Added: Jan 9, 2009

From: andrewpacumio

Duration: 8:27

Republic of Cavite: A celebration of history and independenceTherese J. CametOn June 12, 1898, between 4 and 5 in the afternoon, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, in the presence of a huge crowd, proclaimed the independence of the Philippines (from Spain) at his residence in Kawit, Cavite the same day the Philippine flag was first unfurled and the Philippine National Anthem Lupang Hinirang was first publicly played. On June 12, 1898, between 4 and 5 in the afternoon, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, in the presence of a huge crowd, proclaimed the independence of the Philippines (from Spain) at his residence in Kawit, Cavite the same day the Philippine flag was first unfurled and the Philippine National Anthem "Lupang Hinirang" was first publicly played.Indeed a historic event and place that true-blue Caviteño Andrew Pacumio wants to relive day after day and impart to his fellow Cavitenos. Thus, he built a replica of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldos mansion in the heart of Cavites capital Trece Martirez City and called it the "Republic of Cavite."Strategically located behind the towns municipal hall on Martyrs Avenue, Republic of Cavite is actually a four-storey restaurant and occasions venue that features rooms named after some of Cavites momentous landmarks, a spacious garden, and a park patterned after the popular Picnic Grove in Tagaytay.CAVITES RECIPESThe basement is devoted to the hungry guests craving Filipino dishes cooked Caviteño-style. The Republic Chicken BarbeQGrill offers the Pacumios authentic recipes that Towns Delight Catering has built its reputation on for over three decades, according to Pacumio."Our catering business has been around for 35 years, but its only this year that we decided to get into the restaurant business when we opened the BarbeQGrill two months ago," shares Pacumio. "I said maybe its about time we share our recipes to the public, this way they will be familiar with the Cavite delicacies," he adds."Here, we dont only cook our food Caviteño-style, but we also utilize ingredients that are widely found in town, for instance, tahong or mussels and so my wife Connie who acts as our chief chef, came up with her own version of kilawing puso ng saging with tahong."The BarbeQGrill is popular for its flavorful chicken barbecue, which according to Chef Connie is really an ordinary recipe that homemakers are familiar with. "There is no secret formula to it. We just marinade the chicken for one to two hours in soy sauce [and] pineapple juice flavored with seasoning, garlic, onion, peanut butter, and local chili peppers or siling labuyo. Then we grill it for two hours," she explains. The barbecue is served with Java rice, and grilled eggplant salad with salted egg, pickled mango, and lettuce.Among the other must-try offerings are the sinful and appetizing crispy binagoongang baboy, pork dinuguan, and fried lumpiang bangus. The sweet-toothed are treated to Republic of Cavites native kakanins or rice cakes such as (a purple rice cake with salted egg and cassava filling), onde onde (colorful rice flour with syrup inside), puto pao (puto topped with salted egg and cheese), halayang kalabasa, and paborito ni Emilio (a special turon filled with fried sweet potato strips rolled in ground peanuts and jackfruit strips wrapped in lumpia wrappers).Diners who just want to have coffee for dessert can try the best coffee in townCafé Amadeo."Apart from the food we have on the menu, we also sell Cavite-made products here like tahong chips, homemade cookies, Café Amadeo coffee, among others because I want to help other Caviteños promote their products. This way, when there are tourists who want to see and try what Cavite has to offer, they can just come here," says Pacumio."Republic of Cavite doesnt only give you a glimpse of the history of Cavite but also allows you to make your own history (here)," Pacumio adds.

Channel: Education

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