Last April 28, food lovers flocked to the Hall 3 of CSI Stadia in Dagupan City for The 1st Bangusine International Cookfest. ‘Bangusine’ is a short term for ‘Bangus Cuisine’. Dagupenos are very proud of their Bangus to the point that they can come up with several dishes with a twist!
Headed by Dr. Gonzalo T. Duque, the Bangusine had a dry-run last March at Hotel Le Duc. I wasn’t able to attend, but the photos shared by What’s Up Dagupan and Style Fondue on their social media accounts made me hungry and anticipate for the real event.
Kapuso stars Chef Boy Logro and Yasmien Kurdi were already in a secluded room. Chef Boy Logro can be seen regularly at the morning cook show Kusina Master and a new show called Basta Every Day Happy will be launched on May 12. His co-hosts on the show include Donita Rose, Gladys Reyes and my favorite Alessandra de Rossi.
I met Yasmien Kurdi and her husband Rey in the past, but it’s my first time to have a photo taken with her. Just to let you know, I’m a big fan of Starstruck Batch 1! It was through my addiction on this show that I got to meet some celebs that eventually became my friends. Fun Times!
The program started with the L-NU Performing Arts Choir singing the prayer and National Anthem. Being the Chairman, Dr. Gonzalo T. Duque gave his speech and Mayor Belen T. Fernandez formally started the event by recognizing the participants.
^With you each day begins with a smile… Nostalgic <3Â
To entertain the crowd, Rhodora X star Yasmien Kurdi sang her hit song ‘I Know’ and ‘Kisapmata’. Fans like me were secretly singing with her 😛
When given the go-signal, the attendees went straight to their preferred booth and tasted the bangus dish presented to them:
Being the one and only ‘Kusina Master’, Chef Boy Logro entertain the food-loving guests by cooking his own bangus-inspired dish in action. Yumyumyum!
I was surprised to see Jayson and Lecel when I arrived. JCL Photobooth were hired for the event! For your photobooth needs in Pangasinan, just contact and tell them you saw the ad listing here on my blog LOL #promote
^ Here’s a video of Yasmien Kurdi singing ‘Kisapmata’. Also featured are clips and snippets from the actual event specifically the booth of Lyceum-Northwestern University 🙂
The 1st Bangusine International Cookfest is a good venue to showcase the endless possibilities of cooking Bangus. I don’t really cook, but I love to eat! All in all, there were 45 participants. I visited most booths, but I wasn’t able to taste every dish. Pang-international talaga ang aming produkto! <3
More photos at my Flickr page.
Were you able to attend The 1st Bangusine International Cookfest? What’s your favorite Bangus-inspired dish? Visit Dagupan City anytime! <3
What creative ways to cook with bangus! Which one was your favorite?
Thai Bangus with Peanut Sauce was my favorite 😀
Missing north here! Mica, it would’ve been nice that if were able to visit then! See you soon!
I’m an ultimate fan of the first batch 2! Nothings beats that batch IMHO. 🙂
See you soon, Pau!
The best talaga Batch 1 ng Starstruck! 😀 Who was your favorite?
Wow! Chef Boy Logro was there pala ate! Sayang I didn’t make it to the event.
Sayang nga, Lovely. It would’ve been fun if you were around! 😀