Surfs Up with Chef JP Anglo

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Chef JP explores Philippine’s surfing hotspots and their culinary treasures

Surfing, cooking, and eating mix well together as Chef JP Anglo proved it with the successful run of his first season of Hungry with Chef JP, conceptualized and produced by local film company Seabiscuit Films. This time around, Chef JP surfs up (pun intended) his show onto a higher wave of culinary discoveries. The second season hopes to explore more food adventures in the different surfing spots of the Philippines!

For starters, Hungry with Chef JP is a documentary series about rich Filipino cuisine and the active surfing community in the country. Each episode features the surfing hotspots in the Philippines as Chef JP explores the area’s unique cuisine. With Filipinos’ penchant for surfing, the show pays tribute to it and captures the essence of the surfing lifestyle. Surfing isn’t limited to chasing waves and the adrenaline rush that comes with it. It is about belongingness and sharing experiences with the community. “You're out in the middle of the water—waiting for sets, catching waves with your friends. You surf together and when you ride that wave and they see it, it's a bond you share and something to talk about forever,” shared by Chef JP Anglo in one of the episodes.

The second season delves into the stories of different artisans and individuals living uniquely. It's important for the viewers to see how these people are living and to be inspired by their stories. “What makes this show different from the other shows is that it gives a glimpse of the lives of the local community within various surf spots. We wanted to feature locals making a difference either in food or in helping the community thrive. At the same time, we want to show how Chef JP shares his skills and knowledge with the people he connects with and show how he learns from their techniques and unique practices,” shared by Nicky Daez, Seabiscuit Films Content Creator and Director.

9 Food Startups Worth Checking Out

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Some of most innovative food startups from all over the Philippines were gathered in a global gastronomic showcase at IFEX Philippines. Theyw ere seen, and their products tasted, at the country’s largest food show on May 20 - 21, 2017 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) and Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC).

1. Take Root

Partners Monica Mendiola and Aileen Payumo-Whisnant will be presenting their flagship product, Kale Chips, which started a kale-munching craze in the Philippines. Founded in 2014 with the goal of providing junk-free, whole food, plant-based snacks to Filipinos using locally-grown produce, Take Root makes healthy eating as accessible and enjoyable as possible. Their Kale Chips are made from pesticide-free, dried kale leaves grown by family-run farms in the Philippines.

2. 7 Grains

Embracing the healthy food revolution, 7 Grains Pantry caters to food alternatives. The company produces Skinny Carbs, popular with the young and health-conscious market. It uses konjac or shirataki noodles which has been dubbed the “Holy Grail” of dieting in Japan and US whole food stores. The company also makes Skinny Veggie Chips, a crispy snack made of cassava, moringa, squash, carrots and spinach; Skinny Tomato, a healthy version of ketchup using real tomatoes, organic coco sap sugar, and less sea salt than commercial brands; Skinny Seasoning, using gluten-free liquid aminos which is a nutritious alternative to high-sodium soy sauce; and Skinny Soup Base, an alternative to bouillon offering less sodium and less calories.

3. Coco Dolce by The Free Food Co.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a healthy chocolate fix. Coco Dolce chocolates are sweetened using coco sugar making them a better alternative to the chocolates you usually crave. Made by Davao-based company The Free Food Co. these rich and creamy Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate bars come in Chili, Pili Nut and Rice Crisps variants. Coco Dolce sources their cacao from Davao farmers at fair trade prices and works closely with farmers who are committed to produce quality organic products that adhere to international standards.

4. Natural Health

This newcomer makes a range of tropical-inspired fun snacks and supplements including Superfood Trail Mix, Fruit+Nut Bar, Coco Sugar-Coated Cacao Nibs and Toasted Coconut Chips. The snacks feature ingredients sourced within the country. According to Brand Manager Ria Villanueva, their easy-to-use pantry substitutes such as Coconut Flour, Stevia, Coconut Oil and Coco Sugar, are sought after for their low-glycemic and gluten-free properties.

