09 June 2024 - The Embassy of the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur marked a significant milestone with its inauguration of Sentro Rizal on 31 May 2024. A highlight of the event was the cooking demo and lecture of popular essayist and gastronomy expert Chef Datu Shariff Pendatun.

 

Chef Pendatun featured the cultural links between the Philippines and Malaysia in terms of "language of the palate" and "language of the stomach," as both countries share a number of culinary traditions.

 

He delighted attendees with his insights, expertise, and cooking demonstration of Palapa and Sangkerat, which were later served to guests.

Palapa is a condiment and cooking ingredient enjoyed by various ethnolinguistic groups in Muslim Mindanao. A staple in Bangsamoro cuisine, it is prepared by roasting grated coconut with other spices, such as ginger and galangal. It shares resemblance to Malaysia’s kerisik and serundingkelapa because of the technique and ingredients used.

 

Sangkerat is a snack made of saba bananas stewed in coconut milk, sugar and pandan leaf. When chilled, it becomes a cooling treat on warm days. It is akin to the Malaysian pengatpisang, which sometimes includes sago for added texture.

 

Ambassador Ponce, Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Honorable Dato Akmal Che Mustafa, Undersecretary for the South East Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Assistant Secretary Celia Anna Feria, and SB19’s Josh Cullen Santos sampled the dishes meticulously prepared by Chef Pendatun, and commented that both the palapa and sangkeratwere delicious. END