'Sa Hapag ng mga Bayani,' a GMA News TV National Heroes' Day Special

SA HAPAG NG MGA BAYANI Part I: August 26, 2012 Part II: September 2, 2012 8:45 PM on GMA News TV 11 In celebration of National Heroes’ Day, GMA News TV presents “Sa Hapag ng mga Bayani,” a two-part feature on the traditional dishes once enjoyed by our national heroes. Hosted by Youth Ambassador for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Dingdong Dantes, the special uncovers the stories behind select heirloom recipes from significant periods in our nation’s history.

 

The first course of this gastronomic journey takes viewers back to the kitchen of Doña Teodora Alonso, Jose Rizal’s mother. Dingdong traces her grocery route from Calamba, Laguna to Binondo and Escolta, Manila in order to purchase the finest ingredients – from European hams and French olive oil to Chinese sausages and imported cheeses. A descendant of Jose’s brother, Paciano, also prepares some of our national hero’s favorite dishes, including a fruity dessert made from santol.

 

One of the country’s premier chefs, Chef Gene Gonzales recreates the menu prepared by his ancestor Capt. Joaquin Arnedo Cruz of Brgy. Sulipan, Apalit, Pampanga. The French-inspired three-course meal was proudly served at the Malolos Congress of 1898. The menu includes Sardines in Tomato Sauce and buttered radish as appetizers, Stuffed Truffled Turkey ala Manilloise for the main course and frosted strawberries for dessert.

 

Part One also features a native chicken dish said to have been cooked by Melchora Aquino to nourish the fighting Katipuneros. Two traditional Ilocano vegetable dishes - pinakbet and dinengdeng – were also recreated according to how the Ilocano heroine Gabriela Silang would have cooked it for her husband Diego and the revolutionaries back in the 1700s.

 

In Part Two, airing on September 2, Dingdong heads for the Queen City of the South, Cebu to learn more about the rich delicacies that welcomed the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan when he landed in the Philippines. Dingdong also discovers the kinds of food that may have fuelled Lapu-lapu and his men in their battle versus the Spanish conquistadors.

 

Sa Hapag ng mga Bayani also journeys to Bulacan where one hero was known for his sweet tooth. This young general loved his sweets so much that he made a living by selling them. Another famous writer and hero was known for his penchant for mudfish and a rich pork, chicken and beef stew.

 

Finally, Dingdong meets the civilian employee who cooked for Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino while he was incarcerated in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. He finds out what types of Filipino dishes Ninoy ate and why he gave specific instructions to his wife Cory about this special cook.

 

Sa Hapag ng mga Bayani airs on August 26 and September 2, 8:45 pm on GMA News TV.