Ever caught between croissant and adobo cravings? Us too, lol! While we’re totally enjoying our time here in the Philippines, sometimes we still get a little homesick. Good news is we’ve discovered that the Philippines offers activities and events that mix the best of both worlds. In these times, we get to feel the French culture while embracing the heartwarming touch of the Filipino way of life.
In this blog post, let’s zoom in on the piece all about the France-Philippines culture. So, whether you’re a French national missing home or a Filipino eager to experience the “joie de vivre”, read on and let us show you how these two different cultures are brought together.
1.Cuisine
In the lively food world of the Philippines, French cooking has become more popular, giving a stylish twist to our meals. When we talk with other foreigners living here and our local pals, it’s pleasant to see a common feeling – more and more people want to experience the atmosphere and tastes of French cafes. And nowadays, there are more and more restaurants that focus on offering real French dishes.
One place we suggest is Dr. Wine. Even though the name suggests they really like drinks, they also have a menu with traditional French bites like escargots à la Bourguignonne, tartiflette, filet mignon mille-feuille, and more. The Dr. Wine Poblacion and Rooftop branch also have a special thing – a bar on the roof where you can see a pretty view of Manila. So, if you’re around Poblacion or BGC, it’s worth going to their places!
Also nestled in the heart of BGC, Brasserie Sagana offers an authentic French Brasserie experience. Led by their dedication to bringing the best of France to Manila, the restaurant is a fusion of French tradition and Filipino sustainability values. You can try out their dishes to experience French cuisine elevated by fresh and proudly local seasonal produce.
But, if you want to try a mix of Filipino and French food, there are bistros that combine the tastes from both places. One place that blends Filipino and French flavors well is Le Bar at Sofitel Plaza Manila. They have an idea of Filipino-French treats and a menu that combines France-Philippines culture. Also, if you want, you can enjoy French High Tea at Le Bar to have a fancy afternoon.
But if you enjoy making food instead of just eating it, you might like the cooking classes at Alliance Française de Manille’s Bistro Le Coude Rouge! There, you can discover how to make French favorites like croissants, chocolate bread, and tarte tatin. It’s almost like bringing a bit of France into your own kitchen.
So, if you’re in Manila and curious about the skill of French cooking in the Philippines, these spots can help you explore that world.
2.Art
Art is like a language that both the French and Filipinos understand well. France is famous for its interesting museums and art places, and here in our busy cities, lots of Filipinos like to see art shows. But, not everyone knows about the cool galleries where you can see art from France-Philippines culture for free. It’s like a hidden treasure not everyone has found yet.
For example, look at Qube Gallery’s 2023 Art Fair Philippines show as a really good example of mixing cultures. The exhibition is called “Under the Same Southern Sky.” It brings together experienced artists from France and the Philippines, who both come from places that aren’t the main cities. Their stories are connected because they all live in the southern parts away from the big cities.
This show combines the fancy look of cities with the simple beauty of the countryside. It shows how France-Philippines cultures meet. The artists use cool things like cyanotype, collage, resin artworks, and weaving to tell their stories. The exhibition talks about the edges where France and the Philippines’ city and countryside come together.
In May, the Alliance Française de Manille and the French Embassy in the Philippines worked together to present an art show called “Encounters: An Artist’s Journey.” This was a team effort between Filipino artist Anina Rubio and French artist Bertrand Goalou. The show didn’t just celebrate their artistic skills but also showed how France-Philippine cultures are shared. The gallery had artworks that mixed the creative spirit of the Philippines and France.
Remember to watch for more exhibitions and events like these, so you can see more paintings where the colors of France-Philippines culture come together.
But if you’re looking for other forms of art, don’t miss the annual French Film Festival – one of the most anticipated French events in the city. Filipinos and the French share a passion for moving images, and this festival delivers critically acclaimed and heartwarming films that touch on social issues, family values, and picturesque landscapes close to the heart. It’s a celebration of storytelling through film, where both the France-Philippines culture find common ground on the silver screen. Last year, they even had the honor of hosting renowned talents like Isabel Huppert and Lucas Bravo (yup, the Gabriel from Emily in Paris!).
3.Music
Every year on June 21st, the longest day of the year, something really special takes place in the streets of France. It’s called the Fête de la Musique, a music festival. The French really love this day because it’s like a big party with music everywhere. Well, guess what? This exciting celebration that shows off the mix of different France-Philippines culture has found a home here too!
The Fête de la Musique in the Philippines is all about people coming together through music. Let’s talk about the 2023 version: they named it MerSea, which combines the words ‘mer’ (sea) and ‘merci’ (thank you) in French. This year’s celebration not only marked many years of the Philippines and France being friends, but it also promised to help protect the ocean.
And guess what? It doesn’t cost anything to enjoy! It’s the country’s most famous music event that doesn’t charge anything, and it shows off lots of cool and different local bands like Blaster & the Celestial Klownz, Lola Amour, and Of Mercury. Even some French musicians, like R3 or Remi Panossian Trio, came over to join the fun. The Fête organized live events in different places all around the country, even far from the cities like Cebu and Siargao. This proves how music can bring people from the France-Philippines cultures in the Philippines and from around the world closer.
So, whether you’re wandering around France or exploring the exciting parts of the Philippines, remember to watch out for the next Fête de la Musique.
As we make the Philippines our second home, these things help us get to know French traditions better and also enjoy the lively Filipino energy. Along with these activities, we made a list of the best things we realized in our experience here so far. Give these suggestions a try and experience the blend of France-Philippines culture for yourself! Feel free to share with us in the comments below which of these adventures you’re most excited about.
Wanna know more about the French and Filipino cultures? Check out our blog French and Filipino Culture: Similarities & Differences.
