MANILA, Philippines — It was a typical fiesta, with the barong-clad Jollibee mascot welcoming guests at SM Mega Fashion Hall on Friday. Dancers in traditional wear blended seamlessly with musicians playing Filipino instruments and soprano Lara Maigue impressing the crowd with her rendition of the Sylvia La Torre classic, “Sa Kabukiran.”

Street food like taho, native ice cream, fishballs, turon with langka, and kikiam competed with Filipino favorites like chicken isaw and inasal by Sarsa; sisig, chicharones, and chocolate eh! by Abe; lechon by Zubuchon; lumpiang shanghai and crunchy squid heads by Gerry’s Grill; lechon belly by Manilachon; puto and cathedral windows gelatin by Goldilocks; as well as okoy, dinuguan, puto bumbong and maja blanca by Barrio Fiesta, and more.

CAMPAIGN PARTNERS SM Supermalls have partnered with the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the “Malling is More Fun in the Philippines” campaign in SM malls nationwide. In photo: Jollibee’s Francis Flores, SM Supermarket’s Joey Mendoza, DOT’s Assistant Secretary Verna Buensuceso and Assistant Secretary Howie Uyking, Mandaluyong Mayor Menchie Abalos, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Mandaluyong Councilor Charisse Abalos, Margarita Fores,SM Supermalls’ Steven Tan and Ian Mathay, DOT NCR Officer in Charge Catherine Agustin, and SM Supermalls’ Jonjon San Agustin at the May 17 launch at SM Mega Fashion Hall. For more details, visit www.smsupermalls.com

Read more: Inquirer