We just witnessed the cooking, art, and mixology competitions for the 1st Tanduay Run Festival Bacolod. It was held last August 17, 2019 at the Bacolod Government Center. Here are the winners.
The 1st Tanduay Rum Festival Bacolod
Now an official Bacolod festival, the 1st Tanduay Rum Festival opened last August 17 at the Bacolod Government Center grounds. Government officials and Tanduay executives headed by Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia attended this fledgling event.
The highlights of the day are the two competitions: the Culinaria Cooking with Rum and the Mixology and Flairtending. Additionally, they also announced and awarded the winners of the Barrel Art Painting Competition.
Moreover, the Tanduay Rum Festival joins Sabor Bisaya for its Opening Ceremonies at the SMX Convention Center. The culinary exhibit and competition will also continue on August 23 and 24.
Barrel Art Painting Competition
Many Bacolod artists, both professionals and students, joined the Barrel Art Painting Competition for the Tanduay Rum Festival. Despite stiff competition, three grand winners emerged, namely:
- 1st Prize – Julius Añasca – “Obreros haligi sang Negros”
- 2nd Prize – Rommel Cadigal – “Tubo kag Buhi”
- 3rd Prize – Wen Treyes Quilisadio – “Cheers to Life”
They won plaques, Tanduay Rum products, and cash prizes.
Judges for the barrel art painting competition are Bacolod artists Rafael Paderna and Ernie Mallorca. They are joined by Joan Honoridez and Mache Belangel-de la Torre, founders of the Association of Negros Artists.
Tanduay Rum Festival Culinaria
In a different contest, Bacolod chefs vied for the title of the best team that can come up with the best rum dishes. Cooking with rum is not new, but these chefs have elevated these dishes not just with Tanduay Rum but also with their flair and creativity.
A preliminary was held a few weeks back. In the end, three teams emerged and vied for the title of the first Tanduay Rum Festival Culinaria champion.
There were two categories — the main course with appetizer and the dessert. The team of of Anne Bistro headed by Chef Dan Altarejos was the runaway winner, bagging all the top awards.
The esteemed judges for the Culinaria are Bacolod chefs, namely Don Angelo Colmenares, Benedict John Uy, and Nico Millanes. All are owners of successful Bacolod restaurants. Chef Nico is also the consulting chef at Stonehill Suites.
Meanwhile, Ms. Victoria Beckley, the events director of the World Gourmet Summit, completes the panel. She is also the national sales and marketing director of Peter Knipp Holdings Pte Ltd in Singapore.
Complete List of Culinaria Winners
Please find below the complete list of winners for the Culinaria Cooking with Rum Competition.
Appetizer and Main Dish Featuring Rum
- 1st Prize – Anne Bistro – Chef Dan Lendle Altarejos and Christian Rey dela Cruz. They made Kinilaw na Tuna and Red Curry Prawn Risotto.
- 2nd Prize – Kusinata – Chef Jolito Pandac and Benedict del Rosario. They prepared Pollo y Sandia Borrachos (Drunken Chicken & Watermelon Salad) for appetizer. Meanwhile, their main dish is Pinaasuhan Nga Sili. It’s Smoked Freshwater Eel Glazed with Soy Honey Rum Sauce, on White Rum Risotto, Sautéed Asparagus Spears and Tomato.
- 3rd Prize – La Consolacion College Bacolod – Raymond Jan Ledesma and Matthew Arthem Gelvoleo. They made Scallops Flambé on Crispy Bangus Skin with Pomelo-Rum Vinaigrette for appetizer. For the main dish, it was Chicken Inasal with Batuan Rum Sauce Topped with Rum Infused Ginamos, and Coconut Lemongrass Rice. Sidings was Rum Vinaigrette Green Mango Salsa.
Dessert Featuring Rum
- 1st Prize – Anne Bistro – Chefs John Fred Olvido and Niel John Cortez. They baked Honey Rosemary Cake in just an hour and a half.
- 2nd Prize – Kusinata – Chefs Reviel B. Villapana and Gerard “Jay” D. Grey, Jr. Focusing on original Pinoy delicacies, they prepared Sugar-Glazed Caged “GoodBood”. It’s inspired by the local snack called Budbud, made of glutinous rice and wrapped in banana leaves.
- 3rd Prize – La Consolacion College Bacolod – Jesus Samuel Solinap and John Alre Dales. They made the intricate Piaya RUMbutan with Tanduay Coconut Rum Custard Filled Barquillos. These were served with Rum-Infused Kalabasa Halaya and Candied Bacon.
- Related: The Best Desserts in Bacolod
Mixology with Flairtending Competition Winners
More than just mixing drinks, bartending has also been elevated to the performance arts. Five Bacolod baristas showcased their talents and skills in the mixology and flairtending competition. It was both thrilling as well as entertaining to watch them all.
International mixology expert Ricky Paiva heads the panel of judges. He was assisted by Bacolod Chef Sammy Nuarbe and Tanduay Distillers junior brand manger Gem Boy. Here are the winners for mixology with flairtending:
1st Prize – Laurence Emmanuel Conlu (Al Fresco Café – LCC Bacolod). His creation is called the Tanduay Cooler. Watch his almost perfect performance in the video below.
2nd Prize – Harry Servancia (Wild & Fresh Mobile Bar Bacolod). His cocktail is called Citrus Mojito.
3rd Prize – Kate Jaraiza Tecson (Barholics Mobile Bar Bacolod), the only female contestant. Her cocktail creation is called La Victoria.
Tanduay Rum Run
The Bacolod Rum Festival also held the exciting Tanduay Rum Run on August 24. Bacolod premier running organizer Coach Franklin Echeverria spearheaded the event.
Consequently, Zin Joann Visitacion will organize a Street Dance Parade and Competition.
The festival will end on a night of music with an after-party. It will feature performances from iconic rock band Sandwich; rapper Mike Smith; Idol Philippines’ Dan Ombao and Miguel Ordon. Meanwhile, Bacolod’s Project Juan, Barbie na Doll, and Cali Island will also perform.
About the Tanduay Rum Festival in Bacolod
The first-ever Rum Festival in Bacolod City is truly an exciting one. Tanduay, the World’s Number One Rum, sponsored this event to pay homage to the humble sugarcane. This sweet plant has been an important part of both the company and the province’s prosperity.
How It Started
Tanduay Distillers came up with the idea of a Rum Festival and proposed the possibility of holding it in Bacolod. Councilor Em Ang authored an ordinance that was passed on April 1, 2019, declaring the third weekend of August as the Rum Festival.
Ang cited that Bacolod has been dubbed as the “Sugar Capital of the Philippines” and is the “home of the world’s largest selling rum.” Therefore, holding the festival in the city is just appropriate.
For More Information
For more information on the events, follow their Facebook page: TanduayRumFestival