“Eat, Fly, Love: A Filipino Feast” Highlighting Filipino Flavors by Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver

(From top to bottom) Mercedes of Goldilocks presented Goldilocks’ prix fixe meal consisting of Bicol express empanada for appetizer, lechon–laing on rice for mains and buko pandan for dessert; Mr. J Malang of Pampanga’s Cuisine introduced their sisig on rice, bicol express on rice and ginataang langka on rice prix fixe meal; Balai and Grandt Kitchen owner, Ms. Evelyn Lopez,  introduced their Crispy Bagnet on rice, Menudo Rice and Laing Rice prix fixe meal with cassava cake dessert;  and Ms. Bennet Ganata of Plato Filipino presented their Lechon Spicy Steak in express sauce, Pan Fry fillet in coconut sauce and Bagnet in coconut pumpkin and shrimp paste sauce prix fixe meal plus mango and sticky rice in coconut cream for dessert. (Photos by PCG Vancouver)

Vancouver, BC, 16 April 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, in partnership with Air Canada and Philippine Department of Tourism - San Francisco, successfully hosted “Eat, Fly, Love: A Filipino Feast” on 15 April 2025, as part of the Filipino Restaurant Month in Canada (FRMC) celebration.

Held at the Consulate premises, the food tasting event featuring Pampanga’s Cuisine, Goldilocks, Balai in the Borough, Grandt Kitchen and Plato Filipino brought together members of the Consular Corps of British Columbia, the media, the Filipino-Canadian community, and representatives from the food and restaurant industry to experience the rich, diverse, and vibrant flavors of Filipino cuisine.

In her opening remarks, Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin introduced the FRMC which aims to promote and mainstream Filipino cuisine across Canada, support Filipino restaurants and culinary talents, and encourage the use of Philippine-made ingredients.  Consul General Jamoralin said that, for this year, the FRMC’s focused ingredient is coconut.  She added that the Philippines is the second biggest coconut exporting country in the world.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Fazil Mihlar of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, in his keynote remarks, emphasized the role of food as a powerful medium to share culture, strengthen community ties, and promote tourism and trade. He also expressed support for the growing contributions of the Filipino community to the province’s economic and cultural landscape. Ms. Maria Lu, Air Canada’s representative, co-presenter of the event, announced that Air Canada has launched its inaugural direct flight from Vancouver to Manila on 02 April 2025.

Guests were then treated to a curated tasting menu featuring select dishes prepared by Filipino restaurants in British Columbia.  Attendees gave overwhelmingly positive feedback, praising the event’s atmosphere, food quality, and cultural significance. Several guests expressed interest in visiting the featured restaurants and exploring more Filipino dishes throughout the month.

Now on its 4th year, Filipino Restaurant Month in Canada continues until the end of April.  The Consulate encourages the public to take part in this culinary journey and support Filipino restaurants in their area. END

(Left photo) Consul General Gina Jamoralin delivers her opening remarks at the FRMC 2025 Food Tasting event entitled “ Eat, Fly, Love: A Filipino Feast” presented by Air Canada in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General Vancouver on 15 April 2025 at the PCG lobby. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

(Left photo) About 70 people attended the “Eat, Fly, Love: A Filipino Feast” Food Tasting event composed of members of the BC Consular Corps, hotel executives, Filipino-Canadian chefs in BC. The event was covered by OMNI Filipino TV, Ms. Rosette Correa for Balitang Pinoy and Ms. Rowena Papasin for ABS-CBN-TFC. (Photos by Vancouver PCG)

(Left photo) Deputy Minister Fazil Mihlar of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation addresses the guests at the FRMC 2025 Food Tasting Event on 15 April 2025. (Right photo) Ms. Maria Lu, Air Canada Representative, highlighted the recently concluded launch of the direct flight of Air Canada to Manila on 01 April 025  (Photos by Vancouver PCG)

(Left photo) Ms. Cindy Lee from the Office of Member of Legislative Assembly Paul Choi hands over to Consul General Gina Jamoralin a Certificate of Congratulations signed by Minister Anne Kang and MLA Paul Choi on the celebration of the Filipino Restaurant Month in Canada. (Right photo) CG Gina Jamoralin with Deputy Minister Fazil Mihlar, Consul General Afandi Abu Bakar of Malaysia, Dean of BC Consular Corps Consul General Ricardo Arredondo and wife, DCG Satomi of Japan, and Indian Consul General Masakui Rungsung and wife. (Photos by Vancouver PCG)