At first glance what could a Southeast Asian nation have in common with Greece? Different food, the distance is great, not even Alexander or Seleucid ventured this far east, yet the similarities are striking.
Navigating Manila: Greek time and traffic
Crazy traffic in Manila and Athens, beautiful islands of both nations and the heat. As I rode my motorbike, I found bits of Greece in The Philippines. Even the name has similarities, Greece is of course The Hellenic Republic of, and Philippines is The Republic of….
My Greek side shone in Manilla/Maynila as I somehow arrived Greek time to meetings. Traffic, a navigator that didn’t cooperate and taking wrong roads leading to lengthy discussions with traffic officers didn’t help the Greek time factor.
The Greek community is less than 100, a figure confirmed by several people including the Ambassador, Ioannis Pediotis. The ambassador, whose career has taken him from Brazil to Vienna, was proud to reveal that for the first time 25 March was celebrated in Manila. Greeks being mostly being transient and spread out, the 25 March celebration is therefore a milestone. As the ambassador and his staff confirmed – there is no organised Greek community.
Greeks are usually involved in shipping, married to a local or involved in hospitality. The movement of ships in and out of the country means that Greeks have an unbroken presence for a century, albeit on a small scale.
El Greko: A culinary hub bringing Greek flavours to Filipino chefs
The shipping industry also means Greek ships have a need for chefs schooled in Greek cuisine. The El Greko Greek Cooking Training Center has been diligently undertaking this cultural service for about a decade.
On the day I went to meet chef Anthony Kouroustsavouris, my navigator took to me to an El Greco office by the harbour. Pleased that I was on time, I treated myself to coffee, until Chef Anthony messaged me to ask if I was still planning to visit. The El Greco School is in a beautiful semi-gated community 80 minutes away in Antipolo. Not to be confused with Pro-Polo.
To my relief, waiting for me was a nice couple who thankfully understood my conundrum. Also waiting for me was Rambo the dog who only responds to Greek language, and a range of Greek food to sample. I had intended to start a long overdue diet, but the moment I tasted the delicious Greek dips and pita I ditched the diet.
I went on a tour of the facilities, two levels which includes kitchens, dining areas and sleeping quarters for the apprentice Filipino chefs who stay at the school while they learn their craft. They also learn some Greek language.
Chef Anthony has worked with some of the most renown names in the European cooking world, including Chef D’evre and Le Monde and top pastry chef, Stelios Parliaros. He has also been exporting Greek produce for 35 years.
Probably the most important name to Chef is his loving wife, Philippines born Ms. Emily Reyes. Fluent in Greek, Emily lived in Greece for over two decades, where she worked for one of the largest shipping companies, Costa Mare; she is as Greek as anyone.
The couple pride themselves on supporting local jobs for youngsters, who gain an opportunity to see the world, as well as promoting heathy Mediterranean cuisine.
Greek priestly and Hellenic dining in Filipino style
I attended Annunciation of the Theotokos Orthodox Cathedral, Sucat, consecrated in 2000 by Archbishop Bartholomew. It was a good day to meet a Greek friend, turning up early this time. It was in vain as Father Gregory was away in a province for Greek Orthodox services. I thought God was punishing me for being early.
Just one Greek Orthodox priest to serve the most densely populated city in the world. Father works full time in mainstream society and devotes his spare time to serving his parish, a true Christian. I personally find it hard to comprehend how we allow some priests in emerging nations to hold regular jobs, they should be supported to fulfill such an important task. Father feeds the children and prays for the community; he helps in any way he can. Most of the congregation are not Greek, they’re local. May God bless you, Father.
As is always the case, I chased my own tail searching for Greek eateries. I walked a km, then round and round Parañaque mega mall inside and out looking for Stavros Greek kebabs. Hungry when I left my abode, I was five kilos lighter when security convinced to go try local food instead as Stavros’ had closed!
Obviously, I enjoyed my visit to El Greco sampling Greek food; I took home an awesome box of food for my hotel, which I shared with locals. A knock-on effect being I now craved more Greek food.
I hit the jackpot with Souv by Cyma – owned and run by Chef Robby Goko, I was able to find Greek heaven. Not just the food element, the whole experience. I turned up to Souv by Cyma at Taguig where I was treated like a long-lost friend -I ate almost the entire menu including a delightful honey salted treat made at Cyma. The staff kept engaging me, as I chose this night to eat alone, it seemed like it was “couples’ night”, hence they made sure it was a Billy night for me. Staff explained some of the ingredients while ensuring I was never thirsty. I took a FaceTime call from a friend of the restaurant to ensure that I was enjoying my visit.
Robby is one of the most awarded restaurateurs in Asia. He has a love for Greek food and Greece and is determined to keep connecting locals and tourists to the delights of Greece. His portfolio now includes seven restaurants. In May, he was named “Lambassador” for Philippines by Christopher Lim, High Commissioner for Meat and Livestock Australia.
Another cool Greek eatery I visited was Akrotiri, Alabang. Once again, the food was easily consumed, and staff were exceptional. Part of a small chain with the original owners training the new management and periodically the kitchen staff to ensure the food is cooked to Greek standard. My eating partner that night had never eaten Greek food, suffice to say a new fan of Greek was born.
I would be remiss in not stating the way people went out of their way to make me feel at home. Be it the Greeks or the kind gestures from people such as Jessica, where I stayed at Azure Urban Residences. In fact, she was the first person I met in Manila and as a fan of history, I was soon “adopted” by Jessica and her daughter as a history writer. Across Manila, with a Maradonaesque appearance, people felt comfortable to randomly talk to me. Even some of the traffic officers who pulled me over ended up on good terms.
Greece in The Philippines, I managed to find it, eat it, and enjoy Athens, I mean Manila.
Mini documentary
*Billy Cotsis is the director of Magna Graecia: Greko of Calabria, playing at the Greek Film Festival.
