I don’t need a calendar to tell me the holidays are approaching. Sometimes, all it takes is the scent of freshly-made bibingka and puto bumbong. That was the first thing I noticed when I stepped into Savoy Hotel Manila on September 15.
Bottom, from left to right: Puto Bumbong topped with Mango, Coconut Milk, and Sesame Seed; Bibingka Topped with Hamon and Queso de Bola; Bibingka Topped with Macapuno and Leche Flan
To celebrate the release of their upcoming holiday flavors, Savoy Hotel Manila hosted “Puto Bumbong, Bibingka, Merienda at Pika-Pika”, bringing together vloggers, media partners, and hotel guests for an afternoon sharing holiday treats.
From Merienda to Mayhem
I didn’t intend to join the competition in the beginning. But with little persuasion, I found myself standing in front of the media and guests, locked in and ready.
The moment we got the go-signal, I stopped thinking about how good the food tasted. I just wanted to finish my plate. There was something delightfully ridiculous about the whole situation, and that absurdity was what made it so fun.
For a few chaotic minutes, Christmas nostalgia took a backseat to my competitive spirit. And, to my own surprise, I was completely invested. While I ultimately did not win the short competition, somewhere between the cheering and trying to finish my food, I realized I was having way more fun than I expected.
I felt the holiday spirit in that corner of Savoy Cafe even before the competition started, and long after I left the hotel.
The Food Tasted Different
Once the frenzy ended and the dust settled, I could finally catch my breath and actually taste the food again.
I have eaten these delicacies countless times, yet they always feel different. That is when it hit me how much history and emotion these traditional treats carry. Puto bumbong and bibingka aren’t just seasonal snacks we eat because they happen to be available. We taste memories in every bite. For me, they’re nostalgic symbols of happy holiday moments—Simbang Gabi mornings, chilly December air, and family reunions.
More Than What’s on the Table
Looking around the room after the competition, I was reminded of how easily food brings people together.
Through eating, competing, and laughing, a standard afternoon transformed into a genuine celebration of Filipino holiday culture. That is ultimately why these traditions endure. They give us flavors to look forward to, but more importantly, they give us an excuse to gather.
It was only September. But after one bite—and one wildly unexpected eating contest—Christmas didn’t feel far away at all.
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