot dogs in spaghetti, and corned beef for breakfast—Filipino adaptations of American favorites are everywhere.

  • Southeast Asian Roots: Coconut milk, fish sauce (patis), and rice as a staple are shared regional elements that tie the Philippines to its Southeast Asian neighbors.

The Quintessential Filipino Dishes

Here are some iconic dishes that showcase the soul of Filipino cooking:

  • Adobo: Often dubbed the national dish, adobo is a braised meat dish (usually chicken or pork) cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Each household has its own twist.

    Sinigang: A tamarind-based sour soup filled with vegetables and protein, sinigang is the comfort food of many, especially on rainy days (pork, shrimp or fish based)

    Kare-Kare: A rich peanut stew often served with oxtail, tripe, and a side of bagoong (fermented shrimp paste). I have also used pork hocks and beef shanks. 

    Lechon: A whole roasted pig, crispy on the outside, tender inside, and the centerpiece of any Filipino celebration. Photo taken at Alix and Brendan Wedding Reception. 

    Halo-Halo: A colorful dessert made with crushed ice, sweet beans, jellies, leche flan, purple yam (ube), and evaporated milk. It literally means “mix-mix.”

More Than Food: A Reflection of Filipino Values

Filipino cuisine is deeply tied to family, hospitality, and celebration. Meals are rarely eaten alone. From simple merienda (afternoon snacks) to grand fiestas, food is a love language in the Philippines.

  • Bayanihan in the Kitchen: Cooking in Filipino households is often collaborative. Grandmothers, aunties, and cousins gather around the kitchen, sharing stories as they prepare meals.

  • Feasting and Fellowship: From birthdays to town fiestas, the Filipino table always overflows with dishes, welcoming guests with warmth and generosity.

A Cuisine on the Rise

In recent years, Filipino cuisine has been gaining international attention. Chefs like Tom CunananCrista Luedtke, and Jordan Andino have brought Filipino flavors to global stages. Ingredients like ubecalamansi, and longganisa are popping up in fusion menus and gourmet restaurants worldwide.

Despite this growing fame, the heart of Filipino cuisine remains humble—centered around shared meals, simple ingredients, and the joy of coming together.

Final Thoughts

Filipino food may not be as globally dominant yet, but for those who taste it, it leaves a lasting impression. It is complex but comfortingfamiliar yet unique, and deeply rooted in history and heart.

So if you haven’t tried it yet, go ahead—take a bite of adobo, a slurp of sinigang, or a spoonful of halo-halo. You’re not just tasting a dish; you’re experiencing a culture.


The Michelin-rated Filipino restaurants in the U.S., categorized by Michelin StarBib Gourmand is listed below:


⭐ Michelin-Starred



Michelin Stars and Bib Gourmand distinctions both recognize culinary excellence, but they differ significantly in focus. Michelin stars signify the highest level of fine dining, emphasizing creativity, quality ingredients, and exceptional execution, while Bib Gourmand awards highlight restaurants offering great food at more affordable prices, focusing on value and quality ingredients. 

🍽️ Bib Gourmand (Exceptional Value)

These spots serve excellent Filipino food at moderate prices:


📊 Summary Table

DesignationRestaurantCity
⭐ Michelin StarKasamaChicago, IL
⭐ Michelin StarSosekiOrlando, FL
⭐ Michelin StarKadenceOrlando, FL
🍽️ Bib GourmandBoonie’sChicago, IL
🍽️ Bib GourmandFOB KitchenOakland, CA
🍽️ Bib GourmandPurple YamBrooklyn, NY
🍽️ Bib GourmandBayan KoChicago, IL
🍽️ Bib GourmandKamayan ATLAtlanta, GA

🧭 Takeaway

  • Kasama remains the only Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant focused squarely on Filipino cuisine.

  • Soseki and Kadence in Florida, while Japanese-leaning, are Filipino-operated and draw heavily on Filipino heritage.

  • Popular Bib Gourmand venues—Boonie’sFOB KitchenPurple YamBayan Ko, and Kamayan ATL—offer authentic, flavorful experiences at excellent price points.(affordable). 

    💚https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/06/lunch-at-fob-kitchen-gastronomic-delight.html


    Meanwhile, here's my photo of the Day


    Lastly from our Dinner Menu for July 7th to 12th. Will this be available just this week or for the whole year ?
    This would be great if it will be available all year.  
  •  

Sunday, July 6, 2025

The Elliots School's Carenna K Thompson Pens a Love Letter to Paris

My Youngest Grand Daughter, Carenna K.Thompson
I am super proud to present my youngest grand daughter article on her recent student experiences as a student of the University of Paris, under Georgetown University Study Abroad Program. I could see a good writer in the making. 

Student Dispatches from Abroad: France

The Elliott School’s Carenna K. Thompson Pens a Love Letter to Paris.

 June 29, 2025

Carenna Thompson

Along the Seine River on French Labor Day. (Photo by Carenna K.Thompson)

Editor’s note: This is an occasional series highlighting George Washington University students’ experiences in the Study Abroad Program. This one was written on May 1. The entries are edited for style and clarity.

Paris is beautiful today. Barely anything is open because it is French Labor Day, which they take very seriously. Businesses can get fined for making people work on this day. Thus, all of Paris has a day off, in the middle of the week, on a random Thursday. Lucky for me and the Parisians, this week is also stunning weather wise. It's been 75-80 degrees all week. As I write this, I am sitting along the Seine with dozens of Parisians enjoying the 81-degree weather. We all have lives, work and responsibilities, but just for today, the whole city took a pause. Everyone is working on their most important job, enjoying living.

I love Paris. I love this city. I love the way it makes me feel. I have been rewatching “Sex in the City” and never used to understand how “the City” or New York was a character in the show itself. But living in Paris, I get it now. Paris is beautiful. She’s smart, she’s stubborn, she’s chic. Sometimes she just wants to relax on a terrace in the sun with an Aperol Spritz (or a Saint Germain Spritz), and other times she is wandering the ancient streets of the Latin Quarter until 3 a.m. She’s full of people who value beauty, rest, art and music but also millions of tourists who arrive for just a slice of what Parisians have.

There are people in this world who will never come to Paris. Those who dream via tacky sheets in the supermarket of croissants and the Eiffel Tower not knowing what else she has to offer. My Dad was one of those people. He dreamed of bringing my Mom and I to Paris. So being here, somewhere I know he dreamed of going and yet somewhere that separately hits all of my boxes. Metro systems that can get you door to door to your destination in this huge city, full orchestras who practice at Pont Neuf, buildings that glow in the sunlight, free museums for young people, historic jazz clubs and a diverse population and culture. She has everything I love about a city.

 I’ve been to many major cities: New York, London, Dublin, D.C., Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, Prague, San Francisco, LA, Milan, Munich, Barcelona, Nice, Zurich, Budapest and Vienna. And no one (city) compares to Paris.

Paris has my heart. I love who I am here. I love who I can be here.

Carenna K. Thompson
Spring 2025 – GW Paris - Universite Paris-Dauphine (GW Study Program)

Fall 2023 – GW Global Bachelor's Program - Belfast Semester
Elliott School of International Affairs
International Affairs and Geography Double Major

https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/student-dispatches-abroad-france?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLSvh5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpyFNw4gWmfn2ZsIPJ-ryylkVbs_81fG6iY5Olo5MgJsP3xb3qfgw6M_WgGUh_aem_InPYmaw3PPKDzbMPw2lDSQ

Paris, France is Number 7 in this list. Only New York City made it to the top 20.  

Lastly, here's my posting on Perplexity AI.   

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2025/05/what-is-perplexityai.html


Saturday, July 5, 2025

THD July 4th Holiday Barbecue Party Photos

 The THD July 4th Holiday Barbecue Menu- Baby Back Ribs ( Yummy), 2025 

My July 4, 2025 Outfit- Photo Courtesy of Jenny Shively- with My personalized T-Shirt 

My July 4th Photo, 2024 

Getting Ready for the July 4th, 2025 Barbecue Party with my personalized T-Shirt   

Here are some photos I took at yesterday's July 4th Garden Party and Barbecue

























Here are the other two photos Jenny Shively took at the Barbecue



It was a Fun Day- Thank You THD-Now To All Residents -DO NOT Forget to Pay your Rent for this Month this week. 

Lastly, here's a short history of yesterday's Celebration. This posting is intended to my NON_ American Readers from other parts of the World who are not quite sure why the US celebrates July 4th as a Holiday.  I would not be slighted if you do not read this part of my blog today, if you are an American or familiar with the July 4th celebration here in the US.  

🎆 A Short History of the Fourth of July: America’s Independence Day

Every year on July 4th, the skies across the United States light up with fireworks, backyards fill with the smells of barbecue, and small towns to big cities host patriotic parades and concerts. But behind the picnics and festivities lies a powerful historical moment that gave birth to a nation.

🌟 The Birth of a Nation

The story begins in 1776, when the 13 American colonies, tired of British rule and taxation without representation, decided it was time to break free. On July 4th of that year, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, a document that boldly proclaimed the colonies’ separation from Great Britain.

This historic text, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, wasn’t just a legal document—it was a powerful declaration of the American ideals of freedomequality, and the right to self-govern. That act of courage and vision marked the beginning of the United States of America.

🎉 Early Celebrations

Even during the Revolutionary War, Americans found ways to celebrate this new chapter. On the first anniversary in 1777, Philadelphia marked the day with fireworks, bonfires, and music. Public readings of the Declaration, military displays, and ringing of church bells became part of the tradition. The celebrations were as much about unity and morale as they were about independence.

🏛 From Tradition to Federal Holiday

Over the decades, July 4th evolved into a cherished national holiday. In 1870, Congress made Independence Day an official federal holiday. Later, in 1941, it became a paid holiday for federal workers, further cementing its place in the American calendar.

🎆 Fourth of July Today

Fast forward to today, and the Fourth of July is a vibrant, festive celebration of American identity. From the quiet corners of small-town America to bustling urban centers, it’s a day of:

  • Fireworks displays that dazzle the night sky

  • Parades with marching bands and red-white-and-blue floats

  • Backyard barbecues, picnics, and family reunions( Here at THD)

  • Patriotic music, speeches, and flag-waving

  • And, in many places, public readings of the Declaration of Independence, reminding us why we celebrate

More than just a holiday, the Fourth of July is a time to reflect on what it means to be free—and to appreciate the sacrifices and vision of those who fought to make freedom possible.


Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸
Let us honor the past, celebrate the present, and Hope for a Bright Future! ( hopefully in the next 3.5 years) that is No World War III!

Here are additional Photos from the Face Book page of THD- Jenny Shively
  

















Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...