Samar's Kitchen Hero, Dioscoro 'Intoy' Doncillo II, wowed the Terra Madre crowd with a heritage Tamalos demo, showcasing the dish's craftsmanship and cultural significance. But here's where it gets controversial: the preparation of Tamalos is a labor-intensive process, involving slow-braised pork, peanuts simmered with stock, and dough rolled onto banana leaves. Doncillo, a fourth-generation guardian of the recipe, presented a dish rooted in the Acapulco-Samar galleon trade, preserved in Samarnon kitchens. His live demonstration offered delegates a rare glimpse of tamalos, braised pork wrapped in rice dough and topped with thick pipi-an sauce. The audience was intrigued and later returned to ask questions and taste the dish. Tamalos in Catbalogan City is a labor-intensive dish that includes slow-braised pork, peanuts simmered with stock and achuete, and dough rolled onto banana leaves before steaming. He usually starts his day as early as 4 a.m., continuing a tradition passed down from his great-grandmother, who worked in Spanish-era kitchens. At Booth 55, Samar province expanded its showcase with live-cooked street food—Tahong Barbecue, Tahong Lumpia, Baduya nga Pasayan, and Baduya nga Ube. These items became instant favorites because they were cooked on-site and offered flavors not commonly found elsewhere at the event. Visitors also explored the Secret Kitchens of Samar, which featured delicacies such as tinapa gourmet, root-crop crackers, and traditional pastries. Many found these to be perfect pasalubong choices and enjoyed a preview of next year’s Catbalogan Food Crawl through the Secret Kitchens of Samar program. Part of the Slow Food Movement, the gathering united producers, chefs, and advocates promoting “good, clean, and fair” food. Governor Sharee Ann Tan stated that Samar's participation “honors our culture bearers and inspires the next generation of Samarnon culinary artisans.” For Doncillo, the moment went beyond just a cooking demonstration. Each fold of banana leaf connected his family’s kitchen to a global community, telling the story of a dish that has endured through time, trade, and tradition. (AAC, PIA Samar)
