Last night, SM Supermalls held a welcome party for Madrid Fusion delegates called SM Fiesta By The Bay.
But they could have also called it A Night of 20 Lechons or Pogi by the Bay.
From the SMX Convention Center, guests of the ongoing Madrid Fusion Manila were shuttled by calesas and jeepneys to SM By The Bay, where a native cocktail set-up was waiting for them.
Meanwhile, Jeroen and I left the house at 6 PM and arrived two hours later due to the monster traffic.
Luckily the weather was perfect and we were welcomed with a festive set-up using indigenous materials like rattan balls, wood trunks, flora and local fruits like lanzones and mangosteen.
We made our way through many food stations. I started with the shredded catfish salad with green mango
while Jeroen went for the deepfried catfish wrap
I’ve heard good things about Manam restaurant and tried their crispy pork in a shot glass of singing
They served smoke tanigue with herbed mayo
Orzo and spice tuyo salad with kesong puti
Jeroen said the fried chorizo balls were nice
I’m supposed to be on a diet, but imagine my excitement when I heard there were 20 different lechon stations all over the place.
We started with Pepita’s famous stuffed lechon (this one had salted egg and rice)
Jeroen and I spent some time standing in front of Elar’s Lechon and picking the skin (sorry!)
Lydia’s was there
Mila’s Lechon
Charlie’s fried partition served in soft tortilla wraps and special sauce
Cirkulo’s lechon de leche
Guests enjoyed music by Katribo Kolektib, percussionists from Pinikpikan, Maguindanao, and Katribu and a special presentation from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Kontra-GaPi, an ethnic music and dance ensemble, set the mood of the night.
Spotted: Cristalle Belo with a precious clutch
Chef Claude Tayag
Lali Hererra and Michaela Fenix
Chef Him Uy de Baron of Nomama
Jack de Mesa
and let’s not forget the beautiful AFAMs* that graced the event.
Madrid Fusion Manila is on this April 24 to 26 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, featuring Spain and Asia’s legendary chefs: Andoni Luis Aduriz, Elena Arzak, Quique Dacosta, Ramón Freixa, Francis Paniego, Paco Roncero, Mario Sandoval, Paco Torreblanca, André Chiang, and Alvin Leung.
The Philippines is represented by chefs Fernando Aracama, Margarita Forés, J Gamboa, José Luis “Chele” Gonzalez, Pepe Lopez, Rob Pengson, Bruce Ricketts, Myrna Dizon, Claude Tayag, and Juan Carlos de Terry.
In line with the festive culinary event, SM Supermalls holds a Gourmet Weekend Market from April 24 to 26 at SM Mall of Asia, where a premium selection of cheese, tapas, wine, ingredients, local finds and special bundles shall be made available in partnership with SM Markets (SM Supermarket and Hypermarket).
For a complete schedule of events at SM malls, visit SM Supermalls on Facebook or @smsupermalls on Instagram.
For more information, go to www.madridfusionmanila.com.
Special thanks to Candy Dizon for helping me take these pics 
*a foreigner assigned in Manila