The Filipino community in the Netherlands is known as a warm, friendly family. Parties usually focus on food, food, and more food. There was plenty of that on Saturday evening at the festive opening of the first Filipino restaurant in the Northern Netherlands, in the heart of Winschoten.
The Filipinos had come to Winschoten from far and wide for the so-called soft opening to attend. Owners Lina Gabbaoan and Patrick Abels have been working on the restaurant for months, Kubjertos -which means cutlery- to dress up. Not only they are happy with their restaurant.
Asset for Oldambt
Alderman Gert Engelkens also speaks of a great asset for Oldambt. Before his short speech, he was briefed by Christine Barawid on how to pronounce the word Kubjertos. The effort paid off.
Barawid represents the Philippine embassy and is mainly concerned with finding suitable Filipino personnel for Dutch companies in the Philippines.
Embassy
She has been in the Netherlands for six years now and works as a commercial attache on behalf of the embassy in The Hague. In that capacity, she does business with, for example, the University of Nijmegen and with chip maker ASML in Veldhoven.
No, she had never heard of Winschoten. “Bluecity – Blauwestad – then?” Engelkens tried. Also not. “But I am happy with this restaurant in Winschoten. I hope and expect that many people from this region, but hopefully also far beyond, will try our ‘cuisine’ and appreciate it. It brings peoples together.”
There was a lack of Filipino cuisine in the North
“You don’t have to travel far to experience what our ‘cuisine’ entails. There are a number of restaurants in the west of the Netherlands, but in the North there was still no Filipino cuisine.”
“This cuisine, which is still relatively unknown, brings together various cultures,” Barawid explains. “For example, Philippine cuisine has Spanish and American influences.” The dishes are tasty, but not particularly spicy. “You may have to get used to that, but it is tasty and healthy.”
A challenge
Eleven full-timers guarantee the dishes from lunch to dinner. A Filipino chef rules the kitchen. “But two Dutch chefs have also registered. They find our kitchen a challenge,” says Lina. While other catering establishments sometimes have difficulty finding staff, Lina and Patrick have access to a reserve list. They were overwhelmed by the interest. That will have to do with the ‘new kitchen.’
Barawid promised Lina and Patrick that their restaurant will be included in a special book in which Philippine companies are listed. “Not only restaurants, but also companies that import goods and food from the Philippines.”
Stadjer Gert Bron, expert on the Philippines
The Filipino community in the Netherlands consists of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 people. There are no exact numbers. What is clear is that six thousand Filipinos are eligible to cast their votes in Philippine elections.
City-Groningen Gert Bron, speaker of the house, knows the Philippines well. In 1989 he was in the Philippines for the first time. The country, with approximately 7,000 islands, left an indelible impression on him. He calls people too submissive, but enjoys them. “Always smiley, helpful and they speak good English.”
My father remains in my heart
From Tuesday Lina and Patrick will go wild. This means Lina’s dream comes true. She would have loved to share the realization of her dream with her father, but he passed away a while ago. “I miss him very much, but he is and will always be in my heart.”