5. Coco Wonder

Promoting many different products made of coconut and cacao for a healthier life style, the aptly named Coco Wonder under its founder Andy Albao, works directly with farmers to produce a wide range of organic food. Watch for new snacks like coconut chips, coconut nachos, coconut pita bread, coconut wrapper and coconut water, in addition to its staple products Virgin Coconut Oil, Coconut Balsamic Vinegar, Coconut Cider Vinegar and Coconut Liquid Aminos. It also makes Coconut Worcestershire Sauce, Coconut Barbeque Sauce, and Coconut hot chili sauce.

6. Raw Brown Sugar Milling Company

The Dumaguete-based company produces organic muscovado sugar, now available in several forms – powdered, cubed, rocks and syrup. In less than seven years, the products have penetrated markets with highest and strictest food safety standards, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the United States and several countries in Europe.

7. Theo and Philo Chocolate Factory

Recognized for their vibrant packaging of chocolate bars that heralded the boom of the local chocolate maker movement a few years ago, this brand is now setting its sights on foreign markets. In addition to the classics, the brand’s unique local twists on flavors including labuyo, green mango and salt, barako and dark chocolate with calamansi.

8. Hacienda Macalauan

This small-scale dairy farm has been around for a while but its premium quality dairy products are now available to more people. Known for milk, cheese, cream and yogurt, their products also expanded into white cheese or kesong puti, ricotta and cottage cheese. They now make coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut water and organic flour.

9. Chocolaterisa 

Owner Pam Cinco makes elegantly packaged Risa Chocolates using the purest chocolate-making standards. Meticulously handcrafted with the finest ingredients, the product line includes bars, pralines and truffles in classic as well as innovative combinations.

Cover Photo: 

One of Take Root’s owners and 2017 Katha Award for Food winner in the Snack category, Monica Mendiola welcomes every foodies and health enthusiasts to taste their kale-munching goodness at IFEX Philippines.

Hontiveros to Gov't: Identify Aid with Unjust Conditionalities

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Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday challenged the Duterte government to show to the public aid, grants and loans that it deemed had unjust conditionalities and could interfere with the country's state of affairs.

Hontiveros issued the statement after the government decided to reject aid from the European Union (EU) citing unfair conditionalities that could possibly interfere with domestic affairs.

Four questions

"I have four basic questions for the government. First, which of the EU aid packages had unfair conditionalities? Can the government provide the public a list? Second, what exactly were the unjust conditionalities in the said grants and/or aid that could interfere with our national affairs? Third, how could the said conditionalities possibly interfere in our domestic affairs? Fourth, what audit mechanism was used by the government in rejecting the said aid?" Hontiveros asked.

Hontiveros also asked the Duterte government if the billions of dollars in loans acquired from China are free from any conditionalities. The senator said that in the spirit of fairness and transparency, the government should divulge all the details regarding the Chinese loans.


Tied Chinese loans?

"Since the government said that it is their policy to reject all aid and loans from countries with unjust conditionalities, I therefore ask, are Chinese loans without any conditionalities? Are they not tied loans? Are they not tied to Chinese companies, contractors, supplies, technical experts and manpower? Were Chinese loans given with the condition that the Philippines will not enforce against China the UN-supported arbitral decision of the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal? Can the government provide the public the loan contracts and other documents to ascertain that they, too, will not interfere with our national affairs? Are Chinese loans in accordance with the principles on promoting responsible sovereign lending and borrowing by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)? Hontiveros further queried.

Hontiveros said that unless the government can provide the public more information about the supposed unfairness of EU aid, its decision appears to be a retaliation for the criticisms that the regional bloc aired on the human rights situation in the country.



"Walk the talk, conduct a debt audit"

"To answer all these questions, I call on the government to walk the talk and conduct a comprehensive debt audit as called for by Senate Resolution 253 and the debt audit provision we've managed to include in the 2017 General Appropriations Act. There is a strong need to scrutinize all the loan agreements the Philippines has entered into, if they are legitimate and not riddled with questionable processes, contractual obligations, purposes and use. These include the recently acquired loans from China," Hontiveros stressed.

"If the government is serious in rejecting aid and loans with unjust conditions, it must be based on the appraisal of a debt audit process conducted in partnership with social movements working on debt and development issues. The principle of rejecting aid and loans with unfair and onerous conditions should apply to all, whether they are from EU or China," Hontiveros concluded.