Tour participants listen to a presentation on the historical links between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam prior to sampling halal Filipino dishes laid out in fresh banana leaves and eaten ‘kamayan’ style.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 30 March 2021. Bruneians and Filipinos alike were treated a uniquely Filipino and interactive cultural culinary experience at a tourism promotion event package “Bringing the Philippines to Your Table” held on 28 March 2021 at the Kampung Bolkiah Community Center of Kampong Ayer, Brunei’s famous water village frequented by local and foreign tourists.
Organized by Darussalam Travel and Tours, with the full support of the Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam, the event provided local tour package participants a unique experience of Philippine cuisine and culture, particularly for Bruneians who have been yearning to travel overseas but are unable to do so due to existing travel restrictions as a result of the pandemic.
Set is a traditional Filipino communal setting, selected Filipino dishes prepared in accordance with halal standards were laid out in fresh banana leaves and eaten in kamayan style. To tickle and delight the local Bruneian’s palette, the menu consisted of signature Filipino dishes such as:
- “Rellenong Manok”, a golden crisp baked whole chicken, deboned and stuffed with delicious meat mixed with vegetables, cheese and egg;
- “Longganisa”, sweet homemade chicken sausages enriched with spices and Himalayan rock salts;
- “Daing na Bangus”, butterflied milkfish marinated in vinegar and then fried until golden brown; and
- “Laing”, shredded taro leaves with coconut milk and a variety of aromatics including, ginger, lemongrass and garlic.
- Filipino desserts and drinks such as “kakanin-biko, suman muron, sago’t gulaman”
The all-Filipino menu was selected and prepared by Arquilato Kusina, a home-based kitchen owned and managed by Filipino-Bruneian siblings, Ms. Nurhaziqah Omar and Mr. Afiq Omar. Their mother, Fatima, hails from the province of Misamis Oriental and is married to a Bruneian.
Local Bruneian tour participants expressed delight with their culinary experience, citing the richness of the taste and flavor of the Filipino dishes served, and the communal atmosphere of the event.
In his remarks at the event, Philippine Ambassador Christopher B. Montero underscored the shared commonalities of the Philippines and Brunei, not only due to proximity and close historical connection but also a similar environment that influenced the culinary tradition of both countries.
“We commend Darussalam Holdings Travel and Tours for introducing an innovative tourism product to spur local tourism during the pandemic, and commit to fully support future initiatives that promote Filipino cuisine in the Sultanate,” the Ambassador said.
Also present at the event were Haji Jefri bin Haji Bachee, General Manager, Hajah Sabrina binti Hj Sallehuddin, Marketing Head/Executive Officer of Darussalam Services Sdn Bhd., and officials of the Philippine Embassy. Local vloggers were also on hand to document their experience of the culinary event.
The event program included a presentation given by Mr. Haji Hasnal Bolkiah, travel consultant and tour guide of Darussalam Holdings, on the historical linkages between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam.
To add a Filipino feel, the Embassy set up a mini-booth decorated with traditional Philippine clothing - the Barong Tagalog and the Baro at Saya, which were enthusiastically worn by tour participants for photo opportunities.
Filipino food products such as puto seko, boy bawang snacks, biscocho and Philippine souvenir items were also sold by MTK Sdn Bhd, a Filipino owned store in the Sultanate, during the event.
The event likewise afforded an opportunity for the Embassy to promote the Fiesta Filipinas project by giving away Fiesta Filipinas Kits to participants who correctly answered questions about the Philippines, its culture and cuisine. The lucky winners who received the kits were Ms. Naz Rashid, a business woman and member of the International Womens Club of Brunei, and Mr Muhammad Khairul Insan bin Haji Mardini.
The Philippines is the first country to be featured for this initial culinary tour package offered by Darussalam Travel and Tours, a subsidiary of government-linked company Darussalam Holdings Sdn Bhd (DHSB). DHSB was established in 1993 to cater Hajj and Umrah operations as a national pilgrimage Hajj agent, and has since expanded its operations to include inbound and outbound tour packages. END
Ambassador Christopher B. Montero delivers his remarks during the tourism promotion event. 
Tour package participants waiting for the kamayan feast to start. 
Ms. Nurhaziqah Omar (right), a half-Filipino, half-Bruneian young entrepreneur and co-owner of Arquilato Kusina, prepares the dishes for the kamayan feast. 
The Kamayan Feast menu prepared for the event by Ms. Nurhaziqah Omar (right), a half-Filipino, half-Bruneian young entrepreneur and co-owner of Arquilato Kusina. 
Tour participants have fun trying on the traditional Filipino attire. 
Winners of the Fiesta Filipinas kit, Ms. Naz Rashid (left) and Mr. Muhammad Khairul Insan bin Haji Mardini. 
Ambassador Christopher B. Montero (seated left) and Darussalam Holdings General Manager Haji Jefri Bin Haji Haji Bachee (seated right) pose for a photo with the participants of the “Bringing the Philippines to Your Table” event held on 28 March 2021 at the Kampung Bolkiah Community Center.
