To me, Philippine Cookery From Heart to Platter is a cross between a humble coffee table book and an elevated cookbook. The book begins with telling us chef and author Tatung Sarthou’s personal experience and views on food. There is a page that outlines his 5 laws of cooking. Despite the typical nature of rules, these five laws felt more encouraging rather than prescriptive. The contents and recipes that follow are organized not by ingredients but by cooking method. Historical and cultural notes are found in between recipes and instructions.
Tag Archives: filipinofoodmovement

Full and Happy in Davao City
A trip to a Philippine city is never complete without sampling local street food. Coconut water with evaporated milk was my favorite thirst quencher. I’m quite a fan as it was only singko per cup! I had proben or fried gizzard on sticks and crispy fried chicken skin. They were delicious with chili sauce. There were also healthy options– sliced fruits such as papaya, mangoes, guavas and the refreshing root crop singkamas. M, one of my amazing friends and a most gracious host, took us to an unassuming kebab place in one of our dinners. It had an open air layout and plastic tables and chairs. I liked the fact that I didn’t have to worry about my money when ordering Persian food.
The next day, the whole barkada went to an old house turned fine dining restaurant upstairs (Claude’s) and casual dining downstairs (Cellar de Oboza). We ordered Filipino comfort food kare-kare, beef salpicao and the house pancit. We also had shrimps in crab fat. Mr. Leading Man* was a little disappointed when the iced tea he ordered turned out to be bottled Nestea. Of course we expected it in a glass at least. I tasted better rice too. I mean who goes wrong with rice? I did like how the kare-kare was presented and the fact that it had puso ng saging with the usual vegetables.
![]() photo by ESena |
We didn’t have enough time (and honestly no car and diminishing funds!) to go wakeboarding so we decided on going to the beach instead. Sam’s quick call to her cousin got us to a humble but very sufficient cottage in Kaputian, Samal Island. The caretaker made sure we had that videoke on and the refrigerator working. Of course, we made sure he had his favorite drink too. We had a great time singing our hearts out, night swimming and talking about all sorts of things. We slept soundly and comfortably in the cottage’s “attic”. Before our bus left Kaputian, we had buko and nangka iced candy.
![]() |
photo by ESena |
We were famished upon our return to Davao City so we headed off to Hukad and had comfort food again but I really only appreciated the crispy pata. When it was time to order dessert, everyone opted to share a serving of halo-halo except of course Mr. Leading Man and I. It wasn’t surprising that we were both the only ones to finish our halo-halo either. We love halo-halo. Yes we do.
I know I barely scratched the surface of what Davao City had to offer. Good. A lot of my friends seem to be moving there so I have even more reasons to return. Until the next adventure!
*so i finally settled with this “screen name” for the boyfriend. haha. and he found out that im blogging. grrr. hehe.hi.