'Coming together as family': Celebration of Filipino food month in Sydney marked with a boodle fight

Crispy pata, chicken inasal, daing na bangus, insaladang talong, and many more are just some of the Filipino dishes laid out on banana leaves at the very first longest boodle fight held in Sydney as part of the celebration of Filipino food month.

The Filipino Food Movement Australia aims to host a record-breaking boodle feast in Sydney. This event celebrates Filipino dishes that embody tradition, culture, and camaraderie. Credit: SBS

Key Points

• The aim of the first longest boodle fight held in Sydney was to introduce Filipino food and the traditional way of eating with hands, known as 'Kamayan'.
• 75 people attended the boodle fight in Sydney, and the organizers hope that more people will join in the coming years.
• Sizzling Fillo and Filo Station prepared the food for the boodle feast, and aside from Filipinos, people from other nationalities also participated in the feast.

According to the organiser and founder of Filipino Food Month, Anna Manlulo, the boodle feast in Sydney is a way to introduce Filipino food and culture, where people come together as one big family.

The boodle fight, a part of Filipino culture, is a military-style way of eating where individuals dine without any utensils and plates, instead using banana leaves and their hands.

Anna Manlulo, the founder of Filipino Food Movement Australia, is also the organiser of 'The Boodle Sydney.'

One of those who attended the longest boodle fight in Sydney was Filipino-Australian Happy Ferarin [center]. She shared that this occasion was special because she intentionally brought along her Australian friend Briana Collins [left] and another friend [male] to experience eating with their hands for the first time.

"It was really good; the food is delicious. I think my favorite is the pork, Crispy pata. Salamat," says Briana Collins.

The Filipino-Australian Happy Ferarin brought her friends along to taste Filipino dishes and experience the traditional way of eating in the Philippines, known as kamayan. credit: SBS

Meanwhile, Vivian Lucero traveled for two hours from Newcastle to Sydney with her whole family. She also mentioned that in her more than 35 years in Australia, this is the first time she has attended a gathering where they eat with their hands.

She even added that she hopes to have more opportunities like this to showcase the rich culture and traditions of Filipinos to others.

Vivian Lucero and her son from Newcastle traveled two hours just to attend 'The Boodle Sydney.' SBS

One of the organisers of this boodle feast, Chef Nina Cruz, who also owns Sizzling Filo, admitted that despite having been organising boodle fights in their restaurant for over a decade, she feels a unique joy in showcasing to other nationalities how delicious Filipino food is.

Sizzling Fillo chef and owner Nina Cruz was among those who prepared the food for the longest boodle fight held in Sydney. Credit: SBS

Chef Mary Joy Magbitang from Filo Station is full of gratitude for preparing food not only for fellow Filipinos but also for people of other nationalities. She remarked that food tastes even better when eaten with the hands.

Chef Mary Joy Magbitang from Filo Station hopes that through this, Filipino culture and cuisine will be further promoted here in Australia. Credit:SBS

The kitchen staff are the chefs' partners in preparing delectable dishes. They admitted that despite the difficult process, it becomes insignificant whenever they see their customers happily eating and full.

They are the few people behind the successful longest boodle fight in Sydney. Credit: SBS

The organisers hope that more people will attend the upcoming boodle fight in future gatherings and celebrations.