The Philippine Embassy in Berlin hosted “Hallo, Halu-halo!” with more than 100 members of the Filipino community and their German and foreign friends, to commemorate Buwan ng Wika and to bid summer farewell.

 

The highlight of the event was the Halu-Halo sa Jardin, where guests enjoyed the classic Filipino dessert al fresco at the Embassy’s amphitheater while sharing food tales and culinary memories. More substantial fare was on offer at the Pansit at Puto sa Patio, alongside which guests could try their hand in a game of Hugot and Darna created by start-up game companies in the Philippines or browse recipes at the Pinoy Cook Book Corner.

Meanwhile, younger guests had their own kiddie session at the Consular Area, where they were treated to a story-telling of “Haluhalo Espesyal”, a Filipino children’s book by Yvette Ferreol, with illustrations by Jill Arwen Posadas, and other children’s books about Filipino food. Aside from the usual ingredients like kaong, nata de coco, macapuno, langka, ube ice cream, and leche flan, the kiddie halu-halo station let the kids top up their desserts with special ingredients like gummy bears and wafer rolls.

To encourage sustainability, biodegradable cups and cutlery were used and guests who brought their own reusable containers were treated to their own halu-halo station. Another station featured healthier options such as mais con hielo and mango slushie, with toppings like chia seed, cacao nibs, and pomegranate, and oat and soy milk and instead of cow’s milk.

The event was also part of the Embassy’s food diplomacy initiative as well as its Kapihan/Kainan at Kuwentuhan para sa Kababaihan series under its Gender and Development (GAD) program. (END)