HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – One in 4 people in Hawaii claim some Filipino ancestry, but many youth have little knowledge of their heritage or immigrant roots.
The Philippine government wants to help rebuild the connection.
Ahead of Philippine Independence Day this June 12, the new Philippine Consul General Arman Talbo sat down with Hawaii News Now to share his mission in Hawaii over a traditional Filipino “kamayan” meal at Eating House 1849 in Waikiki.
“One of the things that I’ve gotten when I’ve been talking to our community members is trying to find the voice of the community, to amplify the voice of the community, and I think that the consulate and myself can serve that purpose,” Talbo said. “So that they get to be heard, they get to know themselves better and they get to showcase the best of what we do as Filipino Americans.”
“I’ve met with the governor, I met with the mayors, I met with Representative Case, and they’ve been saying so many wonderful things about our Philippine American community and about the contribution of our Philippine Americans to the prosperity of Hawaii,” he said. “I’ve been also discussing with them activities, collaboration in the field of education for our Philippine Americans, healthcare services as well as improvement in trade and business relations so that both Hawaii and the Philippines can benefit from our very close cultural relationship and people to people relationship.”
“I’ve also been discussing with them contingency measures and emergency preparedness both for our Philippine Americans here in Hawaii as well as in the Philippines because I think we share some common threats with natural calamities with Hawaii,” he added. “We have typhoons in the Philippines. We have threats of tsunami and earthquake, which is being faced by Hawaii as well. So this exchange of ideas, expertise, and possibly exchange of help if it becomes necessary will be beneficial for both Hawaii and the Philippines in the long run.”
“The relationship between our military is very close, very tight, and we have an ironclad alliance, of course, with the United States,” Talbo added. “I’ve met with Admiral Paparo as well as the different heads of the different services under him and have spoken of the very close partnership between our militaries, not only on military but also on disaster preparedness that we are we are doing with them as well.”
To celebrate Philippine Independence Day and his Filipino heritage, Eating House 1849 Executive Chef Randy Bangloy is hosting a special “kamayan” (by hand) feast on June 11 at 6 p.m.
The tradition involves a communal feast where different dishes and vegetables are served family-style on banana leaves and eaten with your hands, not utensils.
Bangloy prepared garlic rice, pancit noodles. deep fried whole Thai snapper served with dipping sauces, chayote salad, sous vide tocino pork belly, adobo chile peppers, and shrimp and pork lumpia.
“The reason why I do this kamayan dinner is because it reflects on what this restaurant is about,” Bangloy said. “Now it’s more popular, a lot of gatherings in houses, parties, but often in restaurants you hardly see it, but I try to offer this type of feast and in our restaurant.”
“I always dream about showcasing my talent of what I learned from, from here, from my grandparents, from my mom and dad,” he added.
Eating House 1849 is one of several restaurants and small businesses across the state that are headed by a chef of Filipino ancestry.
“Chef Randy and the other Chef and other Filipinos involved in our cuisine has been providing the flavor of the Philippines in Hawaii, and this flavor that they provide complements the Hawaiian food and the experience that tourists and Hawaiians experience when they dine in the different restaurants here,” Talbo said.
“This is not just authentic filipino food, it’s authentic filipino experience as well.”
Click here to book a seat at the June 11 Kamayan dinner at Eating House 1849 or visit royyamaguchi.com/eatinghouse1849-waikiki for more information.
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