Power of the pen in Davao

Hello, Davao! We’re coming for you!

My mentor and idol Micky Fenix and I will be at the Ateneo de Davao University in Mindanao on May 19, Saturday, to give a talk at a food writing seminar and forum called “Power of Pen” organized by tourism advocate Tetta Tirona.

“Power of Pen” is an annual food forum and I am honored to have been one of its first speakers way back in 2009 alongside Micky, food columnist Doreen Fernandez, Writing Award champion (several times) Joy Subido, editor Nana Ozaeta, and blogger extraordinaire Lori Baltazar, among others. Speakers in previous years included esteemed food historian and award-winning author Felice Sta. Maria and chef Claude Tayag.

I love listening to other speakers. At last year’s “Power of Pen,” I learned so much about Mindanaoan cuisine. So I’m thrilled to be going to Davao this time to actually taste this cuisine.

Below is the press release of “Power of Pen” in full. Hope to see you there.

“Power of Pen” treks to Mindanao for a research and food writing seminar and workshop

Food has gone beyond the limitations of our palate and plates. More than a physiological need, it has become a destination for many, a propelling factor for tourism and a representation of our culture and history.

How do we communicate our culinary experience in a literary sense? What are the different ways to write a credible critique on food? As practitioners and professionals in the hospitality businesses, what are the various styles of writing which we can use in our respective fields? These are among the questions we aim to answer in “Power of Pen 8: Mindanao Culinary Culture—Research and Writing Basics.”

This May 19, 2018, five prominent food writers, researchers and culinary experts will set foot in Ateneo De Davao University to share their journeys, insights and lessons on food writing and research.

“In this seminar and workshop, aspiring food writers, marketing professionals and social media influencers will be informed and equipped with the essential key points and instructions on crafting food reviews with informative, entertaining and flavorful content with the guidance of Michaela Fenix and Margaux Salcedo, columnists for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. They will speak about the importance of research for food stories and ideas, feature writing and reviewing restaurants.

Our resource speakers chef Datu Pendatun III, Dr. Macario Tiu and Ms. Lolita Lacuesta will take on an encompassing discussion on Mindanaoan cuisine, its history and sociocultural narratives and how we can utilize its richness to encourage research, promotion and preservation via writing. Topics for this segment are as follows: A study on the cuisine of Muslim Mindanao (Pendatun), Documenting the recipes of the 10 tribes of Davao (Tiu), and The Davao we know: Writing to record sociocultural history (Lacuesta).

“Power of Pen” will also address practical techniques to apply food writing to effectively market restaurant offerings, hotel promotions and travel pitches to both local and foreign spectators. To add excitement and fun, everyone will also be given a chance to write their personal experiences adapting to various scenarios through a writing workshop before the end of the program.

Join the “Power of Pen” this May 19 at the Community Center of the First Companion, Ateneo De Davao University, E. Jacinto St., Davao City, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To register, please fill up the form through: https://bit.ly/2FSxAFX. For more information, you may visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/strameventsinc or our website at www.strameventsinc.com. You may also call us through 927-7208 or 0906-3859213